Can you help me paint an alternative pin-up?
Shadow Nasty, US
Answer
Waldemar replies
Whether I’m painting classic cheesecake or a snarling alternative pin-up, I spend some time with pencil and paper. Digital offers too many options too quickly. Paper prevents your hand from getting ahead of your imagination, and enables you to develop ideas and shapes at a comfortable pace.
Classic pin-up was all about smiling and fun, and of course being incredibly sexy. Things may have changed as far as what people consider attractive, but some things are still relevant: the factitious pose, the somewhat silly jolliness and an expression of surprise. More importantly for me, the character’s lighting should be like a photo studio’s, not natural outdoor light. Even if the girl strikes a pose in bright sunlight, she should have strong reflections coming from the sand, water and parasol. Make the whole picture brighter and shinier than your normal character piece.
Many artists use Photoshop, but I prefer Corel Painter. It may not like layers but then neither do I! I use several specific brushes which are based on real brush imprints. Before painting digitally I spent time using gouache, and I still have some of the brushes I used around my house. So I scan their strokes and use them in most of my drawings. I like their rough texture. And it will fit alternative pin-up better than airbrush, I think.