Re: looking for technique to paint hair

In Reply to: looking for technique to paint hair posted by Louv on 05/09/00 at 10:47 AM:

: I am currently working on a portrait. Everything is going well, and I am about to start on the hair. Hair has alway given me trouble. Can anyone give me a few tips that might help me out. I'm working with oils.


Use three tones only...dark, halftone, light. Block in the shape following the shape of the head, not the growth of the hair. The idea is to get a solid looking mass. Now, with a dry bristle brush (not sable) make a stroke across the wet paint in the direction of the hair growth. Wipe the brush dry after that stroke and go onto the next. Do not over work it or you will have to scrape it out and start from the beginning.
Remember that hair moves and grows in clumps, so do not use a small brush.

Once the paint is dry enough to take overpainting, mix a highlight color and with a bristle fan brush, dip just the tips into the highlight color and lightly place the tips of the bristles where the highlight is brightest and with a snap of the wrist, move it in the direction of the hair growt. The wispy stoke is very convincing providing that you do not make it too long, drag it or press too hard or put too many highlights in the hair (two or three should do it).

Painting convincing hair is difficult for most people because it requires good observational skills, a deft hand and tasteful restraint. It does not look good until the last stroke is done, so do a couple of practice pieces before atempting it on the finished piece. If you're too busy to do practice pieces, you're too busy to paint.
 
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