Pencil Sharpener Revolution: Introducing Henry

I've been using colored pencils and sharpening them with various sharpeners. (A search on this blog shows that I mentioned my favorite sharpeners several times). And I am sure you know that graphite pencils and color pencils need slightly different approaches to sharpening. 

But recently I realized that if I need to sharpen a bunch pf pencils at the same time, the strain on my wrist is getting to a point of concern. Granted, this is a reason to work on my wrist strength - but on the other hand, having a backup that sharpens various thicknesses of color pencils well and does not send me to the icepack is a sensible parallel solution. Hence - recent purchase - introducing Henry the Pencil Sharpener. 

p.s. I am aware that my pencils might live longer if I skip the electric sharpener, but part of that long life comes from the fact that I would use them less, and my goal is to use them more - and enjoy it. 

Color Pencils or Colored Pencils?

Do you say Colored Pencils or Color Pencils? 

I've been thinking about the non-existent difference in these two and how one of these options drives me nuts for quite some time now. All while using color pencils as a part of my mixed media experimentation. Here are two recent sketches that were pure colored pencil were used - without any paints and other materials. I think I would like to keep them here as a record of some ideas that I would like to go back to. 

What is on my table? Beginning of May 2021.

April went completely not the way I planned but I painted a lot of portraits and flowers. 

A story of one hyacinth

Last spring I got a bulb of hyacinth at the store and drew it in my sketchbook. I followed it's growth and all kinds of changes - from new smells to a nasty fall. I used all kinds of materials. And then I left for a trip and did not have a chance to draw the last part of this flower's journey. 

But I hope to see it's offspring next year.

Sketchbook #115: Reading and Music

Sketchbook #114: Playing with ink and making a messy page in my sketchbook

I enjoy playing with ink almost as much as I enjoy playing with watercolors. Which means that I have quite a few and sometimes I forget about some ink that I have and when I find it - the page becomes a true experiment - like this one :) At least pencils are not that many (I love them too) 

Sketchbook #108: Reading Times throughout September

What you need to make these: a pencil (or pen), a boy (or girl), a book (or kindle) and various cozy places for reading.

Sketchbook #105: Swimming

Sketchbook #103: Little bits

Pocket sketchbook pieces later taped in the main sketchbook.

Trip to Bonaire - Underwater Adventures - Part 4

On a second attempt I brought color pencils with me and enjoyed being able to add think and unruly lines of color. I started adding my diving companions to my sketches more often and tried to make more notes about movement of things.