'Three Wensleydale Barns' by Martin Williamson

Great study Martin, you achieve a wonderful atmosphere in your sketches. may I ask...do you use waterproof and non-waterproof inks?

Hello Fiona - thank you very much for your kind comments. To answer your question, I'll tell you what materials I use and how. For the 'drawing' element I use a fountain pen with ordinary black cartridges and a Pentel 'brushpen' that uses waterproof and lightfast pigment cartridges - I'll use a combination of both of these to roughly sketch my design. Next I use an old wax candle to add some resist in various places - perhaps to give some texture to a wall or some highlights. I then use black Parkers 'Quink' ink with a brush and some water - sometimes I'll brush clean water onto the paper and then go back in with a brush loaded with ink, sometimes I'll use the ink straight on the paper then soften with water afterwards. The water breaks up the components of the ink giving some lovely subtle tints and tones. The marks made by the fountain pen sometimes disappear - if this is an issue I simply wait until the wash has dried then redefine the lines again. Sometimes I'll use the brushpen to deepen shadows and provide greater contrasts. Finally I use oil pastels, often just a yellow ochre, to add a dash or two of highlight and colour - and voila! Hope that helps, Martin.

Hi Martin, thanks for giving away your secrets!! I love how the non-waterproof ink behaves when water is added to it, but you have that effect off to a tee. I did an ink sketch some years ago of a fenland scene and although it turned out really messy....I liked it. I'll try and find it, if I do, I'll post it and you can tell me what you think. I've only ever used wax candle on one occasion but I like the textured application it gives....I might have another go. I really like your style Martin, thanks again for the tips.

My pleasure! It's worth pointing out that the ink only behaves like that when used neat with water - I tried pre-mixing some ink with water and it just doesn't work. I hope you do find your fenland sketch - I'd love to see it. Talking of fenland sketches, a friend of mine called Richard Sunderland has done lots of superb watercolour studies of the fens. He tends to use redbubble.com to show his work - if you search for him by name you should find him. Really glad you like my work Fiona - I'm proud to say the May edition of 'The Dalesman' magazine is featuring my work! All the best and happy painting. Martin

You can also see my work on my website - cobbybrook.co.uk - and there's a link on there to my facebook page, too!

Hi Martin, thanks for leaving your very kind comments on my pictures. Congratulations re; 'The Dalesman' feature, well done. Is that a Yorkshire based magazine? I'd say I'll look out for it but I live in North West Scotland and don't think my local newsagent will stock it!!!:) I hope it leads you to many successes. I'm going to check out both the websites you mentioned. Keep up your great painting, I'll look out for them. All the best, Fiona.

Hi Martin, I found the messy pen & wash....eventually! It's round about page two on the gallery, I warn you, it's VERY messy.....Fiona

Hi Martin, thank you for your feedback on the pen & wash. I don't have a website, although I have thought about it, and face book is a mystery to me. I'm not very adventurous were computers are concerned. Thanks again Martin.......best wishes Fiona