I’ve had five whole days away from the computer. The RSI problem came back with a vengeance and coupled with a nasty lurgi, I decided to take a bit of a break from t’Internet. I’ve still been busy in the studio though, developing some plans for a series of larger scale subtractive drawings. I stretched some sheets of Fabriano Accademica onto the studio wall and gave them two coats of acrylic gesso. I rubbed in compressed charcoal over the surface of two of the sheets and coated the third with graphite, smoothing it over with a rag dipped in turpentine. Then I transferred one of my life drawings to a smaller bit of charcoal-coated card to do a practice piece before committing myself to the larger paper. I like this technique very much; the resulting drawing is rather like a mezzotint.
This shows the stretched paper coated with compressed charcoal either side of the piece I covered with graphite, before it had been smoothed over with turpentine.
scribblah 
Oooh I’ll be watching what you’re doing on that wall to pick up a few tips. Take it easy though, don’t go expanding the rsi onto the wall scribbling movements too!
Getting some practice in on a smaller piece. My arm is o when I’m doing art – it’s the computer that’s the problem 😦
Looks great–interesting technique.
Thank you – been getting on with it today 🙂
Computer breaks are a good thing. sometimes I find myself sitting in front of the computer more than sitting down with the old sketch book. Should be the other way around.
Yes too right. I don’t get RSI with my artwork [touch wood!] – it’s the computer that’s the problem. Can’t wait to see your new kitchen.
So it looks like you’re using tape to stretch your paper? Or do you staple it down first? Just curious. Looking forward to the finished product and the other parts in between!
Thanks. I use paper gum strip to stick it to the wall. It’s a Fabriano Accademica 240gsm which is light enough not to need staples.
Will you have to work on a dead-vertical surface like that now they’re on the wall? Doesn’t sound good for the old RSI! Like what I can see of your sketch, though. Go easy on yourself 🙂
Thanks. It’ll be a challenge to work like that but it’s on such a large scale that I’m hoping to use my left hand as well. Also, I’m intending to leave a lot of it black so that should cut down on the work 🙂
Glad you are feeling better, missed you.
p.s, nice kettle!
Thanks. I’ve missed blogging too. RSI is getting to be quite a nuisance.
Who had the lurgi? You or the computer? I’ve heard of computer viruses but didn’t know they could be passed on to people!
haha – it was me! I also had RSI so I took a break from the computer. Lots of chest infections in this part of the world at the moment.
Yes, glad you’re back.
Thanks – I’ve missed it 🙂
RSI.. ouch !
glad you’re back !
Thanks. This RSI keeps coming back within a few days of starting back on the computer 😦
That looks like fuuuuuun!
It certainly is