Color Pencil Artist
Color Pencil Projects
Below is a selection of my COLOR PENCIL SEMINARS and ZOOM WEBINARS
(New for 2020) all are available to schedule for your art group. For each seminar, the student is required to bring the materials, unless otherwise indicated. For your convenience, I supply a materials list for each project. Complete step-by-step, full color instructions, Pre-Patterned Canson Paper and color reference photo are included in each Color Pencil Seminar.
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* Most of these Projects are available as Instructional Packets in our Store. If you don't see them for sale, that means they are on hold for an upcoming Seminar or Conference and will be available to Purchase after the seminars.
Prismacolor pencils that combine landscape techniques with wildlife
Not Available until January 21st, 2024
Learn to Create this Exotic Cat in Prismacolor Color Pencils
A Dramatic Tropical Fruit done on dark paper in Prismacolor Color Pencils. Also available as a Water Soluble Pencil Project
NEW FOR 2023! One Day Seminar... In this project students will add their photo to the frame to personalize the piece.
A bluebird is usually perceived as a symbol of joy and happiness. If this bird has appears in your life, it will remind you of all the beauty of the nature around you. In this project you learn, in clear, illustrated step-by-step instruction how to create a beautiful wildlife portrait. Include are my simplified and easy-to-learn techniques for creating realistic eyes, textured feathers, and dogwood blossoms and leaves.
NEW FOR 2020! One day Seminar. Tis the Season for Cookies and Cocoa! In this Holiday Themed Project, You will learn color pencil techniques like: Reflections on metallic surfaces, burnishing for smooth and vivid color, realistic 3-dimensional design. and the use of complimentary colors. Designed for Beginner to Intermediate Artists.
Catch the late afternoon sun on this lazy kitty. Dramatic Lighting and Mark's 4-color approach to achieving 3D form.
Also Available in Caran d'Ache Supracolor watercolor pencils.
You will never find a marine nautilus as colorful as this one! This specimen's shell only inhabits the recesses of my imagination. It is as if I turned its shell inside out, exposing its colorful mother of pearl iridescent interior! An undersea fantasy! This project is designed for any student, beginner, intermediate or professional.
Join Mark Menendez, and create this exotic Bird of Paradise using Using Prismacolor Pencils. This tropical plant bears a unique flower that resembles the plumage of a brightly colored bird in flight. The colorful flower contrasts beautifully against the thick, waxy leaf backdrop. Mark will guide you using clear step-by-step instructions, creating the illusion of three-dimensional form and depth by applying the rich, vibrant colors in layers. This Seminar is for Beginners to Advanced Students.
4 hour project Available in both Prismacolor Pencils and Watercolor Pencils
This dramatic blue iris is created in color pencil on dark blue Canson Mi-Tientes paper. Using Mark's 4 color approach to achieve realism, students will learn light, shadow and form.
This project is ideal for the beginner to color pencil. Can be completed in 4-6 hours.
This project can be done in a group or as an example for my "Create Your Own Pet Portrait" Many of the techniques I have developed for creating realistic eyes, nose, that pink tongue and fur are included. This project is designed for the beginner to intermediate students.
In this unique project, you will learn techniques that will include: the many colors reflected in white; temperature, both cool and warm; reflective surfaces; transparent glass; metal and wood. All done without heavy burnishing or layering. This project is designed for any student, beginner, to professional.
ONE-DAY SEMINAR THIS IS A CROPPED VERSION OF MY FULL SIZE ST. NICK TWO-DAY SEMINAR, WHERE THE UPPER PORTION IS DETAILED IN AND 8-1/2 x 11 size to finish in the one day. In this project you will learn my techniques for skin tones that will help you when you create your own portraits. This project s designed for the intermediate student.
Nothing is more emblematic of Florida than the striking plumage of the American Flamingo, the tall, flaming red-orange-pink wading bird with it’s long, graceful neck and thick downturned bill. This fun new project offers an interesting and useful mixed media technique, including color theory, secrets for capturing the texture of feathers and the depth of the jewel-like eye. Join me and learn to capture the bold, intense color of this beautiful bird. Designed for beginners to intermediate student
The majestic peacock has always been a favorite subject of artists. In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, a favored human was transformed at his death by Hera/Juno, queen of the gods, into the vigilant watchman of Olympus. Each of the “EYES” or OCELLI on his tail was constantly monitoring any intrusion into their abode. In this project, you will use rich, vibrant color to create this stunning wildlife portrait, including my popular technique for creating lifelike eyes and the other distinctive f
It is an unusual subject, but so interesting, with lots of techniques to learn. The mixed-media technique for the sand is so easy, you won't believe it! This project is designed for intermediate students.
This Project,“Giraffe Love” captures a sweet and tender moment between a mother and child. You will learn how to create strong three dimensional form; realistic features; a mixed media technique; and the use of compliments to achieve maximum, vibrant lighting and color. This seminar is recommended for beginner to intermediate students. Also available as a watercolor seminar.
This highly realistic floral color pencil piece is created by employing an unique approach. By using a complimentary color as an undertone, the colors become bold and vibrant. Using my four-value approach, you will learn how to easily create depth and realism.
One of my most colorful and favorite projects that I offer, this stunning Jungle Macaw offers one of my secret techniques for simplifying what seems to be a complicated background.
One of the most majestic & striking flowers is the amaryllis. The blades arrive first, followed by the long stalks, each producing an abundance of scarlet blossoms, each emblazoned by a white star- burst. In this Color Pencil seminar, I will provide easy-to-follow, practical instruction, demonstrating how to interpret and choose QUADRATONES, my reliable four-value method for creating dramatic and realistic three-dimensional form through high contrast of light and shadow. Beginner to Intermediate
In this fun, seminar, you will learn many valuable techniques to broaden your color pencil skills. I created this project, “Winter Cardinal” to explore helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other wildlife projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of feather texture, how to capture the glass-like quality in the eyes; and a new soft focus background technique. This is an excellent seminar for beginners with minimal pencils required.
One of my most popular seminars! It’s a fun and easy to learn mixed-media project that offers you techniques that are helpful for creating stunning florals. Also available as an oil or acrylic seminar.
In this seminar you will learn how to create a White Tail Buck, using new and helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of capturing the coat and antlers; how to capture the glass-like quality of the eyes; and how to render a dramatically lit subject. This seminar is designed for the beginner or intermediate student.
In this interesting seminar, I will be presenting techniques that differ from the previous projects I have offered. The new techniques will include: the many colors reflected in white; temperature, both cool and warm; reflective surfaces; transparent glass; and metal. All done without heavy burnishing or layering. This seminar is designed for any student, beginner, intermediate or professional. Also available as an oil/acrylic or watercolor seminar.
An perennial favorite here in our Sunshine State is the ever-present Brown Pelican. This fun and easy project offers the students new skills in creating realism in both a wildlife and seascape subjects!
In this exciting project, “Chief Raven Hair,” we will explore several helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other projects. You will be introduced to my easy to learn portrait method; how to create a variety of textures; how to capture dramatic lighting to emphasize form; and color principles and selection. This is seminar is recommended for intermediate to advanced students.
A lovely color pencil companion piece for Mark's Chief Raven Hair.
This easy mixed media project, employs both color pencil and acrylic paint, and is designed to introduce the beginning enthusiast on how to apply color pencil over a pre-painted surface. This project is designed for beginning through intermediate students.
In this seminar you will learn how to create this long hair “Ginger Cat” from head to tail, using new and helpful color pencil methods that carry over to other projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of layering, burnishing, and detailing; capturing the illusion of light, shadow and the form on the body; rendering the fur; how to capture the glass-like quality of the eyes and the features of the face. This seminar is designed for beginner to intermediate students.
NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 11, 2024 A dandy project for western art lovers! Cowboys are never without these essentials. In this fun project, you will learn to create the look of tooled leather, felt on the hat, metal and wood on the gun. This project is for beginners to advanced students.
This colorful, popular project offers you tips and techniques on how use my unique Four-Value approach to creating solid FORM. In addition, you will learn how to use color pencil over a pre-painted surface. This project is designed for intermediate students.
How many times have you painted a snowman? Well, you'll find this jolly fellow and his little friend to be delightfully different than the other snowmen you've created! You'll learn my techniques for creating the texture of glistening snow, the patterned scarf, and the aurora borealis background. My unique approach of using toned paper, mixed media, and a minimum of layering will prove very helpful for any of your future creations.
This dramatic color pencil project will offer my unique approach to rendering the brilliant, illumination of candlelight. Created with a greater degree of laying, or burnishing, I will offer the secret techniques of underpainting, contrasting values, complimentary hues, metallic surfaces and reflected light, reflected surfaces, all offered in an easy to understand manner. This seminar is designed for the beginner, intermediate or professional.
In this Color Pencil Project, this striking still life offers the student techniques in transparent glass, luminosity of the grapes, reflections on surfaces, reflected light, and a mixed media approach. In this color pencil series, “Light and Color,” we will be studying dramatic lighting found in nature, and the very unique characteristics found in chiaroscuro lighting, a technique used by the old masters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt. This workshop is designed for beginner to intermediate
This project is perfect for beginners to color pencil. The vibrant color of this project is achieved by the use of a white paper surface, rather than toned paper. You will learn my unique Four-Value approach to color, which will help you in other projects.
Color pencil is a delightful medium that is less intimidating for the beginner than painting in oils or acrylics, and is clean and dust-free unlike pastels. The precision of the color pencils allow for realistic fur, a perfect way to create masterful animal portraits. Using toned paper creates a unity to the image, and the makes the job much easier than working from a white surface. You not only learn to create the fur, but also the glass-like expressive eyes of this magnificent wolf.
Wouldn’t you rather be thinking of Spring? I created this project, “Monarch Butterfly” to explore helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other wildlife projects. You will be introduced to the techniques using ink and color pencil together; how to create translucent wings; how to capture dramatic lighting to emphasize form; and a new soft focus background technique. This is an excellent seminar for beginners.
If you are looking for a beginner's wildlife project, this is the one. Many of the techniques I have developed for creating realistic eyes and fur are included. This project is designed for the beginner.
Join me for my new color pencil seminar, “Spring Robin,” which captures the perennial signal that colorful days have arrived. You will learn how to create the delicate wings and feathers; realistic eyes; and the use of compliments to achieve maximum, vibrant lighting and color. This seminar is recommended for beginner to intermediate students.
This project can be done in a group or as an example for my "Create Your Own Pet Portrait" Many of the techniques I have developed for creating realistic eyes, nose, that pink tongue and fur are included. This project is designed for the beginner to intermediate students.
In this fun, new workshop, you will learn some helpful techniques to broaden your color pencil skills. I created this project, “Banty Rooster” to explore the following: how to capture dramatic lighting learn the four tone approach to value color selections for modeling of form This workshop is designed for any student, beginner, intermediate or professional.
Join me in this seminar to create your own Christmas card, the “Christmas Wreath.” You will learn the techniques of layering, burnishing, and detailing; capturing light, shadow and form on the bluebird; rendering the feathers; and to create the illusion of Christmas lights. This seminar is designed for beginner to intermediate students.
Color pencil is a delightful medium that is less intimidating for the beginner than painting in oils or acrylics, and is clean and dust-free unlike pastels. The precision of the color pencils allow for realistic forms, a perfect way to create masterful still life drawings. Using toned paper creates a unity to the image, and the makes the job much easier than working from a white surface. This project offers the student valuable techniques for realistic of light and shadow, creating reflective m
Join me for this new color pencil seminar, “Ruby-Throated Hummingbird”, a delightful, colorful signal that spring has arrived. You will learn how to create the delicate wings and feathers; realistic eyes; and the use of compliments to achieve maximum, vibrant lighting and color. This seminar is recommended for beginner to intermediate students.
In this color pencil series, “Red Macaw,” we will be studying dramatic lighting found in nature, and the very unique characteristics found in chiaroscuro lighting, a technique used by the old masters like Caravaggio and Rembrandt. The striking portrait of the colorful bird will be created with an monochromatic underpainting, then glazes of intense color will be applied in multiple layers. This workshop is designed for intermediate artists.
In this seminar “Majestic Lion”, you will learn how to create an African Lion in a dramatic afternoon light, using new and helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of capturing fur and the flowing mane; how to capture the glass-like quality in the eyes; achieving maximum impact using a monochromatic palette; How to render a dramatically lighted subject; and how to utilize the toned paper to best effect.
Join Mark for his newest color pencil seminar, “Goldfinch,” which captures the perennial signal that colorful days have arrived. You will learn how to create the delicate wings and feathers; realistic eyes; how to create a realistic flower; and the use of compliments to achieve maximum, vibrant lighting and color. This seminar is a wonderful introduction to color pencil for beginners.
In this fun, new seminar, you will learn many valuable techniques to broaden your color pencil skills. I created this project, “Fox Hollow” to explore helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other wildlife projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of capturing realistic fur, and the glass-like quality in the eyes; achieving maximum impact using a monochromatic palette; cross-hatching; and how to utilize toned paper to best effect.
Join Mark as you create your very own color pencil illustration of this delightfully whimsical little woodland creature. Isn’t this something your grandchild would love to receive? In this project, Mark will offer his distinctive approach to color pencil designed to boost your skills in drawing. Informative techniques will be presented in any easy to understand fashion: dramatic use of form, color and contrast; fine detailing; and how to create the various textures such as fur, tree bark, grass
This seminar is a favorite of my regular students. Since it is mostly black, white, browns and grays, this wildlife drawing is an excellent study of creating a portrait in monochromatic tones. Color Pencil is an effective medium for creating the fine detail necessary for creating wildlife portraits.
This fun and easy to learn mixed-media project offers you techniques for fully utilizing the toned paper to the greatest extent. The mixed-media technique will be useful on future projects. This project is designed for the beginner to intermediate student.
This handsome portrait is a great way to learn how to substitute color to create a "horse of a different color," by changing the four basic pencils use to create the form. This project is designed for the intermediate student.
In this seminar you will learn how to create a Siamese Cat from head to tail, using new and helpful color pencil methods that carry over to other projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of layering, burnishing, and detailing; capturing the illusion of light, shadow and the form on the body; rendering the fur; how to capture the glass-like quality of the eyes and the features of the face. This seminar is designed for beginner to intermediate students.
This seminar will awaken your mastering of color pencil. In this project, you will sharpen your skills in creating animal portraits, rendering feather texture, and creating a spectacular dawn sky. By utilizing the toned paper, you will learn how to create vibrant color with a minimum of layering.
NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 11, 2024 In this fun, new seminar, you will learn many valuable techniques to broaden your color pencil skills. I created this project, “Curious Cub” to explore helpful color pencil techniques that carry over to other wildlife projects. You will be introduced to the techniques of capturing realistic fur; how to capture the glass-like quality in the eyes; achieving maximum impact using a complimentary color palette; and how to create tree bark texture.
NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 15, 2024 This is an excellent project to learn both the subject and the seascape. You will use a secret technique I have devised to make the job much easier! This project is designed for the intermediate student. Also available as an oil, acrylic or watercolor seminar.
This dramatic color pencil/mixed media project will offer the beginning, intermediate or professional student my unique approach to rendering brilliant color saturation on toned paper. Underpainting techniques, contrasting values, complimentary hues, and direct lighting will be offered in an easy to understand manner. This seminar is designed for beginner to intermediate students.
"Tom Turkey”offers several helpful color pencil secret tricks and techniques that carry over to other projects. You learn how to create a variety of textures; feathers, wood grain, and straw. How to capture dramatic lighting to emphasize form; and color principles and selection. This is seminar is recommended for beginner to intermediate students.
In this unique color pencil project, you may personalize the picture frame with your loved one.
In this seminar, the goal is to demonstrate how to make color choices in color pencil, and to explain how a traditional color wheel or Mark's PRISMACOLOR COLOR WHEEL offers you a means to capturing and arranging color harmonies in your drawings for maximum impact.
Students create color pencil portraits of their favorite pet, with Mark's guidance. Many animal features will be discussed and practiced during the day.
In this 2-Day Portrait Seminar, day one will be learning all of the "features" of the face and how to get a likeness using them. Day 2 the students bring their own photo to the seminar, and I will teach them how to capture a likeness and create a beautiful COLOR PENCIL portrait that very day. This is one of my most requested classes!