Sketch Book for the Artist

Silver Point

3

Leave the paper to dry flat.

It will slowly straighten and

become taut. Beware of the tape's

coming loose at any point while

drying, as the paper will be ruined

by a raised ridge. Dry thoroughly

before laying a wash.

LAYING A WASH

It is necessary to lay a wash on

your stretched paper so as to

prime it for silver point. Mix a

very wet but not weak solution

of gouache in a jar with a lid

(add pigment at this stage for

a three-tone drawing). Make

enough to cover your paper;

any extra will keep. Prop up

your board of dry, stretched

paper at a 45-degree angle.

The next step will make a small

mess, so put newspaper under

the lower edge. Dip a soft, full

brush into the gouache and

start in the top left corner,

Make an even line across to

the right. Reload the brush and
add a second line overlapping
it beneath. Keep adding

smooth, overlapping lines until

you reach the bottom. Runs

blend into each other evenly,

leaving a smooth surface. Leave

the wash to dry thoroughly

before you begin to draw.

Three-tone When coloring ground, slowly add

powder pigment or gouache from a tube,

very little at a time. Keep testing on spare

paper, and let tests dry before deciding to

change the mixture. Here, I used a powder

pigment called Caput Mortuum. Three-tone silver point drawing of a skull