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Blog archives: 2009

Buon Natale

Christmas 2009

From our family to yours, have a wonderful Christmas Day, full of love, joy and goodwill. Auguriamo a tutti un Natale pieno di gioia e serenita'.

 

CPSA Announces My Upcoming Workshop

The Colored Pencil Society of America has announced the names of the two workshop teachers for the 18th Annual International Convention and Exhibition in Santa Clara, California. I'm thrilled to be  one of them. Here is the announcement:

"We have two talented instructors for our workshops on Thursday and Friday of Convention Week. Allan Servoss, CPSA will be stretching our minds and drawing skills with his workshop entitled "Beyond Technique: Drawing from the Heart and Mind. Ester Roi, inventor of the Icarus Drawing Board, will demonstrate and instruct class attendees to "unleash the potentials of wax-based colored pencils" using heat with her workshop "Wax and Heat, A Match Made in Heaven." We will also have a Saturday outing to practice drawing in plein air under the tutelage of Melissa Miller Nece, CPSA. These events provide a great experience for sharing and learning with other artists."

Please check the CPSA blog for more information on the 18th Annual International Convention and Exhibition and their website for the complete Prospectus.

 

Achieve a Very Smooth Gradation Using Heat

On step #1 I layer on the cool zone process red, pink and white colored pencils over light blue artist crayon (see more on "layering" on previous post). I use the side of the pencil, not the point.

After moving the paper to the warm zone I start blending with a paper stump. Here, again, I'm using the side, not the point, and make small circles as I blend. Step #2 shows you the blending in progress.

On step #3 you can see the end result: a very smooth and flawless color gradation. This technique will allow you to blend a large area in a very short time.

#1 - Color Gradation#2 - Color Gradation#3 - Color Gradation

 

 

Colored Pencil Over Artist Crayon & Oil Pastel?

As you can see on step #1, it's impossible to layer a hard medium over a softer one. The pink colored pencil can only make indentations and scratches over the light blue artist crayon. Here is where the Icarus Drawing Board can help you.

On step #2 the thick layer of crayon is thinned out on the warm zone with a color shaper or a gray paper stump. I use the side, not the point of the paper stump and make small circles until I'm left with a thin, saturated layer of color.

After moving the paper to the cool zone, I'm now able to easily layer colored pencil over artist crayon (see step #3).

#1 - Layering Colored Pencil Over Artist Crayon or Oil Pastel#2 - Layering Colored Pencil Over Artist Crayon or Oil Pastel#3 - Layering Colored Pencil Over Artist Crayon or Oil Pastel

 

 

Blog Goes Live

Welcome! My blog officially starts today.

I will be posting new artwork and chronicle my progress as an artist. At the same time I plan to keep you updated on the Icarus Drawing Board.

In case you are wondering why this new blog has already four years of archives, please note that all entries preceding December 1st were transferred here from the "News" page of my previous website.