American Revolutionary War reenactor from the Pennsylvania State Navy. Done on toned paper with white and black charcoal.
American Revolutionary War reenactor in charcoal
16Mar
Category: Limner
10Nov
One of the things I love to do is work in the 18th century as an 18th century artist, or ‘limner’ as they were called. And being a reenactor I have a ready cast of characters to use as models. This fellow is an American rifleman. The portrait is done in graphite (or plumbago as it was called in the 18th century) and charcoal on laid paper.
American Revolutionary War rifleman. Graphite portrait.
Natural Pigments is a wonderful website that sells historic pigments and ready made colors for watercolor, oil, and tempura work. The site also has instructions on how to mull your own colors.
26Oct
Terrific article from the Library of Congress that explains the how’s and why’s of historic inks as well as giving complete instructions from period sources so that you can make your own.
Or those who pass themselves off as same.
Smoke and Fire carries Oak gall ink. Made from walnut hulls. Nice brownish black color.
You can also get pens, quills, a chandlers box, and a proper 18th century journal with laid paper from them as well.
Dick Blick is the Mack Daddy of modern art supplies, but you can also find some good stuff in their massive catalog for 18th century demonstrations. Tons and tons of paper choices including some beautiful French handmade papers. But what really caught my eye was Sinopia’s Historic Pigment Set. From the catalog:
These sets are a superb introduction into the historical world of genuine earth tones, and ancient and contemporary pigments, such as Hansa Yellow, which are no longer being utilized by most major artist paint manufacturers.