My Art in the Making Burnished Cloak
STAGE 1 ESTABLISHING THE BASE
With Prismacolor Pencil Stix, I scribble over the entire sheet of Grafix® DURA-LAR Drafting Film. The more coverage the darker the base layer will be.
STAGE 2 ADDING TEXTURE
With odorless turpenoid, spray a few drops over the entire sheet until the pigment turns into a solvent. With a wide brush, I work the solvent and pigment into the film, creating a textured base layer. You can use the back of a brush to add additional texture as well as various scraping tools. Use a hair dryer to ensure the pigment is completely dry.
STAGE 3 TRANSFERRING THE PHOTO
Here I am transferring the reference photo to film. I trace an outline of the image with a white colored pencil to the front side of film.
STAGE 4 CREATING HIGHLIGHTS
I first target and identify my hottest highlights and darkest areas. Using a Tombow MONO Zero Eraser, I slowly strip pigment away as I create the highlights and whites for the eyes and lips.
STAGE 5 BLOCKING OUT FACIAL TONES
Once I have created the hottest highlights and filled in darkest area, it’s then time to create the mid-tones. I slowly strip the pigment blocking in facial features to create mid-tones using the kneaded eraser.
STAGE 6 SMOOTHING TONES
I am creating highlights and high mid-tones using a Tombow MONO Zero Eraser, and I slowly strip pigment from the face, as I begin to smooth out facial tones.
STAGE 7 MORE SMOOTHING
To smooth out blotches in the skin tones, I use a makeup swabs or a foam blender.
STAGE 8 CREATING THE VEIL
Using Verthin colored pencil, I start filling in negative (darkest) areas to create the pattern in veil.
STAGE 9 CONTINUING THE VEIL
I continue to create the pattern in the veil, comparing contrast in the face versus the veil. I adjust facial tones, lips, etc.
STAGE 10 REFINEMENTS
Here I am refining tones and smoothing blemishes. I use Prismacolor Premier to add any added detail or to beef up dark tones. Refine facial tones and transitions with Prismacolor Verithin colored pencil in light grey.
STAGE 11 COMPLETED WORK
Burnished Cloak, colored pencil on Grafix® Drafting Film, 24 x 36" (61 x 91 cm)