Drawing

Silverpoint Pencil

Silverpoint drawings have been described as elegant, delicate and precise. They display 'the hand of the artist' and are more completely archival than any other medium. Silverpoint drawings from the late Medieval and Renaissance periods have survived without damage due to the inertness and permanence of this medium. Many of Leonardo DaVinci's early drawings were completed in this traditional medium. Silverpoint drawings have a light and uniform quality tarnishing from a cool grey to a warm reddish-brown over time. For use on gesso-coated 300gsm, or preferably 640gsm, hot press watercolour paper or gesso-covered hardboard. The 'pencil' features a10mm long x 1.5mm diameter pure silver (softer than sterling silver) point set into a black lacquered, 175mm long tapered wooden handle.