I wanted to do some drawing, it's portable and I can get more detail with a pencil in a small work than with brushes in a small painting.

From my sketchbook,  Hereford Calf  on 8.5"x11"  Derwent soft drawing pencil on grey tinted paper.

I went to the art store to pick up some paper and drawing instruments, not sure what direction I wanted to go with it.  As soon as I saw the grey toned paper I knew that was my first choice, tinted paper is a really great background for a color drawing, so decided right then they would somehow have to be in color.  Then I noticed a small pack of Derwent colored pencils, on the package it said 'soft' drawing pencils.  This appealed to me, it seemed fit my ideas, and how happy I am that I made this impulse buy!  I've used other colored pencils and my main complaint for my style of working is they are too hard and don't blend easily enough, so I had high hopes, was truly not disappointed.

On searching for more information on the Derwent Soft Colored Drawing pencils, I found they are actually called the "fur and feather" pencil, because they are so suited for artists rendering animal fur and natural subjects.  I agree, and will be doing more of these little gems, eventually I will add a category on the website.  They will come on 8.5"x11" paper matted to 11"x14", ready to pop into a frame.

The second new drawing is a Black Baldy calf which is actually a study for a new large painting I'm doing, this calf is in the painting but is only one of the subjects.  Doing a small detailed drawing like this first really helps me to be familiar with this particular individual while painting.

From my sketchbook, Black Baldy Calf  on 8.5"x11"   Derwent soft drawing pencil on grey tinted paper

I was home having breakfast with Mr. Rich one Saturday morning last spring, when the phone rang.  The voice on the other end said she was at my studio and wanted to come in, to meet me and talk.  I asked if she was local, and she said no, she's on my mailing list, and she's from Canada.   I figured I'd better hurry up and get over there, not likely she would be able to reschedule anytime soon.  :)

I love visitors to the studio, and am so glad we were able to meet up.  At the time, I had this painting in the initial drawing stage.

"Black Is Always In Style"        36"x48"

Even though it was such a rough sketch, she liked it and left a deposit, making it a commissoned painting from then on.   Now it is on it's way to Canada, bringing a herd of Angus into her home.  

Frequently something I have in progress is chosen by a client as a commission, one reason I haven't had a lot of new works, but that's good news, if you know what you want and don't see it, I will show you if I have anything in progress or in plans that fits your vision.  Just email me with some ideas and tell me what you like.