I have decided to rededicate myself to my art. I'm starting to work on a few new pieces which I'll be sharing soon, so please stay tuned....more to come!

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My Castle Arts supplies stock pile (and growing)…
I love Castle Arts supplies - everything from graphite pencils to paper to colored pencils to paint - and everything in between. In my humble opinion, Castle Arts are better than Prismacolor and the Gold Colored Pencils are an amazing alternative to Polychromos. I’ll be sharing more work soon that I exclusively create using Castle Arts - including COMMISSIONS!. Castle Arts products are professional and are made to last. The colors are vibrant and creamy.
#castleartsupplies #castleartist
If anyone is interested in seeing everything Castle Arts has to offer and to order any of their supplies, please visit their site at http://www.castlearts.com

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I shared the colored pencils I use, I thought I’d share the graphite pencils I use.
1. Prismacolor Torquoise
2. Prismacolor Ebony Extra Black (for deep darks)
3. Derwent Graphic
4. Arteza Expert
5. Castle Arts Premium
6. Mars Lumogrsph Black (no graphite shine)

Again, these are my tools - I’ve read the reviews on all of these (good and bad) but again I choose to try the supplies out myself and really work them to make my own educated opinion - all of these pencils I love which is why I added them, they work for ME. Also, graphite is a mineral so there is no lightfast, no fading. I still use archival drawing paper, Krylon Fine Art fixative and use museum glass for commissioned work.

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I consider myself a pencil artist, I have over 45 years experience drawing with graphite pencils - I think it’s time I break into some color. No, I will never give up drawing in graphite, but I would like to dabble with color. I’ve added to my arsenal Prismacolor Premier pencils, Prismacolor Col-Erase pencils (erasable colored pencils), Arteza Pro Series wax based pencils (a good alternative to Prismacolor), Castle Arts Gold oil based pencils (a fair alternative to Polychromos - yeah yeah I know and read everything that is said - but I do love these pencils). These are MY tools, I do my own lightfast testing to ensure that any commissions I do (mostly done with the Prismacolor Premiere) are done with pigment that will last. I read reviews (even Fabre Castell, one of the leaders in professional art supplies gets bad reviews from time to time) I believe in trying supplies myself to form my own opinion. I’ve tried all of the pencils and personally love them which is why I’ve added them.

How do I do my own lightfast testing? I make swatches of all of the pencils and literally put them in direct sunlight for a period of time. Any colors that fade, I switch out for a similar color that is more lightfast. Again, this is my process and my tools. I use the products because I love them and personally think they are good products, some better than others, but good just the same.

Tips I use to also combat fading of color: 1. I use Krylon Fine Art Gallery Series fixative - contains UV light absorbers and stabilizers 2. I use high quality non glare museum glass for all commissioned drawings which is UV protective 3. For paper, I make sure the paper I use is archival to prevent yellowing over the years.

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I consider myself a pencil artist, I have over 45 years experience drawing with graphite pencils - I think it’s time I break into some color. No, I will never give up drawing in graphite, but I would like to dabble with color. I’ve added to my arsenal Prismacolor Premier pencils, Prismacolor Col-Erase pencils (erasable colored pencils), Arteza Pro Series wax based pencils (a good alternative to Prismacolor), Castle Arts Gold oil based pencils (a fair alternative to Polychromos - yeah yeah I know and read everything that is said - but I do love these pencils). These are MY tools, I do my own lightfast testing to ensure that any commissions I do (mostly done with the Prismacolor Premiere) are done with pigment that will last. I read reviews (even Fabre Castell, one of the leaders in professional art supplies gets bad reviews from time to time) I believe in trying supplies myself to form my own opinion. I’ve tried all of the pencils and personally love them which is why I’ve added them.

How do I do my own lightfast testing? I make swatches of all of the pencils and literally put them in direct sunlight for a period of time. Any colors that fade, I switch out for a similar color that is more lightfast. Again, this is my process and my tools. I use the products because I love them and personally think they are good products, some better than others, but good just the same.

Tips I use to also combat fading of color: 1. I use Krylon Fine Art Gallery Series fixative - contains UV light absorbers and stabilizers 2. I use high quality non glare museum glass for all commissioned drawings which is UV protective 3. For paper, I make sure the paper I use is archival to prevent yellowing over the years.

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Here is a very small update on my drawing of “Abby” 9 x 12 colored pencil on Bristol Vellum paper.

This is a challenge for two reasons, 1. I’ve never drawn a cat before and 2. I’ve never drawn in color. I have no idea how to mix colors; basic colors sure (red and blue make purple) but that’s it.

For pencils, I’m using Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils, the paper I’m using is Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I’m trying my best to match the colors of Abby. I don’t know how this will turn out, but I want to challenge myself and grow as an artist.

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Well, I decided to attempt my self portrait again. After tearing the last two attempts up, I’m hoping a 3rd time will be a charm. Why did I tear up my last two attempts? I hate the person looking back at me, it’s a long story but I deal with an extremely low self esteem, I have struggled all of my life with mental illness due to a tragic childhood. As I draw my self portrait, I find myself looking deep within as I am continuously haunted by my demons which haunted me since childhood.

This is being done on 9 x 12 Bristol smooth paper. I’m using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils with 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, and 4B leads.

I call this stage of my process the ugly stage. The lines (drawn with a 2B lead) are quick and looks like a 2 year old drew them. My line drawing is the foundation, I use it like a map where I not only map out where I want the features of the face, but also where I want light and shadow.

Once I am content with my line drawing (I say content because I am never happy with my work), I can now begin to add tones and texture to bring out the detail. More to come soon on my next blog post.

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So, I downsized my studio, well I still have my studio but I moved my drawing easel upstairs to my bedroom. Why? Well I figured I don’t really need a lot of space for my drawing tools. Also, I wanted to be able to draw any time I wanted, during nights I can’t sleep, I figured I could just get up and walk over to my easel and draw. Now I have a place where I can use my pencils and keep my drawing studio for painting. I’m planning on creating lots more art, both drawing and painting - stay tuned!!

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