Airbrushing on Canvas (Done!)

[PDG]

Well, the holidays weren't all that good to me. So I've taken a bit of a hiatus from the internet and computers in general (at least until I get my Wacom).

So, since I was approved for a quickie vacation (and since so much crap is going on at home), I've reacquainted myself with my old airbrush. I just felt the need to use my hands and create something again. Anyways, picking it back up was nerve wrecking. It's been 11 years since I've used it and frankly, I was scared I would put out some poor work.

The compressor kicked right on and the airbrush is still in pristine condition. That said, I went through this month's issue of Maxim and picked out the hottest pic I could find. My first attempts are below. I'll update the thread as I progress. I've already poured in about 4-6 hours of work. I'm happy with the results considering the amount of time I've been away.

Thanks for reading the BS :D

The Source Pic
http://art.smugmug.com/photos/14444371-M.jpg

1st Stage
http://art.smugmug.com/photos/14444116-O.jpg

I didn't feel like actually sketching the pic and screwing the canvas up, so I laid down a grid and copied it over quickly. I'm not shooting for exact likeness...just some decent reality. This is the very first 'mid-tone' stage. I still need to go through the 'darks' stage and 'highlights' stage. I'm estimating 12-16 hours of total work. Wish me luck.

[ldg40]

Excellent PDG, there is nothing more theraputic than creating the old fashioned way! I've never attempted airbrushing so I'll lurk on this thread and see what turns put. From an artistic standpoint, I would say that a sketch was indeed, not needed! The dimensions, midtones and mood are wonderful, although I think her chin is just a bit small.

Have fun!

[Dave]

and there was me thinking you were dropping your h's :)

That is brilliant!

[swillox]

Wow,... I'm impatient to see her all stages done !!

Great job PDG !

[Happy]

I'm envious! Terrific job. WOW! I anticipate see the progression of the pic.

[Silky]

This is awesome! I'm with everyone else...anxiously awaiting the next stage. You truly are a man of many talents...:D

[D Rock]

amazing! and its not even done yet! hurry up and finish that hahaha

[dschmittle]

WOW!WOW!WOW!!

Great work!

[burndog]

Hey PDG, hope things turn around for the better for you. I know nothing about airbrushing so I can not help, but like most of us I am curious to see how it progresses...watching this thread will kind of be like viewing a tutorial. Don't do too much without posting if you know what I mean. Best of luck to ya, and if it doesn't turn out I think you'll just be that much more inspired to keep at the airbrushing.

I could never do the airbrushing thing as it does not have any CTRL-Z

[PDG]

Thanks for the support guys and gals. Things are looking brighter and this has been super-therapeutic.

I was initially concerned that I may have lost the skillz, but in fact, through the regular use of Photoshop they've improved. To be honest, my eye, attention to detail and patience has improved. When I was younger, I would have been quick to over paint and screw up the image quickly. I never realized how well Photoshop can complement traditional painting skills by teaching the basics without the mess :D I don't suggest anyone take up airbrushing as a hobby. Wayyy too expensive and the fumes will get to ya unless you have a nice mask. And it's a brand new level of enjoyable frustration.

Stage 2: The F*ckup.
In this stage I made a few startling discoveries. The left side of her face was entirely too dark. I had also managed to conjure up shadows on the right side of the nose that don't exist in the source. So I started to erase. Yes...I learned how to CTRL+Z with the bloody airbrush :D It involves using cotton swabs, napkins and water to remove the paint off the canvas. Very tricky and capable of disastrous results. ;) Oh and the introduction of darks was also begun.

Anyways, here's the image after the left side was 'erased'.
http://art.smugmug.com/photos/14559739-L.jpg

Stage 3: Less is more.
So now I had a blanker canvas (again) on her face. I've also come to realize that, with women, less is more. Slight subtle shades are way better every time. So I went in real light and kept it soft. I also came in with darks btw. I don't think I'm gonna do the highlight stage. I'm still pondering it. Anyways, after a bit of work last night, this is what I'm staring at now. I'm almost done since, frankly, I'm extremely scared of overdoing it. Hopefully by tonight I can lay this project to rest. I can't express the amount of joy and escape this has offered.

On another good note...Wacom is arriving today or tomorrow. :D
http://art.smugmug.com/photos/14559740-L.jpg

[Silky]

Wow! She's stunning! I totally agree about "overdoing" it. You don't want to fuss so much that it becomes too busy. This is really VERY beautiful, P!

[D Rock]

looking great PDG!

[burndog]

Well I can't speak about airbrushing, but I am a strong believer in not going overboard when it comes to restoration, retouching or manipulation. Less is more for many things and I would expect it to hold true for airbrushing especially. She really is taking some shape PDG ( and no Dave I did not mean it that way :)) Nice work, keep it up and keep us posted.

[Dave]

The eyes are so real I'm sure someone has cut a hole in the canvas and is looking through from behind.

[libra]

I am impressed PDG, I had a brief introduction with airbrushing in my career and I never had the the patience to do anything constructive - too much of a wham bam thank you ma'am kinda gal in my youth.

I can imagine how theraputic it is... time I hauled some paints out myself sometime.

[ldg40]

Ah yes "the fear of doing too much" When the ol' apple "z" is unavailable!

Don't be afraid PDG...you have great skills (thats soooo obvious!) Besides your fear will show in the finished image....but you already know this! I love the now "fullness" of her chin. And I do agree....her eyes are absolutley astounding!! Perhaps the iris in the right eye is a bit small, compared to the left. Each alone, are perfect. But my observations are perhaps in vain...for I couldn't hold a candle to the talent you have already displayed!!

Above all, relax and have fun.......!!!

[PDG]

Done!
All done. I finished adding the darks and the image feels complete. Now I gotta figure out what to paint next. I'm thinking of tinkering with acrylics :D

I want to thank everyone for their support during the various stages. All your great comments and feedback kept me going and I really appreciate it.

http://art.smugmug.com/photos/14743605-L.jpg

[TrinityOfOne]

Wow!! Just, well, wow!!

[Dave]

You should be hung for that .....

in a gallery!

I'm seriously impressed.

[zeus]

sweet bro, nice work :) !!I especially like the hair and eye detail. now go do another one ;) !!

[Siouxie]

i really like it a lot :)
absolutly great

[swillox]

Superb,...



just a little ting: is she having tooth pain on the right ? there's an hard edge there that caught my eye,...could be softened with some hair maybe?

Sorry, ... just trying to be constructive... she's superb !

[PDG]

Nice eye guys. The sharp edge on the right is part of an 'erasing' mistake I had a hard time fixing. So I just learned to live with it since cleaning it up more could potentially do more harm then good.

[D Rock]

PDG, simply amazing, great work! love the details. And i liked seeing it as the process went from beginning to end