Training the Hand With Metal Point
Artwork by Gilberto Mello, Drawing Academy student
Dear colleagues,
I started the Drawing Academy program in 2013; since then I have been working at my own pace, but doing diligently, trying to take the best of the lessons and I sometimes reviewing them over just to make sure I am getting the drawing principles and techniques right. I enjoy the program not only for the learning of drawing but also for the numerous interesting techniques presented in it, such as the old masters metal point drawing technique.
I confess that in the beginning I was afraid to try metal tips in drawing, for fear that I would ‘mess things up’ easily and not be able to correct them, but I decided to give it a try just to see how far I could go. For my surprise, I was able to prepare the paper medium fairly well, following the clear instructions given in the course; furthermore, I was able to complete one drawing with very pleasing results. So gratifying was the first experience that I decided to try it once more, producing the portrait that I present along with this narrative.
Metal point drawing technique is indeed a difficult one but I believe anyone willing to try it can do well, too. My personal challenge with the technique was to have the control of the tool, like I was “training my hand” on the delicate movements needed and applying only the necessary pressure to produce the right tonal values on the paper, thus creating the form of the figure I wanted to draw.
I hope my experience with metal point drawing will serve as a positive example to other Drawing Academy students as well.
Gilberto Mello
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It is a very beautiful and sensualist drawing. I recognize myself very much IN your story of your process and I also feel a special attraktion to the metal point technique – kind regards Lis Engel
A belated thank you to you, Lis Engel, for your kind words.
I am interested in metal point. Did you use different metals to get the color changes?
Thank you,
Phyllis Henson
Very nice drawing.