blending/layering problem

[calabdark]

Hi all, i was wondering if anyone can help with a blending/layering problem im having. the problem is im getting a horrible chalky effect with my blends. i use tissue to remove excess paint from my brush and thought maybe the brush was picking up tissue fibres, or im appling layers to soon after one another or it maybe my priming was the problem.
can anyone help
thanks

phil

 

[t_haye2]

Hmmmm, hard one this.
One of the reasons might be that the primer you are using is too pigment heavy(the finish of the spray is grainy).
Another one is the thickness of the paint you are using. Taking off paint with a tissue to do blending or layering isn\'t going to work, because you take the moisture away that makes your paint flow on smoothly. This technique is fine for drybrushing, but if you want a smooth finish, that\'s not the way to go.
Another reason for rough texture on painting and colours not properly flowing into eachother is the size of brush you are using. If your brush is too small for the area you\'re painting, your end result will only look smudged and muddy. As a guide, I use a 0 brush for most of my larger areas(i.e. jackets, cloaks etc.) A 00 for most of my smaller areas(face, pouches) and a 000 for edging and eyes and stuff.
End of the day, if your paint flows with the consistency of milk/cream, you should be alright if you keep the above suggestions in mind. Good luck, and it does take practise...unfortunately

 

[KatieG]

Need more info

What paints/colors are you using? What method? You say blending/layering, are you talking about wet blending, layering, or a mix? How thin are your paints? I don\'t know if its the tissue (I use a paper towel, less fluffy things in it to come out) or the paints (some paints are just inherently chalky, particularly craft paints). If its the priming, it would be chalky even right after the first basecoat. If you\'re layering you should definatly wait for the coats to dry in between each layer. Of course you want the opposite for wet blending, but I find wet blending to be very difficult to get smooth. Anyways, hope something in this helps...
--Katie G.

 

[calabdark]

more info

im using gw and foundry paints and gw primer spray black and im really talking about layering i use w and n series 7 sz 0 brush for most work

thanks

Phil

 

[calabdark]

i forgot to ask, what is the best material to wipe excess paint off brush for layering purposes

 

[ZaPhOd]

LAyering

Nothing. You should not have excess paint on your brush for layering. Try to thin your paints with a mix of something like water and Future floor polish. It will give a slight glossy look but some Testor\'s dullcote will fix that when you are done. This will make the paint smoother and avoid the chalky effect. I find just using water will tend to make lots of brands of paints chalky, though this does depend on the brands. Thin your paint to the consistency of milk and use about 1/3 Future and 2/3 water for your solution. Do many layers of thin coats using subtle color changes and you should a) avoid the chalk and b) get nice smooth layered blends

 

[calabdark]

future?

im in the uk and i dont think its called that here i think its called klear ive got some and used it for with inks for a wash but like you say it does give a shiny finish but it also leaves a really smooth to the touch finish almost like varnish is this the same stuff made by Johnson?

 

[freakinacage]

i hope so - i bought some yesterday on safeways. tried it - does the job beatifully. had real problems with my washes before that (gotta be a joke there somewhere!). haven\'t tried it to thin paint yet but i didn\'t even think that you could use it for that - cheers zaphod

 

[ZaPhOd]

No problem!

Hey, no problem! It is just one technique, but I find it works okay. Some paints are better than others too of course, but I find the lighter the hue, the more chance of getting a chalky finish... maybe. Who knows.