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Drawing Pencils Explained

6/30/2015

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Graphite 12
 Staedtler Lumograph
thick handle pencils
sandpaper block
Dick Blick studio pencils
Anyone interested in sketching and drawing should be familiar with "the pencil". The principal ingredient in modern pencils is graphite, a variety of carbon. The finely ground graphite and clay, are mixed together. A larger amount of graphite in the mix will yield a softer and blacker pencil. The graphite forms the pigment and the clay the binder. 

Pencils range from the softest 9B to 9H, the hardest. These materials are ground, pressed and baked and then inserted into wood. If the pencil has an F designation it means it can be sharpened to a fine point and is harder than an HB. Normally the F designation is used in technical or mechanical pencils. Generally, an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered to be equivalent to a #2 pencil using the U.S. numbering system.

snap off blade knife
For sharpening you can use a pencil sharpener or a utility knife. I prefer the style with the snap off blade, for an instant sharp that cuts like butter without using much pressure. If you think you may want the knife for other purposes consider a heavy duty knife, otherwise a standard one will do the trick. You can also achieve a longer "lead" which you can then take to a fine point finish with a sandpaper block. I've also used a rough drawing paper or a fine sandpaper that I purchased from a hardware store. 

vacuum mount sharpener
If you use a pencil sharpener it should have two blades, one specially for cutting the wood and a smaller one for pointing the lead. Avoid single-bladed sharpeners, they tend to break the lead. Or if you want to go all out there are vacuum mount sharpeners available. These are versatile, offering multiple size openings and easy use.

Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening, so keep sharpening tools close at hand.

A "H" pencil may be easily erased when used without much pressure and I often use this when initially constructing my drawing. If you need a dark line, use a soft-grade pencil rather than by rubbing over the same spot with a harder pencil. This will produce an ugly shine. Pencil can be layered to produce an almost photographic effect, or used to simply express a moment in time with one or two simple lines. One of my favourite mediums, it is a challenge to master.

There is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark to be left within the HB or any other hardness grade scale. Thus, a #2 or HB pencil from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB pencil from another brand. Most pencil manufacturers set their own internal standards for graphite hardness grades and overall quality of the core, some differences are regional, and mixed for the consumer preferences. It is worth the money to purchase a good quality set of pencils for creating art. Cheaper brands will have impurities in the mix that can cause a real problem when drawing. The wood also can break easily and not hold the lead, which in turn will also break. The quality of the wood is important, which should be soft enough for easy sharpening, yet strong enough not to split.

Smudge Sticks
Pencil can be rubbed with a finger, smudge stick, or even cotton swabs. I prefer to use the pencil without smudging, but try both ways, and also a variety of papers to see what offers you the result you are looking for. Like with all art making it is a process and what works for one person may not for another. 

Finding what works best for your own artistic needs is generally a matter of personal preference and experimentation with different brands of pencils. What ever you settle on keep in mind that a pencil drawing must be fixed like a charcoal drawing to protect it against rubbing and smudging. 

Paper choice is important for the final result. I've already touch on the subject with an article titled
"What is the difference between cold pressed and hot pressed paper?" 

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Great Gifts for Artists

11/24/2014

 
Choosing a gift for an artist can be very challenging. Here are a few suggestions that may impress any artist on your list. I want to give you some essentials to help any artist master their craft. There are thousands of books available, and these ones are the top of the list.


The Artists Handbook of Materials
and Techniques

by Ralph Mayer
I cannot say enough about this book. If the artist only has one book in their library, this is the one it should be. If you ever had a question and couldn't find the answer, chances are good that it's in this book.
Drawing on the Right Side
of the Brain

by Betty Edwards
This book will open your eyes, and help you see things in a way you never could before. It will not only enlighten you, but also gives you lessons to develop your own skills as an artist.
Even people with little or no natural talent exceeded expectations.

Interaction of Color:
by Josef Albers
A required book from my undergraduate days, this book is invaluable in helping artists understand how colors are influenced by the colors next to them and how the are perceived.

Color Harmony Compendium:
A Complete Color Reference for Designers of All Types

by Terry Marks, MINE, Origin
Every artist needs some help now and then with color and combinations of color. This book is jammed packed with information and examples.

Master Class in Figure Drawing
by Robert Beverly Hale
This book takes the reader through lessons and lectures of America's greatest teacher of figure drawing and artistic anatomy by using examples from 118 Masters.

Brushes

types of brushes
Watercolor Painting Brush Sets
Acrylic Painting
Brush Set

Plein Air Painting
Brush Set

Synthetic
Brush Sets

Kolinsky Round
Brush Sets

If you are not an artist, choosing the best products can be a real challenge. In the art making process there are some things you can skimp on, brushes are not among  them.

A good brush will last a life time, and if cleaned and treated well, it can be passed down to the next generation. Part of the artists tool box, a good brush will help the artist do good work. Don't bother with student brushes but go for the high quality brushes right from the start. The difference is quite amazing, not only for the longevity of the tool, but also for the finished painting.

Each artist should have some basic brushes to start out with. Some artists prefer sable, other like squirrel, or synthetic brushes. I think all have their place, depending on what the artist is trying to achieve. My primary tool box for watercolors has Kolinsky sable for the most part, but I also have a few synthetics. I've used camel and squirrel hair, and they too should be tried. The round synthetics tend to curl up at the point after a short time. Flats don't have that problem.
 
Watercolor brushes should be kept for water color and not used with oil or acrylic. Each discipline should have its own set of brushes.You have two ways to go, individual brushes, or very economical sets.

If the artist doesn't already have a good collection started for brushes or paints, I would recommend buying both in sets. There is usually quite a big savings and it will also allow the artist a chance to try something out.

The links here all go to Blicks Artists Materials and included to get you pointed in the right direction. I've used Blicks, and there has never been any problems. There product selection is amazing. They also cover both Canada and the USA and they have some nice discounts for Black Friday.

Another idea for gift giving to your favorite artist is our gift package. It's a chance for the artist to get online without annual membership fees. It's your opportunity to be a patron and show your confidence and pride, giving a leg up just when its needed most.

What is a Crow Quill?

11/8/2014

 
Crow Quill Nibs
A Crow Quill pen is the finest of steel drawing pens. The nib of the crow quill is extremely slender and firm, allowing very delicate and precise lines to be drawn. Prior to the production of steel nibs in the early 19th century, the crow quill pen was actually made from the wing feather of a crow.

There are many others nibs for drawing and lettering available to artists to try. These were once part of every artists tool kit and should still be included.

Inks
Ink that should be used in a work of art is called drawing ink and is especially made for use in permanent works of art and will not fade over time with exposure to light. A permanent or water resistant form is called India ink, but there are also water soluble forms that may be preferred for very fine lines and delicate manipulations. 

Chinese ink is similar to India in, with minor ingredients added to enhance brilliancy, working qualities and range of tone. After it's made it is dried into sticks or cakes, which the artist puts into solution by rubbing the ends on an ink stone with a little water. I've also purchased this in liquid form.

Japanese ink, also called sumi or black watercolor, is made in sticks resembling their Chinese counterpart. Distinguished by numerous subtleties of quality and grade, the sticks are made and used according to ancient traditions. Although it may seem tedious to use stick ink and grind it on an ink stone, I find it is very much a part of the creative process. 

Try different inks with a crow quill and brush, to find what works best for you. Also try different papers. 

What is the difference between cold pressed and hot pressed paper?

3/8/2014

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Cold press paper has texture, with small bumps and groves that hold the water and pigment. It also absorbs the water quite quickly. Cold press is a good choice when you want to convey texture in your subject, such as rocks or trees. Some manufacturers such as Arches also offer a rough paper.

Hot press is super smooth without any texture. The pigment or water will not be absorbed as quickly as cold pressed, but instead will tend float on top of the paper, allowing you to play around more, like re-wetting edges of pigment. If you plan to add pen and ink in your process this would be a good choice. 

The weight of a paper is also something you should also think about when choosing your surface. A light weight paper will buckle with water or pigment that is added. If you work very wet, you will want to use a heavier paper. 

The importance of acid free or archival paper cannot be stressed enough. Have you ever wondered why old newspaper clippings tend to yellow with age? As an artist, if you want your originals to look as clean and crisp as the day you created them for all time, choose acid free paper.

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Copyright Notice: All artwork on this site is copyrighted and owned outright by the artist. If you wish to use any of the material you must provide payment for reproduction rights. Final usage rights not guaranteed. Contact Donna at 623-565-9918 to see if the image is available for your project.