Featured Painting for October! Agave.

Agave, 6x6" Acrylic and watercolor on clayboard

SOLD

The latest from my studio is offered at the very low "featured price" of $30, just for this month  or until it has sold!  This one is done on clayboard, using acrylic and watercolor.  

I love the shadows and jagged edges that show up on the leaves and in the shadows. 

Points North Landscape

Points North, 5x7" Acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Agave, once again - in progress

This is an experiment!   I have used clayboard for graphite and colored pencil.  But, I was intrigued by the info on the packaging saying that it would be suited to water media.... so..... this is watercolor on clayboard.   Perhaps the subject matter is familiar?  Yes, its the same reference picture as the colored pencil I just posted! 

I'm finding out that clayboard does not take the paint like paper!  It does seem to soak in and it isn't easily pushed around - but I also like the way the paint disperses!   So.....  this is just a start.  I'll finish it and post it and give my final analysis! 

Agave - The edge of shadow

The Edge of Shadows, 9x12" Colored Pencil on black paper 

©2011, Helen Read 

 

This came from reference pictures I took when visiting Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, CA.  The beautiful shadows and sunlight hitting the leaves were especially startling just after a sudden shower. 

I was intrigued by the interesting edges and how the shape of them was repeated in the shadows as well.   I am always intrigued by the beauty of botanical subjects.  This one attests to my interest!  

Blossom - finished work

Blossom, 8x8" Colored Pencil on Clayboard

©2011, Helen Read 

Ready to frame

 

Its finished!   I learned a lot about working on this surface with colored pencil.  Actually, I think clayboard is better suited to graphite than to colored pencil - but I am happy with the outcome. 

It is a pretty vivid piece, and would look fantastic framed and hanging in a small space!  I'd love to send it your way!  

Blossom ~ Progress continues!

8x8" Colored pencil on clayboard 

As you can see, if you scroll down one entry, I've made a lot of progress on this little colored pencil painting.  I'm using Prismacolors on white claybord.   Its posed a few challenges - which I'm still working out.  And, I'm still putting the finishing touches on certain areas.  Overall, its been a good experiment, and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.   I'll post the final version soon!  

Blossom ~ work in progress

Work in progress - 8x8" colored pencil on clayboard 

I've been interested in trying this surface for colored pencil for awhile.  I've used it several times for graphite and really liked the outcomes.... and for colored pencil, it also seems to work well.  There is almost no tooth, however, and that is a slight difference for building up layers of color.  Also, I typically work on a not-white surface for colored pencil... my favorite surface is actually black paper with very little tooth.    But, nevertheless, I think this will turn out well.   My reference photo is one I took just after a rain storm when the sun had come out.  You can see a few water droplets still clinging to the leaves.  

See below for the works I've done using this surface with graphite.  

Email me for more information on these finished works!