And she’s done….Figure 2

I was quite happy that most of this hand was hiding!



Made way more folds than the actual picture….but I think it looks more interesting this way.



Realized….that if I’m ever to match clothing or skin…I have to sketch the pictures together…..(i.e. work on them at the same time).

Also realized, that when trying to draw complicated parts (like the hand)….it’s ok to hint at dimension, color and shading.  I don’t have to sketch in all the details.



Because the fingers aren’t showing, it allowed me to not “have to” match up the tendons and veins with the fingers….I was off the hook!



It was suggested that I use blue on the arms and such to bring in the shading/shadows.  But when I used blue, I hated it!!  It looked muddy to me.  After some erasing, I went back to my comfort colors….reds, pinks, fuchsia.

I’m liking this illustration board and the larger sizes. So far…so good  

Interview with artist….Julie Leuthold

As much as I love to blog and frequent my own blog to see how my latest color-sketch dimensions are really playing out on a piece….I’ve become quite sick of me!!  Haha.  I use this blog as a learning tool, and since I’m in colored-pencil-sketch-mode I’m sure the variety and inspiration that others stop by for has been a little waning.  I stop by to learn, you stop by for inspiration. 

To infuse this blog with some entertainment and creativity I’ve asked 5 artists from varying backgrounds to be interviewed throughout this month.  I’m very excited about their work and their agreeing to be put on the spot here. 



I’d like you to meet a very talented artist….Julie Leuthold, my flickr friend.  I was drawn to her work immediately.  She has a wonderful way with color and has many varied pieces of art.  From watercolor flowers, to yoga girls & blue jean girl series and her latest mixed media paintings.  I’m so glad she’s shared a few of her amazing pieces with us today.



I asked Julie a few questions which she agreed to answer for this post.



1. What word best describes your art/style?
The word that nearly everyone says when they first see my artwork is....."It makes me HAPPY". I refer to my artwork as "Hidden Joy". I hide the word "joy" in each piece. People love looking for it.



2. What advice/quote do you respond best to?
The one word I try to live by...."Be Kind".



3. How has your work evolved?
I started painting in watercolor about eight years ago. I am self taught. My father was an artist, I think I inherited his talent. Recently, I moved into acrylic and multi-media. My new creations are quite unique. I use a variety of patterned doodles with pen and paint, stones, crystals, gesso and as many ways to get different textures. People often say it reminds them of Gustaf Klimt, which of course is an awesome compliment.



4. What interests do you have other than "art"?
I love to walk outside in beautiful Bellingham, WA. Whether it be on the trails through the parks or along the waterfront. I just love to walk and talk with my husband or friends.



5. Where can we find your work?
Julie has begun selling her work.  If you’d like to find out more about a piece or to see if something is for sale please go to her flickr page.
Shared art at www.flickr.com/julieleuthold

If Julie’s art doesn’t give you inspiration then I don’t know what will.  Check out her flickr photostream to see what I mean.

Thank you Julie for taking the time to answer my questions and to share your Beautiful Artwork
 

And Another One….Figure 2

Continuing on with my series.  Here’s the right side of the body.



With layer one on…..I continued on with the arm.



I could sketch skin all day….but to embrace this challenge I had to move on to the top.



I’m getting more comfortable with colored pencils.  Appling stronger/thicker coats.  I hesitated going so thick, because I still think in “shades have to be the same color”….but in reality, shading is an entirely different color than it's base.

Lets Finish….Figure 1

Went to class and it was suggested that I dull down the pants some.



I had to get the instructor to clarify what she meant by “dull down”.  Go figure…it’s to bring in the opposite color…you know…mute it a bit.  With blue I use orange cuz that’s the opposite on the color wheel.



Here ya go….the evolution of the jeans.  As you can see, it’s not true photo-realism because I get to embellish, change the color and shape.  I think that’s the fun part…the interesting part.  I think I’m liking how the jeans turned out.  More vibrant I think.



I’m getting more and more comfortable with my “wing-it” interpretations.  I had no idea how to portray the sleeve folds.



This is about as done as it’s going to get.  May go in and sharpen up some edges.  What a fun piece to work with.  I like the size.  I told my instructor…..I would like to go even larger…..Now wouldn’t that be interesting….doing a life size piece?

Lets Play Nice….Figure 1

Had my headphones on and listening to my current favorite song…and coloring away at a pretty good clip!



Adding my layers to my shirt.



Even getting brave enough to work on the hand.



I thought the shirt needed some interest…..endowed it a bit.  And that’s when I should’ve walked away.  For some reason….don’t know what I was thinking….I decided to erase with my exacto knife….since it worked so well on the hair from the previous sketch…..Well, I created a big mess!  Tore the paper up pretty well. 



I finally walked away…but couldn’t stop thinking about fixing it.  That’s when I wrote this note!…..cuz I really wasn’t fixing anything.



Live and Learn.  Hoping my art teacher has some magic cure.

Lets keep coloring….Figure 1

Grabbed all my blue colored pencils…and started in on the pants.



Continued on with the arms.  That elbow area can get tricky…..fine line between muddy and shadow.



Totally misjudged the vein…had to bring it up a bit.



Started in on the pattern in the shirt….I’m really wishing it was a solid shirt.  Most likely will resort to “stripe-winging”….makes me dizzy just thinking about duplicating this.



Well….at least the pants look like jeans…..not exactly like the picture….Yes….these are more weathered and worn.  Keeping that creative license handy in case I get asked.

Let the Games Begin….Figure 1

Ahhhh…..figures and colored pencils!!  What more could a girl ask for?

My favorite art teacher told me to get illustration board because he has seen and witnessed my frustration with the paper I have been using.  His degree is in drawing….specifically colored pencils…so I gathered he knew what he was talking about.



This stuff is thick….a bit like cardboard.  Hoping, it can take my abuse.



Drew the contour in….then used three base colored pencils.  Light blue for the jeans, pink for the top and salmon for the skin.  Have to layer my color…lightest to darkest.



Going for the easy stuff first…cuz … well, it’s been a rough week and I need all the confidence I can get!



Don’t think I’ve ever drawn jeans before…this should be interesting!

I’ve upped my size (10” x 20”)…which is good for the challenge, but bad for the portability!  I’m hoping that the larger size will allow me to show more detail. 

Portrait Pose…recognizable

I expanded the mouth…a hair wee bit.  And I tried to imply strands in the hair.  All different colors, all different shapes.



I am not comfortable with hair.  I feel clumsy replicating it.



Pulled out my exacto knife to create hair strands in the colored pencil wax.  Kinda cool effect.



Well…she’s not quite finished.  She’s still very model-ish looking.  And….I still need to work the hair in her part and her crown.  The hand passes, but could use a little more work as well.

And ….most likely…knowing me….To finish it up….I’ll pull out my extra-fine microns to clean up those edges!!  Haha

Freaky Friday….Foto Fun

You’ve probably seen this picture on here before since it’s one of my favorite shots.  Many attempts were made to capture all these girls air-borne….let me tell you!



Drew them each out individually the template-way.



I really want to explore watercolor pencils more….but haven’t a clue what I’m doing.  Don’t know a thing about the boundaries of the pencils either.  I know I’ll be trying my hand at more than just “clothes & hair” in the w/c pencils, just gotta figure out what to draw.



It was discussed that the watercolor pencils play well with regular colored pencils, so I tried that here….but you can hardly tell!



I was almost going to finish this off the way I did the butterfly drawing, but I thought that might be too boring.



This turned out kinda cute.  I’m not sure if this is done yet…cuz there is a lot of white space up there.

I’m enjoying these Photo Phun pictures (Wacky, Theatrical)…there easy and mindless….meaning I don’t have to stress over line quality.  That Photo-Realism stuff sure uses that left side of my brain more.  It can get exhausting!! Haha

Portrait Pose….Returns

Well, she’s coming along.  Since I’ve hardly worked on this all week, I really can’t complain.  But when you leave your sharpener at home, it makes for slow progress.



The right eye was too slanted.  I had to bring that slant down a bit. What gets me, is…. I nailed the mouth in my first drawing…and I can’t seem to tweak it as well here.  Ugh!!  If only, I could cut and paste!  Haha



Worked a lot on the complexion and the hair.  Hair is such an interesting feature.  So much movement and color.  I’ve got a lot to learn!