CHALLENGE # 12 (the official one) - September 20, 2011 - October 18, 2011

holland2 wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 5:00 AM

WOW - what an "ego trip" - Thanks Sammy, Sandi & Jen!

Sandi, this one is 9 x 12 on 300 lb cold press w/c paper and is done with Prismacolor watercolor pencils.  I took Sammy's advice and ordered the Prismacolor II water soluable crayons and used them to whiten up the whites and also to lighten up the blues, so technically, I guess it should be called "mixed water media".  The color of the Prismacolor pencil that became my "best friend" in this one is called "mulberry" - I used it A LOT in toning the greens and accentuating the lights.  I will go back into this one and "un-square" that center blue flower.  Overall, I had a lot of fun with this one and I'm sort pleased with the outcome, too. 

(And, Jen, you didn't miss it - I just posted it - LATE, as ususal!)

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 6:04 AM

Holly, your painting is not mixed media.  The Caran d'Ache Neocolor ll are the same shades as the their set of  colored pencils and contain some of the same wax .  The Colored Pencil Society considers them to be pencil and you can call your painting colored pencil.  It would be eligible to enter into a CPS show as all colored pencil.

holland2 wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 6:11 AM

Thanks for that tip, Sammy.  Since I have never really tried to evaluate media for showing, I didn't know that.  I'm guessing, then, that water color pencils should fall in the catetogory of Colored Pencils, rather than Water Color?  (The Neocolor II is what I ordered - I just named it wrong in the above post - OOPS!)

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 6:50 AM

Holly, get out the wet noodle.  I deserve twenty lashes.  Please forgive me.  I read that your floral was done with water color pencil but the my very mature brain converted that to colored pencil and I gave you wrong information.  Your watercolor pencil painting would indeed be called watercolor.  I don't think that adding the water soluble pencil would change that.  Many people refer to work with more than one type of water media simply as water media.  From now on, I'll give myself time to wake up before posting information.

Anyhow, no matter what you call it, it's a beautiful painting.

holland2 wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 6:59 AM

Thanks agian!  I have WAY too many of those "senior moments" days, too! 

csebeling wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 7:39 AM

Holly- What a beautiful work! I love the variety of shapes and colors and I wouldn't change the shape of the blue flower. I like everything about it. It's just awesome!

holland2 wrote

on 14 Nov 2011 5:01 PM

Thanks Cindy - I probably worked on this one longer than most of my work, but it didn't feel like it because there's not much clean up involved and I could leave it all out.  Some days, I probably didn't do any more than a leaf or two but it was easy to do because it was already spread out on my drawing board.

Max_Azazzy wrote

on 16 Nov 2011 11:42 AM

I know it's late but I ran into this old drawing I did--one of my first pen/ink.  It is a copy of an old 15th century etching of a skeleton.  I thought it might fit the "spooky" theme.  The discoloration is water damage sustained on the way to Afghanistan.  Luckily none of the drawings in that built were ruined.  I guess it builds character.

-Max

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 16 Nov 2011 1:02 PM

Yes, Max, that's pretty spooky.  I've drawn lots of skeleton in figures drawing classes and they are always fun.  You did an excellent job on this one.  It looks like he just dug that big chasm to his right (our left).  It's interesting that you placed him at the top of a mountain, surrounded by mountains.  You have good values throughout his bones.  Very nice drawing.

It's good to see your work.  Keep sharing your art with us.

sandichot wrote

on 16 Nov 2011 3:54 PM

Max- We are never late in sending our artwork in at all b/c arts can be enjoyed at any time. This is a very well drawn skeleton and very detailed. The lines are strong. shadings are in the right places. Funny, I am thinking that his face looks so sad. Skeleton must have feeling too.

A Gal Named Sam wrote

on 17 Nov 2011 8:19 AM

Max, I just read your bio on your home page again and it sounds as if you are no longer in Afghanistan.  It must be horrible to be in that extremely hot and arid dust bowl.  Tell us where you are now.

Max_Azazzy wrote

on 17 Nov 2011 1:55 PM

I was in Afghanistan 2010-2011.  I was there during the winter and it actually gets pretty cold there.  I was in a quiet province so I did a lot of drawing, mostly copies of Bargue plates from the drawing course (helped keep me sane and occupied).  Did a few field drawings, but sketching isn't my strong suit.  Thanks for asking Sam...

Max_Azazzy wrote

on 17 Nov 2011 1:56 PM

I'm in NC now at Camp Lejeune...

holland2 wrote

on 17 Nov 2011 5:54 PM

Max - Our Challenges never close, we just move on to new ones - - so posting is never "late" - even though I feel like mine are "late", too, when I post in an older Challenge.     What a great skeleton - thanks for sharing!  With his hand out, he looks like he has just finished a "performance" - Sandi saw sad and I initially saw laughter - every time I look at it now, though, I see a different emotion - ranging full spectrum.   Thought provoking drawing.

Thanks, MAX, to you and all of your fellow comrads for your service to our USA!  Every day and every way is not nearly enough opportunity to express our appreciation for all that is done for us to protect and defend our freedoms and sanctity! 

Max_Azazzy wrote

on 18 Nov 2011 9:44 AM

Thanks for the good words Holly!