Happy Spring!

Hi all,

I wanted to update you with a little piece of colored pencil work that I'm almost finished with. It's a Lilac Breasted Roller, famous in Africa I'm sure, for it's gorgeous colors!  

This is the first time I've worked on  a colored pencil drawing with Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils. I must say, I like them. They are a bit difficult to sharpen, as they are very soft. I couldn't get a really sharp point with my battery operated sharpener, and my electric sharpener is a bit too small for the width of the pencil tip. I would suggest an x-acto knife.

I am working on a brownish Canson paper on the smooth side. I still am going to add background details, hopefully this week!

Illustration Friday's theme : ocean

My entry is a Ross's Gull. The Ross's Gull was first spotted in the United States in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1975 and was such a big deal to local bird watchers, that the camera crews from the Boston news stations were called out. Previously it was thought to only live in the Arctic.

I drew him in colored pencil. It was very challenging to create all the grays' in his feathers, but it was fun!

Illustration Friday post

The subject for Illustration Friday's weekly post is "snow". so I'm posting my Raven Christmas card. Enjoy!

Close-ups of my Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier 2

Now I have fixed the crooked eye, don't know if you can tell, and I might go back into it later. I started to add more color. I've used a soft blue gray and several other grays. Also added two different pinks to certain areas. Now I'm adding indigo blue where all the black are. I like to build up my blacks with dark blues and browns and dark reds if I can. The colors all shine through when you look at it closely and it makes a rich black.. I've also started to define all the edges of the face and neck. This is so much fun!

Boston Terrier colored pencil drawing

I've been wanting to draw some Boston Terriers for a long time and finally sat down to start one. This is the beginning. It's about 12 x 14 on Canson Drawing paper. Started with a pencil sketch and then added some white after I erased the pencil under those parts. Then I started the eyes and then went to the nose. I added some white, light grey and a light powder gray blue to the nose (can't think of the name of the color!). I think the left eye is off a bit, so I'll probably have to erase it a tiny bit and re-work it. You all know how I hate to erase!!! Where is that durn eraser! The paper is a bit less orange than the scan. Maybe work more on it this weekend. It is Mother's Day so I should be able to do whatever I want, right? 

My Colored Pencil Tips blog

Hi, just want to remind everyone that I have another blog called "Colored Pencil Tips" where I am posting answers to some of the questions people ask me about drawing with colored pencils specifically. I try to post there at least once a week. Check it out here: http://coloredpenciltips.blogspot.com/

New show

I'll be dropping off art for a new show at Exeter Hospital in Exeter, NH in a couple weeks. It will run through the end of May, 2012. Check it out if you live in the area. I'll have mostly colored pencil art, and some oil paintings.

COLORED PENCIL WORKSHOP MAY 10 2-4 PM

I sent out press releases to several papers and wanted to re-post this for anyone new looking for this information. I'm not sure how to keep it at the top of my blog, so here is the info. I have been preparing exercises, and cutting various papers for you to try at the workshop. This is going to be fun and informative. See you there!

COLORED PENCIL WORKSHOP – Revelle Taillon – Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – 2:00 to 4:00 pm – COST $50.00. To be held at the Seacoast Artists Association, 225 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 603-778-8856 http://www.seacoastartist.org/

WHAT TO BRING: Set of colored pencils. Prismacolors are one of the most popular and easy to find at art supply stores, or on www.dickblick.com. Also bring pencil sharpener, either a hand held one or battery operated; a kneaded eraser and a hard white drawing eraser, a drawing pencil, a colorless blender pencil, a colorless blender marker. (Dick Blick carries a colored pencil accessory set for $11.20). Nice to have, but not absolutely necessary is a matte workable fixative and a permanent fixative. If you know what you want to use to draw on, bring your own paper. I will have various quality papers to purchase for $1 each.

Class is limited to 10, so mail check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine St., Plaistow, NH 03865 (603-382-3397) to reserve a spot. rtaillon@comcast.net. Revelle’s blog is http://revelleimagemaker.blogspot.com/

NOTE: Two of my bird drawings have been accepted into a gallery exhibit at The Brush Gallery, 256 Market St, Lowell, MA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Purpose is to focus attention on birds and their habitats and raise funds for the volunteers who care for injured birds. Dates are May 7 to June 18. http://www.thebrush.org/aboutBrush.htm

Red Tailed Hawk stage 5

Wow, never posted so many stages. Thanks for all of your comments and encouragement!

Last night I got out my pencils again and added more layers of color. I added several oranges, about 4 shades of brown, and 2 greys. I think I am almost done! I think there are a few areas to darken up even more and then I'll call it a day! I need to grab some reds also for a few spaces where the oranges need it. Hope you enjoy!

Seagull Bird stage one

Here's the beginning of a seagull. Looks like he's screaming at BP!!!!!!

Raven, finally!

Yeah! Blogger is finally letting me upload my Raven. I really love this one. I may have to buy a nice old curlicue black frame, something Victorian, and hang in in the living room. And make one for my daughter who just loves Halloween! All of you with Goth teenagers, hint, hint, they'd love a print of this one!!! LOL!

Raven Bird stage 1

A pink and purple Raven? Sure, why not! I like to start with the lightest colors and highlights, even though most of this will be covered up with layers of other colors. I've just started to go over the edges of the feathers with some purple. This one IS much fun!!!

House Finch Bird close up