roughing in a drawing on a drumset?

Question

I have been asked to do the precision drawing for flames on a drum set--someone else will paint that drawing. What would be best to use-- I am comfy enuff to use just plain old pencil . however,on the chance I do misdraw a line, it may not erase (it is painted a blue metallic background) if I use chalk it may get rubbed of in transport. if I use grease pencil, either the tape or the paint won't stick to it ( he is gonna mask it & spraypaint). He has brought this to me @ the last minute & there is not enough time to make stencils for all 5 drums,.I will be drawing directly onto them tomorrow night-- is there any new products for drawing that will stay put till one deliberately wipes away?? any suggestions would be appreciated except for dry erase markers, lol,-they like to stick to paint

Answer 1

I can't think of any reason why graphite pencil won't work - if you use a gum eraser (the kind that crumbles away) it won't mar the paint (which should be pretty tough enamel). If you use a softer pencil - at least 4B or 6B - there won't be any chance of scratching the paint.

There is a pencil made by Stabilo called Stabilo-All that will write on shiny surfaces - it looks like graphite and will erase well but I think it has a wax binder... it's the only other drawing tool I can think of that might work but you'd be wise to test it first if you have time.

Answer 2

how about using a rigger brush for fine lines and opaque gouche. its water soluble and you can make real fine lines with it and that brush and it wipes away with a damp cloth. Yooumight want to try real opaque oil paint too, just keep it fluid like a pinstriper would do, then when the guy paints over it it would blend with his paint. its called a 'rigger' or 'liner' brush and you can get it at any art store and they're not too spendy. it looks like a real thin brush with long hairs