Sharonsskow Pencil Art

12/06/2026

She’s coming along nicely now and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out.

This is the stage where I’m laying down the base tones with different colours. It’s what I called the mapping of tones. Which is how I define the value (light & shadow) of the subject.

Can be pretty boring at times as there are more surfaces to cover because of the size. But then again, no shortcuts about it.

Oh by the way, FYI, this is the Malayan Gaur, (“Seladang” in the Malaysian language). Native to the Indian continent and South East Asia. Similar to Bison but different species.

What made me chose to draw this majestic creature? I’ll tell more in the next post😁

22/05/2026

Here’s the result after 24hrs. Really flattened out without any warping.

I got the inspiration to try out this technique from Jono Dry Art. He’s one of the artist I admired, who uses large sheets of the hot pressed Arches paper for his stunning graphite artworks.

Now, the paper surface, it feels slightly (very minor) textured than it’s original form. But I’m not worried because of its made of 100% cotton fibre. The textured surface enable me to apply more layers of colour pencils, wet & dry.

I’ve done this before where I’ve applied up to 20 layers of pigments (only on the Arches paper). Rolled and kept the completed artworks in a tube. When I take it out and flatten it for framings, there are no creases at all, just like canvas. Which is why, until today, I stick to the Arches for large works.

So now the scary and intimidating part is done, the rest, work as usual. But then again, even though I’ve done it many times, I still gets the jitters and self doubts moments. Every piece is different, unique and with each one, always learning something new.

So, stay tune😉

21/05/2026

And I did it! Using a soft sponge, really soaked it with water and applied on the paper.

The paper, it’s the 300gsm (140lbs) hot pressed Arches which came in a roll and I have to flatten it out.

I’ve done this wet techniques on the Arches paper before but on a much smaller piece with a large painting brush. It bulges a bit but when it dried, flattened to normal.

As you can see from the video, there were some bits of paper residue, I think. Don’t know where it’s from. Maybe from the edges. Don’t know. But I managed to swiped those away.

Now sitting down looking at it drying up, it looks ok so far. Really flatted and smoothed out. So let’s see after a day or so, how sturdy is the paper surface.

08/05/2026

This is a very ambitious piece that I’m working on right now. Been wanting to do this since a couple of years back but I put in on hold. Not because time but, FEAR.

Yes, I have fear of doing certain subject hence the procrastination. Always have excuses to make.

And now, I’m ready. Even turned down a lucrative paying job for this year to solely concentrate on this one.

Why this and for what purposes you may wonder?

Answer is, for no other reason except for myself. I call this my passion project. Whether I’m able to pull this off or otherwise, I don’t know. But I’ll face it head on and give my very best using whatever knowledge of the colour pencils technique I’ve learned throughout the years.

This will take me a long time to complete and I won’t be rushing it.
I’ll share the progress here from time to time and for those of you who have been following my art journey, you’ll experience the ups and downs of emotions as I move along.

Fingers crossed. Care to take hop on this roller coaster ride with me?

28/04/2026

I really took my time with this. Started somewhere in February this year and completed by almost end of April. Two factors on why it took so long to finish up this simple graphite drawing.

Firstly, slowing down the pace after the completion of my second solo exhibition, which, took me two whole years (mid 2024- mid 2025) to finish up 15 pieces. That exhibition was a hands-on operation which include involvements in the preparations leading up till the end/after of exhibition. So lots of behind the scene work and extremely tiring process. Hence have to slow down in order to really wind down 😊

Secondly, apart from creating 'passion' art projects, I'm also working with creating artworks/illustrations that brings in the $$$ too. Plus in between that, regular life surprises sprung up once in a while. You know what I mean here 😉 So there, my excuses.

Anyways, let's get back to this subject.

As my dear friend, Guiseppi (A great photographer and colour pencil artist) mentioned in the previous post, this is the 400-day clock or anniversary clock. Is one of a kind mechanical torsion pendulum clock which was designed to run over a year on a single winding. Not a popular sought after antique clock because of its finicky, sensitive handling. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsion_pendulum_clock)

I was intrigued by the the mechanism design and visual of it. Do not care about the technical side. As my husband always say, typical artist view point...unpractical!

Oh, whatever... I simply just love it.

"Aligned"
10" x 14" (26x36cm), 300gsm (140lbs) hot pressed Arches paper.
Caran D'ache Grafwood graphite pencils. Own reference.

"Alignment - being mentally, emotionally and spiritually prepared for what you want to achieve. It's about ensuring that your actions, goals and values are in harmony with one another. Without alignment, even perfect timing can lead to frustration or missed chances."

24/02/2026

When MassHaus invited me for this particular event, I hesitated. It’s very rare for me to have any unfinished artwork, but surprisingly (me) I do. Completely forgotten and tucked away for I think, 2 years.

Why? I don’t know. Maybe I don’t ‘feel’ it but yet don’t have the heart to trash it. So, believe it or not, sometimes, ‘things’ do happen for some mysterious reason.

I think this is going to be a very intriguing group show..

𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱
A group exhibition at MassHaus
Part of Penang Long Art Weekend

This exhibition brings together works that remain incomplete, paused, unresolved, or left open.

Presented within an open studio environment, Unfinished invites viewers to reconsider where completion truly exists with the artist, the object, or the viewer.

Featuring:
Aboud Fares , Ain , Ariel Ong , Bibichun , Cloris Woon , Dhavinder Singh, Eeyan Chuah .c , Ernest Zacharevic , Esther Geh , Eryn , Fakhrur , Hao Yuan Cheng .are.u , IMMJN , Kangblabla , Sharon SS Kow , Sheena Liam , Shin Yen Neoh , Stephen Teoh , Sumidik , Tazon , Thomas Powell , Trina Teoh , Wong Hoy Cheong.

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: Friday, 6 March, 7pm onwards

🗓 7–9 March
🕛 12–7pm
📍 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗛𝗮𝘂𝘀: 147A, Victoria St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang

04/02/2026

Still breathing 😁

As usual, the mind and heart want to ‘art’ (always) but real life takes the upper hand. So to keep myself sane in between real life and my ‘want to’, the old faithful graphite pencils come to the rescue.

Working on something simple and uncomplicated, with no colours, is how I reboot.

08/01/2026

A whole full month of wonderful, exciting and many heart warming moments. I really can't thank these group of people enough. They are the 'engine' behind my second solo exhibition at HIN Bus Depot, Penang. With their creative input, support and assistance during the entire duration of exhibition, it was to me, a huge success. And why I say this? I believe that curiosity of coloured pencil art led to the crash of my website page😅 (Exceeded my monthly bandwidth quota). Never in my 12 years as an artist have I ever experienced it.

I'm very thankful and grateful to those who acquired the artworks and cards which in turn, contributing towards the Children Protection Society. Also, to those who made the trip all the way from other states and countries to call on me personally and visit the exhibition.

So now all that is done, back to working in my studio. Gosh, I miss it so much! Been a long time..

Unfortunately, can't reveal on what I'm working on right now (which I really want to but there's a NDA involved). Will probably take me a few more weeks on that, and only it is done, I will begin working on a long intended piece. Something which I've never done before. Excited but have to stay patient.....

17/12/2025

This is how my 2nd solo exhibition space looks like. The venue, Hin Bus Depot gallery space, was chosen specifically because of its openness, raw aesthetic vibes. It goes perfectly with my series of nostalgic toys. It’s a very public space with robust weekend artisan markets. People of all ages are be able to walk into the gallery freely, to look at the artworks without feeling intimidated. And they did.

I witnessed different generations of families, from grandparents, parents to grandkids having conversations about the toys. Also, very surprised to see young adults (gen z) taking closer look at the subject matter and was probably amused that the older generations actually played with these types of toys 😁

As an artist, this really warms my heart. Nothing gives me more pleasure than creating artworks that speaks for itself. A conversation starter. That itself, a huge achievement to me.

12/12/2025

I’m getting ready for the workshop and look at the delicious pencils😍 love the smell… me crazy no?

So if you keen to learn some colour pencil techniques, join me this Sunday. Unfortunately it’s only in Penang, Malaysia.

So if you’re in Penang, head over to Hin Bus Depot gallery space this Sunday 14th Dec 2025 from 2:00-4:00pm.

Here is the link to register:
https://forms.gle/pWt9ZFWuXAQnBt1e6