Finished Piece & New Work

Happy to say that I was fairly pleased with how the elephants turned out! I wanted to finish the piece before the end of May and I was happy with the face that I did. Finished this in mid May and it was a big undertaking.

Mama & Calf; African Elephants;  19 inches wide x 23 inches high; Polychromos Pencils on Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper; $420.00; BUY NOW

I haven’t done a large colored pencil piece in a while so I figured why not go with elephants. They are magnificent animals, very much endangered and more human like than most people think. It was a challenge to go from drawing in fur to drawing in rough skin. Since their skin isn’t smooth, to make it rough was actually fun. I went in with a looser hand and lightly played with the pressure the each pencil.

Always fun to try something new! Hopefully these lovely creatures find a new home 🙂

 

Once I finish a piece I usually take 1 – 2 weeks off to recharge my brain and body. Drawing a large piece takes a lot out of you so you don’t want to jump into a new piece right away.

Now I am taking a step back to graphite and charcoal. This piece is of a Kit Fox from Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary. He is a cutie!

When working with these two mediums, I base out the darks and lights in graphite, go in slowly with charcoal and than add in white charcoal. Never be afraid to go dark. You can always lighten that up with white charcoal or use a eraser, as long as you are using a light hand.

Keep up to date on how this piece comes along! Like/follow me on Facebook 🙂

Enjoy!

New Pieces Are Here

Let’s start off with some new work! Been doing really well in the studio, which is a plus! Since going to a four day work week I’ve been able to bust out more work. The biggest thing that I have to work on even more (this isn’t surprising….) is the marketing/inventory/all around business side of it all.

Creative people tend to Hate the whole business side. It’s boring. It’s numbers (eek!). It’s serious.

I’d rather stick needles in my eyes than sit down and be serious. Okay maybe not that but you get what I mean.

But over the past few months, I’ve been taking this side one step at a time. Yes it’s important but for me, and anyone else like me (I know you are out there!) that isn’t really enough to make me want to sit down and do it.

So I have found that taking things in chunks is easier. And finding a way to make it fun is key. In truth this can be ‘fun’. Using images, making the files pleasing to view, putting your personality into it, ect. Overtime, this will become second nature. I am getting there. If I go for the ‘all or nothing’ approach, I won’t do anything because I get overwhelmed and freak out. No fun.

Now, let’s get to the new works 🙂 

• 2 New Safe Haven Pieces (Taco & Scooter + Steele)
• 1 New WildCat Ridge Piece (Look Above)
• And 1 new piece in general (Hawk)

Taco & Scooter, Steele and Hawk are all available for purchase. Also, Taco & Scooter along with Steele are both Safe Haven pieces so 40% of the purchase price goes directly to Safe Haven.

Taco & Scooter; 9.5×8; Colored Pencil on Watercolor Paper; $240 BUY NOW

 

Steele; 9×12; White charcoal on Black Paper; $240 BUY NOW

 

Hawk; 12×9; White Charcoal on Black Paper; $240 BUY NOW

When Doors Are Forced Open

In my quest for an amazing 2016, I’ve had to allow myself to be a little more vulnerable. Not only in my work, but to myself.

We all have doors that are scary, painful and just plain terrifying to open. Typically these doors are linked to certain things that happened in our past. Usually childhood. The important thing about these doors is if we don’t open them at some point they take us over or are forced open.

Over the past couple of months, many things have happened. One big thing:

I got engaged to my amazing boyfriend of 8 years. 

Now, anyone that has had a wedding knows the pressures of planning and how taxing it can be on you and everyone around you. What is rather fascinating for me is that this process of planning triggered many deep seeded things in me.

While I was trying to not see these things I was going through a roller-coaster of emotions. Let’s list them off 🙂

• I sleeping less than usual (I have issues sleeping but it was getting slowly worse)
• I was depressed
• Stressed out
• Although I kept my workout routine, I binged once to twice a week on a massive amount of food
• Felt overwhelmed
• And, many other things

The bingeing for me was the biggest problem because it triggered the depression, stress and feeling overwhelmed.

On Tuesday, it all came to a massive erupting volcano. I was tired of feeling so overwhelmed and confused. Planning a wedding should be fun but I was losing my mind. I went to work and let myself feel whatever it was that I was feeling.

It was scary. It was emotional. But, it was necessary and freeing. 

I cried. A Lot. I asked everyone at work to leave me be, let them know I was okay but I just needed to be by myself. I work in a picture framing shop so this was doable and good for me.

When I got home my boyfriend asked me to let it out and I did.

As a kid, there were many times where I felt like I was a failure. I was told this many times. I wasn’t good enough, not talented, not attractive….I wasn’t what certain people felt I would be. Now, as a kid it’s natural for us to learn how to bury those feelings and triggers. Overtime, they come up.

Planning this wedding started to make me feel as if I was putting on a show to prove to many people that I am worthwhile, I am talented, attractive and good.

Long story short, logically I know I am not a failure by any means. But to feel it emotionally within you is a journey within itself. Once I let these words out. Once I cried and expressed how I felt and that I knew what was reality, it’s as if this heavy shadow was lifted off of my entire being.

After that, I got a massive headache. Went to bed, slept great and woke up with a blinding headache again. But it wasn’t a bad feeling. I equate it to that feeling of getting over a cold. You aren’t 100% better but you can function better. Over the day the headache lifted but I don’t remember how long it lingered.

In closing, I wanted to share this story with all of you because I know there are so many out there that are going through this, have gone through it or are scared to do so. If you aren’t strong enough nor ready to open up those intimidating doors alone, seek out a good trusting therapist. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, one day I hope to get therapy of my own. After all, you hired them so if you don’t like them you can fire them.

Another interesting thing that occurred to me to is that my urge to binge has ceased. It’s incredible. And my creative mind feels more peaceful and free. Keep your head up and keep going forward. It’s so lonely to be afraid of things that you aren’t ready to see. It’s scary and intimidating. But, when you crack those doors open and work slowly to walk inside, things will shift and the storm clouds will clear.

I promise. It’s worth it.

New Pieces for Safe Haven:

*40% of the price for these two pieces goes directly to Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary.*

Steele; 9×12 white and black charcoal on black paper; $240.00

Buy Now:

http://taylorannfineart.squarespace.com/shop/steele

Taco & Scooter; 12×9; colored pencil on watercolor paper; $240.00

Buy Now:

http://taylorannfineart.squarespace.com/shop/taco-scooter

New Work:

Hawk; 12×9; White Charcoal on Black Paper; $240.00

Buy Now:

http://taylorannfineart.squarespace.com/shop/hawk

 

 

 

 

 

The Process of Christopher

The handsome Christopher of Safe Haven Rescue Zoo was the model for this graphite/charcoal drawing. This piece is currently up for purchase on my website with 40% of the price going to Safe Haven.

As always, I make sure the lines for the outline are very light. If you press too hard, they will appear in the final piece.

After the basic outline is done, I compare it with the reference image I am using. Once I am satisfied, I move on the putting in the graphite.

I am smoothing out the pencil with a blending stump, with as always a light hand. The paper I am using has pretty good tooth, which hold more layers of graphite & charcoal.

The first layer of graphite is never….pretty. All I am doing at this point is getting in my soft base. This is for shadows and fur build up. The stripes were put in with charcoal, using a light hand. As the build up of graphite continues I slowly add in charcoal to give the overall piece more dimension.

I walk away from pieces a lot through out working on them. It helps me eyes focus and not be so obsessed with one area.

At this point Christopher is starting to come into focus more. I am bouncing around the image to even out the shading so it matches the overall piece. Once you bulk up one area another tends to scream for more attention. This is normal and I would say embrace it. Going back and forth isn’t a bad thing at all, it just shows you are truly paying attention to what you are doing.

After the background is in, this is when I slowly place in small details like tiny fur around the muzzle.

Smooth background right now? Not even close! But that’s okay. When working with this medium I like to think of it as really working with basic shading more. It makes it easier to transition to color when you can see the importance of contrast and value. I place in the background fairly quick and sloppy to just balance out Christopher. This will help me ‘pop’ him out more since he is a lovely white tiger.

Christopher; 9 x 12; Graphite & Charcoal on Fabranio Watercolor Paper $200.00 www.taylorannfineart.squarespace.com

After darkening up Christopher more and getting everything balanced, I can start working in the white charcoal pencil (my personal favorite part!). Avoid using the white right away or too soon. This is a detail tool, at least it is for me when working with this medium. Pay attention to the direction of the fur when doing detail work. Before even doing a sketch of your subject, really study it. Tedious? Yes. But extremely helpful. Get to know the anatomy structure of any being you work on. Once I am satisfied (after a lot of walking away) I spay the piece with workable fixative outside and voila! Complete.

I hope you enjoyed this quick tutorial. Keep an eye out for more piece coming your way! I really enjoy doing these and would love to hear your feedback. Don’t be shy! What do you like, dislike, want to see more or less of?

During my next post I will be getting a little personal. I had a bit of an epiphany last night and it was rather powerful. Put many things in perspective and let me know that fear and change is okay to have. Stay tuned for more and have an excellent week 🙂

Project Warrior: Change Your Life Because You Deserve It

It’s on. How many of us out there sit on the couch and say “I wish I could” or “I want to” and never actually do anything to make those statements real? You want to run a 5K, enter one and train. You wish you could paint with oil paints, take a class and learn. The opportunities for these things are everywhere but we never take them.

And believe me, I can understand why. Time & Cost. In all honesty, I felt that why too and than I woke up. I was overwhelmed, tired, and felt like things were getting away from me. I know I don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of cash to learn things and spend a massive chunk of time to do things. You have got to plan.

“If you have a Why, you can Tolerate and How”  –Jillian Michaels

I love that quote. It’s something I remind myself daily. You gotta find your why, and it’s gotta be a solid personal why. I have many, what are yours? Share them 😀

Now, what is Project Warrior? It’s my own personal improvement journey but I urge you to join me. What am I improving and why? I’ll give you a watered down version for now but throughout my posts I’ll add more about this. As you may know, my life consists more than just painting and drawing. I have a full time job as a picture framer, which I love. I handle many historical and celebrity memorabilia for a company we work with. Lots of computer design and creativity all around, what artist wouldn’t love that? Also, I am able to frame my work….at work 🙂

I also have an amazing boyfriend (7 years and counting), an awesome dog (my fur baby), and I’m close with my mom. My grandparents are close by, I visit them when I can. Plus all of the curve balls life throws at you. Now, some may feel that’s a busy schedule, others may feel not so much (all of you moms out there, you’re warriors all on your own).

I save and make do with what free time I have to improve my life in the following ways:

1. Get up early to do a hardcore 30 minute workout (7 pounds away from my goal!)

2. Weekends = time with my art, website, and communication

3. After work I let off steam at the gym on the treadmill (1-2 times a week), kickboxing class with a friend (1-2 times a week), or go home and let my body/mind tell me what do to

4. On Sundays, I usually take that day as a day off. (play video games, draw, errands, spend time with family)

Those are just the top 4 things, if you will, that I make sure I do. Here’s the deal, I don’t beat myself up when I can’t get to a class, sleep is awful, or my attention isn’t on my work. Things happen and that’s okay. But I get back up on that horse and keep going.

Main Goals of Project Warrior

I have been through my roads of Hell throughout my life. Rough patches have happened, and to this day I am still working on how those things affect me to this day. Over the past few months I have come to realize that not only am I still standing after so much but I deserve to continue to not only stand, but soar. Enter Project Warrior.

I’ve always wanted to have a toned body, simply because it shows so much dedication to being strong (mentally and physically), healthy, and your confidence rises so much. I remember seeing Janet Jackson as a kid and thinking “Wow she is not only in amazing shape, she’s talented and absolutely beautiful.”

I am 7 pounds from my goal weight until Phase 2 or toning my Warrior body. Because I deserve it. I’ve never been athletic but always wanted to be. My drive for that has grown so much. When I pay attention to my health my confidence is high, my stress is better handled, more energy and my art improves. Plus, I feel I can take on anything!

“Do one thing everyday that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

I want to be able to do more for Safe Haven Rescue Zoo. More work, more donations, more support. I would like to be able to not only go out to Safe Haven, but also have a “Meet the Artist” event with them. I love combining art with wildlife, and to show that on a more personal level is very important to me. Planning and saving for this is underway, I hope to release an update on this later in the year 😀

Being able to be in a gallery and part of more art groups (such as the Colored Pencil Society of America) would be amazing. To be honest, this is the one I am most nervous about. Perhaps it’s because it’s a big step. But you never know what will happen unless you try. Plus, if a gallery says no I will still survive and just move on.

These are just a few things. Some smaller goals would be to be able to do more for my family (buy gas for my mom, random gifts for people, go on vacation, ect. In time, things will pan out. But what I have learned is you have got to be patient and kind to yourself. Whether your single, married, a mom, dad, son, daughter, whatever…I ask you to look at  your life and see how you can do something for you. When your kind to yourself it spreads to loved ones.

Be healthy, kind, and productive. Why? Because you can.

The Process of: Snow Tiger Part 1

A new colored pencil piece for you! I split the steps up for this one, simply because it took so long to complete the snow. I’m talking about 5 layers for the snow….as it stands right now. I haven’t done too much snow in colored pencil so this was a challenge. The snow isn’t completely done, the highlights will go in last. Over time, I’m sure I will bounce back to the snow to fix some areas. Snow is tricky because it’s not stark white. There are many ways you can go with snow. For this piece, I went more of a blue tone. Right now, it’s a little powerful to view but once the tiger is filled in, things will even out.

I am using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils for this piece, the paper is Stonehenge. The lovely model is a Safe Haven resident, of course! I believe this is Caroline 🙂

Polychromos are a hard lead pencil, which means you really have to press to get heavy color. Because of this, you will typically have more layers due to the hard lead.

 

Let’s start of with the basic sketch! Once I graphed everything out and double and triple checked my lines, I start filling it all in. I start with the eye to add some life to her before moving onto the snow. I am using a slate grey as the undertone so I don’t overwhelm myself with the blues just yet. Light hand as usual.

What’s interesting with blending with OMS and these pencils is the color tends to come up fairly easily. After this discovery, I wait until more color is down until I blend again.

After the grey is put down, I go in with a light blue. Once the first layer is in, I blend it with OMS. I leave a lot of gaps to remind myself to show/add the snowy texture. At this stage, it’s not to impressive but it’s an important stage. Just because this isn’t the star of the show doesn’t mean that I can glaze over it quickly. To make the overall piece strong, I have to take my time. Light hand throughout with a lot of breaks in between.

During this process I step away a lot. And I mean a lot. When you work with a specific color for awhile your eyes tend to need more breaks.

I start in the bottom portion to darken up certain areas with different shades of blue and a little bit of purple. I’m using different colors to really make this snow sparkle. A lot of back and forth with a gentle hand but it’s worth it. I don’t go to quickly simply because this doesn’t need to be rushed. Also, I keep in mind the whiter portions of the snow. I go over them with blue still but not as heavily.

When dealing with a monochrome area like this, it can be tedious to say the least. But, it’s an important piece to the drawing. Even if that means stepping away a lot, do it.

At this stage, the snow is slowly darkening up in some areas. You can slightly  see the gradiation with this process. I’m only barely putting more pressure on certain areas, not a huge change. I’m also switching between a handful of colors, about 4-6 in total.

I didn’t go in with OMS for this final (for now) coat. I liked the way it looks now and over time that may change. No need to jump to something when you are not sure.

Now the snow is about done and I start slowly filling in the tiger. It was a little dark in the room so the colors are a bit darker than they should be. Not to worry, it’s coming out well thus far. I stop at this point because there is more form in the snow, especially near her head. I felt this was a good stopping point but will bounce back to it as time goes on, mainly to even in out with the tiger.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this drawing in the near future! Have questions, feel free to email me at tnichczynski@yahoo.com

New Colored Pencil Piece: The Process of Tiger Eye Part 1

Let’s start with another colored pencil piece! Here we have another Safe Haven resident, although I can’t tell which lovely tiger this is! *I’m sure I’ll find out soon* Anyways….I am using a combination of color pencil brands for this piece. Prismacolor Pencils & Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils. I’m really falling for the Polychromos! They are a harder lead, which mean excellent for the fine detail work & I don’t have to sharpen the pencils are often. Plus, the two brands work well together.

To start, here is the reference photo I am using for this piece. I will be doing this on some the paper, Stonehenge 11×14 white paper, the size of this piece is roughly 10×9. I am using a lot of colors, so I won’t list them off here. But…I will include a photo of them in the next post so you see exactly what I have at hand.

Let’s begin 🙂

 

 

I believe this is Gage, it’s hard to tell with such a close up photo. Hopefully the photographer will remember 🙂

 

 

Keep you lines nice and light when doing outlines. Another alternative to use is transfer paper, that way you don’t have to worry about all of the graphite lines.

 First thing I do is make a nice light graph on my drawing paper and lightly put in my outline. It’s hard to tell but I put in a lot more detail in the outline for this piece. Especially in the whiskers. Later on in the piece, this will become extremely helpful.

If you notice, I have a light layer of an orange color for the fur around the eye. I did this to better judge the color of the eye. I didn’t want the eye to be a solid green or yellow, by adding in some fur strokes and the black area I can better judge my colors and contrast of the whole eye.

Starting with the eye, I really focus on this area the most first. Since the eye has been considered the ‘way to the sou’, it helps me really feel a deep sense of life in the drawing by starting with the eye first. With this, I go in lightly. Once I get a good portion of the greeens and yellows in, I put in a soft layer of black and darken it over time with the rest of the eye before moving on.  After the first layer of the eye goes in, I blend it out with OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits), and the next layer in. At times I do more than one layer of OMS, in this case I do that as well but with the black more than anything else.

I add in the black stripes lightly to make sure I don’t lose my outline of them. Also, always go in the direction of the fur. It’s very important to do so. There are times that you can’t tell which direction the fur goes, this is typically because the fur is very short and switches direction. Have a clear photo to work with to sort this out or look at your pet (if you have one) to see how their fur works.

Once the eye is finished, I spread my wings (so to speak) and add in more the fur colors. I also start the background as well. Just a light layer of blue to balance out the orange better. I am using more than just straight orange in this piece. It’s a combination of oranges, yellows, browns, and greys (specifically Prismacolor 70% French Grey). I go back and forth around the face to build up the colors. I work on the fur under the eye the most at first to really figure out the best way to use the colors I have. I keep my strokes light and in the direction of the fur.

During this point I tend to want to “rush” through the piece because it’s starting to come into view better. Bad idea! When I get like this, I walk away a lot throughout the piece. Always to go clear you mind and than come back with a stronger approach. If I’m still in “rush mode”, I put the piece away for the day and do something that distracts me completely. This is usually video games, reading, or exercise.

At this point more of the face has been put in. I have light layers in before I go in with the OMS to blend the colors out. I go back and forth to areas to balance out all of the colors. Since there are so many variations of colors and thickness, at this point I am still slowly building up my layers. Working from light to dark, as always. I also have better defined the background at this point. I have it fading to black so the blue isn’t to distracting.

Stay tuned for the finale! Hope to finish up this piece before the beginning of October. I always have a painting I am working on of a male tiger named Ifaw. I will be posting this process as well soon!

If you are interested in Tiger Eye, let me know! 40% of the price goes to Safe Haven. Details to follow in the next post.

The Completion of Mandy

Ever been on a camping adventure or a vacation to a new place? You know that feeling when you must depart to your home and you have to soak in all that has just happened? That is what it feels like, to me, when a piece is finished. You soak in the little twists and turns you went through, the points when you were slightly lost, and the details that you ponder over.

Part 3 is the last part of this adventure, but there will be more to come 🙂

When I left off, I was just starting on the tree. At this point, I am taking it chunk by chunk so to speak. I started at the top of the tree and slowly worked by way down. I keep the colors to a select few to keep in consistent and less confusing. Although I am close to the finish line I must keep in mind that if I want a good piece, I must take my time in every section.

So we have arrived at the final piece! The tree has been completed, the foreground filled in, and the small details in her fur have been done. The foreground was done in the similar way as the background was, with layers of pencil and OMS. I added in thin hairs, including the whiskers, with white paint.

*You may notice the color difference from the previous photos, those were taken with my phone with this was taken with my actual camera. It’s interesting how things can change with the switch of a device that you use. The final photo is more true to color of the final piece.*

Mandy; 17×13.5; Colored Pencil on Bristol Paper

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Happy Painting everyone 🙂

Next up is a new painting of Ifaw, a male lion, a drawing of a close up of Safe Haven tiger, or a combo of stone and shells as a drawing. Which one will appear first?

The Process of Mandy

The current piece on the easel, well technically drafting table……is the colored pencil piece of Mandy from Safe Haven. Although she isn’t completed yet, I wanted to give you a short timeline of how she is going so far and how I am getting there. Before we start that a few things on the side:

• A Shy Face II sold at Safe Haven, super happy this piece went to a loving home 🙂
• I gave myself a challenge: To finish the shark drawing by or during Shark Week. Help me towards that goal!
• Revamping my blog and newsletter, I feel a change is needed. Which is why I have been somewhat absent lately.

Now, let’s get to Mandy. Below is the materials I am using:

• Colored Pencils (Mainly Prisma Colored Pencils, also Dewert Colored Pencils)
• 11×17 Bristol Paper (Trimming it to the size I need, already have a wonderful linen mat to put it in!)
• Putty Eraser & Electric Eraser
• Electric pencil sharpener (Upgraded, using a  Dewert Pencil Sharpener in case you are curious)
• Ruler (For mapping up the grid in the beginning)
• Reference photo provided by Safe Haven.
• Although not a “material” the most important thing to use anytime is: Passion & a Clear Mind

Here is the basic outline along with the colors I am using (some were added since than), a color chart, and the reference photo. I kept the outline and the grid light, makes it easier to eraser when I need to. 

I usually start with the eyes when it comes to animals, the gateway to the soul. I start with the lightest colors and use a “circular” motion to fill in the areas I need to. I switch between about 3-4 colors at this point, never pressing hard. The lighter you go the more forgiving the pencil will be if you need to eraser. If erasing is needed, I blot the area with the putty eraser to see if any color comes up. If it’s a stubborn area and I need a lot of the color out, I use to electric eraser. 

**If you use the electric eraser do a test area first. The thinner your paper the more damaging this will be. Get use to it before you use it on something you are working on.**

I start filling out her face even more. Going back and forth from the right to the left side of her face to make sure the color is distributed evenly. Although one side is more in shadow than the other, I am not worried about that detailed aspect yet. Right now I am just building up the lights. Only around the eyes am I slowly (very slowly) building up the darks and the details. 

**You may notice the brighter portions where color is, this is where the whites are the most profound. I keep this areas as light as possible, later on I will go over them to add in darker hairs. This is were the fading of color comes into play. Practice this often, it’s a simple but effective exercise. **

At this point, I start adding in more mediums and darks. The layers of color are getting thicker as well. I added in spots of black to guide my eyes better of  the contour of her face. More black and detail will be added later, closer to the end of the piece. The paws are also started on, to connect the bottom to the top of Mandy more.

**I am still keep my touch very light here. The only time I press hard is for the solid black areas, but I lighten my touch as I extend this area. **

This is where I am at currently with Mandy. The paws, chest, and face are starting to connect more. Her thick fur is now becoming more visible as well. Just like with her face, I am using very light colors here. Her chest is the lightest area of her, which is tricky. I have to be careful of how I add in thickness so it doesn’t look flat or too dark. 

**I go back and forth here with lights, darks, and mediums here. This is because I want to keep the colors balanced and even. Fading is starting to come into play more as well, especially with her light chest area. Her face still needs more detailed work, but for now it’s just getting the shape into focus.**

Feel free to contact me if you think you may be interested in purchasing this piece 🙂

tnichczynski@yahoo.com