16″x12″ water soluble graphite on Khadi paper
I love using water soluble anything, so this was a relaxing way to spend a rainy morning. I could only find two of my pencils, however, so I’ve misplaced three of them. I used the tin of Artgraph Viarco graphite as well the carbon “tile” from the same company which helped with large areas of darker value.
My summer art drought continued throughout August. Finally, I used Derwent Graphitint pencils and Faber Castell water soluble graphite for this quick drawing.
Another sketchbook page done, an experiment with graphite, and an embroidery exercise with value.
Yes, it’s a still a bird but at least I broke my streak of posting fountain pen sketches. This time around a used a Wikimedia Commons photo and my Inktense pencils and blocks. I’ve used Inktense a lot but almost always as a background with pastels or colored pencil layered over it. I had forgotten how wonderful they are to use from beginning to end. They layer beautifully, create interesting washes, and the white can be as translucent or opaque as needed–a real treat for someone who’s always struggling with saving white paper for highlights.
I love how this crow turned out and wish I would have gone to the trouble to use better paper with this one.