Tutorials



First off, the reference pictures I used are copyrighted, and I have permission from the original owners. So first, thanks a lot to Tim Cheesman, Jim Gintner, and Ben Durrant, for permission to let me use their photos.. These guys are fantastic photographers. Thanks a lot!!!

Things used for this project-
Airbrush - Iwata hp-ch < gravity fed >
Air sources - 2-gallon compressor
Paint - Createx black and white
Misc. - Electric eraser - pencil




I first start out with mixing the colors ill be using. In this case, all grays. White to black. I start with a 10% gray then I go to a 30% 50% 70% and finally 90%. And of course black.





Now I get my 201 Crescent board and draw out my birds with a 2h pencil. Nice light lines are best, so they cover easily.







Next I begin with my 10% gray reduce it down by 30%; with this color I will map out the entire design. Feathers, eyes, horns, and I will layer it heavier in spots I want my shadows or more depth. This will give me a map for later colors, and it will make it a lot easier to paint. So take your time and get some color in there. Use U shaped dagger strokes for the ruffled feathers, it give a nice look.









Next I jump to my 50% gray, reduce it down 50%, and then continue to follow my lines that I did with the 10% gray. Darkening them as I go, here you will want to get tighter, and really kick up the detail for the 70% gray. This will be your middle tone, so most of this color will stay in areas that have more light.




Now I take my electric eraser and punch out some highlights on the horns, beaks, under the eyes, and tongue. Don’t worry about adding highlights to the eyes yet, he haven’t built up enough color.





Now time for the 70% gray, reduce it 30%. Same as before, follow the lines but get tighter, if it’s to dark, over reduce it by another 30% and you’ll get a lighter hue. Also remember, with this color where you lay it heavy is where your 90% gray and black will be so be careful not to over shoot areas. Also control your over spray, it will look a lot better with out a foggy mess around your bird.





Now its time fore the 90% gray, reduce it 30%, and begin. This time we wont be using all that much, only shading the shadows of the feathers, and getting darker under the eye brows. And under the necks. Remember I used different light sources for every bird. So shadows will be different for every bird.





Now the straight black, I reduce mine by 50% right away and do the eyes. I reduce it another 30% for shading, your really looking for a tinting black, but you’ll want it to get dark quickly after 3 or 4 passes. I tint all the feathers, getting hairline tight with my strokes, this is key, cause you want to leave a lot of those light colors there, you only want to use the black in the darkest areas. I use it under the eyebrows, the nose holes, horns, neck and the mouth line. Then you can grab your Electric eraser and highlight the eyes, right below the shadow line. Do not put your highlights in the shadow area it will not look right at all!!! I hope you have enjoyed this black and white tutorial, and I hope it gets you on the right foot on your next project!!! Till next time, Mike Langston