Am I doing something wrong?

Need help again. I am having a problem with painting one color over another. Is it pretty common to not get a nice solid color when going over another color? I am using Paradise paints and I did wait until the base color was dry.

What is the trick to this? I'm not mucking around in it... just a swipe is enough to fade out my second color.

Thanks

Cassandra

I've had this problem plenty, especially when trying to paint a lighter color over a darker color. Some things that help me is whenever possible try to paint light to dark. I also, at times layer Diamond FX or Wolfe white over the area and let that dry a bit and then paint the color I want.

Another idea, when you know the area is going to be difficult, leave that space paintless, or wipe off a bit with a baby wipe.

Just some ideas.

Depends what you are doing really. I sometimes have issues when my black gets too waterlogged, so I switch to a new cake. Best is to use Wolfe or DFX on top as it won't bleed through for the detail work.

Can you share a photo of what you are trying to do? Also, you may want to try dabbing the paint over top instead of swiping. Remember that the water from the new paint will still activate the dry paint and essentially you are swiping it off. If you gently dab the new paint, it may work better.

But then, I really don't know what you are trying to do so it is hard to advise you. Good luck and let us know.

Here is a photo. It's a logo for a local hockey team. I did my first public gig Tuesday night painting this buffalo on kids faces. I did the one in the picture on my leg. For some reason, the ones I do on myself turn out better than the ones I did on kids. The horns and tufts of hair are the most problematic. The paint is still mixing as I stroke the brush but not as badly. I suppose it could be two things:

1. I used a stiffer brush on the kids.
2. The angle I'm holding the brush at is different.

I definitely want to try the Diamond FX. I told myself I wouldn't buy any more supplies until I go to Orlando in May (I plan to buy the motherlode of goodies). I'm going to break my resolution already. Oops.

BTW, this guy was better looking from a distance. He's only two inches tall in real life.

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I think you are right about the stiffer brush. A stiff brush will break right through to the layer underneath. Try a sable for going over other colors and see if that helps. Cute buffalo!

Just popping into this conversation to say what a great buffalo! I hope you upload some picutres to your gallery soon : )

~Michelle Heffner
Bright & Shining Face Painting
Columbia, MD

I use exclusively sables and don't have too much problem with that sort of blending (except on bad days when I can't paint cr*p!!)

I did buy some sable brushes and will have to do some experimenting with them. I chose the synthetic fibers to work with so far because they look like they come to a sharper point than my sables. I wanted a nice crisp point on the tufts of buffalo hair. Maybe the sable just takes some practice? Not that I achieved the crisp point with the synthetic!

I saw an ultra fine point sable on the Blick site that I'm really trying hard not to buy.

Thanks for the comps on the buffalo. I will put my one and only picture in the gallery. It is a picture of my first faces on live persons and also the first time for both those faces. My niece and nephew are the guinea pigs. They turned out better than I hoped for. It will be interesting to see my pictures as time passes. I'm just getting started. I also decorate cakes and I cringe when I look at the picture of my first cake. It's a sad pathetic little thing!

That's strange, that your synthetic seems sharper than the sable. You got a good quality round sable? When loaded, it should have a very sharp point on it. I have some disposable sables that have blunt tips, and are no good for detailed work. I use them for painting lips, and set them aside after use. Could you have something like that?

Looking forward to seeing your pictures! Don't feel self-conscious, we ALL cringe when we look at our first attempts! It's awesome to look back at those and see how far we've come though. It's all about learning and growing.

With brushes I find, for the most part, you get what you pay for. I have not yet found any synthetic that impresses me enough to buy another... some are rather nice, but I go back to sables (#4 or #6 round kolinsky sables) over and over and over....

And the bison is excellent!!

Does anyone see a man with a sharp nose also. My husband and I both immediately said WOW! that is like those drawings were you see a pretty girl and old hag depending on how you look at it. Bet you can't do that again!

Yup Metina, actually, that is what I thought it was until I scrolled down a little to see the rest of the image!!

It took me a while but I think I see the old guy now. He's facing to the left... correct? True, I couldn't do it again if I tried.

I would really love it if someone would give me a link to some quality sable brushes. I'm not sure the ones I have are worth a darn. I'm a firm believer in using the right equipment.

Here is an image of the real logo that I practiced from, just as a item of curiosity.

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Here's a link... don't know the company but it has a decent photo of the #6 round (in the 110 series) which is the second from the left with the "A" on top of it... http://www.merriartist.com/category_s/86.htm

I usually buy mine in art supply or craft stores.

A #4 round sable is essential for me in almost every face I do, but it is a personal preference I guess. Da Vinci makes some good ones, but I got mine in the UK and then had my husband pick up some in Germany, where they are made.

Edit: you can find this brand at http://www.dickblick.com

Hi -
I have no problems laying Paradise down over other colors. You'll get it over time. Even with drier paints like Wolfe FX lighter colors over darker ones do well with a second coat. But for face art..... most in your chair won't care......

I really want people to know and remember that we can post lots of tips but each paint and technique has a learning curve. Just be sure you are getting Paradise to a creamy consistency and really picking up enough pigments. And different brushes and sponges pick up and hold different amounts of paint.

Lots of folks have trouble with sables. If your sable seems not as sharp as your other brushes it may be you are just a bit heavy handed - try a lighter touch. And hold you brush like paint brush - not a pencil.

I actually have a few of the brushes mentioned as well as other sables! I have a #4 in the 110 series and a #6 in the DaVinci Harbin Kolinsky. They are deceiving because they fluff out when dry. The synthetic fibers don't. When wet they do come to a point.

It's mind boggling to shop for brushes on Blick because they have so many different kinds. I somehow managed to pick a few winners.

Thank you all for the great help. I'm going to dive in and practice.

One you get comfy with the sables, go for the #11 series davinci (full belly). This brush has a resevior of sorts in the bruch and allows you to paint for much longer since it holds more paint. Really cool for doing a tiger with one load of the brush!


http://www.dickblick.com/products/da-vinci-maestro-kolinsky-full-belly-round-brushes-series-11/?wmcp=yahoo&wmcid=SiteSubmitProducts&wmckw=Da+Vinci+Maestro+Kolinsky+Full+Belly+Round+Brushes

Do you use a #4 in the full belly? I was actually looking at those last night but ended up buying two pointed rounds. I'll pick one up later.

Do you use regular rounds or pointed rounds when not using a full belly?

I usually eat before I leave for a gig... so I start with a full belly.