Title: "River Pebbles, No. 13"
Size: 8" x 8"
Medium: Prismacolor colored pencils, Luminance colored pencils, Neocolors artist crayons
Tools: tortillions, paper stumps, and color shapers
Surface: Art Spectrum Colourfix Supertooth board
Icarus Technique
I created a graphite sketch from five different photo references I took during my trip to Montana. I always make sure to have many photos of the same subject, especially when dealing with moving water, so that I can combine the best parts into a drawing.
I then transferred the original sketch using Verithin colored pencils to avoid having to erase the graphite pencil.
After drawing the outline, I proceeded to map the main colors with Neocolor artist crayons on the warm zone of the Icarus board at low temperature. During this step it's not important to include all nuances and details as these can be developed later with colored pencils.
For more on color mapping with artist crayons you can view the following video: Mussel Shell - Blocking in Colors with Artist Crayons
With temperature set at maximum, I melted and blended the artist crayons with a clay shaper (also known as color shaper).
For more on melting artist crayons you can view the following video: Mussel Shell - Melting Artist Crayons
With the Icarus board set at medium temperature I developed the colors, values and details by layering and blending colored pencils with a variety of tools (tortillions, paper stumps, Caran d'Ache blender). During this step I made quite a few changes from the original outline; I removed a bubble and several small pebbles, aiming to simplify an already complex drawing.
Here are close-ups of the main steps: outline, mapping, melting, and developing.
I hope you enjoyed this step-by-step.
12 comments
Ines Giers
October 20, 2014
Ester, thanks soooo much for this wonderful enjoyable step-by-step…
Ester Roi
October 20, 2014
My pleasure, Ines! Thank you for visiting! :)
Yanina Neubauer
October 20, 2014
Thank you, your work is so beautiful and I love that you share it with a beginner like me. Cheers from Adelaide, South Australia .
Ester Roi
October 21, 2014
Thank you, Yanina! I’m glad you find my step-by-step useful.
Ciao!
sue Donze
October 21, 2014
I never get tired of following your step-by-steps. I get more out of them each time! Lovely and inspiring as always. Your art, too! :)
Ester Roi
October 21, 2014
Thank you, Sue! Your comments always uplift my spirit. :)
Frieda
October 21, 2014
Is it okay to use your step by step to try to duplicate what you have created? I am a beginning artist and it would be helpful to me.
Ester Roi
October 21, 2014
Thank you for asking, Frieda! It’s perfectly OK as long as you give me credit for the original artwork if posting on social media. :)
Frieda
October 22, 2014
Absolutely, although I don’t have enough confidence yet to post anything on any social media. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Ester Roi
October 24, 2014
My pleasure and keep in touch! :)
Tina Gabriel
February 13, 2015
Ester, Thank you so much for helping so many people with your step by step instructions on youtube blog. The icarus heating board is a must have. It makes it so much easier with blending all my Colored Pencil work. I’m hooked and wish I found it sooner. T.
Ester Roi
February 15, 2015
My pleasure, Tina! I’m so glad you find my videos and step-by-steps helpful! Thank you for letting me know that you’re enjoying your Icarus board. :)