Portrait drawing of ' Jerom', colored pencils 100x65cm

The finished piece 100x65 cm, colored pencils on paper.

Large portrait in grey colored pencils, 'Jerom' (100x65 cm)

...I'm working on a large picture of my youngest nephew, with grey colored pencils in various shades.
Size 100x65 cm.The outcome is 'softer' that it would have been with graphite, or just black pencil. I like it.

'Nadja', colored pencil drawing

This is a colored pencil drawing of Nadja. Nadja live at the animal shelter of Santorini, Greece.

She has one brown, and one blue eye. She is a mixed husky breed with a lovely personality.

This will be one of the drawings featured in the 2014 calendar I am making with original art pictures of Santorini shelter animals. All earnings will go to the shelter.

Theoni, colored pencil drawing

Theoni was a wonderful dog for me to draw, because she looks very much like a dog we used to have ourselves ...our dog Luka. We fell in in love with Luka in 1999 in Sougia, Crete (Greece) and she traveled home with us to The Netherlands by car at the end of our holiday. Luka was a much loved member of our family until she died from an unidentified illness in 2008.

This picture's Theoni lived in the streets of Santorini until she was brought to the Santorini animal shelter. She was one of the lucky dogs that found a home in Germany soon afterwards.

This drawing of Theoni will be featured in the 2014 calendar I am making. When it is ready, you will be able to place orders through my Facebook page www.facebook.com/SusanBrinkmannArt, and also here.
All earnings from sales will go to the Santorini shelter.

'Benjy' Colored pencil darwing for 2014 calendar

'Benjy'; another dog for the Santorini animl shelter 2014 calendar. Still in the making; all earnings will go to the shelter.

'Caida', colored pencil darwing for the calendar

Another drawing made with colored pencils, for the Sawa Santorini animal shelter 2014 calendar!
When completed, you will be able to order the calendar through my Facebook page www.facebook.com/SusanBrinkmannArt, and here! All earnings will go to the shelter!

'Bandit', colored pencil drawing

This colored pencil drawing is a picture of Bandit, who used to live in the animal shelter in Santorini, Greece. Bandit was lucky enough to find a home in Germany this summer, unlike alot of other Husky mixed breed dogs that still live at the shelter today.
I am making a 2014 calendar with drawings of the shelter dogs, which will be for sale though my Facebook page www.facebook.com/SusanBrinkmannArt. All earnings will go to the shelter.

Danae, colored pencil drawing 2 for calendar

This is going to be February girl in a calendar I'm putting together with drawings of the shelter animals on the island of Santorini, Greece.The calendar will be for sale (details will be made known online), and all earnings will go to Santorini Animal Welfare Association (SAWA).

This beautiful 7-year old German Shephard named Danae, now lives at the animal shelter in Santorini.
She once belonged to locals who owned a gas station, where she was kept permanently on a short chain, as a watch dog. After a few years the gas station went broke and the owners left the island. They simply left poor Danae behind, still on her chain. After a while she grew so thin that her collar just dropped off, and she started to roam the streets. Luckily the people that work at the shelter found her and she is now well looked after, but she still bears the scars from the treatment she used to receive, she is always a little wary and afraid of people. But Danae is a caring dog, and she tends to look after 'new' dogs at the shelter.

If only a patient and kind someone looking for a slightly mature dog would give her a home...

Calendar with drawings of Santorini stray animals (this is Irma - January)

My family has had (and still has) several former stray dogs from the Greek islands Santorini and Crete.
Such wonderful dogs! The shelters there are always full because too few of the local inhabitants spay and neuter their animals, and often they let them run free.
I wanted to help the people (mostly volunteers) who run the shelters, and I came up with the idea of designing a 2014 calendar with printed pictures of colored pencil drawings I am now making of animals that are currently in the Santorini shelter. This shelter is run by SAWA (Santorini Animal Welfare Association).

All money that is earned through selling the calendars, will go to the shelter to help the animals.

This is the first picture (January) of Irma, a pointer. Pointers and other hunting dogs are very popular with people who live on Santorini, but unfortunately they also abandon them frequently when they don't want, or need them anymore. A large number lives at the shelter. Irma is lucky enough to have found a home in the US in the near future, but there are many other dogs at the shelter, waiting for a loving home of their own.

Check out SAWA's Facebook page, for more information about what they do and the dogs that live at the shelter.

When ready, it will be possible to order the calendars online through my Facebook page, and I will also post the info here.

Portrait in black & white (100x65cm), stage 1

This time I've started working on a large black & white portrait (this is stage 1). Usually, I use a regular pencil or graphite when I work in black & white, but this time I want to use black, white and several grey colored pencils to see if I can create a 'softer' effect.
I hope to have it ready before the end of June, because I would like to enter it for the Derwent Art Prize 2013 competition (closing date July 1st), together with the color portrait I drew recently.

The final touches...finished!

Finished! This portrait of my youngest niece Vera was made with Caran D'Ache Supracoor Soft pencils, Faber Castell Polychromos and Derwent Coloursoft. The size is 100 x 65 cm.

Colored pencil drawing of Vera, stage 3

Slowly getting there! Besides the shawl and the hair, there is still quite some shading to do in the face, or it  will get to look too pale beside the vivid reds surrounding it.
I will scan the finalized drawing (in about 12 parts, then I will paste them together again in Adobe Photoshop) so the quality will be a lot better than in these photographs.
I hope to finish this picture sometime next week.

Colored pencil portrait (100x65cm), stage 2

...stage 2; a large size for a pencil drawing (see cup at the bottom of the picture). Great fun!
Today, I got quite a bit of work done. I hope to have the picture finished within 2 weeks from now.
I intend to enter it for the Derwent Art prize contest 2013 www.derwent-artprize.com

Colored pencil portrait (100x65 cm), stage 1

The largest picture I have made with colored pencils until now! And it is such fun! I hope to make even larger drawings in the future.
This lovely girl is my youngest niece. Besides being a beautiful girl, she has a lovely personality; I hope it shines through enough to do her justice in my drawing.

Snuit

Our beloved dog Snuit died last Thursday. We found her, and her brothers and sisters, as puppies under a bush in Perissa, Santorini  (Greece) in 2001. One of her sisters still lives in Alphen (NL).
We miss Snuit very much. But drawing this picture made me feel a little closer to her.

Portrait drawing in pencil, 24 x 30cm

A very special 10-year old boy asked me to draw a portrait of his great-grandmother, who died recently.
I don't think it occurred to him that I usually charge money for commissioned portraits, and after hearing why he wanted it, I didn't bring the subject up...He wants to give the portrait to his grandmother "so that she won't be so sad anymore about losing her mother".
I'm going to show him the result this afternoon, and I really hope he likes it. Then we'll go out to buy a frame together.

'Deer', pencil & graphite pencil, 42x59cm

'Deer'; I just finished this drawing. It was fun drawing this animal that looks both strong and sensitive.
It will probably become part of my 'Never ending' series (see below for more drawings in this series).

'Generations'

This drawing (59 x 84 cm) was made with graphite pencils and is part of the 'Never ending' series.
It consists of two parts, like the other 'Never ending' pictures. Each picture is connected to the picture on ts left or right. The reason for this is, because the series is about the eternal circle of life and the balance in nature.

Boy, pencil 3B

This pencil drawing is size 40x60 cm and to do justice to it, it needs to be viewed in a large size. So please click on the image!
It is always a bit of a problem to scan a portrait in 6 parts, and then paste them together in Photoshop. There are always slight deviations, which are most visible in a human portrait. Especially if you know the subject :-)

'Oia', Grafstone graphite crayons 6B

'Oia', Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayons 6B and pencil 3B.
Size 40 x 60cm.

For sale; € 900,-  excl. 6% VAT and including international shipping.

The next picture will be a portrait. Almost done!

Dogs at Perissa beach

Colored pencils on paper, about 30x60 cm.

These stray dogs were at the beach of Perissa, Santorini, in the summer of 2011.

Never ending series, part 2 (not complete yet...)

This picture needs a third picture on the right side....I'm not sure yet what it's going to be.....maybe a seahorse or a dolphin, or a turtle...It is part 2 of the 'never ending' series about the balance of survival and simply living together in nature. Scroll down to the next post for part 1 of the series.
Conté on paper 59 x 84 cm (current size).

'Never ending', conté on paper, 126x59 cm

This new work consists of 3 parts. It was made with Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayons (6B) on paper.
The total size is 126 x 59 cm.

'Boy 2', Caran D'Ache Grafstone on paper, 40x60 cm

Another portrait made with Caran D'Ache Grafstone 6B crayons.
Sized 40x60cm, on paper.

'Boy', Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayon 6B

I posted a study for this work earlier in my blog.
This is the final drawing made with Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayons (6B) on paper. Size: about 40x60 cm.
I actually bought the total supply of Grafstone 6B crayons at my regular art supply shop a few weeks ago. I'm crazy about this material. They were glad to sell it to me, as most customers apparently buy cheaper brands. I've tried them too but they're 'scratchy', while my Grafstone just rolls across the paper.

I am really pleased with this result. I still feel it needs to be part of a larger setting, or a series of drawings. After all....what is he looking at...? There must be something in front of him, maybe far away at the horizon...?

'Reflecting', colored pencils 20 x 30 cm

This picture (20 x 30 cm, colored pencils on paper), was created for the November issue of Colored Pencil Magazine (you can order a printed or digital copy online). In a 3-page article, I explain in 7 illustrated steps how I build up my portraits.

'Boy', portrait with Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayon

Caran D'Ache Grafstone crayon 6B, on paper.
Size is about 80 x 40 cm.

'Lieke', commissioned portrait drawing

Commissioned portrait in colored pencils on paper, 30 x 40 cm.

'Yiannis', 2012.

'Yiannis'.
Caran D'Ache Grafstone 6B crayon on paper, 42x42 cm.
Not for sale.

Portrait drawing made with Caran d'Ache Grafstone

I treated myself to some new material, and have tried out the Caran d'Ache Grafstone 6B crayon. I like it! I want to combine it with a white crayon to add extra detail in a light color.
This picture is 42 x 42 cm, and part of my personal collection.

Color pencil drawing of more steps in Oia, Santorini (40x60cm)

This picture is for sale for € 800,- ex VAT.  International shipping possible.

Maybe you recognize this door; I drew the view in the other direction before (see below). These steps are in Oia, Santorini (Greece).
Color pencils on paper, size 40 x 60 cm.

Portrait drawing of Aion, color pencils on paper 38 x 59cm

This portrait made with color pencils (40 x 60cm)  is part of my personal collection.

Color pencil drawing of 'Door in Oia', Santorini

Original color pencil drawing on paper, size 42 x 59 cm.

For sale: € 950,- ex VAT. International shipping possible.

This picture was exhibited on Santorini, from August 1st - October 1st, at Aghios Artemios traditional houses in Vourvoulos during the Santorini Biennale of Arts.

These steps can be found in the village of Oia, Santorini; (there used to be a post office here many years ago). The view to the other side is sensational!

Colour pencil drawing of steps in Oia, Santorini

Original color pencil drawing (42x42cm) of steps in Oia, Santorini (Greece).

For sale: € 950,- ex VAT. International shipping possible.

This picture was exhibited on Santorini, from August 1st - October 1st, at Aghios Artemios traditional houses in Vourvoulos, during the Santorini Biennale of Arts.

Colour pencil drawing 'Perissa Cat'

Original color pencil drawing, 40x60 cm.

SOLD.

This picture was exhibited on Santorini, from August 1st - October 1st, at Aghios Artemios traditional houses in Vourvoulos, during the Santorini Biennale of Arts.

This is a color pencil drawing of a cat named 'Princess'. She belongs to the owners of hotel 'The Best', in Perissa, Santorini (Greece). Princess loves to doze in this flower pot on the terrace outside one of the hotel rooms.

Colour pencil drawing of Nika, 40x60 cm

This is my latest drawing, of our dog Nika. She has been with us since October 2011, when she was flown over from Crete. Her ears are not always in this position, but the look and pose are very typical.
This picture is part of my personal collection.

Portrait of Jerom

I have just finished drawing this portrait of my youngest nephew Jerom.
It is sized 40x60cm, and made with colour pencils (Caran D'Ache Supracolor Soft & Pablo).

Color pencil drawing of a gate in Oia, Santorini (Greece)

Color pencil drawing on paper, 40 x 60cm

For sale: € 950,- ex VAT. International shipping possible.

This picture was exhibited on Santorini, at Aghios Artemios traditional houses in Vourvoulos, from August 1st - October 1st, during the Santorini Biennale of Arts.

If you walk down the main street in Oia, and turn left, and then left again, before you reach the windmill, you will find this lovely spot. Even in August, there were not too many tourists, probably because there are no bars and restaurants. I walk down here every time I visit Oia.

Color pencil drawing of cat in Emborio, Santorini

Color pencil drawing of a cat in the village Emborio, Santorini (Greece).
Size: 40 x 60cm.

For sale: € 850,- ex VAT. International shipping possible.

I visited Emborio for the first time in August 2011. Unbelievable, since I have been to Santorini at least 12 times!  And the old part of Emborio is beautiful! It was an eye-opener for me.
This cat looked at me as if it was saying: "I am completely at ease", while at the same time expressing that it was ready to jump up and escape if I got too close. I was intrigued by this expression, but also by the textures in the cat's fur, and in the wall and the ground. The coolness of the wall and ground, in contrast with the heat of the really hot day in August. And what a wonderful colour the wall is! An artist can't not see this!

Stairway to heaven, colour pencil drawing

Original color pencil drawing of a stairway in Pyrgos on the island Santorini, Greece.
40x60cm, color pencils on paper. 

For sale: € 950,- ex VAT.. International shipping possible.

This picture was exhibited on Santorini, from August 1st - October 1st, at Aghios Artemios traditional houses in Vourvoulos, during the Santorini Biennale of Arts.

I found this wonderful spot on Santorini one day in 2010, when I traveled to Pyrgos from Perissa by bus. Pyrgos is a mountain village with an authentic character, and it's not too touristic. It has some wonderful views.

New drawing, colour pencils 40 x 60 cm

Colour pencil drawing (40 x 60cm), of own dog.
I found her in a bush, together with her brothers and sisters, in 2001 in Perissa, Santorini (Greece).
We had seen the puppies the night before, searching for food and adventure at the terrace of restaurant 'Lava'. There were always cats at Lava, so the owner was not keen on dogs...
The next morning, I got up early and went out to look for them. Their mother was also around, she was a very sweet black labrador mix. But there was little hope that the puppies would survive the winter since the mother's owner didn't want them in, or around his house. We called the local animal protection group, SAWA, They collected the puppies and took them to their shelter.
A few weeks later, our 3-month old puppy was living with us, and our two other Greek dogs, in Holland. She is almost 11 years old now. She is happy, fit and healthy and most probably the sweetest dog in the world.

Portrait drawing of Marloes

Finished! The drawing, size 40x 60 cm was made with Caran D'Ache colour pencils on paper.

Marloes, photo

The nest portrait I am going to draw is of 5 year old Marloes.
I will be using this photograph.

Mickey, Coco en Kira

Size: about 40x60cm.

Beagle 'Bosse'

Bosse is the fourth beagle I have drawn for the Bakker family. Now their dog family gallery is complete!

Drawing of a horse for Art Magazine 'Atelier'

...and this is the result!

Drawing of a horse for Art Magazine 'Atelier'

Art Magazine 'Atelier' had asked me to provide an article on how to draw horses. They would like me to show 8 stages, from the beginning up to the final result. I will upload the stages soon!

An article on my work was published in this magazine once before, you can view it on my web site www.susanbrinkmann.com, under 'Publications'

Meanwhile, here is a photo of the horse I am drawing.

Status drawing, 27 dec 2010

Status drawing Mickey, Coco & Kira, Dec.13th 2010

The size has become 40x60 cm. If it had been 50cm high, there would have been too much empty space at the top and/or bottom of the drawing.