Silver Linings: The Art of Metalpoint Drawing

Hugh Chapman | Apollo Magazine | 12th September 2015

Metalpoint is a form of drawing where a metal stylus leaves traces on a specially abrasive paper surface. Albrecht Durer was an early pioneer, as was da Vinci. The popularity of metalpoint’s “lustrous line” has varied over the centuries as other graphic tools have become available. Perhaps its waning popularity owes something to it being an unforgiving medium – mistakes cannot be erased.