Harvey's Helpful Hints
November 2007

To make ink adhere better to nibs first dip the nib in gum arabic then wipe off. And using gouache with a few drops of gum arabic mixed in will make the ink adhere better to the paper and make your flourishes easier, plus makes for finer hairlines.

Having difficulty with your copperplate? Try this remedy – underneath your paper place a piece of felt material the size of your paper. With practice your copperplate will become more free and relaxed.

Store your art brushes in an airtight container (or cigar box). Add a few moth balls and varmints won't bother eating the bristles.

Murphy's Oil Soap or Simple Green are great items for washing your art brushes. Be sure to rinse well and let dry before packing them up. Suspend the brushes (bristles down) for air drying.

Be sure to save the Silica-Gel packets that come in shoes, prescription bottles, etc. They are essential for reducing moisture in your nib and brush air-tight containers.

When choosing an Oriental ink stick look for the ones (Japanese) that do not have a glossy covering. They will be better than the Chinese sticks. This ink will only last a couple days after water is added.

Before starting your art piece  ALWAYS test the ink and erasing qualities on another like sheet of paper. This tip can cause you countless hours of redo. Be sure the trial sheet is the same as the one you will use for your finished artwork.

And when using black gouache remember that Jet black is blackest

• Lamp Black is grey black

• Ivory black is brown-black

Mixing your own pastel colored inks: use Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White and transparent watercolors -great for lettering on dark papers.

Keep a container of “baby wipes” near your work area, Wipe your hands often – it does a real number on removing ink from fingers and hands.

Did you know that Dr. Martin's Spectralite Airbrush Color is waterproof AND permanent, comes in a variety of colors, flows well from copperplate and Mitchell nibs (without reservoirs) AND cleans up well with 409 cleaner AND adheres to slick surfaces? Try it – you just might like it! These bottles have a convenient screw-on eye-dropper cap.

LAUGH A LOT! It's good for you and eases the tension – might even help your writing!