Judges statement:

What a great show!  I’ve seen every one of the member shows and this was the best yet.  When judging the show I looked for the following principles that make for a good painting no matter the medium or the subject:

Composition – no matter how good your technique or how strong your subject if the composition isn’t good the painting   isn’t good.

Value -             It’s so important to use a FULL range of values.  Don’t be afraid to use darks.

Color -             Color can make your subject come alive, create a mood and unify your whole picture.

Drawing -         Good drawing skills are the foundation upon which your entire picture rests.

Technique -     Your mastery of the colored pencil medium allows you to execute all of the above.

Feeling -          Last but not least – the painting must make the viewer feel something.

I thought the Best of Show winner “Soul Melodie” by Connie Noble employed all of these principles very successfully.  It  has great composition and a nice use of darks.  I love how some of the same colors are used in the figure and the bedding which really integrates the figure with the environment.  The technique is just marvelous.  And – I’m sure everyone who looks at the painting feels the emotion.  Great work, Connie!

All of the other winners mastered some or all of these principles.  But, in the end it really is just one person’s opinion.  Congratulations to all the winners!   To all the other entrants keep up the good work – there really were many more nice pieces than there were awards!

Cecile Baird