SILVERPOINT DRAWING: an introduction to tools and processes

[@racheljackson488]

Ive just bought some silverpoint stuff - struggling to get the holder to grab the silver bit - is there a knack?

[@fitzmauriceworks]

It will depend upon the holder. The one I use unscrews to loosen a three part chuck much like you can find on a Dremel. You need to place the silver wire centrally before tightening. Hope this helps and good luck!

[@racheljackson488]

@@fitzmauriceworks Thank you - i found the chuck and now it fits :-)

[@AbiNomac]

Thank you. I had never heard of silverpoint until this video. Subscribed

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Thanks and good luck with it. I'm going to make some more videos about silverpoint next year when I return to the medium.

[@AbiNomac]

@@fitzmauriceworks looking forward to it.

[@aetharius]

I've been translating a lecture on drawing and I wanted to learn more about silverpoint drawing. I'm really glad to have found this video. Really informative. Best of luck, man.

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Thanks for the feedback and glad I could help. Good luck with the lecture.

[@ranchjp]

Are the silverpoint grounds opaque or transparent? I'm conceiving of a piece with watercolor or acrylic "underpainting", apply transparent ground, then silverpoint on top

[@fitzmauriceworks]

That sounds a really interesting approach Jerry. I haven't used a transparent ground yet and would be interested to see how you get on.

[@alicekenny4166]

There are also papers made from rock and resin. One is called TerraSkin. It works well instead of using grounds.

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Thanks Alice, I'll definitely give Terraskin a go once the studio is operational. It sounds very interesting...

[@alicekenny4166]

@@fitzmauriceworks There are others but this is one I have worked with. They say the paper will break down to a dust if left in the elements. Just in case sustainability is one of your goals.

[@dennismitchell5276]

I started watching hoping you would cover creating and applying a ground.

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Thanks for taking the time to give feedback Dennis. I will plan a video on this missing element for next month.

[@bradfordyorks5055]

Excellent! Do you use special paper or card? Or just any robust surface (i.e. heavy watercolor paper) then coated with applicable ground?

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Thanks. I've tried on watercolour paper of different weights, on primed ply, and on card. As long as these surfaces are sealed with a dilute pva mix or similar the ground goes on well and works fine. It is the tooth of the ground that leads to the line. I can't say one surface is better than another as that is a question of taste and intent. Have fun experimenting.

[@bradfordyorks5055]

@@fitzmauriceworks Thanks, appreciated!

[@MrArtcosmos]

Thank you for the information! Do you also need a varnish after finishing the artwork?

[@fitzmauriceworks]

For silverpoint I wouldn’t recommend it. One of the characteristics of the medium is the way the line changes tone overtime due to the silver tarnishing. Treat like any other drawing and display under glass if framing. Glass must not touch the drawing. Of course you can varnish if you have a specific idea in mind where some protection makes sense, but you will then lose much that silverpoint offers over straight graphite.

[@MrArtcosmos]

@@fitzmauriceworks Thanks a lot!

[@trojanette8345]

I love your brush drying rack. Is it one you made yourself or is it store bought? How are you able to have them attached to something so that they can be hung upside down? I wish to do the same for my brushes.

[@fitzmauriceworks]

The stand is commercial, it's for Chinese brushes but any can be adapted to fit. Loops, hooks, and gravity is all you need.

[@lvbailey1]

❣️

[@gardeniainbloom812]

You have a nice set of Chinese/Japanese brushes(?) too. Where did you buy them? I'm looking for a good quality set in the UK.

[@fitzmauriceworks]

I bought them in Hong Kong. Plenty of options to purchase in UK. Can recommend Jackson's Art but take your pick...

[@titanostrongman]

I’d just stumbled on a store called natural pigments that had allot of silver point supplies . I’m case you hadn’t heard of them

[@vincentmonet6172]

Thanks man

[@Betcaligarcia]

Are you left handed ?

[@fitzmauriceworks]

Yes.