The balancing act

Miao Yings progress is now at a stage of finding balance. Not just between the red and blue, but also within the blue OSL to make include half tones of purple, which is generated when a blue overlaps a red object. This part is particularly tricky, and I’m working my way through both on Procreate to sketch concepts, and then applying those tests to the model. And I dare say that it’s a very challenging subject, but one that I’m really enjoying that’s testing all facets of painting.

One of the main elements which is very difficult is of the Blue OSL on her face. A very delicate area to paint that’s demanding on value, accuracy, and physical paint medium being built up. 2 brushes that have come into works here are a set of Kimera Brushes that I have rarely ever used. The 0/2 & 0/3. These instruments are some of the thinnest I’ve ever held, and have a very specific use. If you’ve ever had difficulties painting with extremely thin brushes, it’s that they work best when the brush is drawn parallel to the angle it is being held, and to draw a stroke in that direction. Doing the finest lining, and especially for the eye outlines and eyebrows is where these shine! Not the strongest to produce a nice round dot, as these have tendency to struggle to dispense paint from a single dot, unlike my Artis Opus 00 which to me is my standard tiny brush of my choice.

Back to the balance, it’s going to be more and more tinting and shifting to get the colour nested well, and quite possibly a final assist with some ink if the saturation calls for it. A reminder that with glazing, the pigment is weak, and you sometimes end up with more dull finish, even though it’s smooth.

For video news, next week we come back to the Doll Maker and make the final pass. A tour of painting the Wooden Doll, and the creation of the wood grain textures in a couple of quality woods and finish. Hope the rest of the week is inspiring, and motivating on the brush. Happy Painting ☺️✌️

Bb