Anyone with advice on metalpoint drawing?

Question

specifically silverpoint gold, grounds and techniques?

Answer 1

Start with a surface support that can stand the preparation. You will be using real gesso sizing and burnishing it very smooth. You can use the back of a steel spoon, an agate, a bone folder. sterling silver wire will do just fine, but fine silver is a bit better. You can hold the wire in a drafting pencil like a Stadler Mars. You can sharpen the tip to your line preference on emery paper, make up a number of pencils from different guage wire with different tip profiles sanded into them. Remember there no mistakes in this medium! Once its down on the surface there it stays. It is all cross hatching to build form and shadow. I would suggest you read up on the specifics. I imagine that you can find good resources on line. I'm not where I can get at my resources for this. Sorry I could not be more helpful. copper wire works as well, Its easy to come by and might give a nice effect on a toned surface.