TECHNIQUE TUESDAY: HOW-TO WORK W TRANSPARENT PAINTS - 3 Tricks to Improving Coverage Paint by Number

[@peggymann925]

Another fabulous video full of tips, thanks MB!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Thank you! 🥰

[@yazosoyo]

My never ending problem with translucent paints!! Love this video! It gives me hope! And I love those birds! And I love those birds!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Aren’t these birds too stinkin’ cute?!?! And YAY, I’m so happy you liked this video. Next week will be making homemade gesso. 😬

[@yazosoyo]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio I need your tried and approved recipe! I was able to get another 4 oz bottle of Liquitex’s, and I did not like the Diana Wakely’s, it does seal the canvas but it’s too smooth and I feel it made the paints slippery instead of grabbing them.

[@victoriafaas4745]

Very good teaching video well done

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Thank you! 🥰

[@darcmyst2791]

Thank you for this, I have a painting with lots of transparent yellow in it, and using these techniques will help!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You’re welcome! Yellow is the worst. It’s close to impossible to find one that is semi-opaque, much less opaque.

[@rochellechism8011]

Super helpful Thank you

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Wonderful! Thank you for letting me know!

[@andreasmith5234]

Great video Melanie, thanks so much. 🥰

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You’re welcome! 🥰

[@ertfgghhhh]

Great video as usual

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Thank you!!

[@whatzup911]

When you put the white sharpie down, I was blowing on it to help it dry! I'm such a dork! LOL!!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

I’ve done that too when I’ve watched videos. 🤣🤣🤣

[@iNaruto13]

Amazing tips!! Was wondering if you have any tips for dark colours that all blend in together and look the same? I have a paint by numbers that I got off amazon but I dont think the quality was too great as the dark purple and dark green just look like black once a layer is fully applied, any tips to try and save it?

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You can always tint the paint by making it a little lighter. Add a small amount of white opaque. I may have covered that in my video on paints: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmypn15mrNngNk

[@raelenewalker6384]

Hi I love this tutorial you provided. I have watched another one of yours where you mix a colour to match as close as possible. I used your videos to do the same and I love the result. Your comment that it’s okay if it’s not exact as each painting will be different depending on manufacturers and artist etc so although I matched the paint as much as possible it’s a smidge darker but not transparent at all. I am happy. I wish I could share the photos of what I used how I patch tested and my result of the transparent to opaque. :) thank you 😊

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You can share the photos on my Facebook group! I have a lot of members, so I apologize if you’re already a member, but here is the link if you haven’t: facebook.com/groups/melanieb/ Thank you for the feedback on my videos! 🥰

[@raelenewalker6384]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio I will do that now

[@mskerriboberri]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio I just requested a join too.

[@ragazzo3215]

Great advice us usual ... I’ll be trying these techniques for sure. Btw where can I get this cute bird canvas? 💕🥰

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

I always put the links for the tools and the paintings I use in the description box below the video. Here is where you can find that information. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnSzZJ6hq5h5atk This one came from Gicangel.com. I haven’t published the second video for them yet, but that is where I got this one.

[@Sheywh12]

Would you use a stabilo white pencil for covering the canvas?? I heard someone say they used it to keep from getting the white out on other colors Which I have done and it’s irritating 😠 I need the sharpie with the fine point I got the fat round point 😳🙄🙄

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You can use a white pencil, a white gel pen, or anything that is white and opaque. Whatever works for you is perfect!

[@stevecarolpietryk9226]

Hi Melanie- I'm just starting my first PBN that I got for Christmas! It's a family picture from our vacation a couple of years ago. I'm reluctant to mix paints as the paint colors are an attempt to replicate the photo. So what would you recommend next in line the water based sharpie or white acrylic paint? Out of 37 colors about 1/3 are transparent and many of those are skin/flesh colors. 2nd question- I trying to find one of you videos that talks about where to start when painting ? Do I start in a corner and work towards the right( I am right handed), do I divide the piece (which is 16x20) into sections and do a section at a time, etc. Any guidance would be uber helpful. I am learning so much by watching your videos to help me do the best job possible with my first one - thanks for all your time and energy!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Hi! 1. You can’t go wrong with white acrylic paint, so if you are going to get one of those items, that would be your best bet for the long run. You can also use it to mix it with some transparent paints to help their opacity. 2. Here is my video that answers a lot of questions, but it specially addresses your question about where to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWalgqSwiLBjfrc I hope this helps!

[@piermontadvisors5397]

Q: Melanie i assume it would be easiest to use rhe Artesia paints I just purchased instead of using white or mixing? I have a painting that seems to have mainly transparent paints at its very frustrating. If I had known beforehand I think I might have used almost all Artesia.

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Since I did an entire video on replacing paints with the Arteza set, I didn’t include that option in this video. You absolutely can replace your paints with a different acrylic paint instead!

[@piermontadvisors4218]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio looking for that video now. I have a feeling it may come in handy right about now! ;)

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Omg, I forgot to link you to it! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmypn15mrNngNk

[@piermontadvisors5397]

Listen to last night and it was great

[@piermontadvisors5397]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio Exactly what I needed Melanie I know exactly what I am going to do now. The paints in general are really a crapshoot. It's good to know I have backups and I will use them. Happy New Year

[@maryfeist8080]

Have you ever tried titanium white gouache to cover up the numbers?

[@marls10191]

Is Gesso the only medium we should use or can we get cheaper clear mediums?

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Clear gesso is the only medium I have found that works for this...unfortunately...and I have tried them ALL. Liquitex is the brand that has the "tooth" that works best after I did my comparison test, but I have been using the same bottle for years since I switched to my custom Gesso Application Squeegee and don't waste any product. It goes a long way!

[@genevamiraalvarez7648]

Hi I hope you notice it, i'm new with paint by numbers and i have a lot of transparent paints. May i ask if it is possible that I used white gesso instead of white paint? Since its availbe in our home

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Hi! I tried white gesso once...super thinned down...and I’ve never been able to finish that painting. 😩 The lines and numbers in some areas are covered just enough to be indistinguishable. 🤦🏻‍♀️ That was my “lesson learned”. The paint also doesn’t “move” as easily or cover the same with white gesso. If you have a reference sheet with your painting, then you could try the super watered down white gesso, but I’d be very careful to smooth it out evenly. If you can try to get some clear gesso at some point, it will make a big difference. 😊

[@genevamiraalvarez7648]

Thank you for the tip❤❤❤

[@whatzup911]

This video appeared right in the nick of time. I just started prepping my next painting (Santa) and swatched the paints... almost every single one of them are transparent or semi opaque and I'm sorta freaking out. I see lots of paint mixing in my near future. Or maybe I'll just pull out my Arteza paints and replace them all. Ha!

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Ugh, I hate the idea of that, but do you have any prior kits with great paints you could use to switch out?

[@whatzup911]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio probably!! I will look through those too!

[@okyrie3653]

Is grey better than white as a base a first layer before the transparent paint?

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

Yes! I learned this after 2 years of using white. I discovered it from my paint consultant husband, so I did this video to explain it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJrJdKVnhbGZqZY and then I developed a kit and another set of videos to make it easier to have your own set of gray primers to work with. Let me know if you need links to those videos also.

[@okyrie3653]

Thank you very much. Your chanel helps me learns things about PNB. I am about to start my first PNB as a requirement for my art class. I am here to research before my kit arrives. I already watch lots if your vids and I learned a lot of terminologies and techniques. Please keep on doing amazing vids. If you ever had an instagram please let me know.

[@ertfgghhhh]

Here are ideas for a video: making a wet palette for those who like keep their paints from drying out while open and out of pots (while blending, etc) For those who want oil paints, there is a paint called "water mixable oil paints". These are oil paints that do not smell. They dry alot slower than acrylic. They can mix with acrylic paint. But are oil paints.they have their own mediums and oils. Can use them with pbn instead of the acrylic they send. Can be used with custom pbn

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

You know I’m going to end up buying those for myself when I can afford it...? 🤣 I’ve been in search of something like that to give us the oil painting look but without the mess and hassle! Omg, what have you done? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

[@ertfgghhhh]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio well u have been my pusher for months so just returning the favor, lol😜. Here is a link: www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B083J3YKX3/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=A2XP2A4MWDDCTG&psc=1 Here is a link to the cheapest link i found $13 aint bad to try out a student grade. There is fast dry medium available. The other medium is a thinning medium. But the thinning medium prolongs drying time severely. For me, i dont know if its a wise investment cause i drag my hand on the canvas when painting. I would ruin my work daily.

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

I thought about that too, so I would have to take a different approach to painting with oils.

[@ertfgghhhh]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio if right handed, working starting at top left and work going down. When it dries, do top middle going down. Then do right corner, work down- maybe

[@ertfgghhhh]

@@MelanieBsCreativeStudio i watched a video about oil painting and its much difft than other media. You have to learn about "fat over lean"..i saved the four vids cause i found them fascinating.

[@nancytalaba5724]

What do you do with transparent, gel streaky dark colors?

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

I thought I mentioned that, but I can’t remember now 🤦🏻‍♀️. I usually add a little white paint to the paint pot. It usually helps with the opacity and making the paint less streaky. My biggest tip overall is be sure to use clear gesso (one layer at least) on your canvas before you start. If you’re doing that and still see streaking, take out a small amount of the color that’s causing you problems, and mix it with a little white to test the opacity. It may be a lighter tint than the painting photo reference shows, but who will know? I’d rather have a slightly lighter color than streaky paint. 😊

[@Sheywh12]

Sweetheart I’m watching this video and wondering if I’m giving the sharpie enough time to dry?? How long do you wait for it to dry?? Could it streak if the sharpie isn’t dry on the canvas?? I’m still thinking it’s me HAHA 😂

[@MelanieBsCreativeStudio]

It definitely takes a few minutes for the paint pen to dry...longer than the actual paints.