Bonsai (Silverpoint and Copper Leaf) | ORIGINAL ARTWORK
Bonsai (Silverpoint and Copper Leaf) | ORIGINAL ARTWORK
This original artwork, "Bonsai" (2024), by Blake Gore was hand-drawn with no magnification or eyeglasses using a silverpoint stylus and copper leaf on a specially prepared wood panel. The panel is not covered by glass in order to facilitate the graceful aging of the silver and allow for greater appreciation of the texture.
Dimensions and Framing:
-
Artwork: 4.25" x 3.875"
- Panel: 8"x10"
- Frame: 11.25" x 9.25"
- The artwork's sturdy cradle frame is finished with a wire hanging mechanism.
More about Silverpoint Technique:
Silverpoint is a traditional drawing technique that dates back to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. It involves using a silver rod or wire to draw on a specially prepared surface. The technique was widely used by artists before the invention of the modern pencil and was favored for its fine lines and subtle gradations of tone.
The technique emerged during the late medieval period. It was often used for manuscript illustrations and detailed drawings. Reaching its peak during the Renaissance, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Dürer, and Raphael employed it for their precise studies and detailed compositions.
Silverpoint requires a prepared surface, typically a paper or board coated with a layer of ground or gesso. The coating is applied in thin, even layers and allowed to dry. It creates a slightly abrasive surface that will catch the metal particles from the silver stylus.
The artist uses a silver rod or wire, often encased in a holder for ease of use. The stylus is drawn across the prepared surface, depositing tiny amounts of silver. Silverpoint is known for its fine, delicate lines. The marks are initially light gray but tarnish over time to a warm brownish tone, giving silverpoint drawings a unique and enduring quality. In addition, silverpoint drawings are durable and resist smudging.
Follow Blake Gore on Instagram (@blakegore) for more tiny art:
https://www.instagram.com/blakegore/
Copyright © Blake Gore, 2024. All rights reserved.