Sunday, October 2, 2011

I LOVE MY PENCILS & OIL PASTELS

Many years ago I purchased some wonderful colored pencils. They are the type of pencils that are bought individually and are for serious pencil lovers as they didn't come cheap. I have no idea of what you'd have to pay for them on today's market as they are no longer in production but when I bought them I purchased only a couple at a time until I had a sizable collection. I love working with these pencils as they blend beautifully and can be layered and smudged to shade and achieve such marvelous depth. They were manufactured by FaberCastell and have DESIGN SPECTRA COLOR printed on the barrel. The wooden barrel of the pencil is black and the color of the lead is shown on the end of the pencil. They don't even look like ordinary pencils and they don't work like ordinary pencils either. Have any of you ever used these pencils?




They are the pencils I used to do the PM house in my giveaway and the pencils I used to sketch Bellamine and Sampson earlier this morning. 




As always my photography skills or lack there of and the less than spectacular camera have not captured the colors or the depth so this is not a true representation of what they can do.

I have been practicing with the oil pastels on a paper that I'm able to use water and have started taking a liking to these nasty messy sticks of color. Aside from the chunky size which makes it difficult although not impossible to do fine detail. All in all I have to admit they're starting to grow on me.



I really like the way they can be blended and watered down when working with the skin tones and shading and when working on pale colored eyes and hair.



I've decided after working with the oil pastels that they're not as awful as I thought and am going to continue working with them and when I get tired of them I'll switch over to my pencils or my paints. It's wonderful having so many options with which we can express ourselves don't you agree?

Today I'm going to do some baking to make the house smell like autumn. Nothing says fall is here like the smell of cinnamon in the air. I also have some winter squash that is calling my name.

I hope everyone is enjoying their day and as always, thanks for stopping by.

10 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Hi Miss Maddyrose,

Your sketches are beautiful, the teddy bear is MY favorite. It's the subject matter.....(giggle).

Hi Bellamine & Wendy. Still no Blog of your own, huh? Keep asking - you will wear her down. Honest.

Hugs,
Prudence

Katy Cameron said...

Oh I haven't drawn in FOREVER, but I do have some rather nice Prisma pencils - mainly for shading the bears, but there's nothing to stop me using them for drawing too, it's just not an inclination that's bitten recently.

Glad you're enjoying the chunky, kiddy sized pastels now that you've got water to mix with them :o)

Hill Top Post said...

Your sketches are wonderful...great lessons in drawing, shading, etc...glad I have a front row seat!!!

yoborobo said...

I love my Spectra pencils, but you can't buy them anymore (well, I can't seem to find them). I'll be sad when mine are worn down to nubs. ;) xox Pam

orchid0324 said...

Dear Maddy,
Oh, DESIGN SPECTRA COLOR pencil.
They must be a special brand♬♬♬
The choise of the tool must be one element for what you wish to achieve.
How studious you are for your pursuit of art world.
Hope you had nice cinnamon roll (maybe) with your "Bellamine and Sampson"
Hugs to you, Orchid*

Dianie said...

Hi Maddy!

I LOVE colored pencils!!!!
The pencils you have look of very nice quality, and your work is always spectacular!

I do like having the freedom to change mediums whenever I choose.
I love clay, but sometimes I like to play around with something else.

When I was having a knee replacement, I ordered a bunch of colored pencils as I knew I wouldn't be walking downstairs to my studio anytime soon, and I knew I would go crazy without doing some kind of art. Anyway, I loved working with the pencils, I created dozens of ATC's

So glad you and the pastels are becoming friends ;)

Yummy winter squash!

~Diane

Marijke van Ooijen said...

Yes..your paintings are so beautiful.
I love that old face..I love that soft colors..
It's great!

Love...Marijke

Ascension said...

Me encantan como te quedan con esos colores tan suaves (parecen un sueƱo retratado.
besitos ascension

Leny said...

Your sketches are great!! Like Joyce the teddy bear is my favorite!

Big hugs
Lenyxx

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I love the close up of the eyes, hair and brows on the top image. Your talent is so amazing and what a lovely way to spend the day. Creating fabulous art and baking Autumn splendor. Many hugs to you, my sweet dear friend.