ArtByHelen.com - Colored Pencil

Colored Pencils

"What is one to think of those fools who tell one that the artist is always subordinate to nature? Art is in harmonious parallel with nature." Paul Cezanne
Materials used for colored pencil designs: Prismacolor (wax based) pencils, Sanford Very Thin Pencils, and Caran D’Ache oil based colored pencils, and CaranD’Ache watercolor crayons. I've used various papers including: Stonehenge, Fabriano Artistico 140# hot press paper, and museum quality mat board.
The actual prints may vary slightly in color from those on this web site.
"Andrew's Violin" Original size 16 x 20" The painting, Andrew's Violin, tells a family's story. When Andrew immigrated from Poland in 1912, one of the few precious things he brought with him was his treasured violin. Upon his death, it was stored in its original case for years in his home in PA. After the death of his wife in 1967, the violin was discovered in the attic after being forgotten for years. It still had his "grime" on it from years of hard playing, and out of respect for him, it was left that way. We took it home, had the strings and bridge replaced, but the neck was permanently warped. So that everyone in the family could enjoy this treasure, I decided to paint it. I included in the painting: sheet music written by our son, Randy, a crystal bowl that was given to my parents as a wedding gift in 1928, and a cup and saucer that was a gift from Randy's wife's family from Russia. It took about 3 months to complete because it was done completely in colored pencil, a time-consuming process, requiring several layers of color. The original is in a private collection, but prints are available. 16 x 20 - $45. 11 x 14 - $35. 8 x 10 - $25. See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Tropical Enchantment" Original size 11 x 14" This Blue Morph butterfly just begged to have it's picture taken when I visited the Florida Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, FL. The brilliance of the florescent wings was a challenge to capture, but the outcome was worth the effort. The original is in a private collection. Available up to 11 x 14" as art prints. See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Cardinals on a Birch Tree" Original size 9 x 12" Cardinals have been one of my favorite birds since my childhood because they always brought a flash of color to an otherwise bleak winter day. The original is in a private collection. Available up to 9 x 12" as art prints. See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Peach Harvest" Original size 11 x 14" I liked the play of lights and shadows across the peaches, and I wanted to challenge myself to paint the appearance of fuzz on the peaches. The unframed original is available. Cost $150. Available up to 11 x 14" as art prints. See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Ballet Slippers in Red" Original size 11 x 14" In this painting, I attempted to capture the feel and look of satin. It was entered in a judged and juried show, where the judge commented that I had done a great job of accomplishing my goal. The original is in a private collection. Not available as prints at this time.			Click picture to enlarge
"Mushroom Garden" Set of 4, 5 x 7" Prints After painting the 4 individual mushrooms in colored pencil, I enhanced them with pen and ink. I framed the 4 individual paintings of mushrooms in a collage for my own kitchen. Available as a set of 4 - 5x7" art prints, which will fit into a 12 x 30" standard ready-made collage frame, available in craft stores. Price for set of 4 (5x7") prints - $30. Plus shipping/handling.

"Splendor in Paradise" Original size 11 x 14" I've always loved birds, and I liked the attitude displayed on this bird's face. It was done in colored pencil with a soft pastel background. It was entered in a judged and juried show in The Villages, where the judge loved the way I had shown the bird's personality and its show of movement. The original is in a private collection. Art prints available up to 11 x 14". See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Sugar and Spice" Original size 11 x 14" Our Red Tabby cats, Spice (L) and Sugar (R), were just begging to have their photo taken when I caught them up on top of my kitchen cabinets, visiting with the chickens. Such posers!!! The original is in Helen's personal collection, but art prints are available up to 11 x 14". See ordering page for details.			Click picture to enlarge
"Floyd" Original size 9 x 12" Meet Floyd, a white Turkish Angora cat, who was the beloved (late) pet of my son and his wife. His beautiful, long white hair was a challenge. I used colored pencils, and watercolor crayons to bring out the highlights.			Click picture to enlarge
"Isabel" Original size 9 x 12" Since Floyd (above) and Isabel were litter mates, naturally, I painted both their portraits. Isabel is a sweet kitty who is still charming her owners.
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