2012/16: Working with Goldpoint

Silverpoint and Goldpoint were used as a method of drawing in the 14th Century before graphite was discovered. It was used by metal-smiths and artist such as Durer, Da Vinci and Raphael - these drawings can be viewed by appointment at the British Museum, London. It's amazing to see works of genius upon close inspection. This method of working is used by a small number of artists today as this medium is unforgiving and is very arduous to build up a tonal value ( I like that ). Gold leaves a faint tone which is ideal for working out a composition, while silver can achieve a darker tone. It can take up to 10 hours to build up a deep dark tone as silver requires small oscillations or cross-hatching to gradually build from light to dark. Metal will only leave a mark on primed surfaces, ideally Gesso based. A coin will do the same on a painted wall.