Daylily

Daylily
3.25" X 3.5"
Prismacolor Colored Pencil
on Drafting Film

This is probably my last drafting film piece for a while. It does produce more vibrant colors than the same application on paper with much less layering; however, I think I prefer paper as a support. That being said, it's not the end of my working with film, I'm just putting it aside for a while. Below is a list of the pros and cons that I have found when working with film. The main issues that I have with film are the layering limits and not being able to "fix" the work. Although I haven't tried it, I know others have with poor results. I can't think of any other way to get the semi-permanency that "fixing" a piece gives to colored pencil that would not have , I'm sure, a detrimental affect. For me, these two disadvantages outweigh all of the advantages.

Pros

• Vibrancy of color


• Transparency:
  –The ability to transfer drawings easily
  –The various effects produced by the ability to use various background colors for the backing of the film
  –The ability to apply color to both front and back (dependent on the type of film used)


• Longevity/Strength: By it's very nature drafting film's plasticity makes it easier to handle without inconsequential damage as paper of relative thickness might be damaged with handling.


• Can be carefully erased several times without staining the film (avoid erasing too deeply so that the workable tooth of the surface is not destroyed)


• Thinness of the film makes achieving textures possible, like with a thin paper, by placing eith a textured surface or using textured paper underneath the film when drawing. I think the technique is called "rubbing" or frottage.

Cons

• Subtlety of color is more of a challenge


• The inability to layer as many colors as can be layered on paper


• Cannot use a fixative because it would act much like a solvent and remove color from the film (Fixative is used on paper pieces to prevent wax bloom and set the color so that it doesn't smudge as easily)


• Must avoid erasing too hard so that the workable surface of the film is not destroyed

Ruler of the Roost

Ruler of the Roost
4" x 6"
Prismacolor Colored Pencil
on Dura-Lar Drafting film

January 9, 2008

This is done on drafting film. I thought I would work at a smaller scale for a few pieces so that I could finish pieces more quickly while experimenting with various techniques and supports. Anyone who has ever worked with CP knows how much time it takes to do a larger piece. I have met some people who can turn works this size out in about an hour, but I'll never be that speedy. This was done in about 4 hours from one of my own reference photos.