Saturday, December 12, 2009

Completed! Work In Progress, Another Silverpoint/Metalpoint!

Cropped image above is the final metalpoint work, untitled for now.

Finished metalpoint work above before cropping. Notice the wonkey horizon line! (I don't know why I didn't notice this earlier!)

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted! I was determined to finish this and am finally calling it done! YAY!! I am so glad, I'm ready to move on! Thank you, to all you who have followed this work in progress and for your support. Thanks to you too, Karen Hull, for linking to this post! I'm happy I've gotten some of you interested in trying out this incredible medium! I'm looking forward to hearing what you think, Karen and seeing your lovely style of working done in metalpoint!

There are some things I would do differently in the next metalpoint, (I will do more!). First, until I am more familiar with using the different metals, I am only going to use one at a time. It will be interesting to see how the two metals I used in this one, (silver and copper) age in the image. I have seen where other artists have used both successfully together, but I'm not sure what I think about it in my own work. Next, even though I was able to use an eraser to lift off some of the metal to change the image, I will wait and see how or if the erasing will change the surface, to see if it leaves any residue. Remember to keep a clean cloth or sheet of paper under your hand to prevent oil from you skin getting on your surface. Also, I would be sure to have my composition worked out completely. It's difficult to correct or change things. Another thing I would try to be more aware of is not to get dark too soon. I found that the darks have a different appearance when they are built up lightly rather than using pressure like you would graphite. It's similar to when you build up layers in colored pencil, except it's using the same pen. It's also difficult to photograph the beauty of the look of the metalpoint. It has a glowing appearance to it that doesn't come through on the screen.

I did like using the Golden Silverpoint Ground. The liquid brushes on evenly and yet the texture comes through. I think this is probably why I find metalpoint so great for doing things like rocks and trees.

Now, as to why I felt the need after all that work to crop the image... I used several photographs to extend the landscape to include the water and island on the left. Unfortunately, after it was completed and I downloaded it to screen, the area on the left side didn't look right to me, the horizon line didn't make sense. In using the photos, I should have made the line of the beach area on the right, higher to match and continue the horizon line across. My husband pointed it out to me after I told him I thought something was wrong! It's always good to step back from your work to look at it from time to time. If I had been working with graphite, it may have been possible to lift up some of the graphite and correct the problem areas. Not so in silverpoint! I think my only solution to make this work stronger is to crop the image as I have done above. I think I will darken the small area of the rocks on the far left side at the bottom, just to separate them from the larger rocks. Doing this makes the metalpoint drawing look like my painting, Time is a Patient Sculptor, that I did of it in miniature. Oh, well, it must be that this is the best composition anyway. At last, I am ready for a new project!

Silverpoint.com is the best website on silverpoint with a lot of useful information, history and links on this fine medium.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Barbara ---congratulations on a finished project, that is always a great feeling! It looks really nice! I will hope to see it in person--guess I am lucky that I do get to see your things in person from time to time :) On another note I had a great intense day experimenting in egg tempera and I am really excited about this medium. I feel ready to start an actual piece--it will be a small piece to start.Can't wait to see your next piece

Autumn Leaves said...

As always, beautiful work, Barbara. I see what you mean about the original horizon line...rather looks like the lake on the left is higher than than the land on the right. I don't think I'd have caught it, at least not immediately, if you hadn't said anything. However, the crop is magnificent and really allows those rocks in the foreground to take precedence. Just wonderful, truly. I wish I could see what happens to these colorwise once the metal begins to oxidize!

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks Janie and Autumn. Always nice to hear your feedback. It's funny how you can be working on something for such a long time and not see anything that bothers you until you put it up on screen! Then that's all you CAN see!!

Thanks Autumn, I'm glad you think the cropped image works. I am interested to see how the two different metals oxidize too.

Janie, I'm looking forward to seeing your egg tempera in person!

Unknown said...

Fabulous Barbara. Thank you also for your link back to my blog!!! As for the two different water lines, to me it adds interest. It is as though a hidden waterfall in the distance leads from the upper body of water down to a lower river. Don't alter it - it adds to the creativity!!!!

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks Karen. It's always interesting to see one's work through other eyes!

Debra Keirce said...

Barbara, it's beautiful! Does the metal oxidize over time? If so, I bet they look like very different pieces after a few years....a very intriguing medium.

Barbara A. Freeman said...

Thanks Deb. Yes, it does oxidize and it will be fun to watch to see what it does.

Carol Andre' said...

Barbara- I have to say- I also prefer the cropped version. Not so much because of the horizon line but because in the uncropped one my eye isn't sure where to go. With the cropped version it suddenly seems to pull together and focus for me. I love your rock work, absolutely outstanding. Congratulations on another beautiful piece.
Merry Christmas too! :-)