I begin drawing an abstract design on canvasboard. The drawings are on either 8″ x 10″, 10′ x 12″ or 11″ x 14″ canvasboard. The canvasboard allows me to get more solid colors than on paper. I don’t normally use larger sizes as my eyes can’t see the whole design in a glance.
I draw a line at a time as I have no plan for a theme. I want balance, contrast, rhythm, pattern, and a flow. Sometimes I use only straight lines with angles. Sometime I use only curves and sometimes I use both straight lines and curved lines together.
Next I begin adding a color to each section. I have a collection of many brands of colored pencils. I experiment with the brands to see which ones work best on canvasboard. Currently my favorites are…………
I began by using a textured cloth to rub the colors in, but using one cloth made some of the colors dirty looking. Then I used one toothbrush and had the same problem. Now I use a large or small toothbrush, depending on the size of the area, to brush the color into the crevices so the color is solid and bright. The toothbrushes should have a flat bristle surface. I have a brush for each color and in 2 sizes.
I usually begin with the yellow pencil so it will not get dirty from the other colors. I put a thin layer of color on an section and then brush the yellow into the crevices of the canvasboard. I add one color at a time. I use colors that look good next to each other because balance and contrast of colors is important.
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