Hand Colouring

marciofs · Feb 25, 2016

I am not sure if here is the right area for this theme.

I bought today some oil ink and tried my very first attempt to colour a black and white photograph with
swabs.

This is RC paper, I am not sure if it is the write paper to try it.

Any way, I am looking for suggestion and tips to help me with the learn process of it.

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bvy · Feb 25, 2016

Interesting. RC paper doesn't really hold the paint well. Fiber paper is what most hand colorists are using.

eddie · Feb 25, 2016

Use matte fiber paper. For applying the paint use cotton swabs (Q-Tips), and use cotton balls to evenly work the paint into the surface. Colored pencils work well for details. Here's one which is half colored:

gone · Feb 25, 2016

Depends. I have had success even using watercolours on glossy RC paper, but it takes some practice. You have to work quick w/ a very soft brush. The look is quite different. Most people go w/ matte, either fiber or RC, but matte will soak it up better if that's what you're after. Good books at your local library on this one.

Patrick Robert James · Feb 26, 2016

The easiest paper to hand color is matt fiber as others have suggested. You may also want to sepia tone the image, even just a little, to improve how the paint looks. Without toning papers tend to look odd with paint applied for some reason. You should also try to find the most transparent colors you can. Most manufacturers of artist quality oil paints and watercolor paints rate the transparency of each color they offer, as well as the longevity of the color. There aren't that many colors that are really transparent though. Off the top of my head I can only think of a few, but it has been a long time since I messed around with paint.

Here is a Holbein chart for example-

http://holbeinamerica.com/artist-oil-color-chart/

Hope that helps you.

wolfe23c · Mar 4, 2016

I think most of the artists use Fiber paper!

guangong · Mar 4, 2016

Fiber paper is a must or the paints will simply sit "on" the paper. At those times when I do color a print I use my Marshalls photo paints. I don't know if these are still available for purchase new. Transparent water colors can be used. In that case, you can get advice for which colors to buy from staff at a professional art store. Alas, most high quality art supplies stores have gone the same way as high quality camera stores. Good luck!

eddie · Mar 4, 2016

Marshall's made a "Pre-Color Spray", which put a matte finish on glossy/RC prints. I never liked it, as dust, pollen, etc. could settle on the print while drying, and you had to make sure the print was evenly sprayed. I had to use it a few times when I hand colored for other photographers, but always preferred a matte, or semi-matte surface.
Any oil paint will work. The paint is applied so thinly that it will be transparent. I usually recommend beginners start with a cheap set of oils. Until they get the technique down, it's a cheaper way to practice. Better quality paints will last longer, and won't discolor with time, but come at a higher price.

doughowk · Mar 4, 2016

I recently started hand coloring alternative process [pt/pd] prints using Arista Photo paints (which may be a suitable replacement for Marshalls). Using artist brushes rather than cotton swabs for better control.

Hand Colouring

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