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Blog archives: November 2013

Report on my San Diego Demonstration

I love those San Diegan CPSA chapter members! They always make me feel welcomed and appreciated.

Everyone was very interested in learning how I work with canvas on the Icarus board. When I rolled out my 24" x 48" canvas in progress I could definitely see their curiosity peaking.

Here are the points I discussed during my presentation:

  • why canvas
  • what type of canvas
  • how to prime it
  • how to mount it and varnish it

Afterwards I demonstrated the three main techniques I use when working with canvas on the Icarus board :

  • mapping the main colors with wax pastels (low temperature)
  • melting and thinning wax pastels (high temperature)
  • developing colors, values and details with colored pencils (medium temperature)

I set up three stations, each with a board at a different temperature, so that a line of attendees could swiftly move through the steps and try the different applications. Unfortunately, after I answered all their questions, there wasn't enough time for everybody to try to replicate the techniques. However, I think they all walked away with a sense of new possibilities.

 

Inching Toward the Finish Line

I'm inching toward the finish line and soon I will be done with my largest piece ever. Below is a picture of what I've accomplished so far.

I'm not surprised to have discovered that I enjoy working big. When I used to paint in oil (back in the nineties) my smallest canvas was 30" x 30". It never occurred to me to paint any smaller. That feeling stayed with me even after I transitioned to colored pencil.

The Icarus technique has allowed me to tackle larger work, especially by combining colored pencils with wax crayons (artist crayons) and oil pastels. I'm also realizing that time is not necessarily proportionate to size. 

On my final post I will tell you how I'm able to speed up the process, how I feel about working on canvas, and I will show you some close-ups of the progress. Stay tuned!

 

Demonstration on Canvas and the Icarus Board

Saturday, October 12, I will give a demonstration on how to use canvas on the Icarus Drawing Board. This will take place during the San Diego CPSA District Chapter meeting (10:00 am - 12pm) at the Serra Mesa- Kearny Mesa Library, 9005 Aero Drive, San Diego.

Everybody is welcome! If you're not a member of the Colored Pencil Society, this will be a great opportunity to meet a dedicated group of artists who share a passion for colored pencil. I hope to see you there!