I think this is finished now but I know I could go on tweaking it forever. I decided to take your advice and finish the leaves. I showed the finished painting to my husband & he wanted to know what the "goldish brown stuff is at the bottom"! See, everyone gets some negative comments at times! I guess it's water - I just followed the ref pic! lol

Anyway, I didn't want to post it in the critique thread as I don't plan to do anything else to it but just wanted to let you know that I did finish it. Even though I'm not asking for a full critique, I don't mind at all if anyone has a comment for improvement for next time.

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J

I think it's ever so delicate and beautiful J! I'm so glad you decided to complete it.

I'm unable to critique your work. I think it's wonderful.

If the purpose of art is to add something to life than know that you have added serenity to mine this evening. Thank you.

J I think your lilly is just beautitful ...i would so love to learn to draw flowers and make them look as real as you do

Oh my, how beautiful J-Lynn. Really great job. Was it done in watercolor pencils?

Wonderful work on this piece J-Lynn. The leaves are exceptionally well done and the flower lovely. You should be proud of this one!

Now see, aren't you glad you finished it? I think it came out just lovely.

Chris

It's very nice J-Lynn I love the colours in it. I think Farfallina is right it has a very delicate look.
Paulette

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

Rose, I'm glad you felt serene viewing it.

Joanie, this was done with Prisma colored pencils. I bought a small set (12 pencils) just to try and this is my very first actual painting with them (or with any regular c/p for that matter.) I had done some quickie stuff but nothing at all like this!

Jeanette, I like the leaves the best also and wish I'd known what I learned from doing them when I did the flower but ----. I am fairly pleased with it now and, yes, Chris, I'm glad I finished it! lol I did learn a lot.

Kim, painting flowers is no different from any other subject and if you want to learn to do it, you can. As with anything, the desire has to be there first then enough interest to sustain you through the learning period.

Thanks, Paulette. These are some of my favorite colors but the small set of cp's didn't have near what I should have used for this painting! I'll bet you don't get to see a lot of pink with you having boys in your family!

Thanks again all.

J

J, Awesome, simply awesome!!

(that means i like it by the way) LOL

RJS

Aw, thanks R! It means a lot coming from you.

J

J-Lynn, great work. If you are looking for a small critique, the only thing I can offer is that you can draw attention away from the areas that are not your focus, by simply putting them out of focus... You husband might not care too much what that "brownish golden stuff" is at the bottom if you make it less sharp, more out of focus... Perhaps blurring the edges in the leaves and background will give the beautiful flower sole-ownership of the viewer's attention... That's it, hope it helps.

Very good. You did a excellent job.

J-Lynn that is excellent! Someday I hope mine turn out half as well!

Thanks, VHP, Pammy & Nellie. VH, thanks for the tip. At this point in my CP work (this was a first complete painting in CP), I'm not real sure how to blur effectively but I intend to learn how as I love ephemeral, misty subjects!

J

i know i am a little late but great job j-lynn. i think its just beautiful. you did a fantastic job on this.
Lori

J...I am a little late also being as how I have been fighting strep since Saturday. You did a beautiful job on the flower and I am so HAPPY you decided to finish it. Frame that baby and put it up somewhere on one of your walls!!!!

I'm late too, J, because I somehow missed this forum again. Duh!!! The water lily is just beautiful. I love the leaves too... Simply gorgeous...

It's never too late to get positive feedback. Thanks, all of you.

Venus, I like all of this except the flower but don't really think it's worthy of framing. I might frame it just to remind myself of my first efforts or may just see if I can get more cp's to see if I can fix the flower. I don't think the paper will take any more color though. We'll see. Thanks for looking, everyone.

J

J...What paper did you use for it? lately, I have been using watercolor paper being as how I have been using the watercolor pencils. I never really paid attention to what the best paper or board is out there for colored pencil drawings. I just do them on whatever paper I think can take the pencils and is thick enough. Oh and don't you dare change a thing on the flower!! Its georgous the way it is. You know you are your own worst critquer so take the advice of others and leave it alone. Just because you are not happy with it doesn't mean a friend or family member who comes to your home won't absolutely admire it or even want it. Trust me I get it alot I just refuse to give anything up because I don't think they are good enough... Or they want it for free after I know I have spent so much time on it...don't think so.

Mrs.Jeanette...isn't bristol supposed to be good for colored pencil painting? If not what is the best vulium? I know it is either one or the other???

Its difficult to change anything if you've reached saturation point on your paper. I think its a lovely drawing and you should be proud of it.

Venus, for colooured pencil work you need a paper with a bit of tooth to it. Stonehenge works well for me. You can also use Bristol Vellum, just stay away from very smooth papers as they won't let you layer your colour to the extent that you need to achieve the effect you want. The choice so depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you want a smooth realistic texture go with a paper without a distinct texture. If you want a looser drawing, experiment with rougher papers.

As for using watercolour paper with your watercolour pencils, try experimenting with a smoother hot press watercolour paper. You can buy a large sheet and cut it into smaller pieces. You still get the flexibility of watercolour paper but with a smoother surface to work on.

Venus, I used 80# black vellum cover stock. It really works better than I thought at first - I just didn't understand the mechanics of using cp's when I started this.

I do use a hot pressed w/c paper for the w/c pencils. It's just really hard to find around here. I found one sheet of Arches at Hobby Lobby or Michaels but mostly all they carry is cold pressed. Will have to order some the next time I place a mail order, I guess. Would like to try the Fabriano Soft Press also.

Jeanette, I was thinking of trying to use a fine grit sandpaper to GENTLY rough the surface a little in order to add more color. I saw that as a hint somewhere - have you ever tried it? Does it work?

Also, how did your experiment with the mylar go? I had some transparency film that I tried & it didn't work well at all. I couldn't layer the color at all. Don't the people who use it use some with a sort of frosted surface or something? Guess that would tend to hold the color better than just regular Mylar or film. Like anything else, it works best with the right tools!

J

I'm sure that would work, but you'd have to be really careful so not to take off what you'd already put on. I haven't tried it myself but worth experimenting with.

I still haven't found the true mylar - or just haven't gotten around to mailordering any. My experiement with the mylar - or mylar clone - was ok but the surface was frosted, so the look is different for sure. I need to play with it some more and see what I can produce. I just haven't had a lot of time to do that yet. I'd like to get some Colorfix which has a sort of sanded, textured surface to try as well.

I just can't access the range of supplies here. Sometimes living on an island is frustrating.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to fine hot pressed watercolor paper anywhere. Though I haven't been to a major art store in a while. I usually just to go michael's as its convienantly close to home. Not even two miles away. Actually there are 2 around me. usually I get lucky if one doesn't have what I am looking for I go to the other but never seen the paper at either locations. I also think I will pull out my colored pencil learning books I have and see what the majors suggest and get a better idea. I know pretty much almost any type of paper is good for colored pencil work as long as there is good texture and a certain thickness to it. Thansk for the help you two, now if I would just recieve my Derwent Watercolor Pencils I have so patiently been waiting for I would be a totally happy person!!!

Jeanette...there is a bonus though...you do have the internet TOO get a full range of art supplies without having to go off of the island.

Venus, I rarely can find anything of true artist caliber at the Michaels around here as they tend to carry more craft items than major art supplies. However, they do have w/c paper by the sheet on stand-alone shelves in our area. They have a shelf marked for hot pressed paper but rarely have any. Of course, you have to go through every sheet of paper as it gets all mixed together.

Jeanette, I bought some Color-Fix paper in the discontinued/damaged section of Hobby Lobby. I think the regular price was around $9.00 for a pack of 8 sheets (9x12 size). The package was pretty torn up but all the sheets were there & it was about $5 on sale. I got a sheet each of Blue Haze, Fresh Grey, Elephant, Leaf Green Dark, Storm Blue, Deep Ultra, Black & White. I've had it for a while but just haven't had the courage or the time to try it! I guess I've been waiting to add to my colored pencil collection so I'll have enough colors to paint something worthwhile! You might say it's "only paper" but this has a beautiful surface & is rather awe-inspiring! I'll probably just look at it until I find a project worthy of it! lol

Oh, another question - have you ever used the Lyra colored pencils? I've been reading a lot of negative stuff about Prismacolors & wondered if Lyra was better or if there were other brands that are somewhat comparable. I know everyone loves the Caran D'Ache Pablos but think those are out of my budget for just experimenting. I'm still not sure I'll continue with cp's so hate to break the bank investing in pencils until I'm sure I'll use them on a regular basis. AWS has a great price on them but would like to hear from a user before I buy them.

Is the shipping too outrageous for you to mail order items? I know I save a ton with mail order even with shipping costs. Most of the time I wait until I have a large order to get free shipping and that really helps.

Will let you know when I use the ColorFix. I have a feeling that I'll really like it. Hobby Lobby carried the large sheets of it also but I can't see me doing a colored pencil work on a paper that size! It was about the size of a w/c sheet or maybe was that size.

J