Artists

MASTERCLASSthe metal tarnishes and the lines change from the initialsoft silver grey to a sepia appearance.If you wish to experiment with silverpoint, it is easy to getstarted as you don’t need a huge amount of equipment.You do however need to prepare some sheets of paper onwhich to work before you can begin.There are various available recipes to help you make yourown primers for metalpoint of all types, and there areready-mixed drawing grounds available to buy that you canthen paint directly onto your surface.The art suppliers L. Cornelissen & Son stock twopreparations, a traditional silverpoint drawing ground madeby C. Roberson & Co. which is a natural bone ash primeravailable in both Sanguine Tint and an Off-White Tint and awhite silverpoint drawing ground made by Golden. Shakeonce thoroughly, leave to rest and they’ll be ready to paintdirectly onto your chosen papers.It is possible to use a dilute wash of zinc white gouacheas your primer if you wish to experiment with metalpointbefore buying other types of preparation.1. FINE LINESThe fi rst linesare very light anddarks are slowlybuilt up withoverlaying linesand more pressurebeing used. 2. ADDING SHADE The drawing is added to, little by little. The shapes and darker tones of the head are described with short lines that are placed close to each other, changing direction of the mark-making to follow the direction of the form. It is possible to create rich darks alongside delicate lights.DETAIL STUDYMy drawingRembrandt’sHands is a detailfrom his workThe Jewish Bride(c.1667)and ismade on paperprepared withSanguine Tintground. Thisprepared tint givesa beautiful warmthand is a pleasingsurface to work on.``````HOW TO DO A SILVERPOINT DRAWINGDrawing from a reproduction of a favourite paintingprovides an ideal way to study an artists’ compositionwhile beginning to explore a new medium. I selectedRembrandt’s beautiful and moving portrait, The JewishBride, a work which has inspired a number of studiesusing silverpoint.``````Your paper needs to be substantial enough to hold alayer or two of primer but without too much texture as thiswill swamp the delicacy of the mark-making you canachieve with silverpoint. I fi nd Arches Watercolour hotpressed 300gsm an ideal surface to work on. Alternativelyyou could try a heavy-weight cartridge or fi ne card. Eachtype of surface you choose will subtly infl uence the fi nishedsilverpoint drawing.Silverpoint is a perfect medium to go out and about with,whether working out in the landscape or drawing in amuseum or gallery setting. You can prepare the pages of asmall sketchbook with a drawing ground ahead of time, andthen all you will need to take with you is a metal stylus.I have been exploring the possibilities of silverpoint for anumber of years now, drawing from sculpture in museums,drawing from reproductions of paintings and portraits andfrom still life in the studio.Adèle teaches workshops in painting and drawing with ArteUmbria and The New School of Art, Lewes.http://www.adelewagstaff.co.uk1268 Silverpoint.indd 69 09/06/2016 10:54