Section 1: Finished Artwork
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Title: Rich Sweetness
Size: 8.3 x 11.7 in
Date of Completion: May 4th, 2023
Ideas: Able to convey realistic aspects by using color pencils
Materials: Color pencil, White gel-pen
Processes: Color pencil for all the values, and white gel pen for clear highlights
Section 2: Planning & Practice
For practice, we were told to create value scales for blue, red, yellow, green, purple, and orange. We had to use analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel), so when I had to build color on blue, I used variants of purple. Even in the cerulean blue and true blue, by using parma violet and violet, I was able to deepen the tone based on the colored pencil value scales.
Then, we used the colored pencil value scales to practice coloring a sphere and a gummy bear for practice. We had to use analogous colors to try and create a 3D effect, causing values and value transitions. We were told to be patient and not rush building up the colors. We did that by using the technique, "stumbling". Since colored pencil is not graphite, but instead wax, it will leave a stain when trying to erase. A foundation of cool colors under the local hue, added in between layers and at the end, can be used to create dark values.
Section 3: Experimentation
Since many of the value scales matched the color on the reference image, I frequently used and followed the colored pencil value scale. For the yellow gummy bear and the clear gummy bear, I mostly had to test out a few colors. Due to their proximity to and position behind one another, those gummy bears exhibited a tint similar to other gummy bears. I noted in the reference image that there were tints and tones that matched on the value scale, especially in the regions close to the shines (white areas). My final color is richer the more hues I combine. In the final layer, I added white to create a tint of any color.
Section 4: Process
Day 1:
We had to sketch our candy with color pencil or pencil. I decided to sketch by using a parma violet color pencil because all the gummy bears has a purple undertone anyways. Thus, I slowly decided to build up some purple undertone.
Day 2:
I began adding colors onto my gummy bear very lightly. Not pressing in the vibrant colors yet. If people push too firmly and apply too much wax to the paper, it restricts the number of layers you may apply and lowers the dimensionality of your color. Using tiny circles, lightly apply layers. Many layers can be added while also achieving dimensional color by lightly circling the pencils in a tiny circle.
Day 3:
I continued building up layers, but also gradually putting more pigment onto the paper. I used analogous colors on each side of the color working with to make it richer and more dimensional. When making a red gummy bear, I combined red with orange and purple. Instead of simply using white for the emphasized region, I included pink and peach.
Day 4:
As the value portions on the value scale went lighter, I added white while the proportion of white to the base color increased. This made the gummy bear's dazzling appearance more distinct. I think it also helped to create a smoother shine and aided in making the gummy bear more "juicy".
Day 5:
It was advised against using black in color pencils to make hues darker. Instead, intensify the tone with cool darks. In order to get this, I used parma violet, tuscan red, dark green, indigo blue, blue violet, and violet. These hues serve as a "foundation" for the basic color, both above and below.
To further emphasize the gummy bear, I also created a purple background (violet, indigo blue, and magenta). Additionally, it gives the gummy bears and background a cleaner edge instead of using white, which was the original background color in the reference image.
Day 5:
It is crucial to blend the various values together so that it becomes smooth. The gummy bear's border and the background should have clean edges to make a satisfactory result. As an outcome, drawing in circles aids in creating a seamless transition, and carefully drawing around the edges provides a crisp edge to create a sense of space. There was a lot of burnishing, layering, and combining colored pencils until there was no more paper tooth visible. White is frequently used, but not always.
Finally, I created a clear shine on the gummy bears where I may have unintentionally covered them using a white gel pen.
Section 5: Artist Statement
This art project was enjoyable to do, yet also a project which I didn't imagine for me to do.
I have tested with colored pencils before, but I never completed a project using colored pencils only. Plus, I was never given the chance to finish an artwork with proper professional color pencils, so I knew how the application would be different from normal color pencils.
When practicing colors on a gummy bear, I enjoyed the process and how we could build up colors, hence I decided to choose a set of gummy bears for this project. I also figured that gummy bears would be able to portray bright, rich colors; I know that I wouldn't be easily bored creating this artwork if I were to work with sets of vibrant colors.
In order to enhance the colors, I thought having a dark background would aid the visuals. So I used a purple-like background since none of the gummy bears were purple, yet all of them had a violet undertone. I was hesitant in the beginning since I wasn't sure if I wanted the floor to be purple also. But when looking at the reference picture, since the background color was very similar to the floor color. Thus, I decided the floor to be a very similar color to the background. I also practiced using chromatic shadows with the combination of the object's color and the color of the surface. But I also wanted to enhance the shadow/color that shone onto the floor. Thus, I made it more vibrant, as if the light was directly shining onto the gummy bears.
In the beginning, my main concern was the clear gummy bear (the second from the right), since it showed multiple colors and had a clear vision yet it was opaque. But as I colored, it wasn't as troubling as I thought. I just had to understand and be precise about which colors are shown in which area.
The main problem was the lack of time I had. Since there are important exams that came up, there isn't much time to work on this project. Thus, in some areas, instead of using light even pressures, I pressed in harder than expected. So, you can see some pencil marks in certain areas. Having to be rushed in a short time was not helpful. I would've wanted to take my time and fully apply even light layers, but due to the current situation, I was not able to. But mostly, I believe I still kept small circular pencil strokes, giving me a sense of control over my artwork.
Overall, it was a very tiring experience, but also gave me a better sense of using different colors to portray specific tints or tones. Although I do have areas that I could improve on, I think I'm pretty happy that it came out decent.
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