Fearless Friday, Flowering Cactus in Colored Pencil
A good set of colored pencils is a great addition to your studio or stash
They are great to use with markers and watercolor,
or just by themselves for the delight of coloring
Cactus fascinates me
and when I saw this painting by Dyana E. Hesson
I had to paint/draw/color it!
I began with an intricate pencil sketch,
drawing the shapes one by one
to recreate this complicated flowering cactus on my paper
I use a pencil sketch to establish the composition
of a complex subject, placing the shapes and lines in position
Then I usually erase most of it as I begin to paint,
leaving only a faint “map” to refer to as I paint
This subject was much too complicated to erase and remember
so I opted to outline it with a fine liner,
erase the pencil and then begin to color
I took my time, planning to finish in a few days
working on it when I felt like it because
colored pencil renderings take longer than other media
I started from the bottom,
working my way up the cactus, layering colors and blending
You can vary the colors and effects
depending on how much pressure you apply to the pencils
It’s fun to experiment,
layering different colors to get different effects
I purposely exaggerated the colors
I was creating a fantasy flowering cactus!
This was a pleasant way to keep calm last weekend
when Tropical Storm Cristobal came to visit on the Gulf Coast
The waterway in front of our house was white capping
and the water rose up to the pier, but not quite over it…
We did loose the red crab trap,
but it’s probably just on the bottom somewhere nearby
Coloring the sunny yellow flower kept me thinking of sunshine after the storm
I was finally up to the last 2 flowers
Remember you’re the artist,
you can make anything any color you want to!
To finish, I added a soft blue background with a broad marker
“Flowering Cactus” after Dyanna E. Hesson, 9″ x 12″ colored pencil, ink & marker on mixed media paper
My personal favorite colored pencils are Prismacolor soft core pencils
You can get an introductory set of 24 for under $20 on amazon here
I recommend getting a set of at least 48, it comes with a good pencil sharpener and is under $50, on amazon here
If you really want to go all out, splurge on this set of 150 pencils, at $99 it’s a great value and comes with a sharpener and an eraser on amazon here
Here is another piece I did using colored pencils Sunflower Scarecrow
Sweet Holiday Citrus Wreath was created using markers and colored pencils
I used colored pencil for Christmas Tea to create the highlights on the watercolor teacup
Ode to the Strawberry was done with a combination of watercolor, markers, and colored pencils
Have fun with colored pencils and
Be Fearless!
✎ 🎨 ✎
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Happiness is Homemade Love Your Creativity
Over the Moon Between Naps on the Porch,
Make it Pretty Monday Turn About Tuesday Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Creative Cumpulsions
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Jenna, I love the flowering cactus and all of the ones in colored pencil. I am so glad the storm didn’t do any damage at your lovely home. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Thank you Pam, the storm was just a day of rain, and I sure hope that’s the only one we have this season, but I’m sure it won’t be! Gorgeous weather all over Alabama this week, enjoy!!
Your fearless Fridays are always so bold and brave. I love how you approach your color and work. This just makes me happy.
Thanks Jeanie, so glad to make you happy!
Your work is amazing! Thank you for encouraging creativity while giving practical tips to help us get good results. I am artistically challenged, but I love the process and enjoy creating with my granddaughters who have a good eye.
thank you Linda, colored pencils are very user friendly and a great way to gain confidence, have fun!
Gorgeous color in that cacti, Jenna! Glad all you lost with Cristobal was a trap!
thanks Rita!
Beautiful work , Jenna❣️
Enjoyed following along with that beautiful cacti. Glad you got through Cristobal with just losing a trap!
thanks Deb!
thanks Patty Anne, do you ever use colored pencils?
It’s been quite a while. I should probably pull out my lovely set of colored pencils and play a while. 😊
I think they are so relaxing…
Oh how I love that cactus! Bright and cheery and oh so sweet!
Glad you are safe from the storm!
Have a beautiful weekend my friend!
thank you Nancy, of course I thought of you while I was drawing this!
So colorful and fun Jenna! So glad Cristobal was kind to you and all you lost was a crab trap ♥
Yes, Cristobal was uneventful, we even found the crab trap!
You did a great job and beautiful drawing of the cactus Jenna. Enjoy the weekend.
thanks Julie, colored pencils are great therapy!
I love it!
Thank you for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you Michelle!