http://www.painters-online.co.uk artist
PRACTICAL
May 2020 45TARobert Dutton
is a popular tutor, teaching workshops
and art holidays in drawing and
painting techniques. He has won
numerous awards for work, including
Best Monotone Work at the Society of
Graphic Fine Art in 2018.
For more information visit
http://www.rdcreative.co.ukPhotograph by kind permission of
Richard Littlewood
http://www.richard-littlewood.comp Charcoal powder
Liquid fixative is especially effective to use
with Nitram Charcoal Powder. Apply liquid
fixative to a support and then sprinkle the
charcoal powder into the media for some
great textural effects. There are many more
techniques to discover with this exceptional
medium
p Autumn Woodland, Rydal Hall, Lake District, mixed-media drawing on white Canson Mi-
Teintes Touch pastel paper, 193/4 3 251/2in (50 3 65cm).
Wallace Seymour Liquid Graphite was used extensively to evoke the subtle tints and brown
tones in the woodland. Rocks, trees, shapes and forms intertwine to create visual interest. The
board was taken off the easel and tipped at a 45-degree angle to allow the partly diluted media
to run to echo the shape of the hillside. Once dry, compressed charcoal, Nitram soft charcoal,
Royal Talens Rembrandt pastels and Unison Colour pastels were used to create the rich darks
and bright highlightsp Wallace Seymour Ancient Drawing Materials
This unique product is in fact a selection of rocks, minerals, chalks and clays obtained from
sources worldwide. Available in three sizes: 30ml jar containing small pieces; 100ml jar
containing small- to medium-sized pieces; 100gm tub containing large lumps. They are water-
soluble too, as shown. I favour the greys – they have a soft, almost waxy feel. When diluted the
tints are subtle. The harder-coloured pigments – shown here are burgundy burnt yellow, Oxford
ochre and burgundy yellow ochre – work better on supports such as gesso and pumice because
when used on even the most robust watercolour paper they tend to scratch the surface a bit too
much for my likingFixatives for drawing
Fixative should never be frowned on. It
is an effective way of further extending
your repertoire – to darken passages
of pastel and drawing pigments – as
well as an effective way to protect
your work from smudging. There are
two main types of fixative – liquid and
aerosol. Hairspray doesn’t even come
into the equation! Although hairspray
does contain some of the materials of
a fixative, the effects only last a short
term and ultimately damages the
drawing as it yellows over time. If you
have respect for your work and your
buyer – use the proper stuff!