Painting Process Blog

I'm going to write a process blog for the cover painting on Rainbow Rambles. I'm doing this because I'm conceited. Also, maybe somepony wants to know how it was made, or whatever. Mostly conceited.

I worked out the scene composition in my sketchbook, which is 9x12 98 lb. mixed media paper. Pencils done in .5mm 2B mechanical pencil lead. This is a bit more fleshed out than I'd normally bother with for pencils, but I'd never drawn these characters before so I roughed in a lot more detail than I would usually.

Step two was rough inking. I inked directly over my pencils, deciding to forgo repenciling on different paper for the painting. It would have been better if I had done so; 98 lb. paper isn't the best for watercolors. I was working quickly, though, so I used the same sheet as the rough sketch for the actual painting. Ink is speedball black heavily diluted in water, pen is a bamboo pen. Once inked, pencils were erased.

Initial watercolors are put down. This photo is kinda wonky and bright. I used Grumbacher brand dry (tray) watercolors. Tube watercolors are superior, but more time consuming and far more expensive. Tray watercolors work pretty well, so unless I'm getting paid I stick with them. Main brush used was a 1/2" flat, with a #6 liner for some detail work.

Final watercolors.

Final inking complete. Straight speedball and bamboo pen. The watercolors affected the integrity of the grain on the paper, so the inks came out rough-looking. Higher quality paper would have resulted in smoother inks. I think the rough inking has some charm, though.

The completed piece. After inking, whites were added with Liquitex brand titanium white acrylic paint and the magic aura was added with Prismacolor colored pencils.

If anyone would like to hear further elaborations, please ask away. As an art student, I like nothing more than to talk about myself.

Comments

[Brony2893]

iambrony.jsmart.web.id/mlp/gif/celestia_clap_by_mihaaaa-d3kipis.gif?1347574761

[bats]

440079

I believe the proper response is:

mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw4009-1333213516873.gif

[Brony2893]

440097
i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/134/816/Celestia_OBEY_dirty.jpg
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/lolface_Celestia.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/lolface_Celestia.png

[Vhett]

Dude....now I want to try painting....or at least drawing....ok mabey some crayons?

Also comments dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/lolface_Celestia.png

encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTMO7PW1sAaB14QfeoBoo6sGf-RZhsosxoUX4MAs_hI5e2-k_jRmg

[bats]

441209

You should! Painting seems rather intimidating to start with, but it's extremely relaxing and very forgiving. Try watercolor or acrylic; watercolor is very forgiving because most of the time mistakes look intentional, and acrylics are great because you can always paint over mistakes with white and try again without anyone being the wiser. The downside is the price, but Liquitex Basics are rather affordable acrylic paints that are still pretty high quality and tray watercolors aren't too bad either. Also synthetic brushes are really cheap, work with either media, and are pretty good. Avoid oil paints when starting.

But you should try! Even if you're not happy with the results starting out, painting is something that anyone can do, and do competently with practice.

[Vhett]

441445

I think I will try!

Although....I may start with stitching so I can at least have some practice making shapes into things....like triangles, circles and cylinders into ponies!

Thank for the advice! I'll keep it in mind, and by that I mean saved in a notepad doc to access before I go to start!

[bats]

444327

Glad to hear it! Drop me a line if you have any questions or need any advice.