Tuesday, January 26, 2016



Drawing in Precious (and Not-So-Precious) Metals: Silverpoint
By Judy Thomas



As part of our new "Teaching/Learning" schedule for CVABA meetings, Celeste Johnston and I recently gave an introductory lesson on silverpoint. This is the Old Masters' technique of drawing with metals, some of them precious.  Before the discovery of graphite (in around 1560), artists drew with metal on surfaces prepared with a ground, often made with marble dust, zinc and rabbit skin glue. The metal (with the exception of gold) tarnishes over time, deepening the value of the line.

Thank goodness, we can now buy a prepared silverpoint ground or use diluted casein paint (see photo above).  During the session, members found the process far easier than they thought it would be, though drawing with metals takes some practice, as the drawing is built up in layers, and there is limited ability to erase (it damages the ground).

Here are some resources I provided, including a link to some truly beautiful, contemporary silverpoint drawings:

More than you want to know about metalpoint:
http://bethantoine.com/research/Metalpoint_Final.pdf

How to apply pre-made ground:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8QHSCsd7M

Silverpoint drawing instruction, parts 1 and 2:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8gOi89R3PI8
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VPBNwZl4qOs

Some contemporary silverpoint drawings:
http://www.tommazzullo.com/more-about-silverpoint.html

Golden's silverpoint ground:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-silverpointdrawing-ground/

Shiva casein paint, titanium white:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/shiva-casein-colors/

A basic book on silverpoint instruction:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Linings-Introduction-Silverpoint-Drawing/dp/1468041673/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453826755&sr=1-1&keywords=silverpoint

2016 Schedule

2016 Prediction:  Learning and Growing!

by Judy Thomas

We have a vast variety of skills and abilities, not to mention artistic inspiration, among our membership.  In order to learn more from each other and stimulate discussion, several of us (Celeste, Gail, Judith, Paula, and I) have developed a schedule of artistic activities for 2016.  The activities, for our 9-meeting per year schedule, will include (with some additions):

Member-Directed Skills Building Activity: This could be a demonstration, instruction or a facilitated discussion on some aspect of botanical art. For example, Judy and Celeste demonstrated silverpoint in January and gave everyone a chance to try it.  Participants came away with enthusiasm and their own silver wire.
Portfolio Sharing (see description below)
Skills and Materials Showcase:  Have a tool, material. technique you are crazy about or just love? Show it, along with several others, as members rotate among the stations.

Please, consider participating. It will take our whole "village" to grow our skills and knowledge!

2016

January 20
9:30-10:30 Member-directed skills building or activity: Join Judy and Celeste to try your hand at silverpoint or metal point.

10:30-11:30 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork)
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session

February 17
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Portfolio sharing: bring a portfolio or some work to share, or come to look!
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork),  lunch
12:00-3:30 work session

March meeting
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Skills and Materials Showcase:  rotate through three stations where member volunteers will share a tool, technique, material or paper they love with other members
11:00-12:00 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session

April meeting
10:00-11:00 Member-directed skills building or activity: TBA
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
In April:  look for a tour at Maymont, lead by our own Paula Blair!

May Meeting
9:00-10:00 15-minute drawing activity or do your own work
10:00-11:00  Portfolio sharing: bring a portfolio or some work to share, or come to look!
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session

June meeting: June 1. Hanging the Tuckahoe Show, Plants and Pollinators!
9:00-10:00 Set up and draw
10:00-12:00 HANGING THE TUCKAHOE SHOW, networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Saturday. June 25, 1:00-4:00 FAMILY FUN DAY: A CVABA botanical art event for the public at Tuckahoe Library relating to our exhibit, Plants and Pollinators!  Look for more information about this soon!

July, August:  no meeting

September meeting:  
9:00-10:00  Set up and draw
10:00-11:00 Portfolio Sharing
10:30-11:30 networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork)
11:30 lunch
12:00-3:30 work session

October meeting:  
9:00-10:00  Set up and draw
10:00-11:00  :  Skills and Materials Showcase
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of trees at Lewis Ginter, led by Lorrie Lincoln!

November meeting:
9:00-10:00  Set up and draw
10:00-11:00: Draw an autumn leaf, compare styles.
11:00-12:00 Networking, business meeting, input session (anyone asking for help or suggestions regarding artwork), lunch
12:00-3:30 work session
Look for a tour of Fine Arts and Flowers at the VMFA by our own Celeste Johnston!

December: No meeting. Happy Holidays!