Solvents

[christine]

Hello,

I have been reading through old threads, but have not found much on the use of solvents. The artichoke piece is killing me, more of a chore than fun so I've started a new piece until I can decide if I should start fresh with it.

I've got a very dark background going on the new piece -- yes I'm working the background first -- I'm thinking of using solvents to disolve it and get the depth/blackish blue I want. Can anyone offer suggestions? I've played with both brushes and cosmetic pads, but both scare me. There seems to be good AND bad things about both and the level of control I am getting.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :confused:

Best,
Christine

[Arlene]

first when I say work the bg first, I don't mean to completion! I mean to start with it yes, but then work on the rest of the drawing too...everything should be brought to the same level of completion.

Use a colorless blender marker from prismacolor. But in this case turpenoid and a brush would be the easiest.

[larsnip]

I use solvent all the time for different reasons, I use it to blend , I use it to tone down values, and lately I have been using it to cut out or scape off pigment in darker areas to add contrast in areas.
In the uploaded drawing I laid down 3 layers of CP, I think it was Grayed Lavendar, Crimson Lake and Black Grape. Then I covered the whole thing wih solvent, let it sit for a minute then wiped off areas to give it texture. The effect is more apparent in person, but you get the idea.
I use Illustration board, so its alittle different than Stonehenge and the like, which absorb the solvent. On the board the solvent and pigment stay on the surface and you can almost paint with it.
I suggest experimenting before you use it on drawing


Dave

[christine]

Arlene,

Yes, I worked my lights and dark in a rough manner, then focused on the bg to get the darks I want -- one thing I'm learning here is to work the ENTIRE drawing at the same time. :)

Dave,

Thanks for the feedback, I was surprised to hear that you covered the entire piece. I normally with with museum board, but have some illustration board tucked away in the flat files -- scraps too I believe. I'll have to experiment. Lovely drawing by the way!

Thank you both for the tips!

Christine

[larsnip]

I covered the BG with solvent, not the whole drawing, the foreground wasn't even started yet.
I think Museum board is porus and absorbs the solvent also, at least black does, I havn't used white
I use Strathmore 500 series velum finish, it works well for me


Dave

[ste]

Thanks for the information on the use of solvents Dave,very usefull,I tried it on a small area using Stonehenge and it stained and absorbed it,so to use it with board makes a lot of sense.
Superb drawing,thanks for posting :)

Steve

[Bebble]

Ah, one of the many answers I've been searching for (I called it blending, lol). I'll have to try some experimentation w/ it - turpeniod on watercolor paper...hmmm, any advice/comments on such?