Airbrush Technique Issue 23 - (Page 14) Ok lets get started, this photo shows the sketch completed on my canvas using a HB graphite pencil. Make sure when sketching you draw your reference lines VERY lightly so that the paint will cover them easily. Using a projector and the reference photo of an eagle I have chosen for my project, I get it positioned over the canvas so that I have it the size and position I want it at. With the reference picture still in position I tape a Manila file folder half over the canvas this will allow me to maintain the proper size of the eagle on the canvas by outlining the eagle on the folder then cutting it as a stencil. Using a SHARP X acto knife I cut out my eagle stencil. * I make sure to keep both the positive and negative stencil, as I will be using both later in the project. Using repositional spray adhesive, I have placed the positive eagle stencil on my canvas. Well after all of the prep I am finally ready to spray some paint. First I will fog in the deep areas of the background (sky) spraying a VERY reduced mixture of 5 drops white/ 1 drop light gray. Next using a mixture of 5 drops white/ 2 drops light gray/ and 3 drops Magic Mix, I loosely spray the most distant pine trees. For the closer trees in the background I use a mixture of 10 drops light gray/ 2 drops forest green/ 1 drop black concentrating on bringing these trees more into focus. Before I can paint the foreground trees I will need to start painting the structure of the rocks as the trees will cover some of the rock structure. This paint mixture is 10 drops light gray/2 drops dark brown/1 drop black. I don’t worry about getting too detailed at this point, as I will revisit them later for details. This photo shows the rocks structure loosely formed and I have started the foreground pine trees painted with a mixture of 10 drops forest green/ 2 drops black. Notice that as we get closer to the foreground the tress become more in focus. I want this painting to look like it is a misty morning, so to get the effect I am looking for I used a VERY over reduced white and mist the entire background, I do this lightly as I will be doing the same effect many times throughout the painting.
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