I've posted some demonstrations on how I achieve specific effects ~
both carving and painting.
I plan on posting more as time allows, so stay tuned!
Carving Demos
Painting Demos
Technical Stuff About Paint Mixing
Clicking a link will scroll the page to the relevant section. Use the "Back to Top" link to bring
you back here.
- Texturing Long, Soft FeathersThis is the method I use on breast, flank, and belly feathers of birds such as raptors. This is also the technique I use on the heads of my birds, with some modifications
- Texturing Contour and Short FeathersThis is the method I use on breast feathers of most small birds, the cape (mantel), and, with slight modifications in flow and size, on the side pockets of waterfowl
- Creating Ripples in FeathersAdd extra realism by carving in ripples found on the flight feathers of most birds
- Carving An Overlay SplitAdd interest with a few well placed overlays
- American Kestrel With SnakeThis orignially appeared as a Works-In-Progress, but since it's now a finished project, I thought perhaps I should archive it here. Though there are "progress steps", it really wasn't intended as a demonstration. However, I feel that it has some instructional value.
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- Painting Black Part 1Learn to mix your own black, and the advantages of mixed black
- Painting Black Part 2Using what you learned in Part 1 to paint realistic black or dark feathers. Variation of values & the way they're applied makes interesting black areas
- Wet-Blending TechniqueLearn to seamlessly blend colors without an airbrush
- Painting Realistic WhiteLearn to paint white with dimension
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I periodically update and revise these topics as I learn more (it should be a constant learning process, shouldn't it?). When major updates are performed, I will note it.
- What is the "Color Index Name"? ...And Why Do I Need To Know? The importance of understanding the pigments that make up our colors
- A Basic Primer On Colors With "Hue" In Their NamesAlso included: Lightfast Rating explanation, and "Different Brands - Same Color?" More on understanding what's on the paint label and why you want to avoid reformulated or "hue" colors
- Warm & Cool Colors and Color BiasAn understanding of color and the way it behaves (or sometimes misbehaves) is crucial to successful painting. Here, I'll explain warm and cool colors and, more importantly, color influence, or bias. Knowledge of the bias specific colors possess will mean less frustration in mixing the desired color, either vibrant or muted
- A Short Discussion on White PigmentsComparing three types of white pigment commonly available to acrylic painters
