"Hand Coloring Photographs" Facebook group

[Fredrixxon]

Is there a difference using FB or RC papers? Couple of decades ago I tried colouring bw prints on RC with water colours and acrylic, and I failed (it sucked).

 

[fgorga]

Is there a difference using FB or RC papers? Couple of decades ago I tried colouring bw prints on RC with water colours and acrylic, and I failed (it sucked).

There is a huge difference... As you discovered hand coloring does not work on RC papers.

The reason is that RC paper is coated with plastic (resin) that is not very absorbent. That is the whole point (in my view) of RC paper. Things don't soak into the fibers of the paper. Thus processing, especially washing is quick compared to FB papers.

 

[Fredrixxon]

hmmm, I used to think that colours colour emulsion only, not colouring base (paper) itself. Wrong :{

 

[fgorga]

hmmm, I used to think that colours colour emulsion only, not colouring base (paper) itself. Wrong :{

Oil-based colors probably do color the gelatin but I don't think so for water colors.

 

[pentaxuser]

So out of interest has anyone had success/ qualified success with current RC paper and if so with what hand-colouring medium or mediums and which kinds of RC surface such as Ilford Glossy,Pearl or Satin?

Thanks

pentaxuser

 

[eddie]

Mark- I just saw you messaged me a few months ago. Sorry, I haven't been here in awhile... Health and home issues (a flooded darkroom, which required jack hammering for a sump pump). Huge mess, which still hasn't been cleaned to photo standards.

I've done a lot of hand-coloring over the years. Mostly oils and pencils. A lot of examples here: https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/users/eddie.7343/

 

[MarkL]

Two more - hand colored with Prismacolor pencils.

Dan, I haven't been active here in awhile so just saw your post. Those are great.

Two more - hand colored with Prismacolor pencils.

 

[MarkL]

My attempt at hand-colouring a print on a matte FB paper:

View attachment 399064

I used watercolors. more details here :

Very nice!

 

[MarkL]

@MarkL I also want to get into coloring on prints! Did you decide on pencils or oils? (Or tones and dyes — did not know that was an option!) I have some pencils in my shopping cart — just might hit purchase now!

Unfortunately I recently deactivated Facebook/Instagram but if you post here or do a thread “group” here I’ll sporadically post or cheer ya on. (I’m definitely one of the “this is great!” posters but I’ll wear that as a badge of honor lol)

Just wanted to thank everyone for the tips so far and the artists to look up.

@Ian Grant you did that in a lecture? Amazing!

And @fgorga your hand colored portfolio is inspiring! (Along with your entire site, too!) Thanks for sharing.


@Dan Dozer What!! These are hand colored?? These are so cool!!


@largo yo this is so good! And for your first try!! Bravo.

Hi, and sorry for the late reply. I've not been online much, and I haven't been attempting much coloring but now that winter is here....But yeah, I have oil paint and prismacolor pencils.

 

[MarkL]

So I haven't been very active here or in the FB group I mentioned. I posted a bunch of resources like books, website links, and videos to FB but few members have posted much. I have around 30 members. So far this forum has been more useful! But I hope interest in the subject grows. I'm trying to post here a picture I colored but keep getting an error saying the file is too big (it's only 806KB)

 

[MarkL]

This is on Ilford MGFB semi-matt, using standard Gamblin oil paints. I did not prepare the surface with a PM solution. The colors apply well to this surface and if a color isn’t right, it can be wiped off pretty easily with PM solution. The odd texture is due to this being a reject work print that was only quickly rinsed after fixing.

 

[BJ68]

Long time ago, I made a cyanotype and then I tried to colorize with acrylic colors. Here is the result....it was the first try and I am very very bad in painting...

Bj68

 

[MarkL]

Long time ago, I made a cyanotype and then I tried to colorize with acrylic colors. Here is the result....it was the first try and I am very very bad in painting...


Bj68

I love it!

 

[stevenje]

Group #1
Here are a few hand colored Polaroid transfers on various art papers that I did a few years ago. I used Stabilo CarbOthello colored pencils & Marshall's photo pencils. Blending was done with cotton swabs.

 

[stevenje]

Group #2

Here are a few hand colored Polaroid transfers on various art papers that I did a few years ago. I used Stabilo CarbOthello colored pencils & Marshall's photo pencils. Blending was done with cotton swabs.

 

[stevenje]

Group #3

Here are a few hand colored Polaroid transfers on various art papers that I did a few years ago. I used Stabilo CarbOthello colored pencils & Marshall's photo pencils. Blending was done with cotton swabs.

 

[MarkL]

Group #3

Here are a few hand colored Polaroid transfers on various art papers that I did a few years ago. I used Stabilo CarbOthello colored pencils & Marshall's photo pencils. Blending was done with cotton swabs.

Very cool. Thanks for posting with details!