Metalpoint - Silverpoint

Detail of a Silverpoint drawing on board (16" X 16")

Metalpoint was a way of drawing in the Renaissance (15th century). Lead or graphite was not in the tool box yet. I have been fascinated by the technique, so I thought I would try it. My husband made a silver nib for me to start with. Other metals such as brass, aluminum, gold and copper may also be used. Silver comes in different degrees of hardness, and they make lighter or darker lines. When drawing, there is a depositing of metal on the abrasive surface and this metal will oxidize over time. Silver turns into a nice brown. I may work in some copper for a bit of green and brass for light black. The surface needs to be prepared with a gesso ground. The gesso can be tinted a color. For best results, the support should be hard and rigid. I used a wood panel, sanding each layer of gesso smooth after they dried.

Sometimes, I am so excited about trying something new that I jump into it too quickly. Once I began, I noticed that I really should have put another layer of gesso on for a smoother surface. There are bits of roughness that interfered with the detail. To fix that I took some watered down gesso and applied it with a small brush. Then I could go back in with a light touch of the silver nib to make corrections. After jumping in with drawing freehand right away with the nib, I took a step back to continue the rough in with a graphite pencil. I was very light and minimal with placing those graphite marks just to give me a sense of the proportions.

My plan is to put in some light color accents; especially to bring out the blue eyes on my beautiful niece.
The color will be very slight using a color pencil. I am still formulating in my mind the images for the background. Still learning as I go, I will blog the completion with notes of challenges.


















Popular posts from this blog

Blue Period

Image
Blue Flow, Oil  16" X 20" Pablo Picasso had a a time between 1901 -1904 when he painted in monochrome blues and greens. I will go through a few paintings in a row when my palette is mainly cool or warm colors. This is one of those paintings in a series of 4 where I used a cool palette.  Rest assured that I am NOT depressed or going through a dark time in my life as Picasso did during his 'Blue Period'. Pablo Picasso,  The Old Guitarist,  1903, The Art Institute of Chicago
Read more

Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings of Inventions

Image
"Science is the observation of things possible, whether present or past. Prescience is the knowledge of things which may come to pass, though but slowly."  Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo - Cannon, Mortars, Light Ordinance Leonardo - Cannon Ball Sling Leonardo - Invention Drawing Leonardo - Invention Drawing Leonardo - Pinion Wheel Leonardo - Tempered Spring    
Read more

Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings

Image
"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." – Leonardo da Vinic Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was the archetype of the Renaissance Man. His genius spans many interests employing methods unusual and pioneering during his time. He was born out of wedlock to an Italian couple in the region of Florence. His art education was under the Florentine painter, Verrocchio. During his working life he spent years in Milan, Rome, Bologna and Venice. The last years of his life were spent in France. Of course, there is much written about him and his accomplishments that seem to go on and on. How can one not be inspired by his art.    Below are a few samples of his rich drawings. 
Read more