The Mischievous Goats - WIP

The reference photo for this work can be found in Wetcanvas.com, specifically on the July 2010 oil pastel challenge thread hosted by Tatiana. Every contributor to the thread has done awesome jobs in their own unique styles, I just can't stop marveling at their creative strokes.

The reference photos for this month's challenge are so delightful that I couldn't help but feeling excited to try and draw them myself, despite finding OP rather tough to work with. I consider myself a beginner, so don't be surprise if you find my drawing resembled those drawn by school children. *laughs* Now I kind of regret for not paying attention to the art teachers during my schooling years long time ago.

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In the beginning ... I almost gave up, highly tempted to crumple and throw this piece away, I thought it looked horrible!

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My mum said I shouldn't give up so easily, and to continue working on it...

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Okay, I decided not to abandon this piece and to continue working on it ...

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The colors that I used:

Most of the premium brands are not available at my fav. local art store. I promise myself I'll invest in one of those premium brands sometime in the next few months.

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It's not entirely finished yet. I wanna do some touch-ups on the background.

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Behold, the mischievous goats of Stoney Creek Iris farm!

On a 135 gsm, 279 mm x 381 mm drawing pad, using Buncho Oil Pastel.

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Photo taken with the flash light OFF:-******

Photo taken with the flash light ON:-******

Taken with the flash light OFF:-******

Taken with the flash light ON:-
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Touch me!

Pastels, Oil Pastels & Aqua Crayons

Premium and famous brands such as Sennelier, Holbein, Caran d'Ache, Rembrandt, Daler-Rowney, Van Gogh and the likes of them are not available at my local favorite art store, unfortunately.

I'm saving up and promise myself I'll order one of those premium brands online sometime in the next few months. Blick art materials has a huge selection of art supplies.

Meanwhile, these are the few brands that are available in my local art stores.

Saintograph's Simbalion Soft pastels:

Saintograph's Oil Pastel, 12 colors:

Pentel Oil Pastels, large sticks, 12 colors:

Sakura cray-pas, 50 colors:

Gallery Oil Pastel, 48 colors:

Aquarell aqua crayons:

Sakura cray-pas:

Buncho Oil Pastel small size sticks, 12 colors, student grade. They're so convenient to carry around.

Buncho oil pastels, small size sticks, 48 colors:

Mungyo's Gallery Aquarell aqua crayons:

These aqua crayons cost more than my eye-shadows and lipsticks!

Drawing Pads

Campap Oil Painting Pad, 240gsm, 229 x 305 mm, 12 sheets cost me MYR 17.00

Campap Landscape Sketch Pad, 110 gsm acid free paper, 200 x 410 mm, 25 sheets cost me MYR 5.00

Drawing block, 165 gsm, A2 size, cost me MYR 10.90

Another drawing block, 165 gsm, 375 x 550 mm, also cost me MYR 10.90

These are among the common drawing pads that I have bought, they can easily be found in my nearest stores.

I seldom leave home without my sketch pad. It measures 12.7 x 17.8 cm, contains 60 sheets and cost me MYR 3.50

This acid free Campap sketch book is 135 gsm, has 15 sheets, is 7" H x 10.5" W in measurements and also cost me MYR 3.50

Artist's Drawing Pad: 279 x 381 mm (11" x 15"), 20 leaves, MYR 5.50

Acid-free Campap drawing block: 135 gsm, B4 size, 18 sheets, MYR 3.60

Step by Step drawing block: 135 gsm, 271 x 380 mm, 16 sheets, cost me MYR 3.40

135 gsm drawing block, 18 sheets, cost me MYR 3.20

The books that I bought

Here are the books that I got from my local bookstores. There weren't many choices, so I just grabbed whichever that captured my attention.

There are 8 books, 2 of these are in hardcovers: 30 Minute Pastels by Margaret Evans (MYR 49.90) and Oil Painting Tips & Tricks by Rosalind Cuthbert (MYR 59.80). The rest are How To Draw and Paint Dragons by Tom Kidd (MYR 59.75), Drawing & Painting Fantasy Landscape & Cityscapes by Rob Alexander (MYR 59.80), The Artist's Handbook (3rd Edition) by Ray Smith (MYR 101.90), Mastering the Art of Drawing by Ian Sidaway & Sarah Hogget (MYR 36.90), Mastering the Art of Oils, Acrylics and Gouache by Ian Sidaway (MYR 36.90), and Creative Drawing published byNew Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd (MYR 79.90). I got a 10% discount for each of them.

There are plenty of other related books in my wish list, John Elliot's Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner is definitely one of them!

Painting as one of my favorite pastimes

It's been years (perhaps decades, lol) since I last picked up my paint brushes and oil pastels. I need a refresher course. Being a working person, it's not always easy to set aside peaceful time for this soothing hobby but I'll manage.

Recently I signed up for art lessons with the nearest art teacher available in my area. I bought a few books; those cost me a bomb! Occasionally, I visit the library for more references related to art. I have also been lurking around in art forums, gratefully devouring precious advices and tips from artists all over the world, endlessly being awestruck by their inspiring artwork. Hopefully I could come out with something worthwhile soon.