Here are a couple of ACEO lineworks I have finished:







'On the Prowl'



'Sad Eyes' (there is a little bit of history behind this piece regarding the name, which I'll elaborate on a little once she's finished).

I saved them both in similar size, but why one looks so much bigger than the other is beyond me. Probably my less-than-stellar computer skills.

Oh well! Wish I could stay a bit longer, but I have more linework to do. Yay! Off to art!

I'm having a blast with the ACEOs. Last night I sketched, transfered, and the inked a little cat ACEO. I'm going to paint it, so I bought a pack of sampler watercolor paper. So far the only paper I've tried is Arches, and to be honest I'm not that crazy about the surface. The hot press seems too smooth, and the cold press seems to toothy. The paper I'm using now is Strathmore Imperial 140lb hot press, and so far I'm liking it. I haven't actually started painting on it, but it took the pencil very smoothly and the ink went on without any scratching. The tooth has more substance than the Arches hot press, but not nearly as much as a cold press paper. I also wanted the 140lb weight, for the only other kind I've tried is 90lb and it buckled like crazy. And the best thing about it is one sheet will make a ton of ACEOs!

Oh, and yesterday I *finally* picked up a pack of Canson Classic Cream paper! Oh, how happy is my heart! No more harsh, icky substitutes. Classic Cream is the only paper I really like for colored pencil. It's smooth without being slick, and it has a bit of substance to it. I've been without if for longer than I care to admit, and I'm thrilled!

Look for some ACEO linework later today...

I am sooooooooooo tired. I don't know why but I don't want to do anything but sit on my big zaftig buttocks and veg. Our pastor is out of town and Robert is preaching tonight, so I'm going to have to jump start said buttocks into motion pretty soon if I'm going to have the kids fed and ready to go when he gets home.

On kind of arty news, I have a few ideas for some ACEOs. I've been wanting to do some more kitty works, and we all know how much fun ACEOs can be. I might even break out the paints for these guys. Of course, I always say that, and I never do. Once I sharpen my colored pencils, it's all over from there. For me, there is little more enticing than a freshly sharpened, waiting-to-be-used Prismacolor. Combine that with Canson Classic Cream paper and euphoria is not too far away.

Then again, my set of Dr. Ph Martin's Radiant Watercolor Dyes and Golden Fluid Acrylics are fun, too. I just don't have the right kind of paper for them. Wah. Methinks an order from Dick Blick for 300lb hot press Arches is in the near forcast...

Jessi's graduation last night was adorable. She smiled and simpered like an angel. I bawled like a baby. Cameras abounded. Cake was had by all.

My baby is now a 1st grader! Boohoohoo. I looked at Robert during the processional march and said, "Don't you want to have another one just to go through this wonderful moment again?" He looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and said, "I don't think so. I'm fine with this being my last kindergarten graduation!" Oh, well. I guess I got caught up in the moment. No more babies (I already knew that, but I just love to hear him hollar.;)

This morning I got up and, after taking David to school, made a wonderful breakfast for everybody. We feasted on raspberry/banana smoothies (excruciatingly simple recipie), orange juice, coffee, scrambled eggs, fried bacon, and whole-wheat toast with pumpkin butter. It was awesome. I enjoy cooking, and I actually enjoyed cleaning up the kitchen afterwards! I guess it's one of the blessings with having a tiny kitched, clean up is pretty much a snap.

Bill and Vivian (my in-laws) just left. I've settled Jessi down with a video, and I'm getting ready to do bills. Blech. I have to take an overdue library book back to the library today, and I have to run by city hall and pay an overdue utility bill. I'm getting a lot better at getting my procrastination under control, but it takes an every day effort. Some things still fall through the cracks, but all in all my life is beginning to become more organized. I love it.

Here's the raspberry-banana smoothie recipie in case anyone is interested:

1 banana
1 cup fresh raspberries (not canned)
1 cup plain yogurt
6 packets Splenda (although next time I am going to try a couple of teaspoons of organic cane sugar. I forgot I had some, and although it's more calories than the Splenda it's healthier in the long run)
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
1 cup ice cubes

Throw ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Take a sip and go "Ah!". Very refreshing and soooooooo easy.

I was going to return the disgusting, sorry-excuse-for-chicken-tenders after I picked up my kids from school, but the smell was so nasty I returned them on the way. I double-bagged them and had them in the far reaches of my van, as far away from the driver's seat as they could possibly be, and I *still* smelled them. Good grief. I was going to make a hearty dinner tonight, but I think we'll just stick with dry, wonderfully odor-free pretzel sticks and kindergarten graduation cake. Anything blissfully *not* associated with meat, thank yew!

Of course, I did get some funny looks as I picked out my new chicken. I tested about four packages by holding them right under my nose and, inhaling deeply, giving each a mighty and noisy sniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiff until I was sure that absolutely no odor rose from within. Satisfied, I selected my two packages and quickly made my exchange.

I couldn't help but giggle to myself when I saw the store manager high-tail it out of the store with said returned, spoiled chicken in tow. I suppose it's now decorating the top of a dumpster somewhere. Good riddance!

Oh my, oh my, I just got back from the grocery and realized one of the packs of chicken is ROTTEN!!! It looks fine, and I didn't notice any funky odor when I put it in my cart. As I walked around, I started smelling something "off", but I just thought it was something in the store. It wasn't until I got home and unpacked the chicken that I really smelled it. Once I took it out of the bag, the stench about made me retch. It's that rotten, 'death' smell of spoiled meat. Foul! I swear, it's enough to make me swear off meat forever.

And to make things worse, the other pack of chicken is smelling a little wierd, too. Maybe it's just psychopsymatic, but I'm not taking any chances. The only mean I'm keeping today is the pack of ground beef, and the chick-chicks are going back to the store. I'm going to let them know they better destroy these packs and double check the remaining supply of poultry.

To coin an ancient phrase, gag me with a spoon!

I'm taking a bit of a break from cleaning, for today I am Donna Reed. Leave It To Beaver fans unite!

It's just a little after 11am and I've made all the beds, vaccumed, done laundry, cleaned the kitchen, scrubbed one bathroom, made my shopping list, Frebreezed the carpet/bedspreads/curtains, and fed the cats. And I have a lot more still left to do. The house, however, smells wonderful! Besides the fresh laundry smell permeating the house, I have honeysuckle essential oil burning in my tea-light oil burner. Heavenly delicious!

Here is my list for today (minus the things above):
1) Pay utility and power bill
2) Get black shoes for Jessi's kindergarten graduation tonight (the only ones I've found so far are too small)
3) Organize sunroom/guestroom
4) Go grocery shopping
5) Pick up children from school
6) Put away groceries
7) Start dinner
8) Iron Jessi's cap and gown

Yay! Projects!

Jessi's graduation is at 7 tonight. Her little cap and gown are white, and she looks so cute! And with her light blonde hair and blue eyes, she makes quite the picture.:) *Sigh*. I can't believe next year she's going to be in 1st grade, and David will be in 3rd. Where does the time go? I so wish I had spent more time cuddling them and kissing on them when they were babies, for if I had realized how fast they grow up, they never would have left my arms.

I'm feeling rather maternal this morning. It almost makes me want another baby. Almost. I am going to be 40 this November, and we started having children late enough in life as it is. I can't imagine having a newborn in my 40s. However, I know some ladies who waited to have their first child in their 40s, and I so give them kudos! That said, I just don't think it's for me. I'm happy with my little boy-and-girl bookends.

Okay, I think that was enough of a break. Now I'm off to get some lunch, and then on to shopping! I normally hate grocery shopping, but I've got some great recipies for smoothies and I can't wait to try them! I even have a recipie for banana pancakes that I'm wanting to make from scratch, and I need all the goodies to cook it.

Later, gators!

It is Memorial Day and I'm sitting at my husband's computer, wearing my jammies and eating a Peanut Buster Parfait. If you've never had one of these, you are in for an amazing experience.

Saturday was one of those days that seem to culminate all that is wonderful. I got to do something I absolutely love to do, but do not get to do very often: I got to have unlimited time in a bookstore. This, precious people, is one of those things that makes for a Very Happy Stacey.

I love bookstores. I don't care what kind of bookstore, if it's a store that contains books I'm so there. For Time alone to drift languidly through aisles and aisles of books is pure bliss. I love the smell of books, the colors of books, the cacophony of subjects that books contain. Although we are fast moving towards a paperless age concerning our finance dealings and communications, there will never be replacements for books. It's true that you can know read books over the internet, but it definitely does not take the place of being able to curl up in front of the fireplace with the real deal.

Anyway, after an hour or so of just roaming, I walked away with five little goodies stashed in my Books-A-Million bag: Llewellyn's Herbal Almanac, Writing Spirit by Lynn V. Andrews, Happy Housewife by Darla Shine, Knit.1 magazine, and A Common Life by Jan Karon on cassette. I'm particularly thrilled with the almanac, as I've been wanting to start a little potted herb garden on my back porch. This book is rich with knowledge and I'm glad I found it.

In other news, there is not a whole lot to share except I think I must have become the most boring person on the planet. I have no knew art to share, no exciting news to write about, and no great ventures planned. I've pretty much just been wife, mother, and daughter to my family, but you know what? I'm loving it. I think taking care of those you love is the most important job we can do. Being a loving wife to your husband and an involved mother to your children far surpasses anything else I could do for myself. For the first time in three years, I'm finally starting to find my niche. I have a long way to go (the great Laundry Monster has exploded in my laundry room and I need clean underwear) but I'm taking things day by day. I've also been praying more, and I had forgotten how beautiful and cleansing it can be. If you really want to commune with God, get down and pray. It's amazing what you'll hear.

I want to wish everyone out there a very blessed Memorial Day. I am very thankful for the men and women who have served this country through the years. We are a country that is still very young and we are going to make mistakes, but I love my country and I support our military. We have a very large Civil War cemetery here in Barnesville and we are going to visit it today. It houses the graves of Northerners and Southerners alike, young men who were just doing what their countries called them to do. Barnesville was extremely involved in that war, in that we housed a Civil War hospital for the wounded and one of our largest plantation houses served as a command set up for both the Confederates and the Union. A lot happened here and there are many unknown soldiers in our graveyard to prove it. Although I find the Civil War one of the saddest events of our history, I want to go to these graves today and pay my respects.

I hope your day, whatever you choose to do, is blessed with light and love.:)

I've been doing a lot of reading and knitting lately, especially the reading part. It seems I've been playing catch up on a lot of journals and it's been very enjoyable. As far as knitting goes, I've started a Ravenclaw scarf (I love midnight blue and bronze together, so earthy) and between my excessive computer time and the knitting I've developed a nasty strain in my wrist and right hand (which happens to be my dominant hand. Fun). The ache is so bad that it's actually effecting my usage. I find I'm having problems picking things up without pain, and my wrist at times will throb. I'm hoping it will go away, for I'm sick to death of doctors. It's worse in the morning than any other time of the day, and usually its best in the afternoon. Go figure. It's actually not that bad right now, and I'm hoping it will go away soon.

My cats have all been exceedingly precious lately. Gypsy, my green-eyed solid white, has taken to my lap everytime I sit down. She purrs contentedly as I rub her chin and plant kisses on the top of her small head. The only draw back to her physical affection is the fact that she sheds like a wooley mammoth. You wouldn't think it to look at her. She is a domestic short hair, and very sleek, and yet the minute she hits my lap part of her coat rubs itself all over my clothes. Not to mention I have an affinity for black, so I always look disheveled with white cat hair sticking to my dark clothing. *Sigh*. She's cute, though. I wouldn't have it any other way. She's definitely my baby.

*sigh*. "Chaos" by Donna Karan. My favorite.perfume.EVAH.

I have her Black Cashmere, and while it is very similar to Chaos it's just not the same. It's much earthier, and while I love it it's just a cousin to Chaos and not it's twin. For some twisted, strange, and utterly unfathomable reason, DK discontinued Chaos a couple of years ago.

I still mourn.

Please, I beg of you all...if anyone has this perfume and does not like or want it, please take pity on me and send it my way. I am willing to pay you for it (just not the $400.00-plus dollars some perfume stores are asking for it, yeeshbegeesh), and if it's not money you want I'll even draw you an original 8x10 commission of your choice (just no nudity, please, I'm terribly modest). Ever wanted to see yourself as a faery? Queen of dragons? As an Elven beauty? You get the picture.

I.Am.SO.Serious. This perfume is like a drug. It's total liquid gold on my skin, and my iddy biddy sample is about to be gone gone gone...

Oh, yeah, almost forgot: remember when said computer crashed a few weeks back? When I thought I lost everything? Well, had to close down my Etsy store and refund some money today for I can't find my art files. Yep. A lof of stuff was originals that have long since been gone to other homes. I have to collect the pieces I do have and scan them in again, which frankly I have not had the energy to do. Ellen, that's also why you haven't received anything from me yet regarding uploads. *Sigh*. I was so upset I haven't even checked the EMG deadline, but I'm sure I've missed it.

So you see, people, Stacey needs Chaos. She needs it baaaaaaaaaaaad. She needs lovey dovey perfume smells to make her feel better. Really. Truly. For sure...

I'm debating long and hard about making this journal Friends Only. I'm also thinking about paring down my friends list to people I with whom I have a connection. The jury is still out on that, however, as I don't want to hurt any feelings.
That said, the Friends Only setting is really calling to me right now, so we'll see.:)

Okay, do you have about 20 minutes? If so:

Most.Hysterical.Videos.EVAH!



WARNING: *Serious* coffee-spew factor
Harry Potter & the Chamber Pot of Azerbaijan - Pt. 1
Harry Potter & the Chamber Pot of Azerbaijan - Pt. 2
Harry Potter & the Chamber Pot of Azerbaijan - Pt. 3
Harry Potter & the Chamber Pot of Azerbaijan - Pt. 4
"Hat, Rabbit, Rabbit, Hat..."

Lord of the Rings
"...in Twinkleteetwinkleteetwo..."

And for those of us that were devout Shakespears Sister fans in the day:
Destiny

Laughter does a body good.:)

I'm feeling amazing today. I truly am. I've been pouring over subjects and sites that I find fulfilling, and I have been left with a sense of enrichment.

I've sat and thought long and hard about the journey I want to take to purge my body of its chemical poisons. I want to start treating my pain with natural remedies, for let's face it: getting off of pain medicine won't kill me, but staying on it will.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'll be forty in November. I have this idea that I should feel accomplished and secure, but the truth is I still feel only fourteen. I've had a wonderful life thus far, but after all this time I'm only just beginning to know who I am. One of the great things that can be said about the 'middle-years' is that we finally get the courage to become who we really are. The peer pressure of our younger years do not mean anything anymore. If someone cannot truly love me for who I am at this point of my life, then I do not need to spend time worrying about it. I believe in growth and change and stretching ourselves to be the best we can be, but not to be the best of all...make sense?

Here are some places that have truly blessed me lately, and I wish to share them with you:

1) Soule Mama
Amanda Blake Soule truly takes homelife to a whole new level. I've learned from her that "un-schooling" is very similar to "homeschooling" without a set curriculum. She's truly teaching me to invest in my family as a way of life and not just something when the "kids get home from school".

2) Gentle Christian Mothers
Gentle Christian Mothers is a wonderful site. Too long I've let things go, either regarding my children or my home, due to my chronic back pain. This site has helped me regain a desire to be the best mother I can for my family, and it feeds my spirit as well as my mind.

3) Ravelry
At first glance, Ravelry looks like a mere knitting/crochet/textile arts community. Oh, contrare: it is that and so much more. There are thousands (as in six figures) of members, and hundreds of groups (i.e. forums) that can be joined, many of them that have nothing to do with knitting, etc. Most of the time I spend there I don't even talk about knitting! It is truly a great resource that offers a wealth of information on a variety of subjects.
Here are the groups I currently belong to:
Attatchment Knitters (an Attatchment Parenting group), Christian Book Club,
Christian Geeks (for those of the Christian faith that enjoy the "geekier" elements of life, i.e. role-playing, conventions, you know the kind: think "Firefly" and "Star Trek", etc), Christian Knitters and Crocheters,
Conservative Knitters (those of a conservative political persuasion), Crunchy Christian Crafters (those of us who identify with a "crunchier" lifestyle), Homeschool Yarnies, Into the Labyrknit, Lace Knitters Group, Lime & Violet (fans of the Lime & Violet podcast), Loopy Sock KAL, Lord of the Rings group, Mystery Lace Group, Sick Twisted Fiber Freaks for Glenn Beck group, SpareOom (for Narnia fans), and Think Pink (for those of us who love All that is Pink).

Some people belong to hundreds, but I could never in a million years keep up. Anyone can start a group, and I've thought about starting one for fairy/fantasy artists and/or fans who knit, as well as a cross-stitching/knitters group. If I thought there would be an interest I would consider it, but Ravelry is a major time zapper. You can think you've only spent 15 minutes online, when you look and notice 3 hours are gone! In actuality it should be called the Void.

4) This video. Seriously. It's a true story, and it has so blessed me.

5) How to replace toxic cleaners
I was thinking one day about all the cleaners I use to clean the home. Some of them, while effective, are horribly hazardous. I was wondering if there was something out there that would work and be better for me and my family, and I found this little page.

6) Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey is a financial advisor who shares practical advise on how to get out of debt and live debt free. And I'm not just talking about credit card debt, it includes any and all debt, including car notes, house notes, etc. The goal is to eventually own no debt at all (and enjoy all that money that would otherwise go to debt!). My husband and I have recently completed step one of the 7 Baby Steps, and we are now going to concentrate of credit/hospital debt. Once we pay that off, we are going to focus on our cars, and then eventually our house. One of the reasons I like Dave so much is that he is very down to earth about all of this, and he comes from hard experience: one time in his life he was so in debt he had to declare bankruptcy, and work his way out of that to where he is now. We decided we don't want to live paycheck to paycheck for the rest of our lives, like so many of us do. This is the plan that is working best for us, and it gives me an extraordinary sense of relief to know that there is actually money in our account when we need it!

These are just the few of the things I felt the need to share with you. Some of them are nurturing, some are inspirational, some are fun, and some are practical, but they all have blessed me in a tremendous way. Through these past few years of ups and downs, I've learned that health is more than just physical, it's also mental and spiritual. God created us as total packages, and He means us to nuture each part.

Blessings to you!

Okay...enough with the brooding dark raven and oh-so-hallowing blog theme. That worked for, oh, I don't know, one hour? I am Pink, people! And the Pink is me.:)

I guess I never really realized how wonderful it is to get things off one's chest. Tis theraputic, that.

Oh, and BTW? If you ever see a picture of Severus Snape crop up here, know this: I have never seen one Harry Potter movie or ever read one Harry Potter book, but Alan Rickman as Severus Snape frosts my cupcake every single time...

Hello everyone!

Well, I'm *finally* feeling like my old self. I have battled the Ick bravely, and I have overcome. Go me!

Seriously, though, I really don't handle being sick well. I never get flu shots, for my father rarely ever got sick until he started taking them. Now? Every year he gets the flu, so I figured if they make a man who never-gets-ill sick, then what are they going to do for a woman who germs just love? You know, it's the cat syndrome:you've heard of how people who hate cats are the ones that a cat is attacted to? It's the same way for me and colds. I hate them, and they love me. Go figure.

Anyway, after beating my cold to a bloody pulp with loads of NyQuill and gallons of orange juice, I am finally up and moving. My beloved husband had the joy of playing both Mama and Daddy to both our young children while I was down and out, but now I'm resuming the role. I spent all day Friday and Saturday straigtening and re-organizing my sunroom, and I've turned it into my personal space/art studio. It's beautiful. It's my Autumn Room, complete with autumn vines, glittery pinecones, and Amy Brown framed prints. I am very, very happy with it. Now, all I need is the time to sit down and enjoy it!:)

So, other than cleaning, sketching, and listening to an insane amount of Blackmore's Night, I have not been doing much else. Hopefully, I'll have some finished pieces to upload soon. I discovered I have an indecent amount of WIPs in my desk, and they are begging me to finish them.

Warm wishes,

stace

I just recieved my fairy name!




How fun! I am definitely going to do a painting of this little beauty. And yes -- I said *painting*. Woohoo!

Guess I'm branching out.:)

Yeesh. I have been *so* sick lately. I'm just starting to feel like my old self again, which may or may not be a good thing considering I'm still struggling with back pain.

'Arrgh' to quote a pirate...

Anywhoo, I should be back to the drawing board soon. Since I've been in bed for so long, my house looks horrible and is in dire need of cleaning. My husband has been working remotely, and he's been playing both Mommy and Daddy to our two young children. He's been doing the best he can, bless him, but no one can keep up the house like Mama! Not that I'm an obsessive neatnick, but I know where everything goes, where everything is, and where it can be found if lost. But all in all, things look pretty good, just not good enough for Mama.:)

I also have to pay bills (another "arrgh" erupts from within). I hope that tax rebate comes before May. The last one we got helped us a lot, and since this one is supposed to be double it could really help.


BTW, I want to send out a personal 'thank you' to a group of amazing artists who are fast becoming my friends. Thank you for your honesty and your caring, you've truly become a sanctuary to me. You know who you are...

I have a cold. Ick yuck blegh. If only Georgia could decide if she wants to be hot or cold and stay put! This back and forth is making us all sick as dogs.

In art news: I created a page on Enchanted-Folk. This is a wonderful FaeSpace community that has been around for a while. Come and enjoy!

In more news, I have a very exciting announcement that I will make in the near future. Stay tuned for details!

I've been thinking about my art goals and dreams for 2008, and I've decided to keep it simple. I've broken it down into short-term goals and long-term goals, with the long-term obviously extending beyond this year:

Short-term Goals:

1) Build up my portfolio.
Looking over my current body of work, I realize that I really want to branch out. Some of my best sellers are my two fairy cats, so I'm going to add more cats. As a matter of fact, I want to add more wildlife in general. I also want to experiement with some deeper, more meaningful subjects that relfect my spirituality. And more full-body pieces to help me reach one of my long-term goals of licensing for figurines.

2) Make friends and network.
One of the things I truly enjoy is getting to know the minds behind the creativity I love so much. Through this forum and others, I now have a way to get to know my fellow artists on a more personal level, and this jazzes me to no end. The few I've already had the pleasure to meet are wonderful people, which just goes to show me creative people truly rock.:)

3) Build a new website.
Due to health issues last year, I had to give up my website. I just couldn't maintain it, and I could not afford to pay anyone big bucks to keep it up for me. This year, I'm taking things in healthy steps: once I build my portfolio to my satisfaction, I will hone a new site to showcase it. In the meantime, I have my Etsy store for business (and soon CafePress, Zazzle and Ebay) and my various art galleries, but soon CatspawArt will have a home of its own.

Long-term Goals:

1) Licensing for figurines.
I don't know what it is, but I'm nuts about figurines. For me, the crown-jewel in my career would be to see my work cast in resin. This is the driving force behind the full-length body pieces I've currently finished, and those sketches that are in my drawing tablet.

2) Fairy Armwarmers.
Most of my fairies have armwarmers, either basic striped or something entirely original. I love armwarmers, but the only ones I've seen for sale are a generic, striped, one size fits all (riiiiight). I would love to design and market armwarmers for faes of all body types, thin or fluffy. I can imagine them sold at Ren fests, fairy conventions, etc. The main problem, however, is that I'm not a textile artist, so I don't know the practicality of transfering art to fabric. That said, one day I want to see (and wear!) some of my art armwarmers, in particular from "Feeling Girly", the piece which inspired the idea in the first place.

3) Licensing Deals
'Nuff said, I suppose. This is the general goal of most of us, so it's needs little explination.

Well, that sums it up for now. These goals are very general, but at the same time they are specific. I'm much more focused now than I was a year ago, and like any business the art world needs to be approached in steps. These steps makes my inner-organizer much happier, and I can relax knowing these things will happen in the order they are meant to happen.:)

Welp, I finally got off my lazy booty and decided to scan in some current WIPs. I made a decision three days ago not to scan in any more WIPs of my work, because I always seem to jinx them by not finishing them. However, I seem to have broken the curse by finishing Suz and the Incredible, Irrepressible Pancho Villa Weasel, so I thought I have another go.

As some of you know I work almost exclusively with Prismacolor colored pencils and Prismacolor or Copic art markers. I have used watercolors and oils, but I find the ease and simplicity of pencils and markers wonderful. I've been asked to do a colored pencil tutorial in the past, and I tried to do one but I found I work way too erratically to come up with one that made any sense. That said, I'm hoping you can see a little bit of how I use them in the following WIPs.



This piece is "Pink Dogwood" and you can see how I slapped on a base color in the background using Prismacolor marker in Celedon. It provides a nice, flat finish to spread pencils over. I'm using three colored pencils for the shadowing and highlights, while letting a little of the base color shine through. It's a very straighforward technique that with is very easy to execute. Just be sure to keep your pencils sharp!



For this one (I call her Sparkleberry. Hee!) I'm using the same technique, but I'm using a lighter, more "swirly" hand with the pencils. I want more of the background to show through, giving it more of a hazy, cloudy look than the dogwood piece. I will be using white acrylic to add sparkles and shimmers once the piece is done, but you can see them starting to take shape. I'm using a white pencil on top of the other colors, which gives it a smoky look. The only thing to watch for here, however, is 'blooming', or when too much wax builds up from the pencils. Once you get some serious blooming, no more color can be applied and you have to try to buff away the slickness. It's a real pain in the neck, trust me.

Anyway, that's a start. Hopefully I'll get to work on them more tonight and maybe get some more scans done once I move on to something other than background.