October 2022 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork

The three artists featured in the October 2022 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase – Susan Grimm, Veronica Winters, and Patrycja Pacholska – share the stories behind their beautiful artwork here in our blog. 

Time to Reflect by Susan Grimm
16 x 20 inches
Polychromos and Prismacolor colored pencil on .005 double-sided matte Grafix drafting film
(Artist's own photo.)

While taking a macro photography class, a pocket watch and a leafy piece of fabric caught my eye to set up for my composition. I added a yellow neon light to my camera to capture these cool colors and reflections of the mechanics inside this watch. To this day, pocket watches always remind me of my grandfather who always carried one in his pocket, with his three initials etched on the outer lid.

The paper I chose for this piece was .005 double-sided matte Grafix drafting film for the benefit of making the dark colors really dark and the bright colors really bright. By adding four layers of black on the front of the film and two layers of indigo dark blue on the reverse side I was able to achieve this. The hardest part in this drawing for me was completing all of the small perforations in the textured fabric.

About Susan Grimm:

Susan Grimm is currently from Wooster, Ohio. She started drawing with graphite and charcoal at a young age. In 2003, Sue took up colored pencil classes locally to learn how to draw portraits of her young children and her pets.She has honed her skills further by taking workshops nationwide. She enjoys drawing old cars, portraits, and still life.

See more at: www.suegrimmart.com

Leopard by Patrycja Pacholska
11 x 14 inches
Colored pencils on Strathmore Smooth Bristol paper, 300 Series
(Photo from Kurt Bouda. Used with permission)

I drew this portrait in 2021. It's one of my mixed media drawings. I drew this with colored pencils and pastels. Before I found the reference picture I already had an idea for a drawing I wanted to create next. Then I found this picture and this was what I was looking for. I have always loved photos of animals looking up to the sky. It reminds me as if these animals were so spiritual. You can see something in their eyes. You can see the universe and clear souls. Their eyes carry a message, some story.

The process of drawing was surprisingly fast and pleasant. This artwork absorbed me that much that I could spent the whole day on working on it. It is also my first drawing that I used a craft knife to create highlights on the leopard's fur. To my satisfaction, I succeeded. It's one of my favorite drawings I have ever done and technically one of my best ones.

About Patrycja Pacholska:

Patrycja Pacholska is 21-year-old self-taught Polish artist who specializes in colored pencils. She loves nature and '80s music, which is why these are the subjects of her artworks. Drawing has been her passion since she was a child. She has learned realistic drawing by exploring other artists' art on social media.

See more at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063615249661

Omnipresent Mind by Veronica Winters
19 x 25 inches
Colored pencil on Canson Colorline Paper
(Artist's own photo)

This colored pencil drawing illustrates my idea of balance between human mind and higher consciousness. The Star of David-that you see between the figures shows a perfect balance of earth, air, fire and water. The eye represents higher consciousness. Two identical male portraits represent balance between humanity and higher consciousness and consciousness and existence expressed through human beings.

Using Photoshop, I “construct” my pieces out of many elements to illustrate ideas, concepts, and feelings. I rely on classical art for inspiration and standard to create visual stories in art that inspire people to explore their own thoughts and feelings about their existence.

About Veronica Winters:

Veronica Winters, MFA, is a portrait artist, instructor, curator, and book author who paints a powerful connection between humans and the universe through her figurative oil paintings and colored pencil drawings. Veronica wants people to experience a heart-centered world with her art.

See more at: veronicasart.com/

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