Painting Monochrome Portraits- All about Techniques!

In the second part of this airbrush painting tutorial, I'll show you the techniques that I used to paint in the left eye of this older man. There are a lot of details, textures and transitions of value so as you're painting, patience is very important. At the end of this video, we'll have both eyes painted in. Then it's time to start painting in the surrounding skin textures on the forehead, cheeks, and nose which we will be doing in the next part of this tutorial. Instead of using a gessoed canvas (my favorite surface), I'm using clay board (ampersand claybord) to show how the techniques I use translate over to a difference surface. Thanks for watching.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @theartworkshop
Within this Video:
Airbrush (Creos PS-771)- amzn.to/3PEWSsF
Ampersand ClayBord (24"x18")- amzn.to/42rCy5t
Schmincke Aero Colors Black- amzn.to/3PFKQ25
Circle Template- amzn.to/42tenDL
Eraser (hard)- amzn.to/40tGSie
Tombow Zero Eraser- amzn.to/3VXMPlj
Artool Shields- amzn.to/3MixUyG
Medea Airbrush Cleaner- amzn.to/3yG2MnX
Video Equipment:
Camera (Z5)- amzn.to/3dOsvAU
Second Camera (Z30)- amzn.to/48WHyPN
Lens- amzn.to/3E0aHgK
Macro Lens- amzn.to/3jFlZyE
Slider- amzn.to/3rkmqT6
Tripod- amzn.to/3D3L6BQ
Audio Equipment:
Microphone (RE 20)- amzn.to/41sW3GS
Audio Interface- amzn.to/3Q36VXU
Boom Arm- amzn.to/3O0p8Wy
These are amazon affiliate links for The Art Workshop. As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Using these links helps support my channel. Thank you!

[@jc2200]

Awesome…no shield can replace a good ol paper shield. Especially for organic shapes, forms (nature in general)Great Video Mark! 👊🏽👍🏾!!!

[@theartworkshop]

I agree with you there JC! Paper is so versatile for any type of masking/edge control. Thanks and have a great weekend

[@manicairbrush4395]

Love the texture stencil. you should do a series on stencils and how to make them. I made one with the soldering iron you showed way back in the day.

[@theartworkshop]

That's a great idea. Thanks!

[@GertWoutersGéWé]

Awesome detail and balance in the lighting! A joy to watch! Did you draw the small veins located in the white of the eye with a graphite pencil? Many Greetings!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much, Gert! For this one, I believe I painted them in with the airbrush using over reduced black spaying at like 10psi or so. Usually I'll do it like you said with graphite and lightly blend it using a blending stump or tortillon.

[@duanemarshall9486]

Mark, you nail these videos time after time. Your technique is incredible as is your ability to explain it in a very smooth and easy to grasp way. Hope you have a great weekend and as always looking forward to next weeks video. Cheers

[@theartworkshop]

You are the man, Duane! Thanks so much my friend. I hope that you have a great weekend as well.

[@suspensefulness]

this portrait is insane..i wanna learn soo bad to have this control wit my micron...

[@theartworkshop]

well you cetaintly have a top of the line airbrush to paint with. the micron is one of the best (if not the best) for fine detail work. I would try something simple, like a small still life or a cropped section of a portrait (like an eye, or a nose, or the mouth, etc.) and give it a shot using freehand techniques. I still use plenty of freehand shields for sharper edges, also erasing for highlights. Developing your graphite drawing abilities helps a lot too. all the best to you!

[@PocoCalleCustoms]

Great video Mark thanks for sharing and have a great weekend 👍

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much Poco!

[@javiercornejo1127]

Excellent !!!

[@StevenLeahyArt]

Such a great video.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much, Steve!

[@magcolor]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks Mag. Hope you have a great weekend!

[@pablosimpson9278]

Nice job..👋👌👍💯

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much!

[@janettaselaar5673]

Amazing work!!! How do you feel about the new Infinity, especially the trigger, do you feel any discomfort on longer sessions due to the rough surface? And did you experience any splatters tiny smal paint drops while using it? Keep it up love your work!

[@TonyMount-sq3hi]

Always look forward to your weekly channels mark Looks so real amazing detail have a nice week end my friend 🙏🏼

[@theartworkshop]

thanks so much, Tony! Hope you have a great weekend as well

[@timwagster9458]

Your talent and experience continues to amaze me. I only found your channel by searching for airbrush quality and how to. Now I try not to miss an episode. Thank you for sharing. 👍🏻😁

[@theartworkshop]

Hey Tim, thanks so much man. So glad to hear that and to have you here!

[@mitya_ka]

Great technique as always!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much, Mitya!

[@peterarnold899]

I really love your channel! I really appreciate you taking all this time to share your techniques with us. I do have a question I come from a drawing background and would like to take up the airbrush . I intend to do portrait painting that’s my favorite thing to do . I do have a badger sotar but i see you tend to use your micron the most . Would you suggest purchasing a micron if one could ? I was always told to use or learn on the best equipment you can afford and I wanted to know your opinion.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much. The badger sotar is a fantastic airbrush! I would stick with your sotar 2020 and get better with it before moving on to a new airbrush. I can do everything with a sotar that I can with a micron. Just so you know, I didn't use a micron for any of this portrait. I used a gsi creos ps771 and an infinity2024. Both awesome airbrushes as well.

[@peterarnold899]

Okay thanks !

[@peterarnold899]

Maybe Il invest in some paint and supplies instead :)

[@theartworkshop]

@ a high quality airbrush paint is always a great investment. Makes all the difference. all the best to you.

[@blenderheadxyz2418]

Looking good !

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@joselinosilva1974]

Perfect!!!

[@theartworkshop]

thanks!

[@jimmypratt6450]

I'm waiting for the new Infinitey 2024 and taking some time off from airbrushing , also cleaning up my studio its a mess 😡. Your work is amaziing i'm no where near that lvel but i'm trying . ❤

[@theartworkshop]

how exciting! it's a fantastic airbrush. I love my infinity- excellent detail and control. all the best!

[@jimmypratt6450]

@@theartworkshop I've got the Iwata Takumi which makes me looks like a compitant airbrusher but i know its not the brush lol . I've got alot too learn and i've been airbrushing on and off since the 70''s now i have more time to concentrate in my 60's .

[@theartworkshop]

@@jimmypratt6450 another awesome airbrush- sounds like you have a collection like me. I have too many at this point! Glad to hear you're getting back into painting. Stick to it!

[@suspensefulness]

i also wanna learn freehand portraits