On my easel

Above is a snapshot of the portrait currently on my easel - 14x18, oil on board. I don't usually keep track of how many hours each painting or drawing takes, but so many people ask, so this time I did. In terms of pure painting time (not including several hours of planning, sketching, and sometimes just staring at the painting looking for problems), this has taken 21 hours.

Drawing Magazine Cover Competition

I just received my copy of the Spring 2011 Drawing magazine, and I am thrilled to be featured as one of the finalists in their annual Cover Competition. My colored pencil piece Quiet Moment, a portrait of my sister, can be found on page 41, with accompanying text on page 40. The neat thing about this year's competition is that along with each finalist's image and description are tips to help make your drawings stronger.

This issue can be purchased online here: http://www.interweavestore.com/Art/Magazines/Drawing-Spring-2011.html?SessionThemeID=17

Sanguine Expectation

Below is the final scan of my latest piece, Sanguine Expectation.

Untitled Work in Progress

Above is a snapshot of what is currently on my drawing table. I will probably finish up the skirt tomorrow, and have it scanned early next week.

Window Light

A scan of my latest colored pencil drawing: Window Light, 18x24

Portrait Commission

I recently finished the portrait commission shown here, 16" x 20", colored pencil. Prior to starting this portrait, I had begun work on a new figurative piece, and I am now making final touches. I should post this new piece sometime tomorrow or Wednesday.

Electric Pencil Sharpeners

When I started working in colored pencil just over four years ago, I used a small hand-held sharpener, but I quickly realized that it was very time consuming, messy, and strained my hand after hours of work. After about 6 months I got an X-Acto Model 41 pencil sharpener, shown above, and I used it for the past three and a half years.

I know you aren't supposed to use colored pencils in electric pencil sharpeners, but this one worked like a charm - it quickly sharpened my colored pencils to a long, sharp point (many handhelds sharpen to a shorter point, i.e. showing less lead, which wears down more quickly). The other day, when the motor finally gave out, I was frantically researching the latest and greatest in electric pencil sharpeners. I even found one that claimed to be made for colored pencils. Unfortunately, the reviews were less than stellar, many people claiming that theirs broke after a year or less of light use! So I decided to go with the same one as last time.

The sharpener arrived the other day, and so far it's fantastic. It seems quieter than my old one (maybe because the motor was on the way out), and sharpens SO quickly. This model does come with a ten year warranty, but it looks like it might not apply to me because I used colored pencils in the machine. I don't mind though; if this thing can take three and a half more years of abuse with waxy lead, I'm happy!