I recently bought aone of those magnifying glasses you see people fixing jewelry with it has a ring light. I was mortified to look at some of my drawings. I can do SO much better now. Its incredible.
Thank you for the quotation. Yes you can but it does take time to make the powder. It won't give a pure black background but will give a good base to build your darkest tone onto. I do have a video on how to make graphite powder but you need a graphite block and a pepper corn grinder. It is important that it is a pepper corn and not a regular pepper grinder as it has to be a bit corser for grinding the powder. Make sure not to use it to grind pepper after using it for graphite. Hope this is of help.
I collect and compartmentalize my pencil lead shavings (powder) and use these to create various backgrounds and effects by applying these with a soft blending brush. For the darkest, non reflective tones, I used powder from Carbon but especially Pierre Noir pencils. If you are fully limited to graphite, you may add a solvent and apply it with a cotton wool swab (very carefully, doesn't etase more that 10%-20%) for wide areas and a very soft brush for fine areas. This is pitch black (primarily with the higher B / softer pencils) and non-reflective.
I have just completed a drawing of a hare using the indenting technique for the first time. I was inspired to use this technique by you. So can I thank you for your listings and will continue to learn from you ? My mistake generally is impatience and as the indenting technique requires patience it is a good learning g curve for me. Thank you 🙏
That is so nice to hear, thank-you. When I started to use this technique it was originally in a very minimum way but as time went on I found I started to add more and more detail and of course the consequence of this is that pictures take longer and longer to do but it is worth it in the end. I also learnt to study reference closer and to really start to look for the different textures and patterns. If you've got any questions please feel free to ask and thank you for such a great comment.
Amazing! Which brand of pencil and powder do you use? I think that graphite is interesting like main medium because you need to get a deep understanding about values and medium itself. Your 3b background is so dark!
@antonioblanco3086 Thank you for watching. The pencils I use are the CARAN d'ACHE Grafwood graphite pencils and the 3B powder was made from a 3B Grafcube of the same make. I prefer to make the powder myself as it then matches with the pencils I use. I do also have an older video on how to make this. One thing also to consider is paper as this does make a difference when trying to achieve dark tones. The two papers I use are StCuthberts Saunders Waterford but mainly nowadays I use Arches Aquerelle.
Informative as usual, thank you. Difficult to see but did the 3B background have a ‘shine’? Also how do you avoid the dreaded graphite shine in your work?
Thank you. Very light shine but it is all down to lighting. The reason why graphite shines is because it is a crystal so it depends on the angle the light hits the picture. It's personally not something that bothers me as when a picture is hung and lit correctly it's not a problem, but if it does bother you Faber Castelle have brought out Pit Graphite Matt pencils for darker tones. I did contact them about these with some questions as I was interested in review them on the channel but they didn't send me any and they are quite difficult to get hold of. From what I have seen they work like regular pencils in terms of use and blending with a reduced shine, but until I try one I can't pass judgment. Hope this is of help😊
I see what you mean by lighting. I find I press too hard which causes shine and am trying to ‘soften’ my pressure. Last week I managed to purchase the Fabre Castell Matt pencils and they work quite well (except the 12B….leaves a shine no matter what!). But I find they feel gritty when applying on the paper. Would love to hear your views if/when you purchase some.
@@JB-gk9cl Interesting to hear your opinion on them and I definitely prefer to use a smoother pencil. I will be interesting to try them out and hopefully will do a video soon.
Your background technique reminds me of a french polish finish on wood furniture. Is the graphite powder you’re using from a specific pencil - 3B or something else? Thanks!
It's made from a 3B graphite block. For a darker finish I would use 9B as a base and then apply a 9B block over the top. Also applying the powder with makeup pads sponges and brushes all produce different effects. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Thank you for the question. I usually work on St Cuthbert's Saunders Waterford 300 gram Hot Press as this takes tone and also embosses very well but for this picture I am used Arches Aquarelle 356 gram Hot Press. This is the first time that I have used this paper and so far so good. It again takes the tone well and I would say it feels a bit firmer and tougher than the St Cuthbert's. Both manufacturers make these papers in 2 shades. The St Cuthbert's that I use is white. They also do an ultra white but I personally find that this is too harsh and bright. The Arches is Natural white as again the Bright white is to harsh. Hope this is helpful and thank you for the question.
Thank you for the question and sadly the answer is not very much at the moment. Art is a very up and down business at the best of times and 2020 changed every thing with all events and classes cancelled and galleries closed, so I decided to make some online classes as well as start this channel but unfortunately I think this will take some time to grow as you need to make a lot of content and build a new following. I know some people on TH-cam say they earn lots but the reality is for most of us that is not the case. Thanks again for the question and I wish I could of given a better answer.
I know my comment and subscription aren't money in your pocket kind sir but accept my gratitude for your taking the time and trouble to teach me (and so many others , but I can only speak for myself) so much.
I recently bought aone of those magnifying glasses you see people fixing jewelry with it has a ring light. I was mortified to look at some of my drawings. I can do SO much better now. Its incredible.
love your your background technique 🥰🥰
Thank you
Your talent is absolutely breathtaking, you deserve waaay more subs.
Thank you so much.
Very informative! I liked how you explained everything. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you that is so nice to hear and thank you for watching.
You are incredibly talented!
Thank-you so much, it's so nice to know that you are enjoying the videos and it makes the time spent creating them so worth while.
Thanks for sharing this, it has been very helpful! I like the way you explain things.
Thank you that's great to hear.
Thank you so much I am excited to try this. Know it will help my animal drawings I
That's great to hear
If I don't have graphite powder en need a dark background can i sand down 10b graphite pencil
Thank you for the quotation. Yes you can but it does take time to make the powder. It won't give a pure black background but will give a good base to build your darkest tone onto. I do have a video on how to make graphite powder but you need a graphite block and a pepper corn grinder. It is important that it is a pepper corn and not a regular pepper grinder as it has to be a bit corser for grinding the powder. Make sure not to use it to grind pepper after using it for graphite. Hope this is of help.
I collect and compartmentalize my pencil lead shavings (powder) and use these to create various backgrounds and effects by applying these with a soft blending brush. For the darkest, non reflective tones, I used powder from Carbon but especially Pierre Noir pencils.
If you are fully limited to graphite, you may add a solvent and apply it with a cotton wool swab (very carefully, doesn't etase more that 10%-20%) for wide areas and a very soft brush for fine areas. This is pitch black (primarily with the higher B / softer pencils) and non-reflective.
I have just completed a drawing of a hare using the indenting technique for the first time. I was inspired to use this technique by you. So can I thank you for your listings and will continue to learn from you ? My mistake generally is impatience and as the indenting technique requires patience it is a good learning g curve for me. Thank you 🙏
That is so nice to hear, thank-you. When I started to use this technique it was originally in a very minimum way but as time went on I found I started to add more and more detail and of course the consequence of this is that pictures take longer and longer to do but it is worth it in the end. I also learnt to study reference closer and to really start to look for the different textures and patterns. If you've got any questions please feel free to ask and thank you for such a great comment.
Amazing! Which brand of pencil and powder do you use? I think that graphite is interesting like main medium because you need to get a deep understanding about values and medium itself. Your 3b background is so dark!
@antonioblanco3086 Thank you for watching. The pencils I use are the CARAN d'ACHE Grafwood graphite pencils and the 3B powder was made from a 3B Grafcube of the same make. I prefer to make the powder myself as it then matches with the pencils I use. I do also have an older video on how to make this. One thing also to consider is paper as this does make a difference when trying to achieve dark tones. The two papers I use are StCuthberts Saunders Waterford but mainly nowadays I use Arches Aquerelle.
@JamieBoots thank you so much. Hot pressed right? An artwork like this, how much is it?
@antonioblanco3086 yes hot press 300gram. A picture like that in a gallery or exhibition is about £10.000
@@JamieBoots thank you sir! All of the best
How to decide whether we need to do light and dark background?🤔
Yes it does need to be an early decision as it will effect the contrast of the subject. Thank you for watching.
Informative as usual, thank you. Difficult to see but did the 3B background have a ‘shine’? Also how do you avoid the dreaded graphite shine in your work?
Thank you. Very light shine but it is all down to lighting. The reason why graphite shines is because it is a crystal so it depends on the angle the light hits the picture. It's personally not something that bothers me as when a picture is hung and lit correctly it's not a problem, but if it does bother you Faber Castelle have brought out Pit Graphite Matt pencils for darker tones. I did contact them about these with some questions as I was interested in review them on the channel but they didn't send me any and they are quite difficult to get hold of. From what I have seen they work like regular pencils in terms of use and blending with a reduced shine, but until I try one I can't pass judgment. Hope this is of help😊
I see what you mean by lighting. I find I press too hard which causes shine and am trying to ‘soften’ my pressure. Last week I managed to purchase the Fabre Castell Matt pencils and they work quite well (except the 12B….leaves a shine no matter what!). But I find they feel gritty when applying on the paper. Would love to hear your views if/when you purchase some.
@@JB-gk9cl Interesting to hear your opinion on them and I definitely prefer to use a smoother pencil. I will be interesting to try them out and hopefully will do a video soon.
Your background technique reminds me of a french polish finish on wood furniture. Is the graphite powder you’re using from a specific pencil - 3B or something else? Thanks!
Never mind!! just heard you say you used a 3B pencil for the graphite powder 🤦🏻♀️
It's made from a 3B graphite block. For a darker finish I would use 9B as a base and then apply a 9B block over the top. Also applying the powder with makeup pads sponges and brushes all produce different effects. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
@@JamieBoots Thanks for all the additional info - much appreciated
Fantastic.
Thank you so much for the nice comment😊
helloo sir..thank you for the insight..I have a question,which type of paper do you use
Thank you for the question. I usually work on St Cuthbert's Saunders Waterford 300 gram Hot Press as this takes tone and also embosses very well but for this picture I am used Arches Aquarelle 356 gram Hot Press. This is the first time that I have used this paper and so far so good. It again takes the tone well and I would say it feels a bit firmer and tougher than the St Cuthbert's. Both manufacturers make these papers in 2 shades. The St Cuthbert's that I use is white. They also do an ultra white but I personally find that this is too harsh and bright. The Arches is Natural white as again the Bright white is to harsh. Hope this is helpful and thank you for the question.
@@JamieBoots thank you....Much love from Kenya.looking foward for more videos from you
Looks like bristol paper?
Thanks for the quedtion the paper is Arches Aqerrelle 356 gram Hot press.
i searched for best and youtube brought me here 🥰🤩🤩
Thank you so much for watching😊
How much money do you earn monthly sir
Thank you for the question and sadly the answer is not very much at the moment. Art is a very up and down business at the best of times and 2020 changed every thing with all events and classes cancelled and galleries closed, so I decided to make some online classes as well as start this channel but unfortunately I think this will take some time to grow as you need to make a lot of content and build a new following. I know some people on TH-cam say they earn lots but the reality is for most of us that is not the case. Thanks again for the question and I wish I could of given a better answer.
I know my comment and subscription aren't money in your pocket kind sir but accept my gratitude for your taking the time and trouble to teach me (and so many others , but I can only speak for myself) so much.
op