Announcing a new kind of colored pencil tutorial. A tutorial that’s also an artist’s journal.
Or rather, a portrait journal.
I’ve been writing and publishing tutorials for several years, now. Most have been for publication through this blog or, beginning August 2020, my online store, Colored Pencil Tutorials. But I’ve also written a standalone tutorial, Grazing Horses, and provided a tutorial for DRAW Landscapes, both for Ann Kullberg.
But my one of my latest tutorials is something new.
And much more personal.
A New Kind of Colored Pencil Tutorial
With every other tutorial I’ve written for this blog or for other publications, I’ve always kept myself out of the instruction as much as possible. Why?
Because I believed you were more interested in how I made art than in my experiences during the drawing process.
On those occasions when I shared personal struggles to make the kind of art I could be proud of, you’ve provided positive and encouraging feedback. Someone always told me they struggled with the same thing (whatever it was,) and were encouraged to discover they weren’t alone.
That, in turn, encouraged me.
It also led me to the realization that maybe it was time to change the way I write tutorials.
Blue Roan Horse Tutorial & Artist’s Journal
This tutorial is the first step in that process.
As with most tutorials, the Blue Roan Horse Tutorial & Artist Journal walks you step by step through the process of creating a portrait from client photographs.
But I share behind-the-scenes information, too.
For example, I was using Pastelmat for the first time on a paid portrait. I was also learning how to use many of the Brush & Pencil products.
Not everything I tried worked, but I tried to be faithful in sharing the failures as well as the successes in this project.
Why is that so important?
Because Portrait of a Blue Roan is the best portrait I’ve ever done, bar none. That includes over 40 years of doing portraits in oils, as well as nearly 20 years working with colored pencils.
And that’s important because so many things either didn’t work out the way I planned, or went totally wrong.
If I can learn something from my mistakes, miscues, and blunders (and I always do,) then maybe sharing those mistakes, miscues, and blunders can help you avoid them.
That is my hope.
Are You Looking for a New Kind of Colored Pencil Tutorial?
One that draws back the curtain and gives you more than just a peek into the creative process?
One that helps you transition from doing tutorials drawn by other artists, to making your own creations from scratch?
Then I believe this tutorial is what you’re looking for.
Read more about the Blue Roan Horse Tutorial & Artist’s Journal.
Having just started back drawing after a 52 year lay off and using colored pencils more and more l find ANY tutorials helpful! I have mostly been doing pencil work but do long to add more color. I’m still experimenting, and on a SS budget expensive mistakes are a problem, any contributions to avoid those pitfalls you’ve already overcome would be appreciated. I marvel at the beauty of your work! I try. Maybe when l reach 90……..
Cheryl,
Thank you so much for your very kind words! Welcome to colored pencils!
Keep drawing. You’ll learn a lot just by doing, but if you ever find yourself in a place where you need help, ask. I’m always happy to answer questions.
I’ve also learned that if one reader has a question, other readers have the same question, so ask!
Thank you again, and have fun with your pencils.
I draw something every day to stay in the “mood”. It’s either pencil, colored pencil, watercolor pencil and or pen and ink. I’ve found myself to be fair at animals , some birds, some people and their faces but really suck at landscapes and seascapes but have learned clouds to a degree. With the landscape and seascape issues l observe, read, listen and just make myself draw them to get better. In always disappointed with the often “flat” look of my trees. I need more patience and attention to detail that it takes to make images believable. Onward! Thank you for your response!