Black Leopard and Notes on Sterling Silver

Black Leopard - Work in Progress, ~5"×7", sepia watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

Commissioned Black Leopard in progress, sepia watercolor on board, ~5″x7″, ©Rebecca Latham

 

Black Leopard Commission, ~5"×7", watercolor on board, ©Rebecca Latham

Commissioned Black Leopard, watercolor on board, ~5″x7″, ©Rebecca Latham

I just put the finishing touches on this little commission of a black leopard.  These leopards always fascinate me by their mysterious look.  Their stunning rich coats so often reflecting a glossy sheen of blue and intense eyes of a predator are always an attraction.  To highlight these points, I added hints of sterling silver to this piece as I sometimes do to my work, giving a painting just a little extra.

I was recently asked about what this was exactly.  Basically, it is ground sterling silver (or gold) into a fine powder to form a ‘pigment’.  It is then mixed with a binder, like usual watercolors are, and dried to form a tablet cake.  When needed, the tablet is wet to reconstitute the silver paint, and then can be used as paint in art.  Pure silver and gold have been used in illuminated manuscript miniatures for centuries.  I love the added zest a hint of silver or gold adds to a piece, as well as how it carries on a tradition that has such a rich history.

5 Responses to “Black Leopard and Notes on Sterling Silver”

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  1. Vinayak Joshi says:

    Your work is mindblowingly good!

  2. Janet Rectenwald says:

    Hi Rebecca,

    Just love your work. You are truly gifted.

    I would like to ask you where one can purchase the ground gold or silver to make the pigment. Or can one buy it that
    is already made?

    Thank you,

    Janet

    • Janet Rectenwald says:

      Hi Rebecca,

      Schmincke has gold and silver watercolor already mixed in tubes. Would this have the same effect as when you mix the
      pigment with gum yourself? There are many different types of gold. Could you share with us the one you use?

      Thank you.

      Gratefully,

      Janet

      • Rebecca says:

        I’m afraid, though it might give the general color of gold or silver, it is not made of precious metals. I find that the imitation appear less vibrant than the tablets. I usually find my gold and silver through scribe or miniature painting supply sources.

  3. Penny Upson says:

    Love it!