Supplies:
Photo
Watercolor paper
Art masking fluid (I found mine at Michael's)
Paintbrushes you don't care about anymore
Watercolors
Tape
Patience...grrrrr.
The hardest part for me is finding the photo that I wanted to do. I have adorable test subjects, but trying to find the right exposure is tricky. I used a combination of Picnik and Microsoft Power Point.
Mimi photo before:
A-freaking-dorable.
Mimi photo after - Black and White
Next, put the photo right side down on the watercolor paper and tape down. You're going to paint on the opposite side, so you want to be able to look through the watercolor paper and see your image.
Like so.
Then you need to tape your photo to a light source. I don't have a light box, so I used my kitchen window. It has the best light and I can tape it to my height.
Perfection.
Now, you're going to crack open the masking fluid. Make sure you shake well as it will settle when you let it sit. Be sure you are not using a good paintbrush because this stuff will not (repeat NOT) rinse out of the paintbrush regardless of how much you try. It's stuck there for good. I have a brush that I use just for masking.
Start covering any area that is white and what you don't want colored. I did Mimi's face and shirt area. Be sure you cover it fairly thick so you don't get the area splotchy like I did on my first couple of rounds.
It's kind of gooey and when it starts to set up, it's kind of like rubber cement.
Keep on a going until everything is covered to your liking.
Now. Let. It. Dry. It's tempting to say, "I think it's a'ight" and start painting. But be patient. Let this stuff dry completely.
After it's dry, you can start painting. I have a hard time with this because I am too critical and again, that whole ability to paint gets in the way. But really, you just need to be able to cover the area with paint. How you do it, is up to you. I don't like brush strokes in my painting, so I've used a cotton ball to make it more....blotty?
Why so serious?
Again, let it dry. I know, you're excited for the big reveal, but just cool it. Let the paint dry.
Now, comes the fun part. You get to peel all that crap off. If you're like me and like peeling dried glue, sunburns, etc...you will love this. To get it started, I use a clean eraser. You can also rub with your finger, but I like the eraser. Start rubbing on the edge of the masking until it starts to accumulate. Keep rubbing until you get a good chunk removed. Then start yankin' baby!
Doesn't that feel good? Ahhhhhh!
Run your hands over you work to be sure all the masking is removed. Remove the tape from your masterpiece and viola! You're done! Frame and display!
Only a fraction of the beauty is captured, but I think it turned out pretty good!
