Monday, February 6, 2012

Oil Stick Portrait

For day 6 today, of 29 Faces, I am showing a WIP of a face I started last night. I'm using Shiva oil sticks, for the first time. So everything is done with my fingertips, except for a little on the eyes and mouth that I did with pencils. I'm letting it dry before I go in add add more details.

Anyone have any tips for working with Shiva oil sticks? I've only ever used oil paints from a tube, not this stick format. It's really fun for blending, which surprised me, but I'm wondering what is used to get finer details? Do you thin it out to a paint consistency with turps and linseed oil (like the tubes), and then use a brush?

If I can't figure it out, I'll try going in with acrylic or water soluble crayons and see what happens... After it dries. ( my oil paint tubes and such are in storage so not accessible on the boat right now.)
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10 comments:

  1. Oh Angie... your faces are AMAZING... I have my shiva sticks pulled out also to start a face... for the first time too... I have used them in my mixed media work but not on a face as yet... I just pulled out 'Taking Flight' by Kelly Rae Roberts... where she talks about filling in a face with the Shiva's... she suggests a detail paint brush (with the oil sticks) and a pitt pen... but I think acrylic would be fine also... can't wait to have a play now... your work is gorgeous...

    Hugs
    Jenny x

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    1. Thank you, Jenny - I have that book by Kelly Rae also. I will go reference it. Thank you! Also, for the info about the Pitt pens. I have two, but they are odd colours, so I may go get some more and experiment with them. Thank you so much for the great info!

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  2. Love the smooth look you can get with your Shiva sticks - I never did figure out how to use them properly

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    1. Thank you, Geri! I still haven't quite figured them out yet either, but I love how easily they blend with your fingertips.

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  3. Wow, your work is absolutely beautiful! I've used Shiva's only a few times, but they are awesome for blending! Have you ever heard of Faber Castell Pitt Artist pens? They make a skinny marker and a big fat juicy one. These big ones work wonderfully for shading faces and detail work. The ink is permanent, but stays wet just long enough to be able to blend with a brush, and the marker itself is a brush tip. Also I agree with Kelly Rae Roberts. A micron pen can do wonders as well.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I love how well the Shivas blend. So creamy! Yes, I have a couple of Pitt pens, but they are odd colours, so I may go and get some more and try that out. Thank you so much!

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  4. Well done, keep up the great work!

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