What is it about vintage art supplies that thrills me? I get swept away into idealism and nostalgia for the materials I remember from my childhood, when I spent endless happy hours drawing, painting, and creating in a messy state of wonder.
The price is usually cheaper than modern materials, and the quality is often much better. And, I like to think that forgotten art materials feel pride and delight in being used for their intended purpose rather than being left to gather dust, or worse, dumped in the landfill.
They want to be found by someone who will love them and make art with them!
A week ago, I found a box of 72 Koh-I-Noor graphite leads at the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. A half gross of professional grade 4B leads, just waiting to create amazing drawings! All for $12. A bargain!
At 3mm thick, the graphite leads wouldn't fit into any mechanical pencil I had. An internet search led me to a vintage mechanical pencil on ebay, for $12.
It arrived on Black Friday, and I excitedly ripped into the package, and loaded it up with a lead. There's a magic to new art supplies. With the winds of excitement blowing you along, you freely explore all the different types of marks your new tool can make. There is no right or wrong, just discovery and play.
And this is the best approach for art making with any supply -- no expectations, only explorations and experiments.
I began making sketches, and discovered that the thick lead created wonderful masses of tone when I turned it on its side (above).
I could sharpen the tip with a sandpaper sharpener or even a regular pencil sharpener, and get fine lines.
The 4B graphite created dark tones, but also seemed quite strong and stiff, able to take a fair bit of pressure from the side.
I set out with my pencil and sketchbook, and found barnwood, winter weeds, and songbirds outdoors to sketch.
I hope you get a chance to test out some art supplies -- vintage or modern -- soon!
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