Info for Beginning Artists written by Elaine Rittler
You have drawn a beautiful colored pencil picture and now it needs some kind of background. It should enhance but not detract from your well-rendered subject. You want color but don’t relish the thought of creating an entire background by drawing it on with the pencil. If you tend to get stuck thinking about how … Read more
We’ve all experienced it, that artistic fervor when the ideas are flowing like water—you can’t crank the pieces out fast enough and are enjoying every minute of it. Then, for whatever the reason may be —too many things piled on your plate, unrelated issues or problems distracting us, not enough time, feelings of self-doubt, etc.—we … Read more
Have a set of watercolor pencils sitting on a shelf collecting dust because you haven’t a clue how to use them? Well I’m guessing since you’re here you’ve decided to dust them off, break open the box and figure out how to use watercolor pencils. “So, do you just wet the pencil to use them?”, is … Read more
I’d be lost without my colored pencils. They have been coloring my world since 2001! They are such a wonderfully responsive medium that is relatively easy to learn, is inexpensive, very portable and produces great art! But did you know how blendable they really are? And how important it is to be able to blend … Read more
You’ve been creating art for a while, joined art clubs, created and sold pieces, did commissions and participated in shows. Maybe you’ve gotten your work into galleries as well. At least, you’re getting a sale or a commission occasionally. And maybe you’re lucky enough to be making a full-time income. But maybe it’s a part-time … Read more
If I had a dime for every time someone said to me, “I have absolutely no artistic talent.” or “I’m so bad at drawing” or “I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler.”, I’d be rich! These folks believe that a person is born with some kind of magical, mystical artistic trait that they … Read more
If you work with colored pencils as an art medium, undoubtedly you have experienced the frustration of sharpening your pencils. You try to sharpen them in a handheld sharpener, and they keep breaking again and again. It’s broken down to the wood showing no visible pigment. The electric pencil sharpener manufacturers say not to sharpen … Read more
Colored Pencil has certainly risen in popularity over the past decade with the advent of coloring books for adults. It is a wonderful medium that is fun to use, relatively easy to learn, and is very relaxing. Whether you are an avid colorist who wants to go to the next level, an artist who never … Read more
EXPRESSING LIFE I truly believe that art is expressing life around us whether we are creating portraits of people, houses or pets, still life, florals, landscapes, waterscapes, etc. From the moment that first stroke of a pencil, pastel or brush meets the art surface to the last, the journey of each piece is unique and … Read more