Photographer Elizabeth Wynkoop demonstrates a simple way to bring added life to black-and-white photos
(figure A).
Materials:
matte, fiber-base paper
masking tape
pm solution (a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil that is available in art-supply stores)
cotton ball
photo oils
cotton swabs
colored pencils
matte finish spray
Steps:
- Put an 11 x 14-inch black-and-white print (or whatever size you have) on a matte, fiber-base paper.
- Tape the edges with masking tape.
- Put pm solution on a cotton ball and rub lightly on the photo. This will make the color easier to move around and more forgiving.
- Put a small dab of photo oil on a cotton ball and rub it into the photo (figure B). It is not necessary to be extremely precise. Just rub enough in to get an even layer. For a flower, using blue around the edges is a good choice.
- Yellow (or another color, it depends on the type of flower) can now be rubbed on the flower petals (figure C).
- Use a clean cotton swab to remove color that may have gone over the edges of the flower.
- Color on top of the photo with a colored pencil, going with the grain (figure D), then soften with a swab.
- Use another color, perhaps orange, to fill in shadow, warm it up and make the details pop out. Coat with a matte finish spray.
Tip
Before placing masking tape on the border of the photo, remove some of the adhesive by sticking it onto a pair of jeans or similar fabric.
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