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Latest articles

28/2/2023

Our newsletter has dropped and we have three new articles now available.

We like to cover a wide range of mediums and products in each article, so in this newsletter, we explore the Chromaflow coloured pencil range, the latest pencil produced by Derwent. Do we have a UK Prismacolor Premier pencil finally? Our second article covers the creamy oil pastels by Sennelier. Even if you don't work with oil pastels, you may find this article interesting, and you may even decide to try them yourself.
Finally, we have the latest tutorial for soft pastel artists. If you haven't tried soft pastels before, we highly recommend you give this tutorial a go. It's so easy and you don't need any previous experience to make a brilliant piece of art.

Click on any of the images below to visit the article and have a read. Why not grab a coffee, as we do throw lots of information into our articles, so we hope you enjoy them!

Derwents' new coloured pencil range

The Chromaflow pencil was released in June of 2021, initially in the USA and India and then the UK and the rest of the world, the following year. Derwent is a company, that has produced quality products for over a century and a half, so we would expect this new range to meet all the usual standards, but do they?

In this article, we analyse the quality and application of the pencils. Did we find the same quality that we have come to expect from Derwent?

We provide information from our own research, as well as reviews by other artists', found online. See how they compare to other brands, in particular with the highly popular Prismacolor Premier pencil, but with Derwents' other lines too.

Pink flamingo created with Sennelier oil pastels on Clairfontaine Pastelmat

Sennelier collaborated with Picasso to create this lightfast oil pastel range

The Sennelier (pronounced Sen-el-EE-A) oil pastel is creamy, with an extraordinarily high pigment content, providing vivid colour and excellent covering potential and brilliance, with a high degree of light stability. Oil pastels are comprised of pigment in a non-drying binder of oil and wax, which is formed into a compact stick. Like soft (dry) pastels, alternative brands offer diverse combinations of binder, oil and wax, which make them soft or hard. The Sennelier Oil Pastels use the same high quality pigments and high pigment loads as their other lines, combined with a pure, synthetic binding medium and mineral wax.

In this article, we explore the possibilities of this compelling brand and the rich history of the company. We discuss best practices, delve into lightfast properties and provide recommendations on effective accessories. Finally, we share the feedback of other users and our own thoughts on this product. Even if you have never used oil pastels before, this article may inspire you to give them a go.

Poppy fields soft pastel tutorial promo image

New tutorial - Poppy field on black base for soft pastel artists

This is a tutorial created for the soft pastel artist. You may be a complete novice, unsure where to begin on your journey, or an intermediate looking for more knowledge.

Pastels are a quick and easy medium, making them ideal for the absolute beginner. We provide a simple breakdown of how to create an eye catching landscape of these sun-kissed poppies. We show you how to build the foundations and offer practical techniques. By providing images and descriptions, we offer an easy to follow guide for every artist.

You may just wish to pass the time with a box of pastel and a cuppa, simply because you like the composition. Wherever you are in the process, we encourage you to embellish as much as you want, or keep it as simple as we have. Why not give it a go?

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Hare tutorial in the Colored pencil magazine March 2021

3/3/2021

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I was invited once again to create a coloured pencil tutorial for the American Colored pencil magazine workshop series. Past tutorials contributed to this series are the Blueberries (2018) and the Peacock Feather (2019). This year I chose the Hare, a very popular subject among artists. Click the image below, which links to the page where you can purchase a digital (or print) copy of the magazine. If you are in the UK, the digital copy costs less than £2.50 and you can download it in seconds. A great read at a cheap price.

What is included in this issue?

Spotlighting Art-n-Fly - Art-n-fly is an affordable oil-based coloured pencil which is covered in this edition. There is a link to a You Tube video demonstrating these pencils used with Art-n-fly alcohol markers.
Finding the Unique You - Alexandra Zeres showing her artwork framed in flowers, birds and butterflies
Creating Prints of Your Art - Learn how to navigate the options in order to get started printing and providing your followers and fans with gorgeous prints of your artwork.
Hare Tutorial - Workshop series by Karen M Berisford
Pairing with Pitt Pens - Sara Ostlund compares the pros and cons of using the Faber-Castell Pitt artist pens with your coloured pencils. Follow her demo to try it for yourself.
Creating a Beautiful Layout - Learn how to create beautiful layouts by Erin McManness in an excerpt from the book of the month.
Sketchbook - See what's new and in the news
Challenge Met Gallery - Artwork of 18 artists who undertook every monthly art challenge in 2020 and won themselves a free digital subscription.
plus Selfie challenge and December art challenge winners.
Featuring: Ambro Jordi
Ambro brings animals to life when he puts pencil to paper. Learn how he went from pursuing a career in animation to one in fine art. Read how he enjoys sharing his knowledge with others and offering words of encouragement.

FREE Art-n-Fly Oil-Based Colored Pencil inside the USA Print Issues only - While Supplies Last

Price: USA $3.99 UK £2.87* Euro €3.31*
*Price may vary due to exchange rate when you purchase.

Colored pencil magazine front page March 2021

Inside colored pencil magazine's March 2021 edition - art by Ambro Jordi

Download the CPM app

You can also download the Colored pencil magazine app on your Android or Apple device and purchase this edition, although there are no discounts available. The price is $2.99 and £2.99

About the reference image

Hare reference photo for the Colored pencil magazine workshop series March 2021 by Karen M Berisford

My partner John Graham photographed this Hare back in October 2019. It was very inquisitive. Whilst John sat motionless on the ground; the Hare came closer, allowing him to capture this image and the second one below.

This high definition photo can be used as a reference during the construction of your drawing.

Hare photograph taken in Northumberland UK by John Graham

Hare drawing in coloured pencils for step by step art inclusion in March 2021 colored pencil magazine

If you haven't read this magazine before, you may find it a valuable resource as not only does it provide plenty of data on coloured pencils, it occasionally covers other mediums like pastel pencils and marker pens. There is an abundance of articles offering hints and tips, tutorials like this Hare above, regular competitions, a peek into the lives and studios of other artists and even guidance on the art business. They also have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages too so you can get involved in those competitions wherever you are in the world - I even had a go myself a few years ago!

TRY THE TUTORIAL

Purchase the March 2021 edition

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The new Luminance Portrait set from Caran d'Ache

20/7/2020

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For anyone who uses the Caran d'Ache Luminance pencils, the company has released 24 new colours! You can buy individual pencils or purchase 20 of the colours in a box set called the 'Portrait assortment'

These pencils have been available to 'pre-order' for a while, but online stores, are now receiving stock and getting them sent out to everyone. My set appeared on Saturday morning (18.07.20) and I have to admit to being very excited upon opening the box.

For me, the Luminance pencils are THE best pencils I have used and I really appreciate that Caran d'Ache have extended the colour palette from 76 to 100. I suspect this was a reaction to Derwent releasing their first, fully lightfast pencil range last summer, which had 100 colours. For anyone interested, I have both ranges. The Luminance pencils are my regular 'go to' pencils as they are a little firmer than the Derwent Lightfast, and I am able to create finer details with them, but both ranges offer different colour palettes and having a larger choice is always a bonus.

The two darker tones, Indanthrone Blue and Dark Indigo will make a more natural replacement for the black pencil, but as the majority of my own work includes pets and portraits, having additional browns and pinks added to the palette is excellent. My current favourite colours are Burnt Ochre 10% and Burnt Sienna 10%, which I use on almost every portrait, so the introduction of the Herculanum Red, Violet Pink and Dark Flesh 40% are most welcome!

4 new colours in the caran dache luminance coloured pencils

Above are the four new colours not included in the Portrait set. Personally, I think that Caran Dache should have created the Portrait set and include all 24 colours as they are just as important as all the other colours. I also wish they had included an extra grey for the 'eye colour selection', but as I use the greys more than most other colours, I could never have enough choice!

Have you got yours yet? Do let me know what your favourite, or most used colours are, and which new colours you are most excited about!

You can view our Luminance article by clicking the link below.

Read the Caran d'Ache Luminance pencil review and see what these pencils can achieve

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The latest Step by Step Tutorial by Karen M Berisford

1/11/2018

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Blueberries Tutorial in the Colored Pencil Magazine - November issue.

I was approached by Sally Robertson, Editor in Chief, at the Colored Pencil magazine asking if I wished to contribute a tutorial as part of their new 'Workshop series' and I agreed.
For the reference image I choose a simplistic subject of some blueberries so that any pencil artist could give it a go, and working with my Caran Dache Luminance pencil brand I created a comprehensive, step by step guide showing where to start and how effective layering is before adding then adding the finer detail.

The magazine can now be purchased via digital download or in print - a copy of the front cover can be seen above with a list of articles that can be found inside. There is also a special article with the artist Paul Hinks (UK Artist) who works solely in pastel pencils (front cover artwork) so not always fully limited to coloured pencil articles.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY - CLICK HERE

The November magazine is now out with my tutorial inside and for anyone wishing to purchase the magazine, you can purchase in either digital format to download immediately or order the print copy - you can also order both together too.

*Prices outside of the USA may vary due to the exchange rate on the day of purchase

Digital	Print	Digital & Print
£3.13*	£6.29*	£14.74* (Inc P & P)
$3.99	$7.99	From $12.48 (Inc P & P)
€3.52*	€7.05*	From €16.69* (Inc P & P)

Click this link to try out this tutorial - now available on this website

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Book your place at the coloured pencil 1 day workshop

19/4/2016

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For anyone wishing to attend one of Karen's Workshops, bookings are now being taken for a 1 Day Coloured pencil Workshop that will be run in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. If you wish to find out more, please click the image below to visit the webpage or get in touch via the MAIL US page. You can also fill in your details to secure your place via the booking form found on the CHESTERFIELD WORKSHOPS page.

Advert for the Red Squirrel 1 Day coloured pencil art workshop in chesterfield, derbyshire tutored by Karen M Berisford

WORKSHOP COMPLETED
View any current Workshops available HERE

Learn how to layer with coloured pencils to create realism in your pencil work and how best to apply colours and application to create a smooth, tonal background. Karen has been working with coloured pencils for over 30 years and during each of her workshops, always offers demonstrations, 1 to 1 help and provides a take home work sheet for every attendee to ensure everyone regardless of artistic talent, is able to follow the process with confidence.

Feel free to click the Facebook 'Like' button, 'tweet' on Twitter or post a comment below!

Hope to see you there!

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Blenders & Burnishers

1/4/2016

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Prismacolor blender, derwent blender and burnisher and caran dache full blender bright image

Click the Image to visit the Article

I have recently completed a new article about coloured pencil blenders & burnishers and how best to use them. As I actively encourage people to get in touch if they would like to see a specific article or tutorial, 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 :)

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New to coloured pencils? - product recommendation

9/3/2016

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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.

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Caran Dache Luminance pencils article

18/2/2016

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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.

Caran Dache Luminance pencils in a tin image

What is important to you when buying a new Art product? This article offers some advantages & disadvantages of the pencils as well as giving lots of information on the lightfastness of the pencils and what this means. It also shows what these pencils are capable of and hopefully offers lots of helpful information and advice which will allow you to decide whether or not to take the plunge. Personally, I would say you can't go wrong with these pencils, but then I'm biased! ;)

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Looking for advice on which coloured pencil range to buy?

17/2/2016

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Help and advice is at hand if so....

Coloured pencil image for coloured pencil comparison article

In this post is a link to our article that focuses on coloured pencil brands. I decided to do a trial on various pencils that I have in my collection.

This article shows the 5 most important factors that I look for when selecting my professional pencil range:

I need to have a range that allows multiple layering
I need them to blend well for backgrounds and skin tones
Will work well with fixative
The pencils must be extremely lightfast and the colours strong
Need soft and hard pencils for different areas of my work

The 5 'tests' shown in this article includes:

Black & White Test
Hardness V's Softness
10 layer test - 'Mixed' layering
Fixative test
Blendability

This article also gives information on the importance of paper weight (gsm), information on each pencil including costs (GBP) and lightfast ratings as well as my own thoughts on 'adapting to coloured pencils' . I hope that this will be of help to all coloured pencil artists out there from those starting out looking to buy their first range to those interested in how each compare.

Any questions, just ask!

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Latest articles

Derwents' new coloured pencil range

Sennelier collaborated with Picasso to create this lightfast oil pastel range

New tutorial - Poppy field on black base for soft pastel artists

Hare tutorial in the Colored pencil magazine March 2021

Download the CPM app

About the reference image

The new Luminance Portrait set from Caran d'Ache

The latest Step by Step Tutorial by Karen M Berisford

Blueberries Tutorial in the Colored Pencil Magazine - November issue.

Book your place at the coloured pencil 1 day workshop

WORKSHOP COMPLETED
View any current Workshops available HERE

Blenders & Burnishers

New to coloured pencils? - product recommendation

Caran Dache Luminance pencils article

Looking for advice on which coloured pencil range to buy?

Help and advice is at hand if so....

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Derwents' new coloured pencil range

Sennelier collaborated with Picasso to create this lightfast oil pastel range

New tutorial - Poppy field on black base for soft pastel artists

Download the CPM app

About the reference image

WORKSHOP COMPLETEDView any current Workshops available HERE

Help and advice is at hand if so....

Author

Archives

Categories

QUICK LINKS

HOW TO SUPPORT US

WORKSHOP COMPLETED
View any current Workshops available HERE