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Published on September 6, 2011 10:10 PM
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Silverpoint is rarely used today except by a few persons who take an interest in traditional artists' materials, yet it was a favorite technique of the old masters. The disuse of silverpoint, after graphite sticks came into use during the 17th century, is one of the most curious details of technical art history. It is peculiar that an instrument once used by the most famous artists who ever drew on paper should have come to be neglected and despised by
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Traditional Oil Painting: The Revival of Historical Artists' Materials
In recent years, we have witnessed the trend towards the use of traditional artists’ materials—painting materials used prior to the twentieth century. This is evident from the growth of small artists’ color companies and in the increased interest among artists about historical painting techniques and materials. Why this trend is occurring is subject to much speculation, but some may say it is due to the revival in figurative art, especially since the 1970s. I would prefer to say that interest in figurative art never really died out, but rather it has survived abstract art.
If this is the case, that the trend towards traditional artists’ materials is related to the renewed interest in figurative art, than Bill Creevy, author and contributing writer to American Artist magazine, may have identified the motivation for this trend. He said, “The advantage to being a figurative artist is that you don’t have to really worry about being in or out of fashion.