![]() Thanks to Croteau, we can see, really see that Amur leopard. It’s worth every minute, every stroke of the pencil, every ounce of concentration. Time, intensity, detail, concentration, patience, respect - all of these elements coalesce in each drawing. “It’s not a fun day when the pencil lead keeps breaking!” On the challenging side, they require numerous hours of focused concentration since she is covering a large, flat area using a fine point, with mistakes not easily fixed. They’re portable, and are perfect for achieving the detail she demands. On the plus side, they are a dry medium, requiring little clean up, and they emit no harsh chemicals or odors. The Challenge of Colored PencilsĬroteau’s medium of choice - colored pencils - has many advantages, and some challenges, she says. They had to severely narrow that number down to fit inside the actual exhibition space, and the jury chose my work to be included in the show.” Nearly 10,000 people attended the one-night-only show. ![]() “It was a juried show, and there were a little over 1,000 entries. She then seeks to capture that element in the drawing, while simultaneously preserving and celebrating the animal’s unique personality.Ĭaught in the moment - This Magic Moment, photorealistic colored pencil airbrush drawing by Aimee CroteauĬroteau has exhibited in various group shows in the Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Cheney areas, and is most proud of her acceptance into the Terrain Show in Spokane. Using photos that she has taken herself or accessed through appropriate licensing or royalty-free channels, Croteau looks for a reference that reflects some aspect of herself: a sense of stillness, an expression, or a specific emotion. From choosing the subject, to composing the image, to rendering it, Croteau’s artwork reflects a sense of respect that encourages the viewer to join her on the journey. Nothing about the process is quick, she adds, and that’s intentional. “By drawing animals in a photorealistic style, I imply that they demand more than just a quick glance.” Drawing them gives the viewer an opportunity to look at an animal they would otherwise not be able to see due to the animal’s elusive nature or their geographic location. “Animals are skittish and hide easily, making them difficult to see and connect with. They can take all the time they need to absorb the impact of the image, without the disadvantage of the animal not staying around to be looked at. This is also an invitation to the viewer as well. “Taking the time and physical labor to capture each tiny detail in my subjects indicates the importance I place on them,” Croteau explains. The addition of an airbrush background softens the effect, highlighting the finer points of the animal’s form and visage. ![]() She works in colored pencil because the medium allows her to render her subject matter with extreme - it’s no exaggeration to say exquisite - detail and precision. Reborn, original colored pencil and airbrush drawing by Aimee Croteau. Within the detail of photo realism, fantasy has its place.
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