If you seek to add depth and dynamic impact to your paintings, this advanced step-by-step article is for you.
The techniques demonstrated here are:
- Surface prep
- Advanced stencil techniques
- How to transition from light to dark colours
- How to paint on a dark surface
- Colour mixing ratios and more!
Let’s continue in our development of this professional-calibre painting of a skull in a leather cap.
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| Step 1. The first step in any custom paint project is proper surface prep. I used a red Scotchbrite pad to create a mechanical bond by roughing up the shiny surface.
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| Step 2. A good water-based surface degreaser will remove any contaminates that may adversely affect the finished project.
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| Step 3. It’s important to wipe off the degreaser with a clean tack cloth before it dries on the surface.
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| Step 4. I centred and taped a photocopy of the image onto the board. |
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| Step 5. Next, I applied a sheet of transfer tape to the surface and burnished it down thoroughly. Be sure to remove any bubbles or air pockets that often occur during this process by poking holes in them with a knife or blade.
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| Step 6. After applying the transfer tape, I cut the skull out of the photo for use as a positive and negative stencil. Then, using black in the Iwata Eclipse CS airbrush, I sprayed completely around the outside edge of the negative. This should be a light coat. |
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| Step 7. With the outline established, I carefully cut the masking material. |
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| Step 8. After the cutting is complete, I removed the inside section revealing the black substrate underneath. We’re now ready to start painting. |
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| Step 9. I applied an additional sheet of transfer tape over the area that will be the leather bandana. By using the positive section of the bandanna stencil, I can map out the area again by using the same technique for the outline of the skull. |
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| Step 10. With the bandanna area masked, I applied colour to the skull area. |
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| Step 11. For fast reference, tape your photo off to the side. I then airbrushed a white fade going from left to right, leaving a neutral grey on the far right of the skull. I applied Chrome Yellow over the white as shown, but be careful not to go into the neutral grey or you’ll create a muddy green. |
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| Step 12. Using House of Kolor Tangerine Kandy mixed with SG-100 Intercoat clear, I gradually moved to the right with a nice even blend. |
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| Step 13. Using House of Kolor Apple Red Kandy Koncentrate mixed with SG-100 Intercoat clear, again I blended to the right into some of the neutral grey area. Next, I blended Violet Kandy Koncentrate mixed the same way to complete the blend. |
| WE’VE LAID THE FOUNDATION.
Now stay tuned for the conclusion to this awesome Biker Skull how-to! The full techniques and methods demonstrated here are also available to buy on DVD - making this an absolute must for any artist's kustom library. |
