Oils 5 o`clock shadow

[pipetrepid]

one thing i`ve never tried on a figure is the 5 o`clock shadow. any suggestions as to technique and colors used. thank you.

 

[bwildfong]

one thing i`ve never tried on a figure is the 5 o`clock shadow. any suggestions as to technique and colors used. thank you.

Hi Bill,

I`ve always had good results by simply mixing Ivory Black and Titanium White (W/N oils) into a light to middle grey tone, and then stippling and blending that wet on wet into the shadow areas under the jaw line and into the hollows below the cheeks, and then along the highlight areas along the jawline, top of the chin and top of the upper lip. You really get the beard effect in the highlight areas as your flesh highlights turn slightly grey but still show the skin colour that underlies your own face when you haven't shaved. You can even add the grey just to the areas of the upper lip where a moustache would be (not all parts of one's upper lip grow hair equally) and leave the other parts in the natural flesh tone.

Hope this helps - let us know how it goes.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[Einion]

Brian's technique should work a treat if you want to work wet-on-wet. Colour-wise, for someone with very dark hair you can use just a plain black + white mix but sometimes this will look too blue, if you get this try adding in a tiny amount of umber. For people with lighter hair I usually use a mix of Titanium White and either Raw Umber or Burnt Umber depending on whether they're more blonde or more brown.

If you'd prefer to apply the beard shadow in a fresh layer so that it's a little more controllable (you can wipe off and start again if necessary) you can use the same mixtures as above but it's sometimes better to blend them with a little of your flesh mixtures beforehand.

Einion

 

[John Bowery]

William,
I like to use Windsor Newtons Paynes grey. I like the colour for 5 oclock shadow. I usually do it after the oil has set up a little. Just a little on the tip of the brush and then stipple into the areas you want.
Cheers
John

 

[Tommi]

I was going to say that this looks like one for Einion but see that he has already posted, nice one and some interesting points on the mixing options.


Like John I have been using the Payne’s grey wet on wet then stipple again once dry but I quite like the sound of some of Einions suggestions so it’s worth experimenting with this.


Cheers
Tommi

 

[Eludia]

My first major painting project was a pirate bust from Figone (first bust, first time using oils). For 5 o'clock shadow I simply used the tiniest dab of Ivory Black straight from the tube and blended it into my still wet flesh colour. I was very happy with the result and it took no more than a few minutes, one of the easiest processes I've encountered yet with oils imho....now if only I can get my mixes right and stop putting the paint on too thick...

I know it's a bit late (only 2 and a bit years since OP) but I hope it's helpful.

Billy

 

[Eludia]

I'll post a pic whenever (if ever) I get round to taking one