Art Unboxed Bulletproof To Water?
In this Art Unboxed, I’d like to talk about something that is a combination of something I had, and something I added. For some time now, I’ve been enjoying drawing with a fountain pen. I enjoy the uniqueness of the lines, but also as a lefty, it’s nice to be able to draw with it. Left handed people generally avoid anything except a ballpoint because of smearing.
Drawing is somewhat different. A couple of years ago my wife brought me a home a Windsor and Newton fountain pen kit from Ross. Eventually I upgraded to an Amazon Basics fountain pen, but I could not do line and wash with it. The ink was not waterproof, so I couldn’t go over it with watercolor.
Some time ago I had seen Steve Mitchell from The Mind Of Watercolor, which I highly recommend, mentioned Noodler’s Bulletproof Ink. I’ve been planning on trying for at least a year. The only question was do I try the Bulletproof Black, or Lexington Gray, both being considered among the most waterproof in the line.
I finally bought a bottle of Noodler’s Black Waterproof ink. I chose the black because I thought it would be less obvious in the finished watercolor. I also got a new Jinhao black mat finish fountain pen with converter. I picked it up in a set with a ink converter. It was incredible!
By nature I am very clumsy, yet I was able to feel it without making a mess. For me that was a big accomplishment. Once that was finished, I started drawing. What a wonderful experience. I loved my Amazon Basics fountain pen, except it was a little short. The Jinhao was bigger and weightier, which I like.
The nib is a little more free flowing, which may just be new operator error since both are mediums. As I write this, I have yet to try it with watercolor, due to schedule and the fact that I’ve been too busy enjoying drawing with the pen. In addition to sharing how much I’ve enjoyed this process, I would like to mention one other thing.
Every tool we use as an artist, improves our draftsmanship, sharpens our minds, and enhances our abilities to see new possibilities. Side note, this isn’t just true in art. When we learn new things, with what Scripture calls a teachable spirit, we can improve our skills.
Obviously we should be careful what we become involved with, and not open ourselves up to something which could be dangerous, or unhealthy. You won’t catch me drag racing, I don’t care for broken cars, or broken bones, lol.
If it’s a healthy activity, which doesn’t take away my time for my faith, family, and friends, I love to learn new things. Whether it’s drawing or my wife’s jigsaw puzzles, they add to our lives. One of the primary reasons I enjoy adding to my life, is to add to others. It’s why my site’s motto is adding value through words and pictures.
As artists, it’s wonderful to know some small new lesson we learn can make someone else smile. To me this is part of what makes art exciting. What better way to make art than to sketch something which draws a smile from someone else?
