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'.

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.

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.

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).

The Icarus Art December newsletter was sent out yesterday.  If you'd like to register for the newsletter, you can go to the homepage of Icarus Art and click the sign up button on the top right corner.

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.

"Popping Out" receives an Honorable Mention in the San Clemente Art Gallery Winter Judged Show, Master Category. In the Master Category all previous winners in their medium compete against each other.

12" x 12" - Wax-based Media (Colored Pencil and Artist Crayon)
Created with the Icarus Drawing Board

The Los Angeles Colored Pencil Society Chapter organized a demonstration of colored pencil techniques for the Pacific Arts Group of Torrance. I was there as one of the demonstrators showing my Icarus Drawing Board technique.

"Across My Universe" is featured on the Showcase page of the October issue of Ann Kullberg's FMP online magazine.