It makes sense to use Derwent 'Inktense'

Alex working on a colourful study using Derwent 'Inktense' in a series of great paintings created during the painting week at Higham Hall

What a great expressive mixed media painting week we had recently at Higham Hall. Thanks to the support of Derwent with their amazingly versatile Inktense Blocks and pencils and XL Graphite and charcoal blocks. 

These innovative products were tried and tested in everyone’s work throughout the week creating some stunning results.  

Heres just a few of the eye catching paintings everyone created in progress with them together with everyone’s honest appraisal of these versatile products from Derwent with Derwent Inktense first.

Derwent Inktense

Derwent Inktense as 24 colour set. Even with this 'limited' range of colours so much creativity with colour both drawn and painted is possible

A great mixed media painting in progress using Derwent Inktense created by Alex - such a versatile and expressive media for a contemporary painting approach

Jill working on her atmospheric coastal mixed media painting using Derwent Inktense blocks and pencils
(Photo by kind permission by Eric Cooper)

Close up of foreground texture in Jills painting utilising the expressive mark making capabilities of Derwent XL Blocks on Canson Moulin du Roy 'Rough' 300gsm (140lb) 100% rag content watercolour paper.
(Photo by kind permission by Eric Cooper)

"Inktense Blocks and Robert's inspiration helped me loosen up and become more expressive and I loved to use them with mixed media. Derwent Inktense pencils are great for defining edges."
Jill Cooper

Alex working with Derwent Inktense using expressive techniques with them both as a wet 'painterly' media and drawing pastel media too

"Derwent Inktense have lovely powerful colours and provide opportunities for effective and easy layering combining depth with transparency. They can be vibrant yet subtle. The darks are particularly chromatic but the white is a little milky - a good mixing colour though."
Alex Jakob-Whitworth

Roger with his lovely expressive mixed media Derwent Inktense paintings created on two very different watercolour papers - Canson Moulin du Roy 'not' and 'rough' 300gsm (140lb) 100% cotton papers - ideal for expressive textures in one and focussed detail on the other

"Derwent Inktense are lovely to use offering a lot of new possibilities. Quick to use and I'm keen to learn more."
Roger Gillie

Ruth using Derwent inktense blocks to add pastel effects over watercolour and soluble Inktense layering in her colourful sunlit Autumn painting keeping all the colours bright, fresh and above all loose and expressive. great job Ruth!

"I have had Derwent Inktense pencils and not known how to use them. Now I have the opportunity of advise from Robert with Inktense pastels and I am sure I will use my pencils more and will buy the pastels at the first chance I get! Great for outdoor work and I'm sure that when combined with other media there will be even more exciting results!"
Ruth Gamsby

Roger enjoying working in detail using Derwent XL Blocks on their edges, corners and so on to create foreground texture and detail in another lovely expressive mountain view. 

"Inktense pastels used dry and wet really extend the range. Just great to use."
Roger Salmon

Jane and here lovely series of great mixed media paintings. Several featured combining Derwent Inktense with other media for such powerful, colourful and expressive results. Well done Jane, all that enjoyable and concentrated focussed input sure has really paid off!

"Derwent Inktense are very exciting to use and opens up lots of possibilities especially for outdoor work. Colour large areas very quickly but I'd like to see more earth colours really in the 24 set."
Jane Fraser

Just to let you  know, I’ve written a full in-depth review all about the Derwent Inktense range with several of my own paintings shown in stages which will be published in the April ‘18 edition of ‘The Artist’ magazine so look out for that.

Derwent XL Blocks
During the week we also used another personal favourite of mine from the Derwent range - their wonderful ‘XL Charcoal and Graphite Blocks’ which add real dynamism to an expressive drawing approach in particular. Being chunky in the hand you cannot help but want work bigger, be free and expressive with them!

The full range of Derwent XK Blocks in both charcoal and graphite colours that inspire so much creative freedom and versatility - especially with a contemporary drawing and painting approach

Being soft water-soluble and easy to use pigment from both the 6 colours in the XL Charcoal range and another 6 useful colours in the XL Graphite range helped everyone create yet more expressive paintings.

Roger loves his mountains and using XL Blocks to express his passion for them to so easily. Great painting Roger!

"I have been very taken by Derwent XL Blocks and eager to keep using them. Thanks to Robert for teaching me the freedom of expression and line with them. Found them great to work with and to achieve a looseness but with control. I can't wait to get home to try them even more!"
Brian Whitaker

Another great painting created by Alex, this time using Derwent XL Blocks (both Grpahite and Charcoal) on a full imperial sheet of Canson Moulin du Roy 300gsm (140lb) 'not'. The perfect paper for detail and expression and a great surface for Derwent XL Blocks with just the right 'tooth'.

"Derwent XL Blocks are soft and velvety, strong, excellent for large scale drawing and painting offering great dynamics. Prefer the charcoal colours, be nice to see a blue in there like in the graphite range."
Alex Jakob-Whitworth

Your next links for Higham Hall art holidays for 2018 follow.

Last remaining place on several already so now's the time to book your place or you may miss out!

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/march-18-expressive-landscape-with-acrylic-mixed-media-at-higham-hall

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/may-2018-garden-impressions-watercolour-pastel-acrylic-ink-art-break

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/july-2017-mixed-media-expressive-painting-holiday-in-the-lake-district

http://rdcreative.co.uk/art-holidays/September-2018-Expressive-mixed-media-in-The-Lake-District

The beautiful snowy mountain top view across the open pasture towards the Skiddaw Range from Higham Hall

Rolling mists across the Western Fells seen from Higham Hall - serenity itself!