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What it is: Briefly, the Javana Profi-Outliner comprises a compact pump unit from which a 2 metre pipe (to carry the compressed air) leads to the applicator section. This section is a two-part, screw-together plastic barrel designed to enclose the resist cartridge with nib. Pressure is controlled by covering and uncovering a hole on the outer barrel with a finger. Air is forced into the cartridge through its end cap, which has a small hole in it.
Note: I did not have clearance from the supplier to try the air-pen with spirit-based resist; for me a key issue if I were to be buying one myself. I don't use water-based resists in my work except for a product called Resistad (from New Zealand). For this trial I tried water-based Deka silk outliner and also Medium Resistad. It was a useful comparison as the Deka product is not as thick as Resistad and needed less pressure to apply. We now understand that the airpen manufacturer says that the pen is designed for use with water-based products, NOT solvent based.
Features: On/Off switch: There isn't one, you just plug it in and it's on. You have to turn the Outliner off at the wall, or take the plug out of its socket. I always need an extension lead in my studio, so I found this inconvenient.
Noise: The pump makes a low purring sound, which sounds quite friendly - I confirm you'll still hear your son's Dizzee Rascal CD as well as ever from down the stairs...
Assembling/Loading/Cleaning: Very simple once I had asked a few questions of the supplier. The instructions and diagrams that were given could be improved. Changing resist colour is easy - all that's needed is to disassemble the outer barrel and swap one cartridge for another. There are separate caps to keep resist from drying out between uses. Everything takes apart for easy cleaning.
Applying resist: Pressure is activated by covering the pressure hole with a finger - the resist flows from the nib as long as the hole is covered.
Pressure control/line width: A control knob on the pump unit enables overall pressure to be adjusted. This can enable a thicker or thinner line, in conjunction with your choice of nib gauge and the speed you apply resist. Through frequent use one would soon learn the best combination for one's own work.
Performance: The Profi-Outlining pen efficiently delivered both my selected resists evenly and at the different pressures required. Co-ordination in using the pressure hole was vital! Because I had a tendency to cover the hole just before applying the nib to the silk, I made a lot of blobs at the start of lines. I had to learn to apply finger pressure only as I started and not before; if I stopped while drawing a line, I needed to uncover the hole at once or I created a mid-line-blob! A piece of cloth to wipe the nib was useful. Warning - The long plastic pipeline sometimes brushed over wet resist lines, causing horrible smudges. I had to be aware of its location at all times.
Would I recommend this product?
I started out hoping that the Outliner would help all those painters who suffer hand problems such as arthritis and carpal-tunnel syndrome. I am starting osteo-arthritis in my hands and so am aware that sustained tension from squeezing a resist applicator leads to pain, and quite possibly contributed to the condition in the first place.
When using the Outliner I still found tension in my hand due to the need to cover the hole, especially with higher pressure when more air tries to escape. The index finger, vital in controlling drawing, also has to press to keep air in and requires equal support from the opposing fingers. I actually wondered whether the Outliner could be modified so that the 'non-working' hand controlled the pressure.
Then there was the girth of the barrel. It has a 23mm diameter, which I found big. I have small hands and positioning fingers to support the barrel made my drawing feel slightly out of control. To be fair, I am used to working with something much slimmer and so the contrast was marked. I also tend to draw very precisely with resist, am a professional artist and my needs are very specific.
Conclusion: Those with hand problems are going to suffer pain and loss of function in different ways and at different levels. Currently I don't think the Outliner would help me, especially if it will not take spirit-based resist. But my arthritis isn't bad and I think there will be those with more severe problems who might find this product useful. I can only advise that if you do a lot of resist work it's well worth trying the Outliner. The type of work you do, the silks you use, your individual pain or mobility problem and even the size of your hands will affect the way you might benefit. Maybe a supplier or a Guild member who owns an Outliner would let you have a test-drive.
Those blissfully free of problems could give the Outliner a try too. It might help reduce some of the aches and pains that usually catch up on old silk-painters!
The pack includes the Javana Profi-Outliner pump unit plus 1 cartridge, 3 metal nibs and a cleaning plunger. In the UK it costs £75.00 through Vycombe Arts.
Elsewhere
In Australia, Batik Oetoro list a gutta air-pen in their catalogue which they say it is suitable for water and spirit-based resists. It costs $AUS 109.95. Through internet Searches, I have seen a multi-purpose air-pen listed several times for the US which claims to be suitable for anything from cake-icing to nail-varnish, taking in silk-painting resists on the way! I just hope people change the cartridges.
Some general advice on taking care of yourself while you work:
> Change your work position often
> Take care of your back: I will write about the Stokke stool I use in a future issue.
> Take rests and breaks
> Switch tasks
> Consult your doctor if you seem to be developing a problem
Isabella Whitworth
Email :whitworth.silk@virgin.net
Website :www.isabellawhitworth.co.uk/