Colored Pencil Drawing
By BRENNE MEIROWITZ
As primarily a figurative artist, I really enjoy colored pencil drawing. One of the best things that I like about using colored pencils is the portability. Unlike other medium such as paint or clay, all I need to do is to throw into a canvas bag a good set of pencils, a kneaded eraser, and of course – paper! Well, sometimes I prefer using cold press illustration board, especially if I am also using Prismacolor watercolor pencils. However, when on the run, I don’t usually apply water to my drawing until I am in the safety of my studio. The main reason is because if I apply water to either board or paper, it will buckle or wrinkle if not securely taped down. Also, a wet surface is much more vulnerable to tears, scratches, and foreign particles adhering to the moist area. Yet, if you’re lucky to be drawing outdoors near a water fountain, and plan to stay several hours, then go ahead and apply water – and have fun!
In the long run, drawing is much more challenging than painting, because I have to account for every stroke of my pencil. In other words, a pencil artist must be a good draftsman. When using oil paint, it’s pretty easy to fix mistakes even after they have dried. On the other hand, traditional watercolor painting is particularly challenging, especially when using a wash technique. Once that wet brush is put to paper, it is difficult to correct mistakes. Nonetheless, I have sometimes produced some of my finest pieces of art with these so-called mistakes. Little foibles can contribute a lot to learning new techniques.
The key to becoming a competent artist is to learn to relax and enjoy the process. If you are too concerned about ruining your drawing, then you will never enjoy what you are doing and probably will eventually quit altogether. Drawing, like almost any other skill, takes time, practice, and patience. Recall, if you can, when you first started to learn how to write. It took rows and rows of practice to perfect the technique of forming letters and numerals. Once your hand memorized the shapes, overtime your handwriting improved. If you still have any of your old penmanship sheets, take a look and compare it to how you write now. I think that may help you gain perspective (pardon the pun!) on your drawing. Or, if you have young children at home who are now just learning to write, that will work just as well.
So, now let’s back to colored pencil drawing, shall we? If you do have kids at home, creating art together is a great way to strengthen relationships – even with those difficult teens! Some of my fondest childhood memories are of drawing or coloring with a parent, grandparent, and my favorite cousin. Okay, I’ll admit that my mother was a professional artist, who designed packages for Revlon, but it was not her skill that brought me the enjoyment. It was her company and collaboration. My cousin, on the other hand, was a competent colorer, but no gifted artist. However, my fondest memories are with her because I felt at ease because it was all about fun – not judgment. Therefore, when drawing alone, in a class, with friends or family members, remember not to judge yourself, but just enjoy!