Oils about to paint black for the first time

[sukhoiboy]

hello everyone,i am about to start youngs 'death hussar' bust and its the large areas of black that have got me sweating! i'm useing oils for these parts and although toneing black with white produces a decent base when more is added something odd happens to the tone. i'm sure this is a real newcomers question,i'm ok with red,have managed with white but black is giving me sleepless night's, if i was useing acrylics would the triad alter in any way?thanks guy's for any suggestion's
cheers chap's
steve

 

[Figurenfreund66]

Hi Steve

please have a look into my Gallery, there is my version from this bust.
I have the following steps for black coloring:
First I paint the area with Blue Black, or any other black.
After drying I glaze the entire surface with Van Dyke, let it dry, and put the first lights with dark royal blue. The next lights I paint with bright royal blue. I only use white for highlights.
Since the black is usually a dirty gray.

I hope I could help you.

Cheers

Hendryk

 

[jcichon]

You can also use some medium browns to highlight black. Using whites just make it more grey. Using greens for highlighting black also works. Just play around with the colors till you find what works for you. As for whites I use Andrea's white acrylic set. Really easy to use and nice results.

 

[Einion]

i'm useing oils for these parts and although toneing black with white produces a decent base when more is added something odd happens to the tone.

Presume you're referring to how blue it goes?

i'm sure this is a real newcomers question...

Not at all, black gives people nearly as much trouble as white, partly for the same reason - because they're neutrals.

Recent threads on painting black:
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41902
http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41201

Einion

 

[sukhoiboy]

many thanks for the responses gentlemen,if plenty to experiment with now,regards steve

 

[Jas Madahar]

Ok guys,

I'm planning to use some black clothed figures with my next project, and your advice is great. As a newbie, can I ask a silly question. Can you mix oils and enamels?

Thanks

Jas

 

[jcichon]

No as they are different mediums. Not a silly question at all. If you are new to painting I suggest finding the medium that works best for you be it oils, acrylics or enamels. I started off using only oils and now almost always use acrylics except in rare occasions or if there is a particular look I am going for. Luckily you are in the UK and there are TONS of fantastic painters within driving distance from you and most if not all of them are willing to help.

 

[Cvikings67]

I totally disagree with Jason. As long as you drain the carrier out of the oils, you should be able to mix the oils with the enamels. But, remember they have a stronger color definition.
Chris

 

[Jas Madahar]

Jason/Chris,

Thank you for your help! I'm planning to paint two black uniforms, and didn't want to just have plain uniforms.

Jas

 

[Einion]

Not sure why Jason thinks you can't but yes you can mix oils with enamels.

You can use them together either by directly mixing or by using them in sequence (generally oils over enamels but you can do the reverse if you need to - e.g. for mud effects or other weathering).

Einion

 

[Jas Madahar]

Thanks Einion. That's what I thought.

Jas