What works with what?

 

My experiments with inks lead me to ask the question: what pen or pencil would I use to sketch the base image for ink paintings; and would different pens or pencil react differently to a coat of alcohol or a coat of acrylic ink.

So with Fiona's assistance I set up a test for a range of pens and pencils on translucent yupo paper: and then swiped a coating of the two inks across the test sheets. You can see how the alcohol test worked in the opening image; and how the acrylic ink worked in the image below.

You will note I drew lines and wrote the different names of the pens and pencils on both pieces of paper - prepared paper below. I also recorded whatever ink was used on each - ink puddles below.

Some observations include: alcohol ink creates a more dramatic effect; black Copic pens seem to work better under alcohol ink; alcohol ink gives quite a gentle smudged look; graphite pencil seemed to hold up better under acrylic ink; and most black pens tend to turn brown under both alcohol and acrylic ink.

Fiona and I discussed the test pieces a

The experiment with these can be seen below. Observations include: hard graphite pencils work well; black ball point stands up ok; and Sharpies can be useful for smudged effects and don't go brown. I think I will be using hard graphite pencils for my base sketches if I want a clear image or contrast.

I'm quite amazed that, with Fiona and Megan's encouragement, I have spent quite a bit of time experimenting with papers, inks, layers, pens and pencils. The good news is that I think I'm just about ready to redo some of my pieces and apply the knowledge I have gained.