| Hand-Tinted Photos |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-305 |
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Q: I want to create an heirloom look on some black-and-white photographs I took. Got any tips for me? A: (from Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts expert) Absolutely. You can add a bit of color tint to your photos for the look you're describing. The process is simple -- and forgiving, in case you make a mistake!
Materials: Black and white photos (matte finish is preferable) or preprinted packaged photos, available in many crafts and art-supply stores
Fixative spray
Artist's oils of the desired color(s)
Liquid extender
Cotton swabs
Cotton balls
Toothpicks - Your best choice is to start with black-and-white photos that have a matte finish. If they have a glossy finish, you'll need to spray them with a fixative (figure A), which you'll find at your local crafts center or art-supply store.
- For the actual tinting, you'll need to select several tubes of artist's oils in the desired shades (figure B). These are labeled as either photo-tinting oils or standard artist's oils; both work equally well.
Note: If you don't have a particular photo to use for this project, or you just want a to practice a bit before tinting your selected photo, check to see whether your crafts center sells packages of ready-made black-and-white pictures like those shown in figure C.
To apply the color to your picture, you'll use basic cotton swabs as Stapley does here. For a translucent wash of color -- which is generally preferable to an opaque application -- you'll need to purchase an extender (figure D ). This product is usually sold in the same section as the other photo-tinting or painting supplies. Dip the swab into the extender, then dab off most of the liquid on a lint-free cloth. Next, dip it into the paint (you'll only need a little) and begin applying the color to the first area you want to tint (figure E). If the color intensity is more than you'd like, add more of the extender to the area until the shade is diluted to the desired degree. To remove even more of the color, simply rub the area with a clean cotton swab (figure F).
Tip: Should you decide you'd prefer a different color in an area you've already tinted, don't despair! Just continue applying the extender and rubbing with clean cotton swabs until all of the original color is gone. Then just start fresh! To add more detail to your tinted areas, use a toothpick with just a thin cover of cotton on the tip. (To prepare the toothpick, simply insert one end into a cotton ball, then twist the toothpick a couple times in the same direction and pull it back out. This will leave just a bit of the cotton wrapped around the end.) Dip the cotton-covered end into your paint (without extender), then carefully apply to the desired area(s) as shown in figure G. For details, the color should be opaque so that it stands out and adds dimension to the picture. Once you've added the desired amount of color to the area where you're working, go back and clean up any messy edges with clean cotton swabs and a bit of extender, if necessary (figure H). Then just move on to the next area and continue until your photo is picture-perfect!
RESOURCES :
Fabric Photos
Model: 093402653X
Author: Marjorie Croner
Interweave Press Inc.
Website: interweave.com
Photo Art & Craft: 50 Projects Using Photographic Imagery
Model: 0873419723
Author: Carolyn Vosburg Hall
Decorating with Family Photographs: Creative Ways to Display Your Treasured Memories
Model: 0806942118
Author: Ryne Hazen
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