CPM "Lilac Roller" Challenge Entry .....

I have done a bunch of new pieces in the past few weeks but really haven't had much time to sit down and post them in my blog.  So I thought I would take out a few minutes today to share my latest piece with you.

This is my second Colored Pencil Magazine July 2013 Challenge Entry "Lilac Roller".

I went large for this entry ... 4 inches x 6 inches (hey, that's large in comparison to ACEO size of 2.5" x 3.5"! - LOL!).

Anyway, I used my new Aquarelle watercolor pencils for the primary layer followed by Verithin pencils, SoHo pencils, Faber-Castel pencils, a dash of white Gelly Roll pen, and a smidgeon of Prismacolor fine line markers ... all mixed together on a bed of Stonehenge Paper. Hmmmm, kinda sounds like a recipe doesn't it? LOL!

I must say, I am really beginning to like laying down a watercolor (pencil) under coat and then proceeding with the dry pencils. It is a very useful technic for people who are less patient with the cp layering process.

My rendition of the "Lilac Roller"

and the challenge photo

Happy Day everyone!

Karen Anne

PS I didn't like the sky in the entry I posted yesterday for the July 2013 Challenge, so today I worked on it and I am now much happier with the piece ...

"Star Gazer Lilies"

I don't know about you, but I think Star Gazer Lilies are among the most delicious smelling and beautiful flowers Mother Nature has provided for us.  Their appearance is so magical and romantic, their aroma so sweet and heady.  They actually appear to have been sprinkled with fairy dust!  

My last two ACEOs have the main subject as Star Gazer Lilies .....

"Star Gazers"

eBay link  Etsy Link

"Star Gazer Lilies"

Etsy Link

Take care and have a wonderful week!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

More ......... "Monarch Fairies"!

I think I have an ACEO Fairy Series in the makings!  Just finished two more of the Monarch Fairy ACEOs ....


Each of these detailed ACEOs can take from 8 to 10 hours to complete.  Each one begins with a blank piece of Stonehenge paper upon which I create the subject using an erasable terra cotta pencil.  I then use a technical art pen and provide an ink outline to the elements in the piece.  After which all of the pencil lines are erased to reveal a black & white coloring page type of image.

The fun then begins by applying layers and layers of colored pencil and subtly blending those applications of color together.  The is a very time consuming process but well worth the effort.  Once this stage is completed I begin the slow but steady work of re-inking all the initial lines and adding fine detail designs to the image.

When  I am finally satisfied with the results, the newly created piece is then sealed with a spray finishing laminate to preserve the colors and prevent damage.

"Blue Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"

and

"Pink Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"

I am enjoying these little ladies ... think I'll go make some more!

"Blue Eyed Princess"

Here is my second entry in the Colored Pencil Magazine March 2013 Art Challenge.  There were some areas that needed improving on the first submission so, rather than reworking that piece, I chose to start fresh.  This piece is about 7.75" x 5.25", done on Stonehenge Paper with colored pencils and art marker pens.

In this version I was able to capture more of the subjects likeness and I am very happy with this second attempt.  Hope you like it as well!  I call this version:

"Blue Eyed Princess"

and here is the original photo...

Hope you are having a great day!  

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

PS  I am loving my "Orbital Artists' Easel"!  In fact so much so that yesterday afternoon I ordered the smaller easel top (13" x 17") for the small pieces I am working on.  To my delight, it arrived around noon today!  Now THAT is outstanding service!  And I was able to complete this piece on the new top.  The large size (19"x 20") is perfect for pieces 8.5" x 11" and larger, the smaller size is perfect for my ACEOs and smaller sized pieces.  You know, even with 2 tops and the table top base ... this easel is reasonably and affordably priced at less than, or about the same as, the cost of a complete set of top of the line colored pencils.  This is honestly the best investment in art equipment I have ever made. 

"The Mermaid and The Sea Horse"

Finally, I finished my Beta inspired mermaid!  Added a little fantasy sea horse, some sea weed, mussels, a star fish, a sand dollar, a bit of coral and some odd colored water.  The original size is 8.5" x 10.5" and was completed using colored pencils (primarily Prismacolor Verithins) and fine tip art pens.   I didn't want a lot of paper texture showing through so I used a smooth art paper that is made for use with artist ink pens.  For the air bubbles (by the sea horse and the mermaid) and the pearls (in her hair) and accents on the fins and tail, I used a white gel pen.

I haven't yet posted this in either my Etsy Shop or my eBay Store, thought it would be nice to first get some feedback on what people think of my first mermaid.  I fell in love with the gorgeous fins and tails on the Beta fish and really wanted to incorporate some of that beauty into this piece.  I hope you like it!

I think I'd like to do at least one more mermaid, but I think it will be awhile before I get to do more art work.  Time has a way of catching up with one and it is time to get the paper work done for taxes AND to deep clean the house!  

I mean MAJOR Goodwill and Salvation Army will be VERY happy type of cleaning!  The type of DEEP cleaning that will empty a LOT of extra "stuff" and open up some rooms for use cleaning!  We moved into this house 10/1/1970 and it was very, very empty.  43 years later, the 3 kids have moved on, 1 grandkid moved in, another grand has a lot of her stuff here while she is overseas (in the Navy).  Heck, we still have Jim's old Boy Scout uniform upstairs!  Boxes get moved, get piled, get saved and the "mass" accumulates!  But the darned thing is ... I know as soon as I give or toss something away ... I'll find I need it!  This is gonna be WAY hard!  The good thing will be ... what is left will be "findable"! 

So if you don't hear from me for quite awhile, its not that I am ignoring you ... its just something that we gotta do before we are too old to move anything and everything collapses in on top of us!  The hardest part will be the two of us agreeing on things that should go.  

And our kids will surely breath a sign of relief!  They are terrified that we may die and leave everything for them to go through!  Like I told my hubby, if we really miss something we can always go to Goodwill or Salvation Army and visit it!  I'm sure this project will take a good month, if we don't wane in our attempts.  Wish us luck!

Happy day all!

Karen Anne 

Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob

This month's art challenge at the Colored Pencil Magazine is #1302 "Doorknob" from a photo by Michael A. Kechula (his link will take you to his site).  When I first saw the photo, I was far from charmed ... it was of a badly painted door, frame, and doorknob.  First I thought of the doorknob from Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" ... but since Disney had already done that ... it was out.  Then I looked at the photo again and was INSPIRED!  Here is the colored pencil illustration from that inspiration that I finally completed today ....

"Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob"

I began this illustration on January 26, 2013 and finished it today, January 30, 2013 ... and while I was working on it I also scanned the progress to share with you .....

Now, if you would like to see the work in progress set to music, just click on this YouTube link to be taken to my slideshow video titled "Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob"!

The finished size of this piece is 8.5" x 8.75", was done on Strathmore Bristal smooth paper using colored pencils (Prisma Verithins, Lyra Rembrandt, and Lyra Rembrandt skin tones colored pencils) and artist marker pens.

I hope you like what I have done and enjoy the slideshow (if you watch it)!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

The Colored Pencil Magazine January 2013 Challenge

The Colored Pencil Magazine January Challenge is from a photo of a Beta Fish.  I really had a lot of fun with this illustration!  As I was drawing my pencil sketch I kept thinking of a 1950's Hot Rod with flames shooting back from the front of the car, guess the way I drew the fin tips is what inspired that idea.  Anyway, I decided to go with the hot rod flame theme ... worked for me since I was in a bit of a fanciful mood anyway.  Guess one could call this a "Hot Rod Flame Beta"!

This illustration was completed on Stonehenge paper using Verithin and Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  I find these two brands work well together for me.  I did use some art marker pen to sharpen up the detail around the eyes and mouth.  The finished size is 8.5" x 10.5" and I will be posting open edition art prints and ACEOs of it in my Etsy Store shortly.

"Flame, the Hot Red Crown Fin Beta Fish"

Here is the theme photo for this month's challenge...

If you would like to see the other great entries, use this link to the CPM Challenge Pool on Flickr 

If you are a colored pencil artist, why not join in on the challenges?  They are loads of fun and there are categories for pros and beginners alike, so all are welcome to join in!

Take care and be happy!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

The January 2013 Colored Pencil Magazine challege

January's challenge at the CPM  is of a snow leopard, here is the original photo that has been provided for interpretation ....

a magnificent cat to be sure!

Drawings of animals are NOT a strong suit with me ... in fact, I generally avoid them so this was a real challenge!  I have a heck of a time drawing anything facing to the right, this being a cat facing the right was just too much of a challenge, so when I downloaded the photo image I flipped it so the leopard was facing to the left ... better odds that I would actually capture an image that somewhat bore a resemblance of the original photo.

That being said, here is my attempt at a "Snow Leopard" ...

You can view all the entries at:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/cpmchallenge/pool/
You will find many wonderful entries here and a wide range of artistic interpretations!

I am super excited about the February Challenge, it is of a red beta fish with glorious fins!  Working on it right now and look forward to sharing my version in a week or so.... Yes!

Take care and be happy!
Karen Anne

PS  If you are an artist who works with colored pencils, why not come over and join in on the challenges?  It is for Pros and Students alike!  It is loads of fun and one terrific group of people!