How to Color a Black & White Painting
- 1). Clean the surface of the painting using a tack cloth. Dirt and dust on the painting surface will cause bumps and uneven texture in your color layers.
- 2). Choose transparent color paints that most accurately represent the base hues of the objects in the painting. Arrange these colors on your palette with room between them for mixing.
- 3). Load a soft-bristled brush with painting medium and dip it into the first color to be applied to the painting. Mix the medium vigorously into the paint to ensure even pigment dispersion.
- 4). Apply the first color to the painting using your medium-loaded brush. The paint should be thin enough to only tint the image, allowing the original details and values to show though. Cover all areas of the painting matching this base hue and remove excess paint with a dry paper towel.
- 5). Apply the next base color using a clean brush. Do this with every color until the entire painting surface is covered. Soften edges between colors using a clean brush, paper towel or your fingers.
- 6). Allow the first layer of color to dry completely before repeating the glazing procedure. With each successive layer of glazed paint, adjust colors; begin to deepen shadows and add detail as necessary.
- 7). Scumble paint directly onto the painting surface using a stiff bristle or synthetic brush only after all glazed layers have been applied. Scumbling should be reserved for strengthening highlights, indicating glare from light sources and completing final detail work.
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