The World's Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event. Our International Sales Manager Gemma Birch suggested we all pull together and make cakes for a big fundraiser! We also held a raffle in our Aylesbury office so people could have the chance to win some pencils!

In all we raised £630 to help those with cancer... thanks to everyone who made cakes, bought cakes (and enjoyed them!), bought raffle tickets or made a donation.

For more info on the event and how you can take part next year, visit: http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk

Here's some photos of the cakes on offer!

THIS COMPETITION FINISHED AT 12PM, 17TH AUGUST

Derwent make their fine art pencils in one of the most beautiful parts of England, the Lake District so they are very conscious of how important it is to love and protect the world around them.

Derwent cares about trees; it uses Californian Incense Cedar wood from forests accredited to the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) in the manufacture of its pencils.

The new Derwent Fine Art eco Sketching Pencil, with its hexagonal barrel and unpainted natural finish, is made using high quality artist-grade graphite, a naturally occurring substance sourced from Sri Lanka. It is available in 5 key degrees from a crisp, non-scratchy 2H for fine lines to a soft and smudgy 6B for darker shading. The first time, Derwent believes, that an eco-friendly sketching pencil has been made available in a range of degrees which are perfect for sketching and drawing.

To limit waste the packaging is made from recycled paper and is 100% recyclable. You can also remove the perforated hanging tag and re-use the pack to store the pencils when not in use.

Derwent works hard to protect the planet. They have been awarded the Queen’s award for sustainable development for their commitment to the environment. They developed a unique eco friendly process, using UV light, to coat the barrels of their pencils thereby avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and solvents. And, when they built their new factory in Lillyhall they incorporated a number of eco-friendly features; they store and re-use rainwater, while waste wood chippings created in the manufacturing process are burnt to heat the factory and all the offices feature motion sensor lighting in order to save energy.

To win 1 of 20 packs simply answer this simple question:

What kind of wood are our pencils made from?

Just leave your answer at the bottom of this blog post to be in with a chance! We'll pick a winner from the correct answers at random on Wednesday, 17th August 2011 at 12pm. Only one entry per person please. Good luck!

It's always exciting to learn about emerging artists so we were pleased to interview Stuart Whitton as he prepares for his solo exhibition in London in October. We asked Stuart a series of questions to discover more about himself & his stunning work:

1.) Can you tell us a little about how you began drawing?

Drawing is something that I have done and thoroughly enjoyed ever since I can remember. I think that I’ve always been at my happiest with a pencil in my hand, which results in me entering my own world and completely zoning out from my surroundings.

A pivotal point regarding my fascination with drawing occurred fairly early in my childhood where my father drew and painted all of my favourite characters from books, television programmes and dinosaurs on my bedroom wall. I couldn’t believe that he had done them; sadly these were painted over as I grew older but his illustrations really built the passion for creating artwork inside me.

2.) What inspires you and your work?

Form and definition in all their aspects are probably my biggest influences, altering them to my perceptions is how I approach my work and how I know if a piece is worth completing.

3.) Which is your favourite piece of work and why?

Quite a hard question to answer as I tend to fall in and out of love with my pieces, it does tend to be the last piece I have completed. However, I have completed a portrait for my upcoming solo exhibition in October that I am really pleased with. The exhibition was actually named after the piece that can be seen in a recent promotional video I have created.

4.) What effect do you think the Internet has on the art world?

It certainly is the quickest way to show your work to an abundance of people simultaneously and how to potentially capture the attention of those that you may not be able to meet face to face. Although, it isn’t without it’s downfalls and has on occasion led to the usage of copyrighted imagery being exploited in various mediums.

Viewing work online and digitally in general is where our culture is continuing to sway towards but I think most would agree that there is nothing quite like seeing an actual piece ‘in the flesh’.

5.) What advice would you give to someone starting out in drawing?

I would say to keep practicing and to keep pushing your work even if it is completely self-initiated in as many avenues as you can. Speak to people in the industry and if possible meet them. I am still learning and looking what else I can bring into my work, every piece so far has pushed me in alternative ways.

Bio:

Stuart Whitton began to express himself creatively at a young age, by drawing various elements from his imagination and his surroundings.

Using traditional mediums he creates imagery tailored to his perceptions. A careful discretion of detail is utilised to develop a visually appealing relationship between meticulously drawn ethereal illustrations of the human form, objects and typographical elements.

His influences lie in the process of image construction, form, and surreal ambiguity with a preference towards detailed tonal qualities true to the realistic.

The work is a direct representation of his personality and inspiration, which can be identified in the smallest details.

Thanks to Stuart for this interesting insight into his work.

If you'd like more information please visit: www.stuartwhitton.co.uk

Blog: www.stuartwhitton.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/stuartwhitton

I came across a story about the World's Longest Pencil in St Louis; how impressive! It measures an enormous 76 feet, including 2½ feet for the eraser and was made in 2007. Here's some facts about it:

1. The Pencil contains 4,000 lbs of Pennsylvania graphite.
2. It took 3 weeks, and over 7,000 man-hours to complete.
3. This Pencil is the equivalent of 1,900,000 regular pencils.
4. The Eraser is rubber (yes it erases) and weighs in at 250 lbs.

The Pencil Museum in Keswick has the World's Longest Coloured Pencil which really deserves a visit too!

We are so excited to announce the launch of our Inktense Blocks, the Grate 'n Shake and the block Grippers! We asked Liz Dulley to put them through their paces for our blog to show you how they work!

Liz first reviewed the Inktense Blocks and later writes about the features of our new accessories - take it away Liz!

Inktense Blocks

What a fantastic opportunity! Derwent inviting me to ‘play’ with some new products.

They arrive - What are they like?

Delightful. The perfect name for compact ink in chunky rectangular blocks.
Great, no waste, just solid sticks of substance.

I need to experiment - I want to try everything
I can draw and shade with them or use them on their side to make wide marks.

What happens if I add water?

Words can not express my delight as the water on my brush runs over the marks. There is something magical in the intensity of colours now glowing before me. Like aspectrum of transparent scattered light. I am a delighted child 'Magic Painting' with a wet brush, watching vibrant colours emerge.

I love the fact that they come in block form, I am able to use them as paint pans or crumble them as well as use them wet or dry. Great to hold, any way up and wonderful for mark making.

I am inspired, I want to create colourful bold ‘Blocks using Blocks!’

Working on various papers gives different results. Textured watercolour paper is a personal favourite, colours are staining and the grain of the paper can be revealed. I like softer papers for a more flowing effect and find that card is kind to a certain extent for lifting colour out.

I can’t stop using these ‘chunks of colour‘ and creations just keep coming!

As a watercolour painter I am introducing Inktense into my work, adding an extra quality and some how bolder approach. I am sure they would complement many other media.

Working with Inktense Blocks is exciting and rewarding. They are intense, vibrant and versatile and certainly work for me. I find them a joy to use. A must for the lover of quality luminous colour!  

Top Tip
Work flat and hold them upright to prevent drips

The wet block slides over the paper fluently. I like the slightly gluey consistency and areas where thick deposits are left behind. Fantastic for some looser drawing.

Conclusion

These 24 fabulous blocks fill me with pleasure and energy! An exciting product which is versatile and vibrant!

Grate 'n Shake

What a great product! I can now mix washes. Easy and no mess.

Grate the pigment and shake with water. It's simple, quick and effective. The detachable grate is handy for cleaning and good for grating pigment over work! See the picture below for the effects created using this technique.

Hint – Keep grate clean and dry to prevent 'muddying' colour.

Grippers

What do these do?
Looks so much simpler than I had expected but - Wow! - so effective. Wish I had always been using them. The firm grip actually makes the block more comfortable to use, if that is possible? And my hands are clean!

With this "shock absorber" around my block I can even use a bit more brute force without snapping my block. I am developing a freer, speedier tecnique already. I have realised that materials and tools used can steer my style - amazing!

I will never be without this superb device.   

We'd love to say a BIG thank you to Liz for reviewing our new Inktense Blocks and accessories! Here's a little bit about Liz and her work:

 I was born in Nottingham and moved to Invergowrie ( by Dundee ) at the age of 14. I have always loved creating, achieved my Queens Guide and was awarded Art Prizes at school. Having considered many options, I was keen to study and earn, so chose a career in Nursing. Now, many locations and a variety of jobs later, as a wife, a mother, a gardener and a housekeeper, I have developed my passion to create.

My son started school in 2002 - the perfect opportunity to feed my creative mind! I enrolled in watercolour and figure drawing classes then studied Fine Art in Dundee.

I now like to art at home (we have just completed my real studio!) Painting alone gives me a chance to work things out for myself, find my own way and develop my own style. I enjoy this challenge.

Art is 'me time'. I escape into a world where thoughts flood, time passes and developments emerge on the drawing board.

My subject always stems from still life and is often symbolic. I select objects which represent associated themes.

 I paint mainly in pure watercolour and find it an exciting versatile medium. I love bright colours and enjoy working up to a rich, vibrant finish.

I love to really get my teeth into a simple idea and turn it into an elaborate labyrinth of statements.

I am keen to develop, constantly pushing forward can be frustrating and a struggle but so rewarding when it finally works.

Recent work involves fragmenting objects. I enjoy layering paint and creating a detailed finish. Experimenting with the new Inktense Blocks from Derwent has filled me with excitement and energy. The nature of the blocks seems to have steered me towards a looser, bolder approach, which I enjoy. The strong colours stand alone and I found detail unnecessary.

I was delighted to win first prize at The Scottish National Art competition in 2008, exhibit regularly with Dundee Art Society and Art 309, (a group of artists from my former college class) and had my work accepted for the RSW Open Exhibition.

Coming soon - I am looking forward to participating in Perth Open Studios Sept 2011.

perthshireopenstudios.com / lizdulley@blueyonder.co.uk

So you thought pencils were just for drawing? Well Zinc White is proving that ordinary objects can be transformed into something fashionable & funky!

We sent Paul Curtis from Zinc White some of our rejected pencils to see what he could transform them into – and the results were amazing! When you visit their website www.zincwhite.co.uk the message is clear “Our aim is to generate zero waste” which we think is great. In a world where the environment is becoming a top priority, it’s important to use & re-use whatever we can.

The pieces shown here are all made from pencils which are cut down & shaped to produce beautiful items of jewellery. Zinc White also make bags, home-wares & toys from unwanted ‘waste’:

“By reusing clothes we create bags, by recycling buttons and remoulding audio cassettes we construct lampshades, by remodelling men’s shirts and ties we fashion dresses and skirts and by reinventing kiddies plastic toys we personalize memories.”

A selection of Zinc White’s pencil jewellery is on sale at the Pencil Museum, Keswick (017687 73626) or you can buy direct from www.zincwhite.co.uk.

Derwent has joined forces with the Old Master Drawings exhibition at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight to offer you a fabulous chance to win £200 of Derwent fine art materials, an over night stay including breakfast and full use of the leisure club at the Village Hotel in Port Sunlight in January 2011 and a two-course lunch at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.  You’ll also receive an exhibition catalogue to take home as a souvenir of your visit.  Three runners-up will also receive an exhibition catalogue.

Speaking about the competition Leah Lister, Derwent Marketing Manager said ‘We are delighted to be linking up with The Old Master Drawings exhibition.  Sketching & drawing is just as important today as it was for the Old Masters and this exhibition explores its key role in the creation of art’

To enter the Derwent/Old Masters competition just answer the following question:

‘Graphite was discovered in the Borrowdale area of Cumbria in the early 1500s at a time when the Old Masters, featured in the Lady Lever Art Gallery’s exhibition, were simply Masters of Drawing. Giorgio Vasari was one of the first collectors of Old Master Drawings but when did he start collecting?’

a)1582
b)1548
c)1528

To find the answer visit http://www.pencils.co.uk/newsitem.aspx?nid=110 or www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever or go along to the exhibition to find out!

Send your answer, name and contact details to: prizedraw@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Competition closes at midnight on 15 December 2010.

Terms & Conditions

Derwent art materials to the value of £200 and a double room at the Village Hotel Port Sunlight are offered subject to availability. 

For more information contact Emma Chapman
Tel: 01900 609590 E-mail: emma.chapman@acco.com

With the Queen bursting onto the Social Media scene with a Facebook & Twitter account, we thought it would be a great time to remember her visit to our factory!

On June 5th we were honoured to receive Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who officially opened our new factory in Workington. Both were taken on a tour of the new premises and stopped to admire the work of two of our artists, David Cook & Linda Stevens.

Finally, as a memento of their visit The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were each presented with a wooden box hand crafted from English Oak and containing 24 of the last pencils made in our Keswick factory. The Duke commented ‘They will see us out!’

Speaking after the visit David Sharrock, General Manager said ‘It was a great honour for us to welcome The Queen and The Duke to our new home. Our staff were delighted to see them and to chat about their work.'

It was such a lovely day and an honour to see both the Queen & The Duke of Edinburgh - we just wish we could do it all again!

If you haven't heard of Metallic Pencils then here's the lowdown: these bright, highly reflective pencils are perfect for adding a little sparkle to your drawings. They work best on a dark background (try Derwent Black Books) and can be used on their own or with other media to add brilliant definition and glowing highlights. Derwent Metallic is watersoluble, so you can also create interesting line and wash effects. Great for all kinds of creative projects. Derwent Metallic is available in 12 brilliant colours, from traditional golds and silvers to shimmering pinks and purples.

We asked our talented Product Manager Sarah Taylor to create something beautiful for us and she really amazed us with the result! We think it would be perfect for card making, especially at Christmas time!

Our top tip is to use the embossing tool in our Essential Drawing Tools to create little indentations in the paper to create a pattern, then colour over the top in pencil to leave the indented areas untouched!

So get crafting! Tis the season...