Step 3: darks on hands

Your darks should be looked at as abstract shapes. In order to get things in the right place you have to look at the shading not only as shading on an object but, as an object all in itself. I'm trying to get the main areas where those darks are.

Step 4: hands, color and shading

After laying down dark colors, I wanted to smooth things out (blend) and then let that dry to complete this phase of thinking. A lot of the time, I will paint a layer and that layer or that color is a single thought.

Step 5: Color and shading

On this hand, after the darkest parts have been painted, I went back and created gradients with lighter colors. There's a lot of "back and forth" in the painting process (with acrylics).

Step 6: Color and shading

On this hand, after the darkest parts have been painted, I went back and created gradients with lighter colors. There's a lot of "back and forth" in the painting process (with acrylics).

Step 7: Shading and details

I'm going by color. the darker I get, the closer to final details I get. After the darks get figured out, it's easier to see where your finishing highlights will go.

Step 8: the sconce

I didn't have any reference for the sconce. This was a situation to where you know where the light is coming from and depending on the shape of the object, you use what you know as to how it will be shaded and highlighted.

Step 11: reference(s)

A lot of the time, things will never be perfect. In order to get the zombie female exactly how I wanted in my head, I needed to look at 3 images for reference all at the same time to create what I visioned. I had to take some shots of my friend, a shot of my hand against the wall, and a shot of another woman, in costume.

Step 13: creating the zombie

So, quite a bit has been done. The main thing to walk away with is that I had to refer back to canvas which is why I had to paint a white layer underneath her. White was also used as the finishing touches for this session.

Step 14: finishing touches

It's the drips under the circular frame that wrapped this up for me (for the time being).

Step 8: Finishing the Head

Small little details have been aded to finish up the head. The eyes received a glimmer, using the smallest amount of white paint. Blue has been added to the body and the horns as a reflected, cooler light, opposite of all the warm colors we see. The nose has been added to and then, the finishing touch was the Shadow being casted on the wall, using a very watered down black. Solid black wouldn't work. Even as a shadow, we should still be able to see what the shadow is being casted on.

Step 1: White

After the background is done, White paint is applied, in order to refer back to canvas and to make the other colors on top solid.

Step 2: Solid Color

Now, the color over the white looks solid. All that needs to be done in this step is applying the general color... or the color "in the middle."

Step 3: Shading and Highlights

This is where you want the paint to stay wet. If it's not wet, you can't blend. The shape of the general skull is still being figured out as well.

Step 4: Skull Details

The main details in the skull were definitely the teeth. The smallest brush was used. Shape corrections in the skull were made also.

Step 2: Drawing

Drawing is done with white paint to figure out where things generally go. Loose, swift strokes help through the process.

Step 3: Sculpting

the white paint is applied with one thin layer at a time. Where the lightest parts of the skin are will be where more layers of paint are applied. the image will start to build as you go.

Step 4: A Realistic Portrait

The reference is the guide the entire way through. Studying the shape of the face and concentrating on the lights and darks, along with smooth blending allows for a convincing Amy Winehouse.

Step 5: Adding the Makeup

when the makeup is added, you have to "figure out" the eyes and nose all over again but, by the 2nd time, it's easier to figure out. first, everything is "blacked" out. then creativity with the more decorative elements follows.

Process of the Passion

Painting or simply, creating art, whether it be with paint, pencil, or whatever has been something I've held on to ever since I was a little girl. I get lost in it. It makes me feel better about myself. It's something I have that no one can take away from me. I want to share with you what I hold so dear, the process I go through in each painting I create.

I want to reach out to others who share the same passion for the craft.

Each piece I post will guide you through and explain the steps towards a finished piece.

Step 3

Painting the bullet on the board: this required a good reference with a little bit of alteration. the only thing really changed was the perspective and angles of the bullet. The lighting and shading was perfect. This started by using a layer of white paint to make the layer solid.