Onyx Pencils

I've just been given a couple of the new Onyx dark graphite pencils made by Derwent Pencils to review. They have been developed as a one-size-fits-all type of pencil, that is each one can be used to make the lightest of marks and also the darkest of shades. The jet black tones they create are even darker than can be made with a soft 9B.

Because you can make light and also very dark marks with the same pencil, you just need to take the one pencil out with you when sketching, instead of a small selection of 2H, HB, 2B and 6B. This obviously makes life a lot easier! Also, because they are made of a hard graphite, they don't wear down very much and they keep a sharp point for much longer than a softer dark pencil. It is therefore easy to make thin dark marks with these onyx pencils, unlike with say a 6B pencil that wears down very fast and looses its point.

So why not give them a go. You can get them from Derwent Pencils, or from your local art store.

Beautiful Paintings

Here are a couple of details from two paintings I came across in the Museo de Bellas Artes in Murcia, Spain. They really caught my attention for different reasons and I managed to snap a couple of photos of them. I forgot to write down who they were by or what they were called, so apologies for that. I'd like to share them with you.

The first is from the 16th century and depicts the visit of the shepherds to the baby Jesus. I was struck by just how 'modern' the style of the painting looked, and how you could still see the individual brush-strokes. Most paintings of this time period had a much more polished appearance, and brush-strokes are hard to see, but in this wonderful painting they are still there, and you can see where the artist has brushed on his oil paint. It's an exciting connection to the past. Just look at the dry brush work on the man's head, and the light paint brushed loosely but so effectively onto his cheek. You can see each brush stroke and can imagine the artist all those hundreds of years ago reaching out his hand and adding them onto the canvas. I just love this sort of thing! I just wish I'd made a note of who he was...

The second painting just grabbed me and held my attention for ages. I think it's the look in the boys eyes. Not many portraits look straight out at you, as it is deemed to be unnerving, but in this case the artist has so caught the tender expression in his eyes, and it is this that makes it such a powerful image. Again there is the connection with the past. You could be looking into the face of the real boy from a hundred years ago.
What I also love about this painting is the contrast between the smooth skin of the boys face and the rough fur on the dog. That contrast alone adds so much to the painting.

I hope you enjoy looking at these two great masterpieces, and can maybe create a few of your own!!

Painting Holiday in Spain

I've just returned to the UK from almost three months in Spain, which ended with leading a really enjoyable Painting Holiday in a small mountain village inland from Benidorm. We had a great week of sketching and painting in various locations, ranging from the brightly painted and colourful seaside town of Villa Joyosa, to the villages that cling to the mountains, and the ancient terraces of olive and orange groves surrounding our base at Relleu. Everyone seemed to have relaxed and painted well, and we were looked after superbly by our hosts who cooked delightful Spanish food all week.

You can find out more details and see some of the photos by clicking on the Painting Holidays link on my website. I'm now booking up for another one in June 2009, so please let me know if you'd like to come along.