
I have finished the back wing on the hummingbird, managing thus far to have only used one pen in the process, just cutting away a bit of the tip three separate times to create finer detail. This is why I have suggested using a scalpel as opposed to a razor blade, finding that they provide the necessary precision to make a clean cut and still allow the ink to flow. You will find it useful to keep a of scrape paper, of the same kind you are using for the finished piece, to occasionally test that the ink flow is remaining consistent. Now that I have found some Flowering Currant(ribes sanguineum) blooming in the woods near my home I can begin to work on the foliage again. This will be done in a technique called stippling(making dots)and best suited for this particular plant structure. It is a slow process, but one I enjoy, as it has a very meditative quality for the mind and body.