exploring

small study of a winter's day, 3" x 2.5"
coloured pencil on colourfix paper, copyright Teresa Mallen

It seems rather fitting that I post a tiny snowy scene, given that my last entry was written back in the depths of winter! Sheesh, the time has flown by.

My 'word' for 2013, is explore. Do you pick an annual word too? In case you don't have a clue what I am talking about, what I mean is that every December I ponder what I would like to focus on in the coming year. One year my idea required a phrase, not just a single word  - 'Teresa, own your time'. That one stays a work in progress! :-)

Anyway, the reason I haven't been posting is that I have been busy exploring!!!! I dedicated these past months to the pursuit of working differently, creating very small studies of different subject matter using different techniques and approaches. 

I allowed myself to create freely - with no objectives with regards to competition entries, possible sales and portfolio building. As part of all that, these artistic experiments would remain private. Honestly, some bad art was made and that was absolutely fine with me! I think that is rather expected when exploring.

But now it seems that I have exhausted the ideas I wished to explore and now I am feeling the urge to get back on track. So that means my blogging break is over and I shall be posting once more. I have lots of garden pictures to share and of course, why not a few photos of my pretty hennies?

 

This spot is a favourite with our chicken flock. They love this weathered wooden bench which is located under a basswood tree right beside the house. From here they have an elevated view down the lawn to the barn. The grass is long, with lovely seed heads that they like to eat, and there are lots of insects to scratch around for.

I love this tiny clump of violets that has naturally seeded on top of the concrete of an old stable wall, in a bit of mossy soil beside a rock. Reminds me of the saying, "Bloom where you are planted." I hope all of you are having a wonderful spring!

coloured pencil chard continues...

Swiss Chard work in progress, 17" x 7"

Coloured Pencil on Colorfix Paper

Copyright Teresa Mallen

Here is how the chard piece looks now. I am having a great time working on it. At this stage, most of what I am doing is drawing in the detail, making sure I get all the bits and pieces in where they are supposed to go. I love doing detailed drawing work and I must say doing all the veins is very satisfying!

After sticking with my Colorsoft pencils in this piece, I am starting to appreciate them more. I am getting used to their thicker diameter (I know, picky picky) and as I mentioned before, I do like how they don't flake off much (as this is a sanded surface). Most of the paper has now been covered by pigment. The subsequent layers are going on with less flaking because the grit of the paper has been reduced somewhat by the initial colour. So even the Prismacolors are holding their own. I do find that the pencils in the Lightfast line are a little 'dryer' than the Premier line and this is an advantage on a sanded surface.

Besides working on the chard, I have been busy doing January things - you know, the stuff we feel compelled to do because it is the beginning of a new year, a fresh start and all that. So, I have been tidying up my accounts for 2008. My income and expenses are all up to date! I have been sorting my email into files and I have also sorted 250 photo references into their files. Now I am filing the papers that have accumulated on my desk and after that I am determined to sort my computer files. I bought a new computer some months ago and of course I now have files on it. My old computer was probably over 10 years old and it had limited functionality. I ended up using my husband's computer for manipulating images, preparing course exercises, etc. I really do need to take a chunk of time to compile the files that were on my husband's computer, the files that were all over the place on my old computer and now my new files. I have been procrastinating this job but now I am looking forward to it. It feels so good to get the stuff sorted that I have already tackled that I am motivated by how great it will feel to finally have the computer filing behind me. Guess what I am doing this weekend? :-)

coloured pencil chard WIP and following the rules...

Swiss Chard work in progress, 17" x 7"

Coloured Pencil on Colorfix Paper

Copyright Teresa Mallen

This is how it looks now. Since the last post, my goals have been to get down more colour, to start focusing on values and to start putting down some detail.

Most cp artists end up liking certain pencil brands over others. I am no exception. I am not a fan of Derwent Coloursoft pencils but I must admit that I have liked using them on this sanded pastel paper. Normally I don't like their larger diameter. The pencil feels too chunky in my hand and they don't fit into my electric sharpener opening. But, they are holding up well on the sanded paper - they hold their point longer and there is less pigment coming off during application (compared to Prismacolors). As a result, I don't have to sharpen my pencil or brush my paper as often. I will definitely turn to them again for future sanded paper projects.

I have had a couple of emails from people curious for more info as to why readers are not to leave critical comments on this work. I thought I would take a minute to explain where this comes from...

As I mentioned initially, if all goes well with this piece, I may enter it in competitions or juried shows. If you have never done this sort of thing, you should be aware that there are rules and regulations that you need to follow. Depending on the show or the competition, there will be various restrictions on your entry.

To start with your entry will usually only be considered if it is available for viewing in a slide format or available as a digital image (and the specifications for slides and digital images get quite specific so you need to check out this information carefully).

Your work may be required to meet certain size limitations. Your choice of mats and frames can be limited too. The CPSA requires that all entries accepted into their annual exhibition be framed with acrylic instead of glass.

As well, your artwork may have to meet 'originality' requirements. For example exhibitions and shows will often require you to declare something like the following: "That the artwork submitted is the original work of the submitting artist from concept, through design, to completion." Or you may encounter this sort of requirement: "All work must be original from the artist's own inspiration and reference material. They can not be done in a class, a workshop or under an instructor's influence, not critiqued, photomechanically reproduced, computer enhanced or from kits."

The Colored Pencil Society of America states the following in their exhibition prospectus: "Concept, design and execution of the artwork shall be solely that of the artist. No work copied from copyrighted or published materials. No imaged produced by drawing over a digital reproduction allowed. No prints. No collaborations."

So what does all this mean for the artist? Well, depending on the particular exhibition's requirements, your work may not qualify. You may need to change how you work on pieces that are destined for shows. For example, if you use photo references, they may have to be your own. Please note that even if you have obtained permission to use a photo this would not meet the requirement of being something from your own concept, solely your own work and design. Last year, when the UK Coloured Pencil Society changed their rules for entry submission, some wildlife artists were left rather frustrated. Now, in order to work from a photo of an elephant or leopard for example, you will have had to take the photo yourself. So, you may be required to work from your own source material. You may also be required to have created the drawing yourself - no projectors or drawing over a photo, etc.

The requirement of no critiques and no influence from others really comes into play for those of us who post our art as works in progress. Many people also post work on various on-line forums where their work is commented on. To get around this we either have to stop posting WIPs or we have to do what I am doing - asking people to refrain from giving any helpful feedback that could be construed as influencing me.

Bottom line, if you are thinking of entering your work into juried exhibitions and shows, do your homework first. Get a copy of the exhibition prospectus to determine the rules and regulations.

Thanks for the emails. I hope this info helps to clarify why I am asking for no critiques. If you are a reader who would like to ask me something or you would like to comment on a blog post, (but you are not registered or not a blogger) please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you!