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Author: Tim_Simmons, Contributing Editor
| In this article I will demonstrate how to create a realistic black and white portrait using the airbrush as the primary painting tool.
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| A Short Overview Of The Process
- Start with a clear photo or image - Convert it to grayscale on the PC (remove the color) - Correct the brightness and contrast - Print the image in 2 sizes; small (4 x 6) for projecting the image; large (8.5 x 11) to use as a reference - Using a projector to trace, pencil in the main outlines (eye, ear, nose, mouth, etc.) - Carefully erase the lines so they are hard to see from three feet away - Use freehand, except on very hard or long, straight edges - Coat finished painting with several thin layers of clear acrylic then three or four layers of varnish Materials Used - Tracing paper and painters tape for masking - Iwata HP-SB airbrush - ComArt pre-mixed paint, photo-grays; 20% gray, 40% gray, 60% gray, and black - Projector - Pencil - Illustration board - Various erasers - X-acto knife * The photo grays are opaque and even though they are made for the airbrush, I thin them with a tad of water. |
| Reference Photo
The reference photo is of Ronald Reagan from the 1953 movie “Law and Order”. His face was originally too white for my tastes so I darkened it some in PhotoShop. The reference doesn't have to be exact in tone or value, but it helps to be close before printing it. One of the tips of his badge is hidden, I will add this detail in later. |  |
| Tracing
The tracing doesn't need to be perfect, but make it as close as possible. At this point the tracing lines are dark. The next step is to carefully erase them so they will be much harder to see. This is to make sure they won't show up in the final painting. |  |
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