The Value in being Self-Taught

I have painted landscapes with acrylic for a few years and recently became interested in colored pencil. My early memories of colored pencil came in the form of a school supply. I remember sitting in elementary school outlining shapes in my coloring book and coloring with one colored pencil at a time. I honestly don’t remember learning about colored pencil in my art classes in high school. We spent our art period learning about paper making, oil painting, charcoal and pastels. In my college art history class, I cannot even recall seeing an artist who historically utilized colored pencils. So in my mind, I never thought of colored pencil as a medium for art making.
 
Thanks to social media,  I fell in love with colored pencil, I quickly joined Facebook art groups and became familiar with many artists and styles. I was amazed at how artists were able to build up rich colors, textures, and details. I was amazed at how colored pencils can mimic paint. I felt it would be perfect for my landscapes- waterfalls, canyons, and creeks. I was determined to learn and so I did. I taught myself.

I starting researching the internet. I carefully looked at images, paying attention to all of the details. I watched YouTube videos and I chatted with colored pencil artists. I bookmarked artist websites and signed up for newsletters and emails so I knew when their website was updated. I loved learning how far one can push the medium. 

Then, I started practicing and practicing. I took my small sketchbook with me to the bus stop, to work, and on car trips. I practiced layering colors. I practiced seeing how many layers of wax the paper could take. I practiced creating the colors I remember in all of the journeys I have taken. 

I have had a lot of fun learning. It was just as fun as the journeys I have taken if not more. 

Texture and Color Circles

My first attempt at using colored pencil.

My fourth colored pencil drawing (work in progress)

My fifth colored pencil drawing (work in progress)