The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - July 2024

Little Girl With Hat by Abraham Tovar
11 x 14 inches, colored pencil on Bristol Smooth

Creating this portrait was truly a challenge, as it was one of those occasions when the client, who also happens to be a friend and colleague, chose a complex reference image. The photo lacked optimal lighting, and some details were not very sharp. I had to build certain aspects in the sketch that were missing in the photo to properly center the face. Additionally, there were requests to make certain changes in textures and colors of the clothing. While these issues individually may not seem like a big inconvenience, it can be overwhelming for an artist to encounter them all together in a single piece. However, by using additional images as references, along with time and a lot of patience, I achieved a better result than I expected. Overcoming these challenges was even more gratifying when I saw the satisfaction of my client upon receiving the portrait. While many artists don't seek anything beyond drawing for their own enjoyment, I take pleasure in bringing joy to the loved ones and families of my clients, sharing my passion for colored pencils.

ABRAHAM TOVAR:

Abraham currently specializes in creating realistic artworks for clients seeking a lifelike approach to their commissions. His talent with colored pencils has distinguished him, leading to selections for museum exhibitions and inclusion in Volume 9 of CP Treasures.




Pacific Coast Highway by George Britnell
11x13 inches, colored pencil on Stonehenge

I was stationed at Fort Ord, California and we took day trips whenever we had time off. The Pacific coast from 17 mile drive south to San Louis Obispo was a beautiful and fascinating area. On this day, we were headed down the coast and stopped at this location just to enjoy the scenery. The day was perfect, the light, the ocean, the clouds and the rugged coastline all came together to make a fantastic picture. I remembered this shot and used it for this painting. It wasn't until I finished it that I realized how breathtaking the view was. Being in the right place at the right time in my case was purely luck. Whenever I see this painting, it reminds me of the great places I had visited when living in the area. Someday I would like to go back to the area and revisit Monterey, 17 Mile Drive, Big Sur and all the areas down to Las Padres National Forest.

GEORGE BRITNELL:

George has been an artist from his earliest youth. He was always sketching and painting. His high school training was basic, learning many mediums, pencil, watercolor and oil paints. It wasn't until he stumbled across the work of Ann Kulberg that his colored pencil work took shape.




Siblings by Leanne Markwick
9x12 inches, colored pencil on Strathmore Toned Grey

Many friends and family have asked me over time if I can draw humans. I'd tried a few times and could never quite complete a portrait that I was happy with. I decided to give it a go once again, to take my time and really put my all into the piece I was drawing. Turns out I'm not so bad at portraits. This is my third human portrait in total. The previous two were gifts to friends, this portrait I was asked to do by my neighbour of her three children. I love how the portrait captures the innocence and happiness of a child, the nostalgia it gives remembering the times I had as a child. I had so much fun with the reflection in the glasses, even if I did get a bit anxious with every pencil stroke.

LEANNE MARKWICK:

Leanne Markwick, is 39 years old and born and bred from a city called Brighton in the UK. She absolutely love drawing with colour pencils. The minute she was introduced to Karisma pencils at high school, she knew she had a passion for them.



Innocence by Paula King
40cm x 30cm, colored pencil on Pastelmat

We live in troubled times and I wanted to create something raw, untouched and honest. This is the World as seen through the eyes of an innocent child. I tried to capture the unknowing, fresh, look on this young boy's face depicting his innocence and unawareness of everything around him, pure, simple and full of love to give. I loved the way his black curly hair sat in an unruly mop whilst creating beautiful shapes, colours, highlights, and volume. His gorgeous dark plate sized eyes looking at you deeply with unquestionable love, his beautiful olive skin tone fresh, untouched, smooth, lips cherry red. For me, the portrait simply needed to be called, Innocence.

PAULA KING:

Paula King is an artist based in Norden UK. In 2011, she set up her Facebook page and has around 2.5k followers, she draws wildlife, pet portraits and people. She draws in coloured pencils. Home life is with her husband, son, dog, parrot, and a few other interesting pets.

Facebook: Paula King Art