Why I Decided to Return to Art Portraits and Colored Pencil Painting

Art has always been a significant part of my life. As a child, I spent countless hours sketching and painting, capturing the beauty around me with colored pencils. However, as I grew older and responsibilities piled up, my passion for art took a backseat.

Recently, though, I found myself yearning to reconnect with my artistic side, and I decided to revisit the world of art portraits and colored pencil painting. In this article, I will share my thoughts on why I made this decision and the joy it has brought back into my life.

The Power of Portraits

Portraits hold a special place in the art world. They allow artists to capture and convey the essence of a person, immortalizing them on canvas. The human face is incredibly expressive, and capturing those emotions is a rewarding and challenging experience.

Pencils and Process: Thoughts on Returning to Art, Portraits, and Colored Pencil Painting

by Jon Amdall(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27019 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	159 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

When I look at a portrait, I can't help but feel a deep connection to the subject. Portraits have the ability to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and tell stories. It is this power that drew me back to art portraits.

Rediscovering Colored Pencil Painting

Colored pencil painting is often overlooked in favor of other mediums. Many artists gravitate towards oils or acrylics, leaving colored pencils behind. However, I have always been fascinated by the level of detail and control that can be achieved with colored pencils.

Returning to colored pencil painting has been a delightful journey. The ability to layer colors, create intricate textures, and blend shades to perfection has rekindled my love for this medium. Each stroke of the pencil feels like a step closer to bringing my subjects to life.

The Therapeutic Nature of Art

One of the main reasons I decided to return to art portraits and colored pencil painting is the therapeutic nature of the creative process. In a fast-paced world filled with stress and worries, art offers an escape. It allows me to immerse myself in the present moment, focusing solely on the stroke of the brush or the movement of the pencil.

Art has a unique way of calming the mind, reducing anxiety, and providing a sense of accomplishment. It allows me to express my emotions and thoughts without words, letting my creativity flow freely and unfiltered.

Challenges and Rewards

However, returning to art portraits and colored pencil painting hasn't been without its challenges. It takes time to master new techniques and refine skills that may have become rusty over the years. Yet, the rewards far outweigh the struggles.

The sense of satisfaction that comes from completing a portrait and capturing someone's likeness is unparalleled. Witnessing the awe and appreciation from others when they see my art is incredibly fulfilling. Each completed project serves as a reminder of the progress I've made and fuels my passion to keep pushing forward.

Returning to art portraits and colored pencil painting has reignited a flame within me. It has brought me immense joy, allowing me to express myself and connect with others on a deeper level. Art has the power to transform, heal, and inspire, and I am grateful for the opportunity to rediscover these passions.

If you're someone who has put their artistic endeavors on hold, I encourage you to consider returning to them. Embrace the therapeutic nature of art, challenge yourself, and embrace the rewards that come with creating something truly extraordinary.

So, grab your paper and colored pencils, and let the creative journey begin!

Pencils and Process: Thoughts on Returning to Art, Portraits, and Colored Pencil Painting

by Jon Amdall(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27019 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	159 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Pencils and Process offers an easy-to-follow discussion about drawing and learning to use colored pencil from a beginner's perspective. It covers the use of graphite pencils, measuring grids for controlled proportions, starting with color, approaches to blending, sources of subject ideas, and thoughts about online art communities and copyright. For those who have returned to art recently, or are considering doing so, this book provides relatable experience and tips. For those already immersed in drawing, it shows another perspective and ideas from an unconventional viewpoint.

As the cover suggests, this is a book about art and process. More specifically, it's an exploration of re-learning how to draw after taking a 15-year break. Within these pages, you will follow lessons taken through a hobbyist's experience. The goal is to make the stories and descriptions accessible to help others on a similar journey. Basic techniques are covered such as measuring grids for proportion and colored pencil "painting" to achieve a smooth look using thickly blended layers.

The most important aspect of drawing sounds simplistic, but it's true - practice is the best path to improvement as an artist. Beyond practice though, the next best thing is to simply read about the experiences of other artists. Sharing these artistic experiences, even through the distance of a book, can spark inspiration and illicit new avenues of thought. Therein lies the central purpose of this book - to share a novice's journey in the hope that it might provide a small spark for others.