The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - July 2026

Winter Grandpa by Deborah Henderson
18 x 23 inches, colored pencil on Bristol Vellum
Original design/concept

My inspiration for this drawing came from one of my drollerie figures. He had been created in my studio from clay and fabric a number of years earlier. Being new to drawing and new to experimenting with the Polychromos pencils, I wanted the additional challenge of capturing his antique tribal embellishments and costume details. I already loved drawing his face as it always evoked memories of my grandpa. This is one of my early drawings, but much loved. I hope that he does his job and brings a smile to your heart.

Deborah Henderson

For Deb, art has been an unexpected journey. In her youth… embroidery. In school… portraits. As an adult… it hit, and reappeared in cloth dolls. Later, to sculpting and creating 40 years of holiday figures for our nation’s finest retailers. Retirement… a pencil doodle brought her to yet another adventure.

Facebook: Drolleries by Deborah Henderson

Extreme Emu by Holly Ann Schenk
8 x 10 inches, colored pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes
Photo used with permission: Lillie Schenk (daughter)

I love all kinds of nature and wildlife, the more exotic the better, and the crazed expression on the face of this quirky emu screamed “wild.” The wealth of color also attracted me to the image. Colored pencils allowed me to portray the emu’s tangle of hair in great detail without unduly distracting from that piercing gaze. I was also pleased with the background, which was the result of experimentation using PanPastels applied with a cosmetic sponge. The photo was taken during a family zoo outing by my daughter, who is an avid and accomplished photographer and photography teacher.

Holly Ann Schenk

A former teacher and Hallmark Art Director, Holly Ann Schenk now focuses on her own artwork, primarily colored pencils, pastels, and acrylics, with subject matter both objective and nonobjective. Color and contrast are always strong elements of her work.

Facebook: Holly Ann Schenk Art

Over the Stile by Wendy Starr
10 x 8 inches, colored pencil on Seawhites Bristol Board
Own photo reference

I found this little lane not long after we moved and was delighted to have a pretty little country walk within a short walking distance. During the COVID lockdowns, it truly became an escape where I could find a bit of tranquility and normality. Afterwards, it became somewhere where I walked the foster dogs because it was quiet and peaceful for them, and sometimes I just stroll down on my own to relax. It is a special place to me, representing escape, especially after moving from a busy town to North Wales.

Wendy Starr

Wendy Starr is a hobby artist who has only recently taken up drawing with coloured pencils at 69. She found a love for the medium after losing her father a few years ago. She started using colouring books to take her mind off her loss, which inspired her to produce her own work.

Goofy by Chloe Hibberd
20 x 30 cm, colored pencil on Rising Mount Board
Own photo reference

Goofy was a gorgeous little rescue pup at our local dog shelter in Spain. I couldn’t resist drawing his cheeky grin, and I loved the contrast between how tiny and vulnerable he was against the strength of the human hand holding him — thankfully now a loving one. This drawing was also a bit of a learning curve for me. It was my first time drawing on mount board, after mainly working on Pastelmat and drafting film. I found it quite difficult at first because I’m used to being able to use lights over dark on Pastelmat or erase highlights on drafting film, whereas with mount board I had to build everything up slowly from light to dark. In the end, though, I really enjoyed the process and just gradually added depth layer by layer. It was also my first proper attempt at drawing hands — wow, they really take some concentration! Although the surface took some getting used to, I really enjoyed the richness and depth that mount board allowed me to achieve.

Chloe Hibberd

Chloe Hibberd is a professional art tutor based in North Norfolk, UK. She has written articles for several magazines and was shortlisted for Sketch for Survival 2023, with work exhibited at the OxO Gallery. Chloe loves capturing character, expression and spirit in her work.

Facebook: Creations by Chloe