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While I was working on this picture, it dawned on me that white is a difficult color. Actually, NOT a color. In light, it is a combination of ALL colors and in life, NOTHING is white to the eye...just perceived that way. To a painter, it is a pigment, but to us pencil, pen and pastel workers, it is the ABSENCE of pigment. (when working on white paper).

All this is going through my mind and I remembered a gripe years ago, that we didn't do enough "teaching" in this group. And, recently, I was asked if I taught. Well, I am not a teacher, per se, but everyone who has knowledge likes to share it.

So, I am going to borrow a chapter from Robert's (artistinmaine) book and do a little pontificating here. You may accept it or reject it, but it has helped me in my art.

Using white on a white background, one must remember that white is reflective of ALL light and shadows. Nothing is really "white". It is reflections! Our brains, remarkable organs that they are, interpret what we see as white. But the discerning eye, (such as an artist's should be) can make out the reflections, eg. yellow, blue, gray, green and reds. These should be depicted in the work, so that it really LOOKS white.

This should be obvious when you realize that ALL color is a result of reflections of light. Stand in front of a painting and then turn the lights out in the room. What happened to the color? Without light to reflect it, it is no more.

So, for you beginning artists, remember that color is reflections of light and white is not white, but various hues in order to get dimension. In drawing white should be used as sparingly as black. (which can be a subject for another time)

Thanks for the lesson. But, he's still just as cute as ever! I think I truly appreciate it more with the lesson! Love it!

Boy, you are right THERE when I post something. Gotta watch out for you. Thanks for the comment.

Very nice.

The lesson was great, thank you. I think that you should use this wonderful drawing for your Christmas cards this year. I would love to get one.

Adorable baby Polar bear! Smitty, this needs to be posted in a message to the group!!!

I read the message then saw the painting...after reading the example really helped.
He is too cute :)

Dishwasher? He's to cute to be a lesson? (just kidding, thank you)

I love this piece! I've been wanting to try a polar bear/winter scene for ages myself!
What medium did you use if you don't mind me asking?
And thanks for the lesson on white!

Sorry, tooartsy, with all the writing I did, I forgot to include the medium. It was prismacolor colored pencils.

Thank you Smitty, I thought so, but wanted to verify. Again, a lovely piece!