On a recent walk, I noticed how the winter grasses all leaned in the same direction, creating a pleasingly graceful visual harmony despite their broken down condition.
I have been enjoying using Derwent Graphitint pencils on my pen and ink drawings lately. The graphitints are water soluable much like watercolor pencils but the colors are dusky and subtle–great for nature drawings and shading. The graphitints are soft, similar to a 2B pencil. I used Noodler’s Beaver ink in my Lamy Safari pen, with Warm Grey Graphitint pencil for shading and for the bird’s head.
A note added later: I just found out that graphitint pencils are not very lightfast. Roz did a thorough test on them and here are her results. I am disappointed!
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
I love this! I’ve been thinking about getting some of the Graphitint pencils…I really like the effect.
This piece is so delicate and graceful. Gorgeous!
Lovely page – the drawing and the composition and everything. I have been discussing Lamy Safari pens recently and must go and buy one tomorrow ! It looks lovely on this page
Nice soft sketch – it’s good to see you back blogging again!
Thanks Tahirih, Alissa and Sarah! It’s good to be back.
I like this. Those pencils do indeed work nicely with the look of the fallen grass. I like how your writing follows the curved contour of the grass as well. Nice Work!
Great work! The graphitints really compliment the subject!
I love the curved grasses…very graceful. This drawing makes me smile!
Thanks Marco, Raena and Chris. I appreciate your visit and you comments.
Btw, someone just old me that graphitints are not very permanent or colorfast, so I am doing a test, which I will report on when the results are in.
Such a delicate sketch, and wonderful presentation =) I’ve always love the sephia tones
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I love the delicate, curved lines and the subtle shading. Nice to learn about the graphitint pencils.
Thanks, Alex and Barbara! I love sepia tones too and have been trying to find just the right combo of tools/materials to get the look I want. I love the colors of graphitints but probably will not use them much because of the lightfastness issue.
Lovely sketch Janene! I would check with Derwent about lightfastness, as I’m sure they have been improved.
Thanks, Cathy. Good idea to check with Derwent.
I love this sketch! Sepia has a wonderful, subtle look to it. Too bad about the graphitints, they allow for such delicate, beautiful effects.