September 2020 Showcase - Colored Pencil Artwork
The artwork by the three artists below is featured in the September 2020 issue of COLOR Magazine Showcase. Here in the blog, discover the inspiration behind each of these lovely pieces of art.
Stay strong by Cristina Bodeanu
19 x 19 inches
Faber Castell Polychromos on white PastelMat
(Photo by Agus Martinez img, used with permission)
This drawing was a gift for my sister-in-law. The reference photo was taken on her wedding day and the skate was a gift from her husband. I drew it because I think it is very meaningful to her. She plays for the roller derby team in Valencia (Spain) and one year ago she was selected to play for the national roller derby team. This sport is a very important part of her life and makes her feel empowered. Also, in this picture she was wearing her dad’s watch, who sadly passed away a few months before her wedding.
For me, this picture represents female empowerment, determination, strength, freedom, and the capability of every woman to be whatever she wants to be. She was posing like she was ready to jump on the track (she actually was, because after the photo was taken, she played a roller derby match with her friends), like she was ready to — in Spanish words — eat the world.
About Cristina Bodeanu
Cristina Bodeanu is a self-taught artist from Spain. She specializes in pet portraits with colored and pastel pencils, even if she draws other subjects and tries other techniques. She has loved drawing since she was a child, but she started taking commissions about seven years ago, when friends and family saw the portrait she drew of her dog.
See more at: facebook.com/retratospeludos/
Larry’s ‘31 Cadillac by Keisha Smith
11 x 14 inches
Prismacolor and white ink pen on Strathmore toned paper
(Photo by Larry Ross, used with permission)
I have been drawing portraits for over forty years... but I’ve only been drawing vintage automobiles for the last three. A good friend of mine urged me to draw old cars. He was showing his ‘54 Chevy truck, and we were attending quite a few car shows together. At first, I resisted the whole notion of drawing automotive. But then I started taking my easel & supplies out to the shows and drawing. Unlike oils or watercolor, colored pencils are wonderfully portable! And people loved to come by and watch me draw. This quickly turned into more commission work.
I was doing some live drawing at a classic car auction in Dallas,Texas. As I sat at my easel, I was approached by a particular gentleman who asked me to draw one of his vintage automobiles, a rare Packard limousine. I took his information and he sent me a photo of his car. Weeks later, I completed that drawing. The gentleman was so happy with it that he assured me he had more cars for me to draw. He contacted me several months later with two more cars in his collection. This 1931 Cadillac was one of them. It was a challenge but great fun to draw.
I am glad my friend convinced me to start drawing vintage cars. It has increased my business and oddly enough has made me a better portrait artist. I am constantly challenged with both portraiture and automotive drawing. But it keeps my skill sharp, and it is quite fulfilling.
About Keisha Smith:
Keisha has been an artist all of her life. She studied art and design at Abilene Christian University, as well as The Glassell School, Houston. She works as a full time commission portrait artist. Keisha is an active member of Arlington Visual Arts Association as well as The Grapevine Art Project. The artist currently resides in Arlington, Texas.
See more at: www.keishaleighsmithfineart.com
Vivian's Fence by Philip Schorn
12 x 16 inches
Prismacolor Color Pencil on 400 Series Strathmore Smooth Bristol.
(Artist's own photo)
The location is a former horse ranch in Antioch, IL where I have done several plein air sessions with the Lake County Art League. This rendering was one of my first from that ranch. Along with sketching several areas in this particular location, I shot several photos for reference, after going through many images I focused in on this particular section that I thought was most interesting. The texture and weathering of the wood is what really caught my eye. In just about all my art, I focus on detail and enhance it to make the image more realistic. The drawing took approximately 150 hours to complete. I also have done a much larger version (different section of that fence), and that rendering is 24" x 36", all color pencil. I have done several on location and in studio.
About Philip Schorn:
Phil works as a graphic artist as well as a fine artist. He started exhibiting his art in 2014, was the featured artist in Color Pencil Magazine Oct. 2016, Aug 2019, Voyage Chicago, 2017. He has two books about his art and techniques on Amazon. As a recent cancer survivor, Phil wrote a story about how his art helped him deal with cancer.
See more at: www.pschornstudio.com
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