Harvey's Helpful HintsApril 2008 When using a reservoir on a broad nib have the point of the reservoir about 1/16 inch from the tip of the nib, but when using a finer nib have the reservoir point further back away from the point. Always thin your ink with distilled water. Thin waterproof ink with alcohol. Use styrofoam meat trays (turned upside down) for holding your ink bottles. Cut a hole the size of your bottle in the tray. Cut notches in the tray to hold your penstaffs, pencils, exacto knives, brushes etc. Did you know that 11 words per line are easiest to read? Baby wipes are great for removing ink from fingers, nibs and board surfaces. Use the square folded type as opposed to the “pop-up” type – they stay moist longer. When removing tape from artwork always pull the tape from the artwork outward – this will eliminate tearing the paper. Another item to prevent rolling tools from your drawing table are the pedicure pads that go between toes. Simply tape this item to your table and rest the “rollers” in the toe slots. A good all-purpose cleaner: 1 pint rubbing alcohol ½ cup sudsy ammonia 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid Add these ingredients to 1 gallon water. Use the solution in a spray bottle or wipe cloth...for nibs, windows, stoves, mirrors, etc. Another method of starting ink flow on a nib is to insert the nib into a raw, unpeeled potato then dip into ink. The potato starch helps ink to adhere to the nib and perform better. For your next dinner party write the guest names on leaves, shells, etc. then dip into paraffin wax. Your guests will be impressed. Several handy techniques to remember when writing or drawing on an artpiece. Use: Embossing or debossing, resist with masking fluid, color blending within letters and words, guilding, double or multi-stroke letters, white or light writing on dark papers and colored pencil work. Any of these techniques will get the reader's attention. The correct pronunciation: arches = Arsh, Ingress = Ong, Mi Tienes = Me Tent.
|
