The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - May 2026

The Watchman by Chris Tolman
12x18 inches, colored pencil on DraftingFilm
Photo Reference: Purchased from iStock

This piece was created for my sister. She wanted something to hang at her lake cabin. She wanted the subject to be something local and representative of the lake. We both love Great Blue Herons, and together we chose a reference photo that we both liked. I made some changes to the head and neck position to make the heron look more watchful. Then, I decided to change the background from a plain, pale blue to a more colorful, peaceful sunset scene, and my sister wanted me to add some reeds on the side. The project kept changing and provided many challenges and problem-solving opportunities, but I persevered, and I am happy with the end result. When I look at this picture now, it makes me feel like I am sitting at the water’s edge, embraced by the peace, quiet, and joy of life at the lake. I hope it brings joy to my sister and her family, and to all who visit their cabin in the years to come.


Chris Tolman

Chris is a self-taught artist who finds inspiration in God’s creation. She discovered colored pencils in 2018 and loves the vibrancy, depth, and intricate detail that can be achieved with this medium.

Facebook: Chris Tolman Art

Chloe and Her Kitten by Heather Jensen
8.5x11 inches, colored pencil on Pastelmat
Own photo reference

This piece of art beautifully captures the tender moment when Chloe met her new kitten. In this piece, the soft pastel tones and delicate lighting evoke a sense of peace and tranquility, as if freezing a fleeting childhood memory in time. The gentle embrace and serene expressions of both Chloe and her kitten reflect a deep bond built on trust and affection. What makes this piece special is not just its lifelike detail, but hopefully also the emotion it conveys—pure joy and the simple comfort of companionship. It reminds viewers of the quiet, precious connections that can shape our happiest memories.

Heather Jensen

Heather is a passionate artist who began with watercolor but found true expression in colored pencil. Specializing in people and animals with unique lighting, she strives to capture heartfelt moments filled with warmth, emotion, and delicate detail.

Facebook: HLJensen Art

Out of the Box by Ida de Moel
38x28 cm, colored pencil on Daler Rowney Mixed Media paper
Photo Reference: Pixabay

I love 3D art and drawing tigers. I’m always amazed by artists who can turn an ordinary wall or sidewalk into a “trick of the eye,” even though the artwork itself is flat. I had never tried it myself—until this drawing. When I saw the photo of this tiger, I immediately imagined him crawling out of something, so I finally gathered the courage to experiment with a 3D effect. I’m a bit old-school—I don’t use Photoshop or create digital art. I used some copyright-free photos of torn paper from Pixabay, but I also tore real canvas and paper, placed them under a lamp to study the shadows, and drew them. The torn background in this piece is a combination of both. Drawing the torn paper pushed me far outside my comfort zone—it was truly “thinking outside the box.” And since the tiger appears to crawl out of the paper (or a box), the title fits both him and me.

Ida de Moel

Ida is a self-taught, part-time artist who began painting with oils 50 years ago. Nine years ago, she discovered colored pencils and fell in love with the detail they allow. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in a rural village in Germany and is locally known for her animal portraits.

The Best In-laws by Susan Sombeck
12x9 inches, colored pencil on Arches Hot Press
Photo Reference: Client-provided old photo

The “Best In-laws” portrait was created from a small photo in a Christmas ornament of the client’s in-laws/parents. This ornament was the only photo salvaged from a fire that recently destroyed the client’s home. I felt so honored to be able to draw this memorial portrait. My client, their daughter-in-law, told me several stories about how special her in-laws were to her. It was she who gave me the idea for the title of this drawing. Her in-laws started out working on cotton farms in the South. They then moved to Michigan, where the money was, and worked in the automotive industry, finally retiring back to the South to live their lives surrounded by family. I think this will always be my favorite drawing because of the meaningful story behind it.

Susan Sombeck

Susan is an artist whose greatest joy comes from bringing portraits to life. She specializes in creating realistic drawings and paintings of people, pets, and places. For Susan, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the happiness on a client’s face when they view their finished portraits.

Facebook: Susan Sombeck Art