Pirates of the Caribbean...WIP [Archive] - AirbrushTech.info Forums

LucBoivin

10-21-2006, 03:02 PM

Here's a painting I started today. I'm working on a 22'' x 24'' canvas which has close to 7 or 8 coats of Gesso (sanding between coats with a 320 grit paper)to get the surface super super smooth to the point of not feeling the canvas texture. I'm using Aeroflash Holbein paint. So far, only Grey color used thinned down with water. I'm only looking to properly position the main shadows as well as all the facial features. I have not started with the highlights yet with my erasers or my exacto. I'm working with an Iwata Custom Micron C+, and so far I've got about 2 hours into this painting. I plan on using only black and grey by the time I'm finished.

I'll be posting updates as I go.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Luc

Whit

10-21-2006, 03:12 PM

Lookin Great so far,,,
How are you liking the holbein colors ???
I've never tried,,, but heard good things about them ...

josie

10-21-2006, 03:52 PM

Awsome start Luc cant wait to see it done

LucBoivin

10-21-2006, 04:32 PM

...after about 3 hours of work.

Whit, I love the Holbein! Its only my second project using it....find it expensive!!! $8.50 + taxes for 1.18 oz. But its very good and fluid paint.

Thanks

Luc

Steelhorse

10-21-2006, 07:55 PM

I see DVD's in your future Luc!!!!!!...looking forward to seeing it finished!!!!!

AirDave

10-21-2006, 09:31 PM

Okay this Luc guy is getting annoying!!

I don't think his stuff is that good anyway!...
Does anyone else here think that looks like Keira Knightley??
I don't see it!

PonderThis

10-21-2006, 09:59 PM

Holy Monkey she is looking pretty manly.(JK) Dave I think you are on to something.

JC

LucBoivin

10-21-2006, 11:09 PM

I'm finding out that having a smooth canvas is not an easy thing to work with when comes to working the sking textures and highlights. I'll manage, but this is the last canvas I prepare this way. Big mistake on my part.

Luc

LucBoivin

10-21-2006, 11:46 PM

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Luc is painting something just for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Oh Oh!!!!!!! Oh Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I have this when you are finished????

When I'm down or depressed I watch the movie over and over and over...

Hey Denise, I did not know this was one of your favorite movies!!

Luc

josie

10-22-2006, 07:55 AM

What do u mean Luc?....wont your scratching method work here?Are you saying its better not to have a gessoed canvas?Are you having trouble just with the skin textures so far?

To me it looks awsome from here

I'm finding out that having a smooth canvas is not an easy thing to work with when comes to working the sking textures and highlights. I'll manage, but this is the last canvas I prepare this way. Big mistake on my part.

Luc

LucBoivin

10-22-2006, 08:03 AM

There is something about all those skeletons jumping around... I like Johnny Depp looking like a pirate.

I know you didn't. It was a big surprise when I came home tonight and saw it on the board. I had wanted to do one earlier this year but didn't. I wanted to do it on the car hood I was doing for a display.
Don't you love the Micron C+?

I'm slowloy getting used to my Micron C+. I found it to be a tough animal to get used to. I'm working with the .18 needle/nozzle kit and i have to use very diluted paint, or else I simply cant get a steady flow of paint.

Luc

LucBoivin

10-22-2006, 08:22 AM

What do u mean Luc?....wont your scratching method work here?Are you saying its better not to have a gessoed canvas?Are you having trouble just with the skin textures so far?

To me it looks awsome from here

I'm not exactly sure why Josie. I was so so sure that I would have good result with a smooth surface. When I used my erasers to lighten up some areas, if I'm not super carefull, I'll get some white appear very very repidly. Its as if the paint does not adhere to the surface very well. I suspect this could be me using too much water when laying down my first pass of paint (grey). No, I'm sure that this is the problem!

I'm getting it done, but its taking me much much longer than I feel it should. So I'm taking some notes on this one!!! Next one, I'll make sure I keep the grain of the canvas. When painting with black with a smooth canvas, you get almost a reflective surface so taking a picture with a flash is out of the question and all the small defect in the smooth surface of the canvas show up at a certain angle depending on the light source.

One last thing and very frustrating thing, when tracing the outlines of the subject while using my projector, I used a light grey watercolor pencil. I'm finding out that when I try to work the surface with my erasers,the paint that cover these now hidden lines show up BIG time:cry:

I have my work cut out to get this one completed.... but its not going win over me.

Luc

LucBoivin

10-22-2006, 08:32 AM

What do u mean Luc?....wont your scratching method work here?Are you saying its better not to have a gessoed canvas?Are you having trouble just with the skin textures so far?

To me it looks awsome from here

One thing I want to make sure is well understood by all....its not my scratching technique! Can't take credit for something I did not invent!!

Not sure who did try it first but many of the top artists on their DVD's do it. That is where I learned it.

Just wanted to clarify this small issue.

Thanks

Luc

LucBoivin

10-22-2006, 08:39 AM

I am so in love with mine. I've only used auto paints with it. I don't know how it would work with acrylics. I'd like to get another. I find changing colors which I have to do so much finishing off a project that it's very time consuming to have to flush and clean so much. I've also thought about the B but I'm so clumsy sometimes I'm afraid I'll spill paint onto the piece and I would faint if I did that on a piece I had been working on for a week.
My cap pops off sometimes and all my paint spills out on the table.
Changing from the Eclipse to HP-C (with and without the .2 conversion) to HP-C+ and then to Micron C+ during painting is very instructive on how each one works and what each one can do.

I always keep the cap on. For spilling reasons but mostly to keep the paint from drying. I can paint for hours and never never get dryed paint in the cup. So when I do refill, dont have to flush cup each time.

I agree with you, the B has such a small cup! If was to get myself another Micron, I would most definetly go for the SB (side cup). I have the HP and the Eclipse version of the side cup airbrush and they are my favorite.

Have you tried Auto Air paint with your micron?

Luc

Whit

10-22-2006, 10:13 AM

I've got the micron SB,, HP SB,,, and the eclipse SB...
Personally I like my HPSB over my HPC,,, the HPC has
like you say,,, lil here,, clean,, lil there,, clean,,,,,,,
with the SB I've found the Aztec accessory cups and
bottles fit perfectly,,, cheaper and in various sizes !!!
Great for just popin another color in,,, pop out,,, then
pop same color back or change color back n forth !!!
A lot of my color mixing goes on in the cup,,, so,,,
This constantly cleaning for a color just to have to go
back and change back again is in itself,,, frustrating !!!
With multiple cups you can mix several colors and have
ready or mix a new color without loosing the color you
just mixed and know you'll need again in just a minute !!!
Usually on paint orders,,, I'll order a few extra bottles
or cups or this or that,,, so as a result I've got the cups
when I need them,,, handy to say the least !!!

AirTodd

10-23-2006, 10:58 PM

That isa vary good looking pic .You are really good with faces.

LucBoivin

10-23-2006, 11:30 PM

Here is more update. Its Monday evening or should I say 12:30 am and I have to get up in less than 6 hours to go to work!!!...but I simply cant stop painting!!!:eek:

I feel I have another 6 or 7 hours of work at the most. Tonite I worked 4.5 hours on it. Did I tell your I hate the smooth canvas...:-(

Luc

josie

10-24-2006, 06:43 AM

Im still not sure if i understand why you hate it so much Luc But this looks like a photograph to me...For me one of your best realistic so far:partyalone: :partyalone:

LucBoivin

10-24-2006, 07:30 PM

Im still not sure if i understand why you hate it so much Luc But this looks like a photograph to me...For me one of your best realistic so far:partyalone: :partyalone:

Thank you Josie. I slowly getting used to it but I guess this is something that I would be better able to show you in person. For one thing, the black makes all the small sanding defect stand out when the light hits the canvas in a certain angle. Because of the layers of gesso, when I scrape with the Xacto, I tend to remove more paint in some areas that I would like. You really have to press hard to get to the white of the gesso....sometimes I get too much white then I have to come back with the black. Maybe this is a normal thing I'm not sure. I just know its much harder to work than the Angelina painting...or at least I certainly was not expecting this.

Luc

tnailsalon

10-25-2006, 12:03 AM

Dear LORD in HEAVEN he is a beautiful man...Oh Luc you are totally awesome man!!! There is deffinatly something about that pirate...wooooooooooo man you have done him justice and then some..wooooooooooo cold shower time

AirTodd

10-25-2006, 02:17 AM

Luc,
Another fine looking airbushed piece of art.Vary nicely done.

michelancello

10-25-2006, 03:10 PM

LucBoivin

10-25-2006, 09:55 PM

My goshhhhh!!!

What a Jobbbbb!!! Perfect, nice, awesome...

Sorry I used all the 3 english words I knew!!!

You realy jump on another cathegory with this... can't believe the look it could get when you see the real work on a canva, instead of in a digital picture.

Congratulation,

Michel

Thank you Michel, I must say, its real fun to see the painting come alive!! When I start, its just me and the canvas. As the painting progresses, all of sudden, we are two person in the room plus the canvas!!! I know it sounds weird but its all about bringing life to the painting. What makes it or breaks it in a painting I think, are the highlights!!!

Thanks again,

Luc

LucBoivin

10-28-2006, 11:21 PM

Update of Saturday's work. So far 13 hours of work and still have the skin texture as well as the motif on the bandana to do.

Luc

AirTodd

10-29-2006, 01:34 AM

This is wicked work.

josie

10-29-2006, 07:07 AM

IM totally blown awaytotally amazing Luc

blinddog 99

10-29-2006, 08:08 AM

Luc, you are a terrific artist. A pleasure to see your work.

Whit

10-29-2006, 08:18 AM

Always a Pleasure Luc,,, Always a Pleasure !!!
About the best word to describe is,,, "Quality" !!!

LucBoivin

10-29-2006, 09:36 AM

Thank you all!

Whit, you have hit the nail on the head when you say ''quality''! This is an area that I refuse to cut corners, simply refuse. This is in part why I love airbrush so much. When I paint I feel like I'm in full control of what is going to happen with the painting. You get to decide what level of detail you are going to put into it.

Luc

LucBoivin

10-29-2006, 06:33 PM

Pic of final work....16 hours later.

...on to the next project!

Luc

AirDave

10-29-2006, 07:19 PM

LucBoivin

10-29-2006, 07:43 PM

Luc...at least one of your earlier works, I questioned the amount of hours you claimed to produce it. I recognized the quality in the work, but thought the time length seemed exaggerated. (Please don't ask me for specifics, I don't want to be any ruder, I'm just trying to be honest)

But after seeing this fine piece of work, I now believe you are lying once again about the time...16 hours!....I would estimate 16 days! to produce this masterpiece!

No, it did take me 16 hours. I started on the 21st of October and finished today and the only weekday I worked on it was on monday night. I'm getting allot more comfortable with the handling of the airbrush thats for sure but I think the fact I dont use any mask except than a hand shield once in a while is the big reason why its taking me less and less time....and also, no color mixing.

I have spent hours and hours practicing painting eyes and various facial feautures. What you see here is a result of these exercises. Why would I lie about something like this?

Luc

AirDave

10-29-2006, 08:09 PM

Great work Luc!!

Don't tell people you only took 16 hours to complete it!!

For that kind of work you could charge for 16 days!!

michelancello

10-29-2006, 08:51 PM

Airdave: Luc realy took 16 hours to complete this. He sended me all the email after he worked on the project, and the one before and others... I followed the work and I can send you dates, times at every stage of the work if you need proof!

Luc and I highly recomand everybody to throw an eye on "Airbrush portrait technique" DVD1 from Driscoll. Making a PERFECT photo realistic takes only 5 to 10 minute... for everyone. Luc didn't want to say he was a someone to complete this in only 16 hours... but he wanted to encourage all other than it could take more faster than we think... as we discused yesterday night.

Hope my poor english don't make think I am frustrated or even rude... I just want to say than we were both surprise how fast we can work with the Dremel bit technic, erasers and X-Acto blades, and we wanted share it to every one wants to know!

Happy airbrushing,

Michel

AirDave

10-29-2006, 08:57 PM

okay,Luc (and michelancello)

obviously you didn't understand me...

I know it took you 16 hours of work.
thats what you said.

I am complimenting you by telling you it it has the quailty of an artwork that would have taken 384 hours (16 days) by a great master!

don't worry about language barriers,
just keep sending us this great stuff!!

LucBoivin

10-29-2006, 09:32 PM

LucBoivin

10-31-2006, 05:55 PM

Luc, with all the progress pictures you did on this piece, I wish you would have done a "How To" with it. How To articles are more informative when problems occur. Like you having to deal with the smooth canvas.

Good idea Steven, will get going on it while info still fresh in my mind.

Thanks

Luc

PonderThis

10-31-2006, 06:11 PM

Hey you happen to know how to do that thing spock does in the movies, really like to tap into your cranial region and look around. That is beutiful work.

JC

Mark

10-31-2006, 06:20 PM

Luc,
Fantastic work! i have yet to see a piece of your work that I haven't found myself amazed with! But this is simply awesome! Keep up the great work, now hurry up and show us all the next masterpiece!

redanner

07-12-2007, 05:13 PM

Nice rendering Luc! I think he needs a little more slimy salt corrupting his face!! LOL

Big Dutch

07-12-2007, 07:02 PM

LucBoivin

07-12-2007, 10:16 PM

OK, I just found this master piece thanks to Redanner's post! (Thanks Redanner). It is awesome to see the progress of this piece and the final result. I also was glad to read I'm not the only one who has some difficulty to get used to his Micron. I love how fine that airbrush can work but I find it quite difficult to control it properly. Practice practice practice I guess... Thanks for sharing Luc.

Thanks guys!

To get the Micron to work, don't be scared to dilute your paint! I sometimes have it diluted to a ratio of 1:1. Works fine,. You have to build your lines and to do this, you have to work with transparent paint. I am now able to get the Auto Air paint to flow thru my Microns with no problem. The key is to ''over reduce''!

Luc