Jessica Crabtree

Q: How do I put a signature on a pastel on suede painting?

A: When I first started with pastel on suede, there were a lot of small details I found I had to work out, where traditional painting methods didn’t apply. One of these was the seemingly simple matter of how to sign my pieces. It was really a process of trial and error to find out what would work and what wouldn’t. The main issue was finding a medium that would stick to the suede, would show up well, and if possible could be applied over top of the chalk.

Here are a few tips.

WHAT NOT TO TRY:

Ballpoint pens: It’s absolutely impossible to get an ink flow trying to write on suede, or over the chalk for that matter. At best you will only scratch your name into the pile.

Fountain pens: These have two main problems – too much flow, or not enough. The chalk will usually clog standard metal nibs, leaving you with no flow at all, or worse, with ink blotting.

Markers: If you try signing with any kind of felt-tip markers, the most likely result is that the chalk will cover the soft felt tip and stop the flow. As with a fountain pen, a marker with a high flow will bleed out into the suede.

Paint: Any kind of liquid that is not extremely viscous will bleed out when you try to apply it. You will not end up with a nice clean line that looks like a signature. I would strongly advise against using paint, unless your signature is a really, really simple logo, like a symbol or initials.

Chalk: I’ve tried a few different kinds of chalk for signing and none of them work really well, including pastel pencils and hard pastels which I would normally use for hard, clean edges. The problem with these is that you just can’t write with a fluid hand, so the signature looks choppy; if you try using certain chalks on top of the finished painting, you risk it not showing up at all, or ending up with half a signature that you can’t finish.

THE SOLUTION:

After trying all of the above (and considering the alternative of not signing at all) I finally found an acceptable solution. The best results came from a signing pen that I swear by, made by Pilot.

Dick Blick: Pilot Metallic Marking Pens

This marking pen will supply an even ink flow over almost any thickness of chalk (or almost any surface for that matter) so I can sign on the suede effortlessly. It is also ideal for signing pastels done on paper. To prime it, just shake and press down briefly on a scrap piece to test, and you’re ready to sign your masterpiece. Each pen is good for a couple of hundred uses, and I haven’t had any trouble with blotting except when the pen runs empty.

I generally use the silver with the extra-fine tip, which shows up beautifully on all but the lightest backgrounds. It’s also available in gold. For only a couple of dollars, it’s a welcome solution to a frustrating conundrum.

Tip: If you want the metallic ink to show up on a white background, for instance, first make sure the ink is dry after signing, then dust the signature with some darker chalk and brush it away. It will leave a nice subtle outline that makes the signature stand out.