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Every eye has a different way of perceiving the world and capturing its beauty. Being able to share this with your loved ones is a gift. As a child, my mother taught me to pay attention to nature; to admire the intricate details God painted on flowers, and the living jewels that insects are made to be. She learned this from her grand-mother who was a painter. I greatly enjoy coloring, and the advantage of being an artist is that I don´t have to buy coloring books. I can color my own drawings. Scroll down to see some tips to improve your coloring technique, or click here. When I was a nomad, I often sat in specific places and drew. Sometimes for a couple of hours. Sometimes for a week. And once, for a month. After moving to Ibiza, I decided to make a coloring book for my aunts to show them my beautiful surroundings. Ibiza is called 'The Island of Light'. It has lovely scenery, not only of the Mediterranean Sea, but also of pine covered hills and old farms that date back hundreds of years. The farm houses are called 'fincas' and I live in one of them. Ours different from traditional homes because my in-laws built it from top to bottom. It is completely self sustainable: we run on solar panels, we rely on rain water for our needs, as well as the animals´and plants´. And we clean our used waters by using a natural system of filtering plants. (www.ecosolutionsibiza.com) It took me almost three years to finish this book. In the meantime our garden evolved and changed greatly. Most of these views no longer exist, which makes it even more special. If you like coloring with pencils and hand traced drawings of unusual gardens, you will enjoy "My Home in Ibiza". |
3 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR TECHNIQUE
1. Chose your palette.
Using too many colors can create a result that is messy and confusing to the eye. If you want an image that is harmonious, try limiting the number of pencils you use, and mix them to create hues.
This will emulate the way the eye perceives color in the outside world (where everything is bathed in the same light) and ensure that every element of your image tones with the others.
As a fun exercise, you may wish to look at a color wheel and chose two colors which are either opposite, or next to each other on the wheel, and exclusively use these. Try using three colors, then four, then five. Perhaps you'll find a combination of colors that is especially pleasing to you. Perhaps you'll find that you have a preference for some colors and a dislike for others. Try different combinations.
2. Ask yourself where the light is coming from.
In our world, light either comes from the sun or the moon, or from artificial lights. It behaves in a set, and predictable way. To say it in a simpler way: light follows a trajectory. For instance, if it falls down from the right, the shadow will be cast to the left.
Think of yourself as a movie director. You have the control over how/where you want to direct your viewer's eye. So study the way light behaves when it falls over objects. Look at the way shadows appear in nature. Are the edges sharp? Blurry? Being conscious of the light will help you greatly.
3. Don´t rush. Go slow.
Pencil coloring is a slow technique. Depending on your personality, and the time you wish to dedicate to your image, this technique can either seem excruciatingly; or wonderfully slow.
Don't rush. Use a light, circular motion with your wrist and tread lightly.
Be aware that in nature, there is no flat ink. Everything is a mix of many colors. Take a look at the way your cat´s hairs shine under the sunlight. Nothing is as colorful as a black cat.
Children should be taught that pencil colors can be mixed, just like paint. The trick is to gradually add pigments to the area you are coloring.
So if you rush with your pencil strokes, you will not be able to erase, or lighten what you have colored.
Can you tell that I am in love with my pencils?
They've been my friends and my traveling companions all over the world. They weigh little and only ask for
a bit of paper, and a sharpener or a knife.
Are you in love with your pencils?
Allow yourself the time to color slowly, meditatively. As a result, your work will be wonderfully rich,
delicate and rewarding to your eyes.