The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - October 2026
Corresponding with the art gallery that is featured each month in Ann Kullberg's COLOR Magazine, The Pencil Box blog series will give artists a bit more space to share insight and inspiration about their colored pencil art. Make sure to check out FB group links at the bottom of this post. Call for entry is posted every month in participating Facebook groups—join in the fun and your artwork could be featured, too!
Gentleman Koos by Ingrid Pronk
21x30 cm., coloured pencil on Grafix Drafting Film
Own photo reference
Like most dog owners, my own dog is always a nice and favorite subject. I created this drawing inspired by his dignified personality while adding my own love for funky vintage style. I wanted it to feel colourful, playful, and slightly extravagant, and full of character. The hat, glasses, feathers and colours are a mix of elegance and mischief, as if he had stepped straight out of another era, with plenty of flair, just as he is. A portrait with a wink, where his personality meets my imagination and my love for colour, creativity and vintage charm.
Ingrid Pronk
In search of a time-consuming hobby, and after creating several drawings for children, the interest shifted toward a more realistic style. Through tutorials and lots of practice, personal fantasy and reality now come together in a drawing.
Bonnie Blue Serena by JC Mayer
24x30 inches, colored pencil on Strathmore CP Paper
Own photo reference
This was the third in a series of four grandchildren's portraits, all of which are complete now. Serena has always had the most beautiful eyes, but the meltdown she had just endured made for the most wonderful tears to sparkle her eyes even more, and she was happy again. Her sun-kissed skin was just pink enough to contrast with her eyes and the straw hat; well, I approached it with great trepidation. I did not want to get so bogged down in the detail that it distracted from...the eyes. I think it worked, though I wouldn't be able to tell you exactly how after the fact. The swim shirt had its own challenges: folds in patterns with different colors; well, I soothed myself with the background, making it suggest an aquatic feel. All in all, Bonnie Blue Serena stole the show...with her eyes. No question, the eyes have it.
JC Mayer
JC (Joyce) Mayer picked up her first colored pencil about 12 years ago, and never looked back. Since then, she has been published in a number of Ann Kullberg's magazines and books, which served as great encouragement to a newbie. Joyce exhibits regularly in the Mid-Atlantic region.
A Nice Place To Sit by Jess Dignam
24 x 30 cm, coloured pencil on Pastelmat
Own photo reference
This is Waffle, she is 13.5 years old and has epilepsy. She is the most beautiful, gentle soul, and is completely oblivious to the world around her. When Waffle wants to sit, she will sit, and she will stay until she wants to move... or she can hear her treats being opened. I took this photo of her in one of her more inconvenient seats (the front door) and absolutely loved how the sun made her glow, and I just knew I needed to draw her. I really enjoyed putting in every sunlit hair and whisker, and I'm so pleased with how thick and soft I've made her fur look. This will forever be my favourite drawing. Not just because it is my own cat, but because it is the first piece that won me an art award: Highly Commended in UKCPS Exhibition 2025, and now she's in The Pencil Box! Go, Waffle!
Jess Dignam
Jess is a self-taught pet and wildlife artist living in Cheshire, UK. She first picked up coloured pencils in 2015, but only started taking it seriously in 2024 after being accepted into a local gallery. When she's not drawing, she can be found teaching yoga or reading.
Facebook: Jess Dignam Fine Art
The Dancer by Patsy Deal
8.5x11 inches, colored pencil on Grafix Duralar
Photo Reference: Pixabay
I imagined she was a dancer in a cultural ceremony telling a story about her history. When I saw her, I fell in love with the ornate decorations, the colors, the costume. In her expression, it told me she was the central dancer and that she took her culture to heart in the dance. Her eyes, expression and emotions show wisdom. She appeared to be very young, which was intriguing. This would be showing the seriousness of the dance. There were so many textures and movement in the picture. I felt that the Grafix DuraLar would be to work from and back to get the depth that was needed.
Patsy Deal
Patsy started out with oils watching Bob Ross. Several years later, she started using acrylics. Along the way, she fell in love with colored pencils and never looked back. She has been teaching and designing with pencils for the last 14 years.
Facebook: Patsy Deal Designs
These artworks are published in the OCTOBER 2026 issue of COLOR Magazine.
FEATURED ARTWORKS FROM OUR FACEBOOK PARTNER GROUPS