Monday, November 12, 2012

"Apples and Cones"

As you know from my previous posts, the Colored Pencil Magazine posts a colored pencil competition each month, the November challenge is a photo of a apples and cones, a still life. In this submission I tried out oil based colored pencils, Lyra Rembrandt Polychrome Pencils. To my delight, I found I really like them! I can achieve deeper colors that are brighter and more vivid, and I do not have to work as long or hard to achieve the results I want.

The biggest plus?  Elimination of "Wax Bloom" (a condition created by too many applied layers of wax based colored pencils) and no need to use a workable fixative between layers!  When I was researching the pros and cons of oil based pencils, I read that they smear more easily than wax based pencils ... this was not the case for me.   I also read that they could be used on smooth paper and used smooth paper on this rendering, I like the effect I was able to achieve.  I further learned they have a harder core than waxed based pencils and, since I prefer harder leads, this was a great plus to me. 

The following is my submission to the Colored Pencil Magazine November Contest ...

"Apples and Cones"



Below is the Colored Pencil Magazine challenge photograph

As you can see, I rearranged things a bit in my version. 


12 comments:

  1. Oh goodness this is gorgeous. I love the way the colors meld together to show more depth....lovely. What a wonderful representation of my favorites. Oma Linda

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    1. Thanks Linda! I REALLY love these Lyra Rembrandt Polychrome pencils! Soooooooooo much easier for me to use than waxed based pencils! I'm really glad I made the decision to purchase the set!

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  2. You did a beautiful job with this Karen Anne! It is bright and such a lovely Fall tableau!

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  3. Karen Anne, you are going to win!! Wow!! Stunning! Gorgeous! I love the depth of color and the detail is amazing!!!

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    1. It would be nice to win this one, Stacy, its a $125 gift certificate to "Dick Blick Art Supplies"! Oh boy! I could spend that sooooooooooooo fast! This contest has a lot of great entries ... it would be awesome to win but with all the wonderful talent, I'll be happy just to get an sweet critique. And you are probably biased in my favor since we are such good friends!

      Big hugs my sweet friend!

      Karen Anne

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  4. I am not biased ;o) I am telling the truth ;o) Big Hugs ;o)

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  5. I had never heard of those pencils? But seeing your work Karen Anne will increase their sales for sure, this is just so rich & vibrant, perfect!! You better win or I may have to slap those judges ;)

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    1. Hi Shelle! LOL! Should I warn the judges??? 8)

      They are made in Germany and are available through Dick Blick Art, in sets and in singles. They also have a line of skin tone pencils that I am quite anxious to try out (maybe I'll do a little ACEO today?). They lay down just beautifully and I don't fight to get colors right ... they just magically show up! They are worth every penny and more that I spent for them!

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  6. Ahhh, this is so luscious and happy!

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    1. I am happy that you like it Gloria ... its the pencils, I am sure! They are absolutely wonderful!

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