On Sketching and Color...

Just a quick hello and to share what I've been working on in my sketchbook. 


This sketch is just graphite pencil with a blending stump.

I've been trying to figure out why my graphite pencil sketches look more realistic,  but when I use paints my faces look more whimsical.
Any thoughts? 

I'm guessing it has something to do with learning to blend with paint.

I don't have a problem with whimsical at all, in fact I rather like it.  
I just want to understand so I can learn to use different techniques.


These are some of my favorite watercolor pencils by 
Next,  I'm going to try to see if I can "blend" with the watercolor pencils on sketchbook paper.  I think the watercolor paper makes blending  more difficult, but I'm just guessing.


Speaking of color...
This was our sky at dusk yesterday evening.  
I love when it does this...it makes the whole atmosphere "pink."






Thanks for dropping by, 
hope your week is going well! 

Becca 

Comments

TexWisGirl said…
i can't do faces, so i'd be happy with whimsical! :)

and your color is beautiful!
October 25, 2011 at 6:04 PM
Susan said…
Beautiful! I love watercolor pencils too!

~ I think you're right, it's a blending sort of thing, my sketches always look better with graphite too.
October 25, 2011 at 6:13 PM
Judy S. said…
Love that sky photo. Now if they could only capture it on fabric!
October 25, 2011 at 6:24 PM
lilylovekin said…
Love the colors of your skies, we are headed to Death Valley this week I hope to see some lovely sunsets.
October 25, 2011 at 6:36 PM
Lisa Gordon said…
Sure wish I could help Becca, but I know absolutely nothing about painting. I do know that this sketch is really quite beautiful though!
October 25, 2011 at 6:42 PM
Clare said…
I love your face - I've just recently started drawing classes using graphite and charcoal - really interesting all the different looks you get - isn't this art making process such a wonderful adventure - filled with experiments and strange surprises?
October 26, 2011 at 2:10 AM
Diane said…
I actually like the whimsical better than realistic, but either way, I admire any kind of artists' work--the fact that they've created it. Your face is gorgeous--just keep going--it's so nice to have all of these different art supplies to try too--isn't it?!
October 26, 2011 at 3:28 AM
Diane said…
I actually like the whimsical better than realistic, but either way, I admire any kind of artists' work--the fact that they've created it. Your face is gorgeous--just keep going--it's so nice to have all of these different art supplies to try too--isn't it?!
October 26, 2011 at 3:28 AM
Anonymous said…
Gorgeous face and goreous nature providing such a fantastic display. I am loving your sketching. xox Corrine
October 26, 2011 at 4:34 AM
Lisa Graham said…
Her face is beautiful Becca! I have that same thing...you are right...painting is harder to blend and shade/shadow on a face than pencils. My art looks so different when I use pencils...you can see an example of this on my last sketch on Facebook. I also think painting brings out our own "style" more than drawing.

Your art and pictures are absolutely wonderful...keep them coming!

xoxo
October 26, 2011 at 7:43 AM
Gillian Olson said…
Lovely faces and the sky shots are just blushing with colour.
October 26, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Unknown said…
Your sketch looks amazing. You are getting so good at that. I will be fun to see you add color..

Hugs, Linda
October 26, 2011 at 10:06 AM
RURAL said…
Adoring that shot of the watercolor pencils, wouldn't that be great in a studio.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
October 26, 2011 at 6:41 PM
christina said…
i was hoping i would come here, and find one of your beautiful faces.
xo
October 26, 2011 at 9:05 PM
Numinosity said…
Gorgeous face and stunning colors. I think you make a good point about the paint vs. drawing.
xoxo Kim
October 26, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said…
Beautiful, Becca! My daughter uses water based oils and has good luck blending those...a little more play time!
October 26, 2011 at 9:42 PM
Unknown said…
Hi Becca, Wow! I wish I could draw and sing...beautiful talent.
Enjoy your day~SueBee
October 27, 2011 at 4:26 AM
Lorraine said…
Gorgeous work Becca!
October 27, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Marji said…
Hi Becca - i love your faces. You are really developing a wonderful style. I love whimsy - its fun! I'll tell you that color throws a wrench in the works when coming to faces. Gets so complicated!! It is hard to get flesh color with colored pencils and caran d'ache. They require layers and blending on the paper - while paint lets you get the color you want on the palette then apply. They also tend to be brighter and more vibrant which give a more modern look. I don't have much advice other than if you are looking for a more "realistic" look - start with learning and studying the bone structure of the face, contours which create the shading. This isn't as hard as it sounds... you can just open any fashion magazine and look at how the lighting hits a face - the darks and lights and how they fall on the value scale. Then, comes the color temp thing and how to make the face appear rounded using warm and cool colors, shade and shadow. But, if that stuff doesn't resonate with you - what you are doing is AWESOME! You just have to go with what comes from your heart. Great work my friend. Thanks for stopping by. Let's keep on learning together! :)
October 27, 2011 at 10:17 AM
mama bleu said…
your sketch and photos are beautiful!!
October 27, 2011 at 8:50 PM
Anonymous said…
Hey Becca, First thank you for dropping by my new blog and taking the time to leave me a comment! I thought I would come over to see you and wow we wow wow...I adore your blog and your artwork!
I am having the same problem with sketches to painting transitions! My sketches look fab (well to me anyway) but when I attempt to make them into full fledged paintings...POOF! I make messes, I don't even get whimsy...just unhappy paintings! I love working with colored pencils but the watercolor pencils were making me nuts (and I do watercolor painting - go figure). I think the issue is learning what the characteristics are of the paints, whether they are fluid acrlyics or heavy body acrylics - there is a big learning curve also with the handling of the brushes...I just haven't gotten the control down yet...and I am very frustrated. I love working with brush pens like TomBow,(haven't had the money yet to start building a collection of Copic markers). I am at the moment telling myself that not every medium is for everyone...soooo, I might end up sticking with pencils, colored pencils and markers...
Hope this helped some, it is just my experiences so far...
Great to meet you and I look forward to many fruitful conversations in the future!
Hugs,
Beth P http://elisabetpollock.blogspot.com
October 31, 2011 at 12:54 PM
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