The latest articles are now available to view and you can access them by clicking on any of the images below. 

Why not join up to our Newsletter to receive the latest Article news straight to your mail box. Here are 3 previous Newsletter subjects which covers Coloured pencils, Graphite pencils, Acrylics, Step by Step tutorials, Art product recommendations as well as the latest news on my 1 Day Workshops available to book for those able to come along.

Feel free to share this post or leave us a comment, maybe request an article?
​Thanks for looking!

I realise it has been many months since I wrote a post here on the Step by Step website and for that I apologise - there has been much happening since April 2016 but overlooked the power of the News blog here at Step by Step Art, hopefully I am able to change that in 2017 with new Workshops and Articles coming this year.  As technology improves at a rate I certainly cannot keep up with, websites also have to keep up with the times and this is the reason for the 'new look' - I hope it is more visually appealing (we Artists love colour!) whilst still offering lots of help and advice to Artists here in the UK and around the world.

I am currently in the process of adding 6!! new articles including a mini Step by Step Coloured pencil Tutorial (other mediums will be available in mini tutorials too) and I also have a date for the first 2 Workshops which will be in May and will be run as a 2 day weekend Workshop that can be booked together or individually depending on your preferences. The Saturday will be the Coloured pencil Workshop of a SNOW LEOPARD eye on black Colourfix which I ran in August 2013 and was quickly booked up, the Sunday will be a Graphite pencil Workshop of a Ring-tailed Lemur, so if you are interested in learning how to work with Pencils to create detailed Art, these Workshops may be for you. You don't need any previous experience with pencils or with Art to join in, but I can guarantee that if you are a complete beginner you will be very surprised at your abilities at the end of the day.

Each Workshop starts from £42.00 each (or £80.00 if booking both days together) ​and the Saturday Workshop begins at 10am - 3:30pm and the Sunday Workshop runs from 11am - 4:30pm (a later time on the Sunday is due to the community room being in a built up residential area) Please see our TERMS & CONDITIONS regarding these Workshops before booking your place

Everyone gets their own workstation so you have ample room to spread out. The price of each Workshop includes the paper, outline print out, Workshop booklet/sheets and if you are bringing your own products to the Coloured pencil workshop you will be supplied a colour chart for the day or you can loan a kit at £5.00 Extra or purchase a kit for £10.00 Extra, the pencil colours are individually coded to match the Workshop notes, making it easy to select each colour. The Graphite pencil workshop also includes the paper, outline, workshop booklet and allows you to loan a kit for £7.00 extra or purchase a Home Kit for £13.00 Extra.

if you wish to book/pre-book on one of these Workshops you can either click the link below or get in touch with me directly at: karenmberisfordart@gmail.com

I have recently completed a new Article about Coloured pencil blenders & burnishers in pencil form and how best to use them.  I actively encourage people to get in touch if they would like to see a specific Article or tutorial and this is one of them which I thought would be a great subject to review. With Thanks for the article request!

Although I own 3 different blenders and a burnisher myself, I forgot I had them and it gave me a great opportunity to try them all out and compare them, sharing with everyone my thoughts and findings.

If you are looking to find out what blenders & burnishers can offer you as a Coloured pencil Artist, or are new to blenders/burnishers and would like to know what they can achieve and how best to use them, why not take a look at this article - I was surprised to learn you can actually use them with Graphite pencils too, although have not tried it myself.

If you would like to request an article, please get in touch - it's always great to hear feedback too if you wish to share your own experience on using any of these products so feel free to comment below. If you know someone who may find this article interesting, feel free to 'like' on facebook or 'tweet' on your twitter page!

I hope you find this article very helpful!
​Karen :)

​

Are you thinking of giving Coloured pencils a go, but not sure which pencils to start out with? Take a look at this article which offers a recommendation of a great set of pencils without breaking the bank, whilst offering lots of benefits that professional pencils have (and even some that certain pro pencils don't!) If you have £7* spare, these popular non branded pencils are the ones you should try before splashing out on an expensive, professional brand just in case you decide Coloured pencils is not the medium for you after all.  This article offers advantages & disadvantages and also shows you what these pencils are capable of. It seems they are used extensively for those taking their GCSE's as well as Art Tutors (including myself) using them in Art Workshops.  

Click on the image, to visit the article page.

Feel free to 'like' , share or leave a comment, especially if you have used these pencils before or found the article to be of help to you.
​
Please Note: These are only sold in the UK
*They may also be available to purchase at a lower price due to sale offers in-store or online.

Feel free to 'like', 'share' or leave a comment should you wish.
​I hope this Article is very helpful to newbies to Graphite pencils.

This article combines a chance for readers to win a set of 72 Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils too! 

If you are an Artist and are wondering who the SAA are and what they do and offer, click the logo above left to be directed to their website. This is a small list of what the SAA offer members (Membership starts from £29.50(a year) - as of March 2016)

• Large online Art store with free delivery for members as well as special offers and loyalty points (Non members can also shop too but without added benefits)
• Video tutorials by numerous pro Artists recorded in the Newark HQ studio.
• SAA Open days at Newark HQ (in Notts) with access to the Art shop
• Quarterly PAINT magazine for all members covering a wide selection of varied Articles on different mediums
• Large online Art Forums
• Regular competitions (including Artist of the Year)
• A huge searchable database for those looking for Art Tutors & Workshops 
• Access pages of Original Art for Sale
• Free Reference photographs (free from copyright)

Thinking of buying the Caran Dache Luminance pencils and wonder if they are going to be suitable for you? Take a look at my latest article on these pencils to find out more about them before you decide to splash out.

Peacock feather so I could test out the vibrancy and ease of use of these pencils. Please click on the image if you wish to find out more.