The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - April 2025

Christmas in Japan by Glenys Arkinstall
15 x 25 cm, colored pencil on Pastelmat

When I first saw this photo on Pixabay, I fell in love with it. I had to draw her. It spoke to me. The way the light fell on her face. The sparkles in the baubles captivated me. The colours,  the beauty of this girl. The questions. What was she looking at?  What was she remembering? Was it something in the past?  A beautiful memory or something she was dreaming about. Something that might happen. I can leave that up to the imagination of the person looking at her. I eventually decided to draw her as it was Christmas at the time. She took 25 hours to draw. I now have her hanging proudly in my lounge. She compliments my decor perfectly.

GLENYS ARKINSTALL:

Glenys started drawing in 2023. She joined Bonny Snowdon in the same year, and hasn’t looked back. She started drawing to take away the grief of loosing her beautiful daughter to sepsis. She lost the sight in one eye 2 years ago and coping well.  She is now 68.




Lizzy, The kitten by Heidi Muermans
8.3 x 11.7 inches, colored pencil on Polydraw drafting film

A few months ago I made a post on Facebook, and a contest where people could win a portrait in colored pencils, and this kitten was the winner. This picture appealed to me so much with the different colors and materials in the picture like the bark of the tree and the naughty kitten that had climbed into the tree, and came peeping in between. Normally I mainly draw dogs and this cat was a real challenge because it was my first cat that I would draw.

HEIDI MUERMANS:

Heidi started with colored pencils in 2019.She wanted to improve and therefore decided to take lessons at Bonny Snowdon Academy where she will start the 4th year. Hope that she could make a living from it one day, because how wonderful it would be to be able to turn your passion into your profession.

Facebook: Heidi_M_art




Calling Home by Jennifer Hall
9 x 12 inches, colored pencil on Fabriano Black Black

When I found the reference photo it inspired me to create this artwork as I've always loved wolves. They signify to me a sense of caring, freedom and loyalty to their pack. I wanted to try a focus piece in black and white and found using a variety of whites, blacks, and a few greys I was able to achieve the look I desired. I thought adding a bit of colour to the branches and ground would make the wolves stand out a bit more. It is the first time I have ever submitted to The Pencil Box, and I am very honoured to be accepted.

JENNIFER HALL:

Jennifer Hall comes from a family of artists, and her ability came naturally at a young age. She has tried many different mediums over the years and discovered coloured pencils in the early 2000s. Her love of all animals has been her inspiration to draw them. Jennifer enjoys doing pet portraits too.

Facebook: Art by Jen




Looking Glass Lincoln by Sue Grimm
16 x 20 inches, colored pencil on Grafix Grafix double sided matte film

This is a classic 1940 Lincoln Continental I found at a recent car show on Father's Day. From the moment I viewed this, I knew I wanted to draw it.  I loved the dark blue color, the shine, and reflections in the front right quarter panel, the chrome wired wheel along with the chrome front bumper.  I especially love the composition and angle of the photo as it shows the reflection of the manor house, another classic car and shadows of other attendees. I feel this artwork leads the eye directly to the white wall tire and then to the main reflections of the manor house and finally to the flag and front bumper. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed capturing it.

SUE GRIMM:

Sue Grimm is from Wooster, Ohio. She began colored pencils as a hobby in 2003 to learn to draw portraits of her pets and young children. Now retired, Sue draws full-time focusing on classic cars with their chrome reflections, vivid colors and stories they tell.

Facebook: Sue Grimm Art