My friend in Tacoma said I should stop using a graphite paddle for color work

We were working on a cobalt blue piece last weekend and he said the graphite can mess with the color chemistry, leaving dull spots. He only uses a steel marver now for anything with strong colors. I've always used graphite for everything, so this made me stop and think. Do you think it really makes a big difference, or is it just a personal preference thing?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim.ben1d ago

Honestly, the "messing with color chemistry" thing sounds a bit extreme to me. I've used a graphite paddle on all kinds of colors for years and never noticed dull spots. It might be one of those super specific things that only happens in perfect conditions. Your friend might just be extra careful, which is fine, but I doubt it's a make-or-break issue for most work.

reesepatel1d agoMost Upvoted

Yeah, @kim.ben might be onto something. Could it also depend on the brand of paint or how old the graphite is?