Graphite powder painting

For ages I have wanted to try out graphite powder, but the biggest problem is that it’s not cheap, and if I didn’t get on with it, it would be a waste of money. Well I did some searching and there are possibilities away from the art supply industry. The local cobbler/ key cutter came up with the goods. You see the DIY market produces a powdered graphite lubricant, it is a dry lubricant so great for stiff locks in the winter. I bought a pot and home I went to see if it would work. I expect you could guess by now that it did NOT let me down, because it warranted a blog post 😀, infact it did better than I had thought, the little pot of powder was also water soluble, equalling many of the leading art brands of powder graphite, obviously I have no basis for comparison on this non art product, but I don’t feel the need as it did everything I wanted , happy days. Now would an eraser work on it? Well yes of course, it performed to perfection. I guess really graphite is graphite, however you buy it, so no need for expensive art product packaging, with increased prices. Here is a picture I did from a Sktchy app photo, all done mixing the powder with water. Also a Photo of a small test sheet showing some tonal abilities of powdered graphite , eraser ability and of course the basic smudging, which I forgot to mention above. There is no brand as such on the packet, so here is a photo of the pot, but I would guess that most brands of lubricant graphite powder would work the same way?

7×10″ powdered graphite 140 lb coldpress. Sktchy app inspiration photo

: Example of lubricant powder graphite, smudged, water soluble, and erasable

: Pot of powder graphite lubricant from the local cobblers

: Powder graphite soluble in water, ready to paint

: Powder graphite, ready to smudge, or add water on paper

About REcreate-RebeccaEvansCreate

My name is Rebecca Evans, living in the New Forest I have been inspired to paint the many animals often seen around me. Having ridden since Childhood, painting equines was a natural path to follow. I use a variety of media, watercolour, oil, charcoal, pastel,inks, plus a few more, infact I will try most things. Choosing the medium to work with can really change the effect of the art, and therefore the character of the animal. Sometimes it is an instant decision, sometimes it is the mood from within me which determines which medium I choose to use. I never know what might inspire me next, but if it’s hairy, I will be sure to try.

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