Patio Garden

Patio Garden, 2012
Ink and watercolor on paper
6 x 4.5 inches

© 2012 Susan M. Lohse.  All rights reserved.

I’ve been working on an intensive colored pencil project, so it was nice to take a break by doing something quick and loose.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia, 2010

© 2012 Susan M. Lohse.  All rights reserved.

I couldn’t resist photographing this fuchsia, with its vivid colors and elaborate folds.  These exquisite flowers remind me of Georgian ball gowns, complete with panniers and furbelows.

Between the Drive and the Boulevard

Between the Drive and the Boulevard, 2012

Colored pencil on paper

6 x 4 inches

© 2012 Susan M. Lohse.  All rights reserved.

After trying several papers over the years, I think I’ve finally found my preferred support for colored pencil:  bristol board with a vellum finish.

Bristol vellum has just enough tooth for adequate layering, but not so much that the tones look overly grainy without burnishing.  (Depending on the subject matter, I often prefer a little graininess when working with pencils.)  I’m also able to achieve what I want to with more defined pencil strokes.

Light graphite erases from bristol vellum relatively easily, and I’m able to adequately lift color with a kneaded eraser.  My kneaded eraser is as important a drawing tool as any pencil, so the latter benefit is important.

The other side of the bristol vellum I’ve used has a smooth finish, although I found that it’s too smooth for adequate colored pencil layering.  However, I understand that a smooth surface like this works well for photorealistic graphite drawing, which I have yet to test for myself.

It's Abby's World

It’s Abby’s World, 2012

© 2012 Susan M. Lohse.  All rights reserved.

I’ve always enjoyed seeing the studio mates of my fellow art bloggers (see here, here, here, here and here).  I hadn’t intended to share photos of my studio mate, but I couldn’t resist taking and posting this picture of Abby the Tabby today.

End of Day

End of Day, 2012

Graphite on paper

4.75 x 6 inches

© 2012 Susan M. Lohse.  All rights reserved.

For several reasons, I haven’t been satisfied with what I’ve been producing lately.  To shake things loose creatively, I decided that I needed to relax, get back to basics with pencil and paper, and see where it took me.

If you’re an artist, you know exactly what I’m talking about.