October 2024 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The three artists featured in the October 2024 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase share the stories behind their beautiful artwork here in our blog.
King of Beasts by Chloe Shaw
11.4 x 16.5 inches
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Ache Luminance and Pablo and Holbein colored pencils on Grafix drafting film. (Photo by Jason Vernon, used with permission.)
This artwork was inspired after a recent visit with my family to our local wildlife reserve, Port Lympne, near the south coast of England. Our favorite animals are always the big cats and by chance a photographer took this amazing photo of our favorite lion, Zulu. I was captivated by his menacing stare, I thought he was beautiful and I liked the contrast of him against a dark background.
Zulu is the leader of his pride and you can hear him across the whole wildlife park. In fact a lion’s roar can be heard up to 8 kilometers away!
Using drafting film with a white background allowed me to add lots of detail with various subtraction methods. I’m proud of this piece as it took me almost a month to complete.
About Chloe Shaw:
Chloe is a self-taught artist who specializes in wildlife and pet portraits. She has always had a love for wildlife and drawing but only picked up art again in 2020. Chloe is a mum to boys and lives with her family in the Kent countryside. Chloe has tried many mediums but loves the detail that can be achieved with colored pencils.
See more at www.bychloemarie.com
Verborgene Stärke by Andrea Hieke
11.7 x 18.5 inches
Caran d’Ache Pablo, Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Lightfast colored pencils on Hahnemühle Nostalgie. (Photo from Unsplash.com. Jyotirmoy Gupta, photographer.)
Verborgene Stärke (Hidden Strength) captures the essence of inner resilience and the power that lies within. The intense gaze of the young girl immediately captivates the viewer, inviting them to ponder her story. Her eyes, rendered with meticulous detail, seem to speak volumes about her inner world, hinting at experiences and emotions that go beyond the surface. This gaze is what drew me to create this piece; it is both powerful and enigmatic, telling a silent story of strength, endurance, and untold tales.
This artwork stands out due to its emotional depth. The predominantly purple color palette is deliberately chosen to add layers of meaning. Purple is a color often associated with wisdom, creativity, and strength, qualities that resonate deeply with the theme of hidden strength. The varying shades of purple bring depth and dimension to the portrait, making it not just a visual treat but also a psychological exploration. The color accentuates the girl’s gaze, making it even more compelling and thought-provoking.
The drawing is not just a portrait; it’s a narrative of endurance and quiet power. It invites viewers to connect with the girl's story on a deeper level, to see beyond the surface and appreciate the resilience and strength that lies hidden within her eyes. The intricate details and the emotional intensity captured in her eyes make Verborgene Stärke a compelling and evocative piece that resonates with anyone who views it.
About Andrea Hieke:
Andrea lives in the beautiful Altmühltal in Bavaria . She specializes in expressive, emotional portraits using colored pencils and graphite. Through years of self-study, Andrea explores the artistic potential of colored pencils, creating works that resonate deeply. Her art invites you to discover the beauty and emotion in each piece.
See more at facebook.com/andreahieke.fineart
Sweet Medley by Teddi Bandt
11 x 14 inches
Faber-Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor colored pencils on bamboo cutting board. (Artist’s original design.)
In my kitchen, I have a colored pencil painting of nuts on a bamboo cutting board that I made a couple of years ago. Although I get compliments on it from everyone who notices it, my youngest son has been particularly drawn to it when he visits. I wanted to make one for him that was different, but that I knew he'd like. He has a pass-through in his kitchen that would be the perfect spot for a cutting board on an easel stand. After considering different food items I could depict, I decided on the fruits and berries I make for myself almost daily. For reference, I arranged the fruits and berries on the cutting board and took photos of it.
After washing the cutting board, I sanded it before drawing my composition on it. What I enjoy about colored pencil on wood is that it can hold a lot of layers lending to rich saturation of colors. Once completed, I sprayed it with a colored pencil Krylon Fixatif, and then I finalized the highlights before spraying another 3 coats of Krylon Fixatif, then 3 coats of archival varnish. Although I bought an easel stand for it, I wired the back of it in case he'd prefer to display it on a wall. My son loves it.
Colored pencil is such a wonderful medium to work in. I enjoy using a surface that doesn’t need to be put under glass.
About Teddi Bandt:
Teddi is an award-winning hobby artist who renders varied subjects in multiple mediums. The drive to tell stories on canvas and paper has been her passion for as long as she can remember. Teddi’s style of realism may evoke memories or dreams, leaving you feeling like you are part of the journey.
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