Fritillary Snake's HeadDerwent Inktense Pencils on grey paper
It's a year since I've sketched anything in my little multicoloured Fabriano Artist's Journal. I had resolved to use it to record everything that bloomed in our garden. Well the garden's blooming away and I'm way, way behind! I have painted a few flowers since but usually in watercolour sketchbooks.
I bought a tin of 12 Derwent Inktense pencils quite a while ago because so many people love them. I've hardly touched them since because they always look so gaudy to me when I add water. I was so disappointed in the sketch above I was really regretting that it was in my garden journal. I think I've rescued it slightly by adding some touches of white gouache.
Does anyone else have reservations about these pencils, or is it just me?
I bought a tin of 12 Derwent Inktense pencils quite a while ago because so many people love them. I've hardly touched them since because they always look so gaudy to me when I add water. I was so disappointed in the sketch above I was really regretting that it was in my garden journal. I think I've rescued it slightly by adding some touches of white gouache.
Does anyone else have reservations about these pencils, or is it just me?
9 comments:
Nice job on this Robyn!! You have a lot of blooms to catch up on. The Inktense pencils do seem exactly that...intense. I have only used them on things for the scavenger hunts on WetCanvas. They're a bit too bright for landscapes or even a lot of flowers. I only have a set of 12 which could be my problem. The colors I need are never there. But I do like that you can use them over or under other materials fairly easily.
Hi Robyn;
FWIW, I quite like this drawing. I think it's quite lovely!! It's exotic to me because I've never seen a real fritillary Snake's Head Tulip. I'm not enrtirely sure we have them here.
As for the Inktense pencils; they DO take a bit of use to appreciate their effects. But I find now, I actually sometimes reach for them instead of my other pencils. There are lots of things you'll find where they suit much better. Plus, if you haven't used them much, they do compare in your mind to other pencils you're more used to. Don't give up on them yet!
Joan - Thank you. I didn't know you ever used watercolour pencils. And I do love that little girl on the beach you've posted recently.
Bonny - Help, I can't find your blog from this link.
Thanks. I had never seen a real Snake's Head Fritillary either until I bought the bulbs for these. I was a bit disappointed when I saw how small the plants are. I expected something the size of a tulip. But what a master is nature - fancy a checked flower!
Inktense pencils aren't my favorite either. I am very fond of the Derwent graphtints. But I tend to use them more in the fall and winter because of their muted tones.
I'm new to drawing and when I first saw your flower It was as if it was a live flower laying on your canvas. I only used my Derwent pencil once for the Still life lesson on WC so I need to work with them more. You do beautiful work -
Chris - I would like to try Graphtints but I'm having trouble justifying all the art supplies I already have! Thanks for dropping in.
Edie - I'm really touched by your lovely comment. Keep drawing! And, if you have a blog, let me know where it is so I can visit too.
Bravo for posting the pic and the comments.
I think the key to Inktense is the name - they are INTENSE.
For the most part I find flowers need a more subtle approach - mainly because there's a lot of subtlety in petals.
The thing I'm not keen on with any of the pencils you add water too is the way in which the reactions can be quite unpredictable at times.
Go on - have another go with your watercolours!
Robyn - No I don't blog -I'm thankful and I've learned a lot from you and the other blogers. You help me to keep doing art THANKS
Katherine - Okay, I'll try this in watercolour, I was being a bit lazy trying to dash it off as I did.
I will give the Inktense another chance. I'm packing them for my little trip.
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