“Shhhhh!” Fish Tank piece – 4 working stages
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- Fish Tank – Stage 1
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- Fish Tank – stage 2
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- FIsh Tank – stage 3
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- Fish Tank – stage 4
I’m trying out a new idea for this post. Above are four photographs of stages of the next part of this drawing. Each photo represents a different phase in the layering in of base colors and/or water to mix the water colored pencils. The first stage shows the area I’m working on covered completely with yellow ochre, and part of the layering of a pale green over that (on the left side).
The second stage shows the entire area covered with both colors.
The third stage shows the effect of mixing the pencils with water and a brush.
The fourth stage shows the next plant drawn in and mixed with water.
These layers become the base for the dry colored pencil that goes on top. It helps me to complete this type of filling in of a flat color in a large area, cutting down on time spent building up layers of color. The watercolor/pencil wash fills in the grain of the paper and makes working on top of it easier. I’ve finished this area, and will post an update tomorrow of that progress tomorrow.
Very nice Debbi – you are getting such a nice, soft effect with the watersolubles.
Comment by Lynda — Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
Debbi,
All of your work is interesting, but this piece is especially unique! I like seeing your step-by-step shots – I can’t wait to see how you render the fish.
Comment by Holly Bedrosian — Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Thanks Lynda and Holly. The watersolubles really make the work go much more quickly. You use them in your work, don’t you Lynda?
Holly, the fish and message tape will be the last things to go in, so it will be a little while. But I think they’re going to add detail and whimsy.
Comment by Debbi — Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 9:05 am
I have used the Caran D’Ache Neocolors (wonderful product and legal in CPSA) and putting down a base in that way does speed things up. It depends on the subject: for some textures on the sanded paper (like leather or some fabrics) I prefer many layers of pencil – because I have trouble achieving the sense of depth that I like using watersolubles and fewer layers.
Comment by Lynda — Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 11:38 am
I’ll have to try the NeoColors some time. I’m using a different type of Caran D’Arche pencils that I have had for decades. So if they aren’t CPSA “approved”, I’ll enter the piece in Explore This!!! But regarding the last part of your comment, I’m not sure I’m using fewer layers on top of the base; so far I’ve been layering Lime peel, Yellow Ochre, Celadon Green, and then burnishing with Pale Sage. And that’s the minimum!
Comment by Debbi — Saturday, April 4, 2009 @ 2:39 pm