I think I'm... improving?

[me_under_glass]

Okay, so I think I'm improving with practice and study... but I am open to tips and suggestions! I posted in the critique section on DoA and I've been getting some good advice, but I know I have some artists on my f-list, so I'm posting here, too

Comments

[the_hylozoist]

This will be regarding your last faceup

[me_under_glass]

hmm... the tip of a toothpick... >> that's a good idea... I will try that next time for the lip-dimple-things. ^^

The lips in the current face-up are not purple. ^^ They are a dark red - pink base, red, brown, and black layers. I do like those last lips. But yes, the second face again ended with purple lips - I've done this with Con's faceup before too, and once or twice with one of Halla's. ;_; I don't know how I end up with purple is all... o_O I really don't... Maybe it's the type of black I use? I heard once that some blacks have blue in them as a base or something? So they turn red into purple? But what kind of black should I be using? I don't know

[merry_witch]

I really like the lips on the last faceup, but i think they could be improved if the dark spots either side were a shade or two lighter... Like i dark purple instead of black?
Eyebrows and Eyelashes. I totally had the same problems as you, i was putting them on way too thick even though i had a tiiiiiny brush. And then one day i picked up one of James's rubber brushes that he uses for his ickle warhammer models and BOOM! They work WONDERS. You want to look for something like these. See the one on the far right? the round tipped one? I have a smaller one of those, and its *perfect*. You just get your pastel, rub a bit out so make some dust, coat the end of the rubber in it and off you go. Use it like a normal paintbrush, but it does finer lines if you use it with pastel rarther than paint. You can build up the colour in layers and you get a lovely smokey effect on eyelashes. With eyebrows i usually use one to smudge the basic line on, the base colour and then i go over and draw the fine lines in with a very sharp watercolour pencil

[me_under_glass]

Yes, dimple-things should be lighter. ^^ I agree. And yes, also thinking of a dark red instead of a dark brown.

And ooh... silicone-tipped brushes. o__o That's different. I've never seen those before... I ordered a mini one, so I guess we'll see how that works. ^^

And everyone keeps suggesting water-color pencil... :\ I will give it a try, but I'm not sure I will be sold on it, honestly. I love the smooth lines of paint over watercolor. But I will try it.

Your dorkyness is appreciated! XD

Still wondering if it's my black that's turning my red purple when I mix it together, though. You paint. ^^; Am I just imagining things when I remember that some blacks have blue in them? Is that why it's making my lips purple? What black do you use to mix with? There's an 'Ivory Black' in liquitex paints I saw at the store... might it work better than my Volks black I've been using? I don't know what kind of black that one is... the bottle's in Japanese. XD

*luv*

[house_dragons]

It could be the black making it purple... You're right, they do have blue in em! I dont use acrylics so much, i try to use pastels for my faceups wherever possable, but from what i remember from using watercolours "ivory black" is a lighter black than most (if that makes sense... its still black but it goes grey when watered down.). I have two different blacks... "Lamp black" Which is very deep and i think blue based, and "Ivory black" which is not as deep and yeah... grey when watered down to a wash.
Um... basically all that is a long winded version of me saying "yeah try it!" XXD

Alos, you can get a really smooth line with watercolour pencils, but you have to get the right kind. If you can, check the colour bit... if they look really waxy then they wont draw smoothly. You want something that looks... uhh... i have no idea how to describe it. ^__^;; Almost like a paint pan, but... not? ^__^;; *fails*

[me_ya_ri]

I found a trick for super fine eyelashes and hairs--paint as normal with acrylics and while it's still wet take a new SHARP exacto knife and carefully scrap / cut away the excess. It's kind of like that first lash you paint is then cut into a bunch of tinier ones that look really fine. Takes a bit of work to master but I'm happier with that method than I've been with any other I've tried.

Good Luck!

[me_under_glass]

I will give it a shot... I would like to find a way to paint them thin in the first place though... Seems like it would be easier? With less chance of screwing up, like if you wait too long and the paint dries, or it smudges with the knife, or it cuts into the blushing underneath... so many problems I can imagine - I am very prone to screwing up if it's at all possible. XD

But thank you for the advice! Every tip is appreciated. I will give anything a shot. ^^

[myarmcanfly]

Definitely getting better! I do like the last set of lips, though for my own personal tastes I would get rid of the corner-spots completely. They just don't look natural, unless you do them in almost exactly the same color as the lips themselves, but it's definitely a style thing, so if that's the kind of lips you like, go for it! Now eyelashes, there I can give you tips :D

[starshipangels]

OT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!!! ^___^