Hand Coloring Tips & Images

[HotHolly]

Hey! Has anybody hand colored any images lately? I'd like to take a peek if you have.

I'm just learning how to do that and could use all the tips and images I can get my hands on. I have so many ideas about cool things I could do, and Im wondering if they will work.

Can't wait to see anything (and I thought this was a fairly dead art form, with CS2 and all - but worth asking!)

[KJ Smith]

Holly,

I was kinda hoping someone else would reply. But I guess I'm it.

No recent experience, but I have done this in the past and plan to get back to it someday.
My best advice is to get a Marshall Photo Oil kit and follow the instructions. ( on the inside of the lid ). 15 yrs ago thats how I learned. There were not many people doing it even then.

You will need a print, on real paper, with a matt finish. Most paper is resin coated and will not absorb the paint. If all you have is a glossy print, you can spray it with re-touchers spray, if you can find it. You will also need to spray clear varnish on the oils when you are completely done. Until that time you can remove or change anything, and the print can be smugged.

There is also a brand of pencils, can't think of the name,but the oils are better.
I have also used water color pens. The cheap kind you buy at Wal-Mart. I have been very surprised at how well those images have held up over the years.

I will attach the one image that I have scanned. If I can get a chance later this week I will scan in some more.

Ideas.

Over the years I have seen lots of stuff hand colored. There was a Photog selling B&W Sepias of Texas landscapes with the bluebonnets that were hand colored. Awesome images.

Let me know what your thinking, and I will try to help you out if I can.
The way I have always looked at stuff like this is just jump in and go, all you can do is screw up your own stuff, and that ain't that bad.

[HotHolly]

Thanks for your tips! I was planning on starting to hand color children - but only spot color, not the whole thing. I have an image of a little girl holding a sunflower - that one caught my eye for this.

I read a book on this, ummm...The Art of Handpainting Photographs and I'm an artist, so I'm all comfy with paints and all that.

I am having a heck of a time finiding the paper. MPix, WHCC, and a few others were a bust. Any ideas on a printer? I saw that there are sprays, in case I can't find one. But everyone/ thing I read said "for best results" use fiber paper (no resin or gloss).

I also saw that Marshall's was highly recommended. I think I have the general gist. The main thing left it the paper.

I love your image. Handcoloring has a softness/ richness that CS2 doesnt have. Thanks for your help. If you know of a lab, let me know, otherwise I'll start looking for that spray.

[KJ Smith]

Holly,
Thanks for the comments on my print !

I print my own stuff so I can't help there. I was thinking that you could try printing on Watercolor paper. Don't know if that will work, but might be worth a shot.

Kevin

[KJ Smith]

OK,

Here are a couple more.
The first one was done with water color pens. It is 18+ yrs old.
It is from my wedding and was shot from a tripod.

The second one is with the photo oils. It is 15+ yrs old.








Kevin