Silverpoint Drawing
3×5″ blue-gray prepared paper
Seashells make a great silverpoint subject. While drawing, I get to know the particular shell and wonder about the deeper interior space. It’s true that the more you look, the more you see. One of these days I’ll post some x-ray images that I have of different shells in my collection. Interior space indeed!
This was drawn with a silver stylus on a specially prepared surface – a medium known as silverpoint, which was used extensively during the Renaissance era. Tones are built up with layers of lines and much patience. The silver metal lines will tarnish over time to a warm sepia tone.
I prepared the paper with a pale blue-gray tone, then used white ink for highlights. To learn more about Silverpoint please visit My Website.