Creative Colour in Pencil

Ever-versatile, accessible and easily transportable, the artist’s colour pencil has come a long way from that set you got for Christmas an 8-year-old! Though often seen as a traditional medium, the modern colour pencil is the go-to medium for many artists today due to the vast graphic qualities, rich colours and practicality of the medium.

This workshop will explore the use of both aquarelle and waxed based style of pencil. You will discover how to blend, create texture, build up layers, lay down colour washes, add graphite pencil touches.

We will explore which paper to use and when, compositional tricks and all the basic techniques you need to get the most out of your colour pencil.

You will enjoy step-by-step guidance, and the best part is that these techniques can be learned by anyone – no matter your current skill level! Come get colourful!

Subjects this year will include the ever-popular animal drawing, creative insect interpretations, and a mystery drawing!

Enrol
  • Full days - Monday to Friday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Suitable for ages 16 to adult
  • Everyone
  • Join waiting list

Course Info

Sample works for 2024

‘Blue Wren’ – water and wax colour pencil exercise

‘Hans Hedgehog’ – colour pencil and graphite pencil – illustration for Grimm Tales

‘BeeSpoke’ – colour pencil and graphite pencil

‘Thai Coffee spoon’ – colour pencil and graphite pencil – op shop find drawing

Age range 16 to 160, some drawing experience advised, but beginners are welcome.

Please bring the following on your first day of class:

  • Drawing board (A3 size minimum) with supporting prop if needed
  • Bull dog clips
  • Masking tape
  • Kneadable Eraser
  • Blue Tack – not UHU white tack or pink or green tack – Original Bostick Blue
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • A4 Visual Diary – Windsor Newton 200gsm visual diary is recommended and available at Officeworks
  • Graphite pencils, 2H, F, HB, B, 2B and 4B
  • Colour Pencils – wax based pencils. You will need a minimum set of 12 basic colours, although more colours = more fun! If you are purchasing for the first time, Professional or Artist grade is required. Please do not waste your money on cheaper pencils. *Note there will be pencils you can borrow in class.
  • Aquarelle (watercolour) pencils. You will need a minimum set of the primary and secondary colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet). You can tell they are water soluble by the ‘paintbrush’ icon on the side of the pencil.  *Note there will be pencils you can borrow in class.
  • Brush
    • Pental Aquash Medium (Japanese nylon brush with water barrel) OR a number 4 or 5 round camel hair type brush and a water pot.
  • Paper – you can buy a A2 large sheets and cut to 4 x A3 size.
    • Full sheet 300gsm Hot Press watercolour paper. Arches or Fabriano or Lana – you will most likely end up using all 4 cut sheets, so be prepared to buy extra if needed. Alternatively purchase a pad of A3 Hotpress, 300gsm.
    • Note: Hotpress means the paper is smooth.
  • Tracing paper
  • Photographic reference material.  I will supply some images, however, if you wish to draw a particular animal you must bring your own reference materials. These must be colour prints, A4 size. Digital devices are to be used as back up reference only.
  • Extras – you may wish to include some or all the following in your ‘kit’ if you already own these items.
    • A portable light source – must be battery operated.
    • Personal fan – must be battery operated.
    • Knife/box cutter
    • Scissors
    • Ruler
    • White cotton gloves

Happy Camper Reviews

Second time round. Same course, same teacher. Would do the course again. Most informative and enjoyable.
Linda provided a varied course that introduced us to different techniques and subject matter using wax based pencils, aquarelles and graphite. In fact, this course was exactly what we asked for at the conclusion of last year's course. She demonstrated each technique then guided and encouraged us through our own execution. Linda was generous with her time and expertise and very supportive of our efforts. I look forward with great anticipation to next year's offering from Linda.
This was the second time I have attended the class run by Linda and although I have difficulty in hearing and understanding I have enjoyed both years. Advanced age has made it more difficult and I asked Linda if it would OK if I only came in the mornings. She approached your organisation and agreed for a ‘one off’ for next year for myself only. This second time round I have learnt a lot more than the previous year and several of the attendees have become friends and all are cheerful and friendly acquaintances. I would like to attend next year.
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Linda Weil
Course Tutor

Linda Weil

With over 40 years of experience as a professional artist specialising in all forms of drawing medium, but particularly graphite and colour pencil, Linda Weil is known for her engaging and detailed drawings of wildlife, nature studies and found objects.

In the past decade Linda has returned to her love of imaginative, science fiction and fantastical works.

Melding her experience as a naturalist artist with a mechanical bent, Linda’s art may reflect a steam punk vision of the world, an intricate exploration of an animal’s fur, a favourite folk tale, or the discovery of the history of a found object – all expressed through graphite with the occasional hint of colour pencil or organic stain.

Linda is represented by and exhibits regularly at Tacit Galleries in Collingwood, Victoria, as well as a variety of regional Australian art shows.
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