Category: The Artist in Us

India Ink Refill

The Pilot Precise V5 Rolling Ball writing instrument available in different ball sizes, can be refilled with water proof India ink and with no mess.
ink-pen_0189_use_webUse it to write in distinguishable jet black ink or use it to sketch.ink-pen_0197_use_webNeeded:
• Pliers
• India ink
• The pen

How to do it:
• With the pliers grab the nib as close as possible to the barrel.
• A gentle twisting and pulling action will remove the nib and the inner core which are attached.
• It will leave the barrel ready to be filled with ink.
• Wash away with water the ink that came with the pen.
• Use the eye dropper to fill with ink.
• Return the nib and core back to the barrel.
• Wipe nib with a small piece of paper towel.
• Done!

Create this India ink pen in about 10 minutes or so.

Tips:
• These pens have proven not to clog easily but if abandoned
for a long time clogging may occur.
Next time you buy India ink, try Pelikan Fount India which
does not contain the shellac that causes the clogging.
• Red pen and black ink?

‘Straight’ Edge For Free Hand Drawing

The triangle shown can draw perfect free hand lines from point A to an exact point B.
It has been beaten against some hard surfaces and at times shaven a bit with a utility knife.
The free hand edge offers speed, consistency and accuracy.
free-hand-edge_0430_web
By shaping the edge and by the line weights applied, the level of the free hand look is custom managed by the user.  The triangle is easily portable and when used with a T-square that has also been altered to look free hand, will speed up the sketching process by reducing the erasing of some lines.
These are handy tools for textures such as shingles that require repetitive lines.
The edges of an adjustable triangle treated this way would speed up free hand isometrics.

A wooden ruler altered as a free hand edge would be a nice portable tool but would not offer the versatility of the triangle and T-square. Being softer however, it would probably generate more pronounced squiggles.

Tip:
A few of these free hand edges on hand, maneuvering the pencil and applying line weight would help not make these lines look alike.

Frugartsy

What if?

It might be wise not to take for granted the things we see for their sole purpose of which they were made and intended for and it is up to our imagination to see what else they could be or used for.

There is a sense of pride in using conventional items in unconventional ways and to know money has been saved in not having to purchase, even though at times it is simply just required, a tool or item for every occasion. Need not to mention the carbon footprint we are reducing by not having to drive to the store on every occasion leave alone reducing energy and emissions in manufacturing and their demise after use.

Frugality can be seen as using only what is needed sensibly while saving all around, money and energy waste. It makes proud sense and it is a way to live green naturally.

Frugality takes time and effort but the outcome is one of self satisfaction in circumventing what is status quo.
Maria Ludwig Michael Mies Van Der Rohe would often say “less is more”.

A Process Of Creation

This is a process in the stretching of the imagination
…and stretch …and stretch.

We need to evaluate what we need and what we have around us.
Does this work? Does that fit?
Can they interlock? Are they modular?
Where can we get that? How could it be done?
…and stretch …and stretch.

Sometimes we embark on a composition
with a vague idea of what we are after
just following our gut feeling.
Oh my goodness it is beginning to look like…
…and stretch … and stretch

Yes!
We think of a good name
and finally have a path to follow
to realize our composition.
At times the synergy of a multitude of compositions with their titles
will suggest a theme and therefore a directional goal.
Sort of like taking a shadow and then
composing what could cast it.

Like most things,
artistic compositions should always have a name
even if the painting is white on white.
Titles in fact can at times sprout luster and meaning from the banal
and it is just plain wonderful fun.idea_web…and stretch …and stretch
that
concept, solution and presentation.