I’ve been experimenting today. I was given some large pieces of robust tissue paper by a fellow artist and invited to do something with them and then give them back to her for her installation. I decided to cover them with rubbings made from a very large woodcut I have been working on. It isn’t finished yet so I don’t have any prints but the rubbings picked up the developed parts nicely.
I tried out a few different drawing materials to start with. First, carbon, compressed charcoal and Bideford Black (looked good but too smudgy). Secondly, Chinese charcoal (too hard, ripped the paper). And finally, Graphite block (perfect, didn’t rip, didn’t smudge, nice metallic sheen). Bit like Goldilocks and the porage.
There are differing opinions on how to spell porage, which is the spelling I always use but many use porridge and, rarely, parritch. I love the stuff, made nice and thin (Husb contemptuously calls it gruel – he likes it thick enough to stand your spoon in) and I put a knob of butter in mine, I’m not fond of sugar. When I was in Pakistan I had porage made from cracked wheat rather than oats, nice but very different.
scribblah 
This is looking great – sometimes the silveriness of graphite is just not strong enough, but this is perfect. Maybe it is something to do with the size of your paper. What a nice thing to be able to play with!
Thanks, it’s a lovely ethereal quality
Great experiment. I have one particular graphite aquarelle that I like, better than all the others – I assume it relates to the specific source. I have never seen your spelling of porage, but it makes sense. As for the stuff itself, I have to say I side with your husband. 😐
I haven’t tried graphite aquarelle, must have a go.
The one I’m using is Cretacolor 8B aquarelle. I’m looking on their website but can’t see my version, but the closest seems to be Artist Studio Graphite Pencils. As mine came as a freebie from the Urban Sketchers Symposium it might just be different packaging.
Thank you. I’ll look out for it 😊
Wonderful rubbing, love the scale of it!
Thanks Phil 🙂
This is awesome! Have a happy day. 😀
Thank you 😀