Ambassador Spock, Painted by Alex Castro

[Johan]

Alex, I confess - I can't paint like you do. Those skin tones in between the furry bits on that werewolf are just spot on.

the secret is to make acrylics to look and behave like oils

Ok, so please reveal that secret to us your pals on the planet. I have a pencil and a notepad ready...

good work alex

 

[Roc]

Alex,
How did you manage to paint that figure with acrylics and make it look like that!
You must share with us your formulas and techniques,some of us simply can't wait for the book.
Roc.

 

[Elia Cid]

Hi Johan
I not going to get in the whole system of skin tones for now How ever, after the skin is painted,

Proceed to painting, the fur or hair which is airbrushed on gradually with Tamiya (fx-10) flat brown, the point here is integration, darker in the center mass and light as you go out. I always dull cote my stages as I go along, for two reasons: one is that it protects the work under and the second is that it creates an optical effect on the skin, a layered transparent effect.

When you spray it, it also keeps the chemical reactions or remixing of the underneath colors from becoming loose. And lastly I mix a batch of my good old soot, one part Tamiya flat brown /one part flat black, leaning to brown side and apply it in a wash; let dry, then dull cote at the end of every stage. Then I dry stroke with (fx- 15)flesh to revive the highlights. Once the highlights are reestablished, using a wash that contains more water then paint, I tint with the original color! I also use color pencils and inks for individual hairs.

Tip! The key to smooth skin is to rinse or wash with tap water and a bristle brush.
Gently scrub the figure, if you see a chemical reaction stop, or stop if you see the paint coming off!!! Let dry, and then dull cote -- I call this the wash technique.
I hope this helped a little!

Happy Painting

Alex

P.S. Johan Try using a grape color almost black for you dark tones on the African!

Forgive any typos

 

[Johan]

thanks Alex - a grape tone ... so that's a bit of a blueish cast over the dark skin .... hmmmm yes!

Thank you!

 

[frank h]

Hi Alex
Thank's for posting Moonsinger and your reply

I went over to acrylics from oils with the intention of making acrylics
look like oils ie. being able to work continuosly without lengthy
drying times.

I achieve effects, by means of washes and glases, I also "polish"
areas such as skintones and leather where a slight sheen is called for.

I have tended to call this visual blending based on the fact that acrylics
cannot be blended in the same way as oils but need to be bridged out
ie. filling the gaps between shadow, base colour and highlight.

I look forward to your book even more, so I can improve my technique

Frank