Art Blog - Mary Ann Kitchell

Built over 100 years ago, this building was originally the Madison Public Library. Today the museum holds over 8,000 artifacts telling the story of how tools were made and used as people made the transition from farming to specialized trades. The stonework is impressive and I plan to create another version in pencil; I think that should bring out the textures better than pen & ink… Continue reading… 0 comments

In starting a series of paintings and drawings on churches and church architecture, I decided to explore various media and rediscovered my love of pencil work. I enjoy the process of shading and showing texture; my favorite pencil for this is 2B. A 2H pencil remains top of the list for transferring drawings to watercolor paper. Pencil drawings were the first works I offered for sale, so the use of pencils has felt like finding an old friend… Continue reading… 1 comment

I used this colored pencil portrait as a sample for one of the gift shops I work with. I tend to prefer colored pencil for most pet portraits as I'm able to capture more fur texture with this medium. I guess this preference goes way back to my earliest pencil drawings. I started with pencil studies and really enjoyed my pencil work. Clients kept asking for "color" so I gradually added watercolor to the drawings, doing the watercolor washes first, then adding pencil. My portraits are now either colored pencil or watercolor. A pet portrait in either medium would make a special gift for the avid animal lover… Continue reading… 0 comments