Unit 2: Colored Pencils
Section 1:Inquiry Question and Concept Exploration
Inquiry Statement:
How can layering, color blending, and composition choices transform an everyday object into a compelling and realistic work of art?
Reflection
I found it hard to believe that colored pencils could transmit and interpret in such a lifelike way. Reaching a realism to the standards of the classroom example seemed impossible at first. However, using the array of tools and techniques, this goal of achieving realism became within my grasp.
Section 2: Reference Image
Reference Images
In class, we were asked to take a picture of a composition made out of various candies that we would then try to realistically replicate with color pencils. When choosing the right composition, I had to keep in mind that there should be a balance between simplicity due to my inexperience and challenge, to push myself to the limit, and strive for a more appealing composition with a more complex structure. Below are the compositions I came up with and the images I took from them.
Chosen Reference Image
To the left is the image of the composition I would replicate using colored pencils. I chose an open composition because it helps fill out the page and removes the feeling of emptiness that too much white paper could create. Still, I decided to leave a bit of white giving shape and dimension to the composition while also avoiding the opposite issue, that too much space could occasion. As for the candy picked, I chose mostly Skittles as they are the simplest candy to replicate, which appeals to my beginner-friendly standards. In contrast, I also challenged myself by adding a center piece in the form of a more complex candy(the gummy shark). This would create the perfect balance between difficulty.
Section 3: Investigate
Sphere Practice
The sphere Practice consisted of getting used to the color pencils and trying to apply, with the aid of a value scale, a gradient within the sphere to make it as lifelike as possible
The gummy bear practice was a step up from the sphere, as it introduced a more complex shape and texture to recreate using colored pencils
Color theory notes
Vocab
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Hue: Synonym for color ( red, blue, etc)
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Tints: A hue mixed with white to make it lighter
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Tones: A hue mixed with gray or it complement to make it darker
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Analogous Colors: Colors that are next to each other in the color wheel and blend well
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Warm Colors: Colors that feel energetic, good for lighter tints (reds, oranges, and yellows)
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Cool colors: Calm colors that are good for building shadows (blues, greens, purples)
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Color Wheel: A circular chart that displays the relation between colors, categorizing them into various groups
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Burnishing: A technique that consists of layering and blending so much with the color pencils to the point that the paper's texture disappears ( Transparent blender or white is mostly used for this technique)
Gummy Bear Practice
In conclusion, all this research and practice served as the precursor to what was to come and the true challenge, which would test our understanding and usage of the skills learned
Section 4: Create
Day 1 & 2
The first two days were the hardest for me as I was stuck. I was struggling to make a grid( A grid consists of dividing your paper into evenly spaced out squares so that when you copy your reference, you can get the proportions as accurate as possible) because I couldn't find the right paper size to divide my paper evenly. This caused me to redo my grid various times. Eventually. I did find the perfect paper size, 50cm x 50cm, each square of the grid being 7cm x 7cm. After managing to make the grid, I made a proportional one to my paper grid in the reference image, and after that, I was ready to start sketching. Once the grid was out of the way, everything ran smoother, and I was able to flesh out the proportions and where my shadows would be by the end of the second day. A mistake I made was pressing too hard with my pencil when doing the grid, which left permanent marks on my paper when erasing the gridlines.
Day 3 & 4
After having laid the structural framework by sketching my composition, I could begin with coloring. Scumbling was my pain stroking technique as I began putting the first layers of color into every little skittle slowly, as I was scared of pressing too hard and ruining my drawing. Also, I avoided coloring in the white parts as doing so would have me resort to white color pencil wich wouldn't look as good. Basically, these two days built my confidence in using the colored pencils, building value scales, and testing what colors worked well with each other so that I could adjust to pressing a little harder and build richer colors.
Day 5 & 6
Since I was tight on schedule, I had to work a lot in a single day, which caused me to make a lot of progress at once. I started pressing harder and expanding my hue selection so that colors felt more vibrant, as I felt my reference image was way too cool and dark, which caused me not to strive for a perfect color match but for a lighter, warmer version of my image. I also tackled the centerpiece of my image and the shadows, which I did a little to purple, and later darkened, as the second image shows.
Day 7
For the final day, I finished coloring everything, adding finishing touches, and making the tones and tints a little more apparent so that the composition would pop more out of the page.
Section 5: Final Artwork
Artist: Joaquin Escalante
Title: Ocean
Size: 50 cm x 50 cm
Date of Completion: Sept 14, 2025
Why: Because I have a connection with the ocean, and I frequent it a lot in the activities I do, so most of my creative ideas revolve around it, which is why my composition is ocean-themed.
Section 6: Communicate and reflect
Retrospectively, I think I did manage to fulfill my goal of making my drawing semi-realistic, but in the process, I think I changed my focus from drawing to look exactly like my image to drawing it to look alike but with more vibrant colors, as it looked more aesthetically pleasing. For me, this unit was tough. However, not as tough as I expected. This is because realism looks scary at first, but with the resources Ms Shamburek provided, it became fairly digestible, and it just took understanding basic color theory so that everyone could succeed in making a piece they were proud of. I faced various challenges throughout this journey, as right in the middle of it, I had to get surgery, causing me to miss a whole week of school, followed by another week, which was followed by October break, in which I tried to get my art piece; however, I was denied access to the classroom. This inevitably caused me to finish up my work after the break when it was already due. Instead of rushing it, I decided to finish it up slowly so that the result could end up being the most refined-looking, even if it meant my grade being submitted beforehand for the PTC. Aside from that Inconvenience, I actually really came to enjoy this unit and see how my drawing came into fruition and came to be a piece I could be proud of.