Curry and cardamom
Posted: December 9, 2022 Filed under: Uncategorized 20 CommentsI’ve never really explored drawing with a ballpoint pen, but I have to say I am loving it. After some technical difficulties with Wednesday’s boot drawing, I decided to splurge on some new ballpoint pens yesterday. The good ones. Bic Cristal, assorted colours. And now that I am drawing with them (an assortment of spice bottles on my counter, used first to flavour a curry) there are some surprises. They are very effective at building up tones slowly and with some subtlety. And they make great dark tones too. I was not expecting that. I chose a medium nib so the first lines I start with are very light (no pencil under the ink), and I layer from there. It’s great fun and also very meditative at the same time. A perfect activity while the curry bubbles away (or overcooks) on the stove.

Wow, beautiful!
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Thanks Christine!
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Amazing, amazing, AMAZING!!!
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Lori, THANKS!
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Thinking you could perhaps post your curry recipe:). Lovin’ your art.
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Sherry, it’s a Deborah Madison recipe from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. If you send me your email, I’ll send you the recipe. It was delicious!
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Thanks for sharing. masonsherry48@gmail.com
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masonsherry48@gmail.com masonsherry48@gmail.com
Thanks so much! -Sherry
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Sure!!
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Looks fantastic!! But I’m wondering if the ink is permanent enough that it would not fade and disappear over time. I know that you shouldn’t sign watercolor paintings with permanent markers because that does fade. Thanks for any information you have.
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Hi Joy, Ballpoint ink is not permanent and will be affected by UV light. But this is in my sketchbook which always remains closed when I’m not drawing, so I am not too concerned about it. My sketchbooks are always in a cool, dry place. Thanks for checking.
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In reality, drawing with anything can be very satisfying. Just the process of working with your hands on something you enjoy will get you into a better space.
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So true, N!
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Oh fun! Have to try!
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Very nice blue ink and lovely drawing
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So funny, splurging on ballpoints. A wonderful drawing, with the distinctive Blaukopf touch. And most informative.
Alison
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I like your use of blue for the bottles. Nice hatching to show the lights and the darks!! I’ve never really used ballpoint pens for sketching, but these look good!
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Hi Shari, what size mm is the nib on your pens? I have one of these pens and it says its a 1.6mm~. It doesn’t create the fine line that your pen did~ so beautifully rendered!
Thanks,
Tami
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Hi Shari,
If I tried drawing while cooking, the food would definitely be overcooked/burnt. Looking forward to another one of your MISA classes, in Tucson this time.
Thanks for your tips, as always, Gwen
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Looking forward to seeing you in Tucson!! We will try not to sketch our food there either, but at least we won’t be cooking!
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