🖋 Spotlight: Silverpoint — Drawing Like Leonardo
Today we feature one of the most fascinating historical drawing materials we’ll be using during the Tuscany Sketchbook Tour: Silverpoint.
Silverpoint (also called metalpoint) is a classical drawing technique where the artist draws using a thin point of pure silver on a specially prepared surface. Instead of graphite or charcoal, the mark comes from actual silver gently abrading onto the ground.
✨ Why artists love it:Silverpoint produces extremely delicate, luminous lines that cannot be erased — encouraging precision, patience, and observation. It was a favorite of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and many Renaissance masters for anatomical studies and portrait sketches.
✨ A magical detail:At first, the strokes look cool grey… but as months go by, the silver tarnishes naturally and turns into a warm, soft brown tone. The drawing literally matures over time, just like a painting from the Old Masters.
During the tour, each student will receive their own silverpoint stylus and prepared ground to practice live in Tuscany — surrounded by the very history that gave birth to this technique.
What do you think — does silverpoint excite you, or intimidate you a little?Tell us in the comments! 👇
Leonardo da Vinci, titled Head of a Woman or La Scapigliata, Metalpoint on pale blue prepared paper, between circa 1485 and circa 1490
