Fearless Friday, Sunflower Scarecrow
How do you feel about colored pencils?
When I first started drawing, I loved to use colored pencils and markers
They are still favorite mediums,
You have great control, and many options to achieve different effects
It was so hot at the beach last week, I couldn’t even paint on the porch 😅
so I stayed inside, watching the US Open tennis tournament
and had fun drawing this happy scarecrow vignette
I started with a pencil sketch
I looked at fall photos on Pinterest and combined images I liked into this vignette
I don’t always do a pencil sketch, but since this was going to be a complex subject, I wanted to be able to bring things backward or forward as the drawing progressed, by erasing or adding lines
When I was happy with the sketch,
I went over it in ink with a .01 micron pen and then erased the pencil
Then I began coloring the face with orange, light ochre, yellow, salmon, and terra cotta pencils
I used light strokes in the areas where I wanted to see texture and then in the darker areas and shadows I applied more pressure to create deeper, smoother color
The same colors were used for the straw hair with the addition of a darker brown
The sunflower center is a mixture of smooth and rough blends,
and the petals are blends of several yellows and orange
I used a larger tip black micron pen to add dots to the sunflower center
Next, the darker areas of the hat were colored in, using pressure and layers for smooth color, while the lighter areas are indicated with lighter strokes
The other sunflowers were colored with the same method as on the hat
The leaves were colored with several shades of green
Try creating color gradients by starting with light pressure
then gradually going darker with more pressure or visa versa
Smooth areas are created by scumbling,* pressure, and/or layering colors
*Scumbling is drawing tiny circles next to or on top of each other, creating a solid block of color
The pumpkin got layers of yellow, orange, and brown
the highlights are emphasized with very light areas
And darker areas form the recesses and shadows
I continued to color in the other pumpkins and leaves in this same method, using a blend of several different colors, and then added a light brown ground, using more pressure on the darker recessed areas
Almost done,
Time for his shirt and kerchief
“Sunflower Scarecrow” 9″ x 12″ colored pencil and ink on mixed media paper
Colored Pencil Tips:
Get a good portable pencil sharpener to keep with your pencils. I use this Derwent 2-1 sharpener & eraser here
Just like any art supply, try to get artist quality pencils, the difference is so worth the price
I use Primacolor pencils, they come in a wide range of colors and sets, the leads are fairly soft and blend really well
Prismacolor pencils sets available on Amazon here, available on Dick Blick {free shipping over $35} here and Jerry’s Artarama {free shipping over $35} here
You can read more about colored pencil tips and techniques here
Do you like to use colored pencils?
I really enjoy doing this method, very relaxing!
Have fun and Be Fearless!
Sunflower Scarecrow is available in my Society 6 Shop on 19 different items
New iPhone 11 cases will be available 9/20!
🎨 🌻 🎨
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity What’s for Dinner?
Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday Celebrate and Decorate,
All About Home Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Hi Jenna, oh your scarecrow pencil drawing is so awesome and perfect for fall. I love how easy you make it all look! Have a nice Friday and weekend.
Julie xo
Thanks Julie! We are having to pretend it’s Fall here, we’re still in the 90s, ugh!
Jenna, your vignette of scarecrow, pumpkins, and sunflowers is so adorable. You do make it look easy with your talent. Happy Weekend as we continue to simmer in the South!
thanks Pam, I am heat weary, just pretending it’s Fall! Roll Tide!
This is too adorable for words!
thanks Jeanie!
Oh, my, Jenna! I love this Scarecrow picture. The colors just jump right off the page, and his expression is such a happy one. Bravo! Thank you for the tutorial. I love how you shade and add texture step-by-step. You are truly gifted.
Thanks Rosie, I had such fun doing this, colored pencil is such a relaxed slow medium, I look forward to starting another one today!
That is adorable!!!
Thanks Michelle!
Awesome, Jenna!! 🧡🌻🎃
I’ve always loved colored pencils. It’s been a while since I’ve worked with them. Happy Friday!
thanks Patty Anne, I usually only use them with markers or watercolor but I really enjoyed using them by themselves, they do blend and layer very well, but it does take longer than paint…
He is adorable! I need to dig out my supplies!
Have fun Robin!
When I was a kid colored pencils were a treasure. I still have some and use them in a variety of ways not including drawing!
what do you use them for??
This is an adorable Fall scarecrow…and I’m sure it will sell on pillows for sure!
Thank you, he is a happy guy!
Your scarecrow turned out adorable, Jenna!! Wow! 🍂🌻
I love color pencils! 😊
me too, thanks Jill!
Wow! Loved how you made this from start to finish!
Your sunflower scarecrow is just adorable Jenna! Thanks for the smiles this morning! 🌻
thank you Mary 🙂