Hand-coloring and tinting have been utilized by artists and photographers since the invention of photography, and many colorists still exist today. Hand-coloring a black and white photograph using oil paint can completely change the look of the picture to help evoke a different emotional response from viewers. Whether you are seeking to paint on your photographs in order to have a unique piece of art for your home or for a gallery exhibition, hand-coloring will enable you to achieve your artistic goals. Using oil paints on photos is moderate in difficulty and may require practice.
Instructions
1. Print several copies of your photograph onto fiber-based photo paper. Fiber-based paper is ideal for this project because it provides a textured surface that will better absorb the paint while retaining the vibrancy and richness of the color. You want to have several copies of the picture available in case you make a mistake while painting.
2. Choose the areas of the photograph you wish to paint. You may choose to cover the entire photograph with a light wash, or you may choose to hand-tint only specific parts of the photograph. For example, if the photograph is of a tree in autumn, you may decide to do a pale-yellow wash across the entire picture, or if the photograph is of a little girl in a dress, you may choose to only paint her dress red. Plan your painting ahead of time so that you know what colors and brush sizes you will need to achieve the desired look.
3. Set out all of your materials on a flat work surface, including a copy of the photograph. Select the colors you wish to use, and squeeze a small amount of each out onto the paint pallet. When working with oils, a little bit goes a long way, so avoid wasting paint by using the bare minimum at first and adding more to the pallet as needed.
4. Select the appropriate brush size for the area you want to paint first. A small area will require a smaller brush, while a large area will require a larger brush. Dip the brush into the color of paint desired, and carefully apply the paint on top of the photograph in the area you wish to paint. Move the tip of the brush back and forth carefully to distribute the paint. Avoid applying too much paint to one area, and try to keep the color as transparent as possible.
5. Rinse the paintbrush thoroughly and dry it with a paper towel.
6. Repeat Step 4 if you wish to use more than one color on the photograph. When painting areas that are close together, be very careful not to overlap colors as oil paints are slow-drying and the colors will mix. You can use as many colors as you desire on your photograph, just be sure to rinse your brushes after each use.
7. Set your photograph in a cool place away from direct sunlight to dry. Oil paints can take up to two weeks to dry, so be sure to place the photograph somewhere where it will not be disturbed. Touching the surface of the photograph before the paint has had time to dry can mess up your painting.
