Derwent's Inktense Pencils

In the February issue of our ArtsyFartsy newsletter, I reviewed Derwent’s Inktense Pencils. There were so many comments about these pencils - I decided to do a follow-up demo. Inktense pencils are watersoluble and they dry permanent. I paint and draw simultaneously while making a painting and this is the stick I use for drawing. They are brilliant and intense.

Here are 6 small drawings I did with Inktense pencils. They act like watersoluble pencils but with very intense colors. I’ve tried them all - this Inktense pencil I love!

Inktense Pencils - up to 72 colors

I draw with a dry pencil then...

Wet with a watercolor brush. It will look like Bombay India ink and have the feel of sumi ink.

Or... wet the paper first. Then draw with the pencil. It bleeds! Cool!

Messy Studio!

Messy Studio!
In between workshops - got home from Palm Desert workshop at the Art Colony and getting ready for an Abstract Painting & Collage Workshop in Chico, California at Butte College. I know it looks like my studio exploded, but laying everything out is the best way for me to get it all re-organized!
Many projects everywhere. I continue to work on my Circus series - it is fun and people like the bright colors. I am also working on more purely abstract pieces to continue my "No Full Disclosure" theme - you can see some of those in progress on the back wall. Pear warm-ups, landscapes and "making a mess" under paintings for classroom assignments. It's not a pretty site, but it's my studio!

Reigning Cats and Dogs

I was recently invited to submit a painting for a group show entitled "Raining Cats & Dogs." Visual puns are cheap and immature and that's why I like puns!

I called this painting "Reigning Cats in Dogs." My original idea was to submit a "heavy on the collage" visual statement.
Afterwards, I felt the painting needed… well, painting!

Color was added only as a translucent - so as not to lose the image underneath. I prefer the texture of added collage paper and make no attempt to hide the fact that I'm working with torn pieces of paper. It reveals the hand-built quality of making this collage form of art.
For me, collage is another form of telling a story!

"Raining Cats & Dogs" is on exhibit at the Studios on the Park in Paso Robles, California, March 18-April 11, 2010. Studios Atrium.