Last week’s Life Book lesson was another tutorial with Angela Kennedy. I really like Kennedy’s work because it is more illustrative and, therefore, more in line with my own style. For this particular lesson, I actually chose to emulate Kennedy’s style. Normally I try to mesh my own style with the lesson being tackled but for this one I capitulated not just out of time pressure and laziness (though both were undoubtedly a factor) but also because I wanted to concentrate more on the technique being taught than on coming up with my own composition and such like.
The technique in question was using coloured pencils over acrylic paint – and a background prepared with gesso. Coloured pencils and I are not best friends. People are often bemused to learn that I am so lacklustre with pencils. They assume that if I can draw with ink and colour with ink and watercolour then I must find using coloured pencils a doddle. Not so. Childlike colouring I can do, of course, but doing anything more artistic has long eluded me. A couple of years ago I snagged a lovely box of Prismacolor pencils that were going for a song and can confirm that the quality of the tools did not make much difference to my aptitude. Good quality tools matter, of course, but what matters more is the ability of the person using them. I am found lacking in this regard. Nevertheless, I decided to give this lesson my best shot. I think I just about pulled it off but I most definitely need more practice.
Oh you definitely did great! Not only that, I can’t see any trace of Angela Kennedy in this portrait. This is so you, Laura. I have been used to seeing your art and Angela’s over at instagram and there is a big difference. ❤
Thank you very much! I was worried I had stuck to Angela Kennedy’s exemplar too closely so I’m glad there is something of me in there.
Maybe colored pencils just had to wait until their time. And it’s now!
Ha! Maybe. I still don’t think they are very me but I might try using them in small doses over acrylic again.
I am in love with this piece! This makes me want to colored pencil over acrylic. I find it intimidating though. Thanks for the inspiration!
I am so flattered to have sparked some inspiration in you today. I think the technique of using the pencil over acrylic is something I will attempt again but as an element in a piece rather than a dominant area, such as the face is here. I look forward to seeing how your experiments with it turn out.
It’s great! I’ve never done pencils over acrylic, only the other way round. Mmmm – inspired to give this a try!!
Do give it a try! In addition to Kennedy, many members of the class got wonderful results.
She is so cute and I think you did great with the colored pencils.
Thank you very much!