Day 7: Landscape

Landscape by James L. Stevenson, Silverpoint on Prepared Paper 8 x 11 inches, JLS-062809

Day 6: Shadowy Figures

This is Ayton silverpoint drawing #4:


Shadowy Figures by William T. Ayton, 2009, silverpoint drawing on prepared card, 11" x 8.5". WTA004.

Very subtle line drawing with cross-hatching of 2 figures.

Price available on request. Please leave a message on this post, or email "info" "at symbol" "ayton.net". Thanks.

Day 5: Life Drawing

Life Drawing by James L. Stevenson, Silverpoint on Prepared Paper, 8 x 11 inches, JLS-061609

$45 USD incl US shipping (+5 Non-US)

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Day 4: Head Raised (Fear)

This is a fine-line silverpoint drawing of a head:


Head Raised (Fear), 2009, by William T. Ayton. Silverpoint drawing on prepared card, 11" x 8.5". WTA003.

Some of the finer lines have not come through too well on the scan. Created with the "traditional" stylus, a very fine silver wire in a holder.

Price available on request. Please leave a message on this post, or email "info" "at symbol" "ayton.net". Thanks.

Notes on shipping, etc.

This is just to clarify a few points:

1. The silverpoint drawings are on sale unframed & unmatted. This is to keep costs low for shipping, etc. Also, they should ideally be framed behind glass (or plexi), so that could be a problem with shipping.

2. Prices quoted after each item reflect the full price including shipping. There are usually 2 prices -- one including shipping to the US, and the other for shipping outside the US.

3. We currently only accept PayPal. If this is problem, please leave a comment to this post. Anonymous comments are enabled.

Thank you.

Day 3: Promontory

Here is the 2nd experiment in silverpoint by William T. Ayton:


Promontory, 2009, by William T. Ayton. Silverpoint drawing on prepared card (actually, from the backing of a spiral-bound sketchbook), 9" x 8.25" approx. WTA002.

The piece is inspired by the fantastic rock formations often seen in old Flemish paintings.

Price available on request. Please leave a message on this post, or email "info" "at symbol" "ayton.net". Thanks.

Day 2: Three Trees

Three Trees by James L. Stevenson. Silverpoint on Prepared Paper, 8 x 11 inches, JLS-062209

Day 1: Man's Head and Mountains

Here is the first silverpoint drawing:


Man's Head and Mountains by William T. Ayton, 2009, silverpoint drawing on prepared thin card, 11" x 8.5". Serial number WTA001. Click image for better view.

As previously stated, silverpoint drawings are very difficult to scan, given that they consist of traces of silver on a support treated with a ground, so the traces are quite reflective & do not pick up well on a scanner. However, I've tried to adjust the image in Photoshop to make it as representative as possible of its current state. As the image oxidizes further, I shall try to get a better image for this blog.

This piece was done about a week ago, so it has darkened a little, but not much. I have built up a collection of about 12 drawings at this point, so I will post one a day from now on (either of my work or Jim Stevenson's), and they will be available for purchase.

Price available on request. Please leave a message on this post, or email "info" "at symbol" "ayton.net". Thanks.

The oxidation problem

Note: while Jim & I have started to produce silverpoint drawings, they are currently in a difficult state to accurately scan & reproduce here, due to the time it takes for the silver traces on the page to oxidize, darken & turn a brownish hue. In the meantime, we'll build up a supply of pieces, I guess, & when they start to mature, they will start to appear here. Stay tuned...

Getting Closer to Silverpoint

We have the materials (Jim & I). Now we have to prepare some paper & make some drawings. To clarify: silverpoint (or other kinds of metalpoint drawing) is achieved by using a thin piece of metal wire (silver, copper, gold, etc) held in a stylus to make marks on a prepared surface (paper coated with gesso or gouache, usually), so the line is formed on the page when a trace of the metal is left on the surface. After time (or exposure to the sun), the traces of metal oxidize & subtly change color -- silver becoming brown, for example.

Here's a metalpoint drawing by Leonardo, to demonstrate the fine lines & subtle shading possibilities:


Angel for the Madonna of the Rocks, metalpoint heightened with white. Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1483-85.

Coming Soon!

Just as soon as we figure this thing out. What is silverpoint anyway? Oh, here it is...