I have always wanted to draw a bowl of cherries. I had pictured in my mind a monochromatic still life with the cherries as the main focus, resting in a white bowl. One day I walked into a supermarket to purchase some…..couldn’t find them anywhere…..and instead walked out with a collection of round, baby chillies.
My work in progress is pictured below:
8.5″ x 7.5″
Luminance on grey Stonehenge
There are a few firsts for me in this drawing…..the first time I have used my lovely Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils, first time using Stonehenge paper as a support, and first time trying a complementary tonal underpainting (green under red).
The Luminance pencils are a soft, wax-based medium, and even though they are more expensive than other brands, I chose to try them out because of their excellent lightfastness. The leads are encased in California cedar and I find them light and comfortable to hold. It has taken a while to adjust to the paper, it seems soft and ‘spongy’ but appears to be quite durable and capable of taking lots of layers.
I think the paper doily that the bowl is resting on is going to prove to be a challenge and a test of patience!
Pencil Portfolio 
I have pencil envy, I have wanted to try the Caran d’Ache pencils for awhile now, just haven’t been able to justify the cost yet. Have you found them better to work with, do they layer and blend well, I would appreciate your thoughts on them. Karen
Hi Karen, I do like working with them and I find they layer and blend well. I also have their colourless blender which I will use to help with blending and burnishing. The only thing that I have discovered is very occasionally there will be a tiny bit of grit in the lead (I have read others mentioning that as well) but it hasn’t been too much of a problem. I do still like the Faber Castell Polychromos though. I think I will need to do more experimentation with them using different supports.
Thanks Janet, I think I will have to splurge Karen
I was thinking of old times & thought I would Google you & found your blog. Your work is amazing.
Hi Kaylene! Thank you for your lovely comment. Great to hear from you, I hope you are going well.