9/07/2016

Derwent Coloursoft pencils - review

Derwent Coloursoft pencils - review



Today I would like to talk about very soft pencils produced by Derwent from England.


Coloursoft pencils are sold in sets:


- 6 primary colours
- 6 skin tones in a metal box
- 12, 24, 36, 72 colours in a metal box
- 48 and 72 shades in a wooden case


8/29/2016

Derwent Studio review - a set of 24 colours

Derwent Studio review - a set of 24 colours



I've written about Koh-I-Noor and Faber Castell products so now it's time to review another company's pencils. Today I'd like to share my opinion on Derwent Studio - a set of 24 assorted colours.





8/24/2016

Faber Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolour pencils - review

Faber Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolour pencils - review



Today I'd like to present you another product which I use a lot - watersoluble pencils from Faber Castell.




8/21/2016

Australian Shepherd - Step by step

Australian Shepherd - Step by step
In this post I will show you how to draw a dog's portrait. This is an Australian Shepherd breed :)


As far as I remember, I used these materials:

- Faber Castell Polychromos pencils: black, dark sepia, sanguine, walnut brown, cream, bistre
- Derwent Drawing Chinese White pencil
- Prismacolor pencils: 20% warm grey, sepia, dark umber, burnt ochre, mediterranean blue, 90% warm grey
- Canson Mi Teintes pastel paper, size 8 x 9.5" (flannel grey colour, but felt grey is also good)
- a piece of paper to put under your hand (to protect the drawing from smudging)


1. I started from a sketch with Polychromos dark sepia pencil. I always try to keep the sketch more or less in the centre of the sheet.

The printed reference photo had the same size as my sheet of paper. I took all the measures from the photo (the distances between eyes, ears, etc.) with a pencil and marked them on my paper.



2. I always try to start drawing portraits (of people, animals) with eyes. I colored the iris with blue Prismacolor,  added some grey. Then I did the pupil with black pencil.

When you start drawing the fur, first look at the photo and study it. The fur around the eyes is arranged in a 'circular' way; it is a bit messy on the ears.

I begin with the brightest hair (in this case - white, drawn with Derwent white pencil, and that's why they are so clear on grey paper). Then I use brown pencils for darker fur and in the end, I use black for the darkest parts.



3. If you are right-handed like me, it is advised to draw the left part first. Otherwise the drawing can be destroyed by smudging. It is good to have a piece of paper under your hand.

I draw the ear on the left using the method described above - white parts first, with fine strokes of white sharpened pencil to give them a natural, a bit messy, look. Then I do the same with brown, and finally the black.



4. I finish the left side; I draw the white parts with Derwent pencil pressed hard to the surface to cover the grey paper and to get the plain white area. On this layer I mark grey and black hair.

Now I create the second eye - I begin with this white gleam, then I draw the blue iris and finally the black pupil. I draw the fur around the eye, starting from the brightest.



5. It's time for the white fur around the nose; then I use the black color to fill the area of the nose. I use Derwent white pencil to create the light on the black nose.




6. The second ear is drawn using the method mentioned earlier.



7. I slowly come to an end - I decided to give it a circular finish.



8. I finish the drawing with a white Derwent pencil pressed hard to the paper. I add some grey and cream areas to emphasize the brightest part. On the darkest fur you can add some fine strokes with a sharpened white pencil. At this point you can also add some details with white gelpen, like the gleam in the eye or white hair :)






* It is forbidden to copy this article (and drawings included in it) without the author's permission.

8/20/2016

Faber Castell Polychromos review - a set of 36 assorted colors

Faber Castell Polychromos review - a set of 36 assorted colors


Hello!

Today I will review coloured pencils which I use most - Faber Castell Polychromos. This is a top quality product, reccommended for professional artists.

They are available as assorted colours sets of 12, 24, 36, 60 and 120 colours in a tin box.
You can buy them individually.

All the 120 shades are also available packed in an elegant, impressive black case:




I think every artist would like to have such box :D

Prices: from $20 (Jerry's Artarama; 12 colours set) to $383 (Jerry's; 120 colours black case)
Individually: $1.70


8/17/2016

Koh-I-Noor Polycolor pencils review

Koh-I-Noor Polycolor pencils review

Hello!

Today I'd like to share my opinion on Koh-I-Noor Polycolor pencils. They are one of the cheapest artistic coloured pencils, very popular in Poland. You can buy them on Amazon, in stores like Jerry's Artarama, dickblick.com and so on.