Drawing Skin with ONLY 5 Colored Pencils

I love drawing with limited palette. It’s a great exercise in coming up with colors for which I don’t have a pencil. It eliminates the agony of going through a hundred and a half colored pencils trying to figure out which ones to layer (and in which order!) to get what I want. And as a bonus, it feels a bit like doing magic.

Here, Kirsty Partridge shows how to approach one of the most complex subjects, human skin, with just a few carefully selected colored pencils.

    “Improbable Dreams of a Tree” goes to the HIP 2B Square show

    Yelena Shabrova ~ Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12" x 12"
    Improbable Dreams of a Tree ~ colored pencil on primed wood panel, 12″ x 12″

    Delivered my latest drawing to the Sequoia Gallery today. It is for the HIP 2B Square show that benefits this nice and cozy cooperative gallery and its artist studios. The show opens on April 2nd with a reception and award announcements and runs through May 3.

    Sequoia Gallery is located at 136 SE 3rd Avenue, Hillsboro, OR 97123. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm.

    The gallery provided an option of a 12″ x 12″ Blick canvas or primed and cradled wood panel, and I chose the panel.

    After the fiasco with an Ampersand panel it was interesting to try something different. To my delight, the texture of the gessoed wooden surface was strong but pretty even and was almost as easy to work with as good textured paper. I will do more with it, just maybe without cradles. Not a big fan of working edges of those things.

    Updated on April 4, 2019

      Experiment with colored pencil on a gesso board

      This is take two. Take one happened two weeks ago and went so wrong that the piece could not be saved. I started with darker colors thinking I would lighten distant ridges later. But apparently at a certain number of layers pigment clings to the surface for dear life and refuses to be lifted with any kind of eraser. So I am going with a much lighter hand now, and it seems to be better that way. The surface is not as smooth as it looks. I am glad it’s mountains and not some young face.

      Updated: May 17, 2018

      I am working on this between other things, but here is what I’ve learned so far. Darks are more work on a gesso board than on paper. Even canvas is more agreeable. It’s not that the board doesn’t accept dark pigments. It does, but the wavy texture lines on it that go vaguely vertical keep some narrow areas persistently lighter than the rest and require ongoing touchups. But I like the sturdiness of a gesso board very much. I am starting to wonder if maybe graphite or charcoal would be easier, but that’s for the next test or two. Also need to look up other brands in case some have a really even texture.

      Updated: July 23, 2018

      What I thought would be a quick experiment turned into a long argument with the gesso surface. Mountains changed their look at least 4 times, and I am not touching them again. The future sunset sky is all mapped, and the gesso texture that gives me so many headaches is showing in its full glory right now.

      Updated: September 29, 2018

      Well… I am going to admit the defeat. This is not working. The texture of the surface is too weird for colored pencils, and I am tired of fighting it. It will not cooperate no matter what I do. Time to move on!

        A sketch a day: textures in colored pencil, with a horse

        Yelena Shabrova ~ A sketch a day: textures in colored pencil, with a horse ~ Staedtler colored pencil on Canson drawing paper, 6" x 4"
        A sketch a day: textures in colored pencil, with a horse ~ Staedtler colored pencil on Canson drawing paper, 6″ x 4″

        That’s my sketch on the go from earlier this week finished. I wanted to see how much texture could be built on Canson drawing paper with pencils only, without any other tools. To my surprise, the paper let be create quite a few nice subtle patterns. I especially like those crossing lines on the horse.

          A sketch a day: lichen

          Yelena Shabrova ~ A  sketch a day: lichen on a tree branch ~ colored pencil on drawing paper, 6" x 4"
          A sketch a day: lichen on a tree branch ~ colored pencil on drawing paper, 6″ x 4″

          I started with lush lichen I saw here in Oregon during winter, but it ended looking like something that would be at home in the swamps of Florida. Sometimes non-committed sketching takes you to unexpected places.

            Hello… (horse head in colored pencil, 11″ x 14″) – in progress

            Updated: January 5th, 2017

            Yelena Shabrova ~ Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11" x 14"
            Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

            Decided to make progress with the horse first and with the window frame later. Both are going to differ a bit from my reference, and because the horse is more important I am going to figure out where his colors end before touching the window. I am now debating between natural wood and old paint that would compliment the horse.

            Updated: April 26th, 2016

            Yelena Shabrova ~ Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11" x 14"
            Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

            So it was a good idea to use graphite first, then continue with color on top of it. Maybe a softer grade like H6 would be more efficient, especially on a textured paper like this one. The disorganized colors that are already there are from different kinds of strokes I tried to see what works better.

            Updated: December 10th, 2015

            Yelena Shabrova ~ Hello, in progress~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11" x 14"
            Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

            Back to the unfortunate horse who is now ready for color! I am done with the graphite underdrawing (if this is not a word it should be) and securing it with a workable fixative. Let’s see if that speeds up adding darks with colored pencils. Rainy shooting conditions made it look like there are at least two different tones of graphite, but in reality it’s the same tone.

            Original post: Feb 21, 2015

            Yelena Shabrova - Hello, drawing of a horse head in progress - colored pencils on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11" x 14"
            Hello (work in progress) ~ colored pencil on Strathmore watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

            I don’t think I have ever been this excited to see a rough drawing of a horse head finally appearing on a piece of paper as planned. There were at least two iterations that were not to my liking at all, but finally everything is where it should be, the sketch is transferred to the final watercolor paper (it’s a Strathmore one with nice slightly uneven surface), and I can move on to preliminary shading with graphite.

            The horse is picking out of a barn door window, but it is barely visible right now. I need to decide whether to keep it white like in the reference photo or make it natural wood. The horse is going to be light chestnut with a lot of color nuances in the face, and even weathered white seems to be too stark next to all that, so most likely I will use some kind of amber or light wood for the window.

              Forgotten flowers

              Yelena Shabrova ~ Forgotten Flowers ~ colored pencil, 3" x 5"
              Forgotten Flowers ~ colored pencil, 3″ x 5″

              It seems that the impending move to Oregon only leaves me time for quick sketches. My poor horse stays practically untouched since I defined main features of his face, several other serious drawings are also stuck at whatever stages they were when the decision was made.

              Sorting out and getting rid of stuff (and now packing) is the exact opposite of fun, but sometimes nice discoveries happen. As I go through shelves of books I find all sorts of things in them: bookmarks made by kids, old postcards, images from copiers, and as of recently, dried flowers.

              I am not even sure what kinds of flowers those are. They were very discolored, and as soon as I tied to remove them from a book promptly fell apart…

                Paradise – a miniature on canvas

                Yelena Shabrova ~ Paradise (Miniature) ~ colored pencil on canvas, 3.5" x 2.5"
                colored pencil on canvas, 3.5″ x 2.5″

                A kind visitor at the third weekend of recent Open Studios came up with the title, not me. I often draw during SVOS. People like to see how art is created, and whatever I am working on easily becomes a conversation piece. Sometimes I get a free benefit of getting stuff named for me.

                The original miniature ($35.00) is available in my online shop as a part of the “Miniatures” collection.

                  Connections – FALC Art Exhibit at the Main Street Cafe and Books 2015

                  “Newborn” and “Fortitude” has been accepted into the Connections exhibit at the Main Street Cafe sponsored by the Fine Arts League of Cupertino:

                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14", horse portrait
                  Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

                  Yelena Shabrova ~ Fortitude ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on drawing paper, 9" x 6"
                  Fortitude ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on drawing paper, , 9″ x 6″

                  The show will be open from January 31 till February 28, 2015.

                  There is a lot of great artworks in the show, make sure to stop by!

                  Main Street Cafe and Books is located at 134 Main St, Los Altos, CA 94022
                  Open Monay – Saturaday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday 9:30 am -2:30 pm.

                    Silicon Valley Open Studios “Sneak Preview” at Art Ark Gallery

                    About a dozen of my artworks will be a part of the Silicon Valley Open Studios preview exhibit at the Art Ark Gallery.

                    Summer Day in Santa Cruz Mountains - colored pencil on Arches watercolor paper, 14.5" x 10.5"
                    Summer Day in Santa Cruz Mountains – colored pencil on Arches watercolor paper, 14.5″ x 10.5″

                    Art Ark Gallery is located at 1035 South 6th Street, San Jose, CA 95112.

                    Gallery Hours: Saturday, January: 17th, 24th & 31st 11-4 pm.

                    Opening Reception: Saturday, January 10th 6-9 pm.
                    Closing Reception: Friday, February 6th 6-9 pm.

                    I will also be sitting in the gallery on January 31, 1:30 pm – 4 pm.

                    Stop by if you are in the area, it will be great to see you!

                    Other participating artists: Lisa Babbitt, Rebecca Bangs, Leanne Bouwer, Trudi Burney, Jerry Carpenter, Gabriel Coke, Angela Cunningham, John Ediger, Marianne Eichenbaum, Liz Fennell, Yvette Head, Yvonne Head, Marilynn Host, Susannah Jackson, Leslie Lambert, Jim Lee, Alyssa Levitan, Oleg Lobykin, Stephanie Maclean, Daniel McLean, Dana Nehdaran, Dariush Nehdaran, Christine Oliver, Karen Olsen, Mohana Pradhan, Christine Rasmussen, Sally Rayn, Bill Sarnoff, Edwin Simon, Anthony Stenberg, Janet Trenchard, Nancy Woods, Helen Yang.

                    This preview is an opportunity to see some of the art and meet the artists prior to the Open Studios held in the first three weekends of May, 2015.

                      Artist trading card exchange at CAG – fall 2014

                      As usual, the ATC exchange at CAG today was a lot of fun. Here are my contributions to the event:

                      Yelena Shabrova ~ rocks in the mist - ATC ~ colored pencil, 2.5" x 3.5"
                      rocks in the mist – ATC ~ colored pencil, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                      Yelena Shabrova ~ last leaves - ATC ~ colored pencil, 2.5" x 3.5"
                      last leaves – ATC ~ colored pencil, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                      Yelena Shabrova ~ marsh after sunset - ATC ~ colored pencil, 3.5" x 2.5"
                      marsh after sunset – ATC ~ colored pencil, 3.5″ x 2.5″

                      Yelena Shabrova ~ sunset - ATC ~ colored pencil, 3.5" x 2.5"
                      sunset – ATC ~ colored pencil, 3.5″ x 2.5″

                      I love how the fall edition of the ATC exchange happens around my Birthday. This year it’s on a day before, so I got four early Birthday gifts:

                      Dianne Daly ~ Persimmons in the Snow ~ watercolor
                      Dianne Daly ~ Persimmons in the Snow ~ watercolor

                      Dianne Daly ~ Persimmon ~ watercolor
                      Dianne Daly ~ Persimmon ~ watercolor

                      Gudrun Baumeister ~ Teachers Apple ~ watercolor
                      Gudrun Baumeister ~ Teachers Apple ~ watercolor

                      Karen Franzenburg ~ oil pastel
                      Karen Franzenburg ~ oil pastel

                        Corinthian House Art Show 2014

                        Corinthian House in Campbell has a new exhibit now, and several of may artworks are a part of it:

                        Yelena Shabrova ~ Plum Blossoms in Los Gatos Creek Park ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on Bristol paper, 16" x 20"
                        Plum Blossoms in Los Gatos Creek Park ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on Bristol paper, 16″ x 20″

                        Yelena Shabrova ~ Fortitude ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on drawing paper, 9" x 6"
                        Fortitude ~ Prismacolor colored pencil on drawing paper, , 9″ x 6″

                        Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14", horse portrait
                        Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

                        Corinthian house is located at 250 Budd Avenue, Campbell CA 95008.

                        The exhibit is open from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday till January 18, 2015.

                        The reception will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2014, 2 – 3:30 pm.

                          After the Rain (miniature)

                          Yelena Shabrova ~ After the Rain (Miniature) ~ Derwent colored pencil on canvas, 3.5" x 2.5"
                          Derwent colored pencil on canvas, 3.5″ x 2.5″

                          Here is my newest tiny digital canvas. I haven’t done any for a few months and completely forgot my past experience with colored pencil on this kind of surface. It is a bit slippery and does not allow to build up really dark darks unless you carefully plan for them from the beginning and use very sharp pencils all the time. Unlike with paper or traditional linen canvas it is not possible to start with lighter colors everywhere and then go darker in as many layers as necessary. Darker colors on a digital canvas start to chip off relatively quickly if you are not careful.

                          So with a refreshed memory, I am now going to use digital canvas with soft graphite pencils only and leave colors to linen ones. Or maybe it’s worth trying to gesso a digital canvas and see if it becomes more tolerant to dark colored pencils.

                          The original miniature ($35.00) is available in my Miniatures online gallery.

                            Newborn (foal head in colored pencil, 11″ x 14″)

                            Updated: September 12, 2014

                            Newborn won the Best Realism Award at the Fall Festival Art Show

                            Updated: August 29, 2014

                            And it’s done! I don’t think there is anything to add to it, but if I were to do this piece all over again I would approach it completely differently. It was a nice detour from fully realistic colors and a few purely technique-related things I usually use.

                            Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14", horse portrait
                            Newborn ~ Derwent colored pencil on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11″ x 14″

                            The original ($980.00), greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Colored Pencil” collection.

                            Updated: June 2, 2014

                            He looks more like a living creature now and almost ready for darks to be added. The white stripe will need some gentle work first.

                            Yelena Shabrova ~ Newborn, drawing of a foal head in progress ~ Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

                            Updated: April 21, 2014

                            Well, it’s been a while since I started this portrait, several different small projects got in the way, but finally I am back to the little foal.

                            In the end, he won’t be nearly as colorful as right now (or at least I hope for that), but it will be interesting to see what bright violet and yellows will be able to add to regular coat colors.

                            Yelena Shabrova - Newborn, drawing of a foal head in progress - Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

                            Original post: Jan 18, 2014

                            I think it’s been a terrible while since I drew a horse that fits on piece of paper bigger that 4″ x 6″. Time to change that, so here’s the beginning of a very young foal’s head. Because for some reason I chose rough Bienfang watercolor paper, it may take a while to build up colors in this one. And it’s not just rough, it’s somewhat slippery too. But we will see. So far it was mostly working on the background to get a better feel of the paper that is new to me before adding much detail to the foal.

                            Newborn, drawing in progress - Derwent colored pencils on Bienfang watercolor paper, 11" x 14"

                              Ghostly white horse

                              Yelena Shabrova ~ Ghostly White ~ white Prismacolor colored pencil on canvas board, 5" x 7"
                              Ghostly White – white Prismacolor colored pencil on canvas board, 5″ x 7″

                              University Art carries something I never saw before: a canvas mounted on a cardboard. 5″ x 7″ pieces are sold unprotected, unlike canvases and real sturdy canvas boards. They come in white and black versions. Naturally, I had to buy both to see what can be done with them.

                              This white horse was done on a black one. Even though the canvas accepts many layers of color the result is not purely white (hence the “ghostly” reference). Alas, colored pencils are not completely opaque.

                              The original drawing found a new home at the Midsummer Art Festival 2014, but greeting cards, and prints are available in my online shop as a part of the “Colored Pencil” collection.

                                Artist trading card exchange at CAG

                                I planned to try something new with ATC for this exchange at CAG: galloping horse hooves, parts of horse faces, or something like that. Instead, I ended up with four whole horse heads.

                                Maybe the fact that Newborn is taking longer than anticipated to get finished has something to do with it, I don’t know.

                                Here are the heads:

                                Yelena Shabrova ~ Brown Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                Brown Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                                Yelena Shabrova ~ Chestnut Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                Chestnut Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                                Yelena Shabrova ~ Gray Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                Gray Horse Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                                Yelena Shabrova ~ Gray Pony Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5" x 3.5"
                                Gray Pony Head ~ artist trading card (ATC), colored pencil on illustration board, 2.5″ x 3.5″

                                And this is what I got from my wonderful fellow artists:

                                ATC from Dianne Daly ~ inks and pastel
                                ATC from Dianne Daly ~ inks and pastel

                                ATC from Sharon La Bouff ~ monoprint
                                ATC from Sharon La Bouff ~ monoprint

                                ATC from Donnalynn Chase ~ collage
                                ATC from Donnalynn Chase ~ collage

                                ATC from Marlene Bird ~ acrylic and collage
                                ATC from Marlene Bird ~ acrylic and collage

                                  Overlooked Beauty

                                  Yelena-Shabrova ~ Overlooked-Beauty ~ colored pencil on wood panel, 4" x 4"
                                  Overlooked-Beauty ~ colored pencil on wood panel, 4″ x 4″ ~ $45.00

                                  Lady’s smock (cuckoo flowers) are tiny and very unassuming when we walk past them or over them. Their beautiful purple, lilac, and whitish colors is about all that can be easily appreciated when they form a patch. I love shooting and drawing little things like these and then look closely at the shapes, lines, and colors that make them up and draw it all bigger than in real life.

                                  This was my first attempt to use colored pencils on wood and do a three-dimensional piece. While it was an interesting experience spreading a drawing over more than one plane I think I will stick to my usual two dimensions. But I do want to continue experimenting with drawing on wood. It adds a unique glow that shines through pencilwork and makes it look quite different. I like that.

                                  As it turned out, I need to be careful placing strokes over wood; the same color will look differently as wooden textures change over the board, as strokes are laid along the fibers, across them, or at an angle. And forget about scanning the finished piece. A lot of fine color details get lost along with the wonderful glowing effect of the wood.

                                  The original is available in my Colored Pencil online gallery for $45.00