Student Open Forum

Colored Pencil Critique & Favorite Paper?

Colored Pencil Critique & Favorite Paper?

by Becky Congdon -
Number of replies: 2

I would like some feedback on my colored pencil drawing of the iris. I used Strathmore paper and Prisma colored pencils with blending stick. I really struggled with the top petals because they are very transparent pale violet blue. I worked it too hard and had a wax bloom on the petal on the top left. 

1. Any suggestions for achieving transparent petals?

2. Any other feedback?

3. What is your favorite paper to use for colored pencils?

4. Do you blend with a blending pencil or use something else?

Thanks!

Becky

Attachment Iris_ColoredPencils Medium.jpeg
In reply to Becky Congdon

Re: Colored Pencil Critique & Favorite Paper?

by Caroline Rushforth -
Hi Becky,
I love the saturation of the colors in your bearded Iris -it is a very nice portraint of one, leaves, flowers, buds and all! Where did you find one this time of year? ( I ended up doing an Hyacinth -easier to find!)
I have struggled this past week with colored pencils but found a solution using Hot Press watercolor paper, then painted a sketch with watercolor, and added colored pencil to saturate the color more for my mixed media drawing. I also used Paper for Pen and ink by Pentalic -it has a nice smooth finish for pens but may not be the best for colored pencil? I wonder what others have found with different paper.
In reply to Caroline Rushforth

Re: Colored Pencil Critique & Favorite Paper?

by Becky Congdon -

Thanks Caroline! 

I should have done this with watercolor at least for the top petals. I did this from an old  photo I took of my iris. I have clay soil here and irises and daylilies are the way to go. I should use Hot Press watercolor paper more. I have used Canson paper (MI-TEINTES sheet, 50% cotton) with colored pencils, but I don’t use watercolor under tint then. I will have to check out the “Paper for Pen and Ink by Pentalic”.