National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

Hi Everyone!!

I entered a photography contest on the National Wildlife Federation Website.  Can you please go in and vote for my photos for the People's Choice award?  You can vote on all of my photos and you can also vote once a day for as many days as you would like, you will have to register to vote.  I would really really appreciate it if you go in and vote numerous times.  

Here's the link to my photo gallery on the National Wildlife Federation Website:  http://www.nwf.org/PhotoContest/PhotoContestHome.aspx?perma=gemma%40glassgems.net

Thanks so much.... and.... Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephants - WIP01

Reference Drawing Before Editing out the Cable

Upper Left corner of the Drawing

Hi All,

I thought it might interest you to see my reference drawing prior to editing the cable from the drawing.  I took this picture at the Performing Animal Welfare Society Sanctuary (PAWS).  I used the clone tool in Photoshop to remove the cable (see first image to the left).  You can see the finished reference photo in my previous post.  I plan my reference and composition in Photoshop.  I create a contour drawing from that reference and then transfer it to my support.  I use a grid to create the contour drawing and also use the grid to refer to while creating the colored pencil piece.  I do erase parts of the grid as I go so it won't show up in the drawing.

The second image to the left is my first post of my colored pencil drawing.  This piece will be 16" X 24", it's being done on Strathmore 500 Bristol Vellum and it's 100% colored pencil.  I am using solvent after laying down the first couple of layers.  This scan seems to be showing up more yellow than it is in true life but at least you can get an idea of how I create my artwork as I go. 

I'm using all of the French Grey's, Chocolate, some of the Warm Grey's, Dark Umber, Light Umber, White, Black, Cloud Blue, Beige Sienna and some of the Browns from my Derwent Studio Pencils.  I think that's about it.  If you should have any questions or comments just let me know.

Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society Elephants - WIP

Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Elephants

Hello All,

I started a new piece using the photo to the left as my reference photo.  I took this picture of these Elephants at "Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) where I do volunteer work.

It's really interesting how elephants find a life long friend and the elephants at the sanctuary are no different.  These two are always together, the are truly BFF's!  Therefore, I plan to call this piece "BFF (Best Friends Forever)".  I just started working on this piece so I really don't have enough at this time, to share.  It's going to be 100% Colored Pencil and is being done on Strathmore 400 Bristol Vellum, 4 Ply.  This is the first time I have tried working on this paper so we will see how I like it. The size is 16" x 24".

If you should have any questions or comments please let me know and don't forget..... Keep Scribbling!!

Gemma

Flying Rays

Hello All,

For all of you wildlife animal lovers out there.....This Video was forwarded to me.... It is quite amazing so I thought I would share it with all of you.

Flying Rays... Amazing!!

I hope you enjoy the video!!
Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

"Majestic" 8" X 8", Colored Pencil on Suede Mat Board

Hello Everyone!

I've been very busy developing a new workshop.  This is the finished artwork that will be taught in the workshop.

The first time I will be teaching this workshop will be in May, here locally, in Copperopolis, California.

This piece was done from a reference photo from the Wetcanvas Image Library.  It's 100% Colored Pencil, 8" X 8" and done on Gray Suede Mat Board.

If you are interested in getting more information regarding the workshop go to this link:  http://glassgems.net/WorkshopDocs/2012MayCatWorkshop.pdf

I am donating this piece to the Colored Pencil Society of America for the their Silent Auction.

If you have any questions or comments please let me know.  Don't forget.... Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

CP Treasures Now on Amazon!

Hi All,

CP Treasures is now available on Amazon!  If you haven't already gotten the book you can order it from Amazon or from AnnKullberg.com.  It's a great Colored Pencil book with lots of CP art and Colored Pencil tips and secrets from over 70 artists.  Here's the link of where you buy the book:

CP Treasures on Amazon! 
CP Treasures on AnnKullberg.com

Enjoy the book and keep scribbling!!
Gemma

New Workshops Posted!

Hello All,

I just posted a couple of workshops on my website.  If you are interested in attending one of my workshops you can find the information at this link:   http://glassgems.net/Workshops.html

One of the workshops is a 4 day workshop titled "The Total Wildlife Workshop".  The class is limited to only 12 students so hurry up and reserve you spot.

Keep Scribbling!
Gemma

New Colored Pencil Book!

Hi All,

I'm sure many of you already know but just in case you haven't heard..... there's a new Colored Pencil Book!!  It's titled "CP Treasures" with a sub title of "Colored Pencil Masterworks From Around The World".  It just so happens that one of my wildlife pieces will be in the book along with lots and lots of great pieces.  I feel honored to have been selected to be in this wonderful book.

You can pre-order the book, it will be published and shipped at the first part of March.  Here's the info to preview and order the book:

Also.... I am now negotiating a new workshop that all of you Colored Pencil Wildlife Artists will just love.  Please keep checking the workshop page on my website to read all about it.  It's not going to be until August, 2013 so you will have lots of time to save for it.  Here's the link to that page:  Gemma Gylling's Colored Pencil workshops.

Keep Scribbling!!

Gemma

Touched by a Mountain Gorilla!!

This is a must see for all of you wildlife lovers out there.  Check out the Gorillas..... this is something that I would love to do.  http://ourlighterside.com/2011/12/27/touched-by-a-wild-mountain-gorilla/

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, Finished!

Hello Everyone!!

Well.... after a long recovery I think I am almost back to normal.  I am so glad I had the back surgery because things seem to be so much better.  I am told it may take about 4 months for the nerve pain to go completely away but I am far better then before the surgery.

I FINALLY got Simba done!!!!!!!!  It seemed like it took forever but I guess it's understandable with the back issues and surgery.  It's really nice to be back drawing!  

As I mentioned before Simba was done with 100% colored pencils on Suede Mat Board, it's 18" X 14".  Next I plan on having it photographed and then I will have it matted and send it to Animal Defenders International.  I attached an image of the finished piece along with a close up of part of his mane.

I'm happy with the finished piece and I hope that ADI will not only like it but will hopefully be able to use it in some way to help raise money for all of the great work the are doing world wide.  I do plan on selling limited edition prints of him along with some note cards.  I'm pledging 10% of any of the sales I earn from the prints and note cards to ADI.

If any of you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up.

 Next I plan on working on a Lion cub.  I will be creating workshop book of the Cub and will be teaching that class in April (date to be determined) in Copperopolis, CA at the Town Hall Arts/Galerie Copper.  I will then be able to offer both the cub and the wolf for future workshops.

 Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

An Update on My Health

Hi All,

Many of my Facebook friends have already heard this so please forgive me for repeating myself.

Over a period of 3 months I have suffered a great deal with severe back pain.  My doctor finally did an MRI on me and found I have a ruptured disc and a pinched nerve.  My Neurosurgeon was very concerned because over the months it took to finally diagnose what was wrong with me, I had developed a limp that they call drop foot.  This could end up as a permanent limp and can become worse, with an exaggerated limp, if I waited much longer to have the surgery.  My doctor wanted me to do the surgery right away but I couldn't because I had been on Motrin for quite some time (Motrin thins your blood).  I had to wait 2 weeks to get the Motrin out of my system before I could do the surgery.  I had a vacation scheduled to go to Costa Rica for two weeks.  My doctor didn't want me to go but I told him I couldn't cancel (I was leaving for the trip in just 2 days) besides, I could spend the two week period relaxing on a beach or stay at home and play with my three Rottweilers, LMAO.  He agreed that if I was very careful I could go on the vacation.  We took care all of my pre-op stuff right then and there and I left for vacation in 2 days (unfortunately I had to be very careful and couldn't do a lot of things even if I was on medication to control the pain).  I got home from Costa Rica December 11th and on December 12th I had back surgery and went home on the 13th.  My doctor stressed that I should not be bumped around or fall (yeah right, with 3 Rottweilers in the house).  So with that being said.... my husband came up with the great idea of putting an X-pen around my reclining chair so the dogs can't get to me and try to climb up in my lap or jump up on me.  So that explains the picture of me with a fence around my chair, LOL.


Up until now I have been in to much pain to deal with much of anything.  Fortunately I am starting to feel better so therefore I should be able to start working on Simba the lion again.  I'm thinking I will try to do some drawing tomorrow.  I just have to figure out how to do it while I am reclining, my doctor says I  can't do to much sitting.  Hopefully I will have an update to Simba soon.


I want to thank all of my followers for being patient while I have not been very consistent with my art and blog posts.  You all have a Happy Holiday and most of all..... Keep Scribbling!


Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP05

Hello Everyone!!

Well... after a month or two I am finally able to draw.  My back is doing better but it isn't completely well yet.  My doctor prescribed some medication that is helping considerably.  

I finally got a chance to do some work on Simba.  I've gotten most of the fun stuff done and I'm now working on his mane.  He is such a pretty boy, I'm really enjoying doing his portrait.

I was hoping I would have him done by now but this setback with my back injury took care of that.  I have less than 2 weeks before I will be teaching the workshop on the Ann Kullberg Colored Pencil Cruise so I'm thinking I probably won't be able to finish him before I leave but we'll see.... I'm going to give it a try.  If you should have any questions at all please don't hesitate to speak up.

Thanks for checking in and don't forget to keep scribbling!
Gemma