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New Website and Blog Launched Today

Oversize Giclee of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

After months of hard work, and thanks to my own son’s expertise in web development, I'm happy to announce the launch of my new website and blog. It comes complete with all the information on the pricing and availability of my artwork. In addition, originals and giclees can be purchased directly from the website store.

Please let me know by email ([email protected]) if you find any problems with the new website.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship!

 

“Metamorphosis” Donated to Silent Auction

Metamorphosis

"Metamorphosis" is one of 38 artworks donated to the 2013 CPSA Silent Auction in Brea, California. Final bids will be due the evening of August 1st during the Membership Meeting. The bidder or representative must be present. Purchase is by cash, check or credit card and must be paid that evening.

Click to preview the beautiful artworks:
http://www.cpsa.org/coloredpencilartists/SILENTAUC2013/

Embassy Suites - 900 East Birch Street, Brea, CA 92821

 

Los Angeles CPSA Chapter Book

The CPSA District Chapter 214, Los Angeles, has produced a wonderful book that will be for sale at the 2013 CPSA Convention in Brea. Designed by Jeff George, Dreamstarter is a  multi-purpose book that provides both inspirational colored pencil imagery (including my artwork Social Network) and work-spaces to help you kick start your creative ideas.

There is only a very limited quantity of books available and the chapter is accepting pre-orders. You may send a check (a receipt will be mailed to you) and you can then pick up your copy at the convention. Please contact Barbara Rogers at [email protected] or 562-925-5775.
DreamstarterWeb

 

Pushing the Limits

Last summer at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts I had the opportunity to talk to hundreds of visitors and many of them inquired if I had large-scale work available. This rekindled my longstanding desire to create bigger art.

After much experimenting I realized that the best way to accomplish this goal was to find a flexible surface that I could place on top of my Icarus board without damaging it (the surface). I knew that paper was not my best choice because large sheets tend to crease or bend when used on a desk.

I tested various substrates and found that canvas had the flexibility needed for my purpose. I purchased a roll of Caravaggio Extra Fine Double-Primed Cotton Canvas, the finest texture canvas available. Artists who would like to experiment with canvas and the Icarus board for the first time are advised to purchase a portrait-grade stretched canvas, unstaple it from the bars, and then, after the painting is finished, re-stretch it on the same bars.

My first attempt to work large was a 28" x 48" piece, temporarily named The Quarry. I primed the canvas with three coats of Art Spectrum Colourfix Supertooth Primer, clear. This primer helps colored pencil and wax & oil pastel adhere well to the canvas. When I prefer a smoother texture I use the regular Art Spectrum Colourfix Primer, clear instead.

Below you can see the first two passages I accomplished:

First passage: blocking-in

Second passage: melting

Blocking-in detail

Melting detail

As I was getting ready to tackle the third and final passage to develop color, values, and details, I changed my mind about finishing The Quarry and put it temporarily aside.

One of my favorite artwork, In Between (see image below), sold as soon as I posted it on my blog. I had something special planned for that piece!

In Between

For that reason, after asking permission to my collector and changing its size, I decided to re-do it four times as big as the original. If you're interested in this topic of making repeats, I suggest you read Robert Genn's newsletter Identical Twins.

Soon I began working on the 24" x 48" twin of In Between. I'm only about half-way done because other more urgent, smaller pieces are taking precedence.

The strategy I'm following with the 'twin' is different than that of The Quarry. Since it's a re-do, I don't feel the need to block-in the whole composition and colors. As you can see from the image below, I'm completing one stone at a time.

Eventually, as I garner more experience with large sized artwork using the Icarus board, I will share with you all the tips and tricks learned along the way.

The 'twin' halfway done

When I was a little girl my father used to ask me: "Ester, why do you always push the limits?". He was naturally worried! I understand now, because I have a son who's exactly like me.

 

My Artwork on the CPSA Banner

CPSA Banner

 

I have the honor to be one of ten artists whose art is displayed on the new Colored Pencil Society of America corporate banner. This banner is used at NAMTA (National Art Materials Trade Association) and most likely at the CPSA convention location each summer.

My artwork selected is Social Network and you can find it on the bottom, to the left of the caption: "Yes. It's colored pencil".

Congratulations to the other nine artists who have been chosen as CPSA ambassadors on the new banner.

 

Arlene Steinberg and the Icarus Board

Amazing colored pencil artist and friend, Arlene Steinberg, is featured in the May 2013 issue of The Artist's Magazine along with other talented artists in the article "Colored Pencil Comes of Age" by Maureen Bloomfield.

Bloomfield says: "One reason Steinberg's color is so intense and saturated is that she works on an Icarus Art drawing board, a portable board that has warm and cool areas; the board is placed under the paper, and the wax reacts to the heated part of the surface" (54).

For a preview of this article visit the Artist's Magazine's blog post "Some Like it Hot/Colored Pencil Art Sizzles".

Below is one example of Arlene's brilliant artwork titled "Hibiscus Under Glass".

"Hibiscus Under Glass

Arlene was also featured on the Icarus Art September 2012 Newsletter.

To view more of her art please visit her website: www.arlenesteinberg.com.

Arlene will be one of the workshop instructors at the 2013 Colored Pencil Society Convention, in Brea, California.