This session was very productive also like the last around drawing and the new Woody pencils, but also experimented with some acrylic ink and cheap drawing ink I have as washes. Usually I avoid such ink because I prefer opaque inks like Posca or Molotow, and think the colours look a bit weak – but combined with the ink and underdrawing like masking fluid you get interesting effects, ghostly lines.
I do admit that the two drawings here with masking fluid were supposed to be ‘rubbed off’ but I thought it would destroy the drawings…but it is a development of the Negative Space series in not having hard white lines but ones hidden under the layers of Woody pencils or Posca and ink. More Secret Marks or Stealth Space – maybe I should rename it?
This is the week I really got to grips with what the Woody Pencils could do, as you can see from ‘Blue Nude’ and the back view above. Adding water can be very intense and has to be done sparingly sometimes, and other times it’s best if you pile the water on – the hard thing is work out which works with which, and what pencils or subjects suit either treatment.
(Or that magical ‘third’ option in the ‘Woody 3-in-1’ – which apparently is wax crayon – the other two being pencil and watercolour – which is a bit of a let down, since it’s basically the same as pencil, adding surrounding wood doesn’t really change the marks or ability, just makes it more convenient to use without getting your hands messy!)
I will do some more ink washes in future – I’ve been replacing my crappy Liquitex with proper opaque ink from Molotow so I can save the acrylic ink from those and use it with a brush – that suits the weak pale ink better than a marker which is just disappointment in a can.
Also I’ve just heard about water soluble graphite and charcoal, which given my ink works sounds right up my street! And probably will work well with the Woodys.
Leave a Comment! Be nice….