I was asked a while back if i liked coloring Grayscale pictures. My answer was an emphatic “NO, that’s cheating!!”
Why would someone want to spoil a beautiful picture, that is meant to be black and white by adding
color to it.. i figured if it was meant to have color, that the artist would’ve put color into it before printing.
After many months and alot of should I’s and shouldn’t I’s I thought that maybe i should see what all the hype is about. Well, i am a Grayscale Convert. Right down to me taking my own pictures, grayscaling them and re coloring them the way i want to.
Cat from Beautiful Creatures by Nicole Stocker
colored by Deb Norman
I love watching how the picture turns from a beautiful black and white picture, into a stunning color photo with each coloring stroke made. First off i was coloring flowers, i moved onto fruits and vegetables, i’ve colored Christmas nativity scenes, and now i enjoy coloring animals.
I am still learning different techniques into how to get the best effect, and i’d like to share some of what i have learned.First off, when printing your greyscale, make sure you change the ink color to MONOCHROME, this gives the best printing quality. Any other color setting will produce a picture that is missing some of its “bits”. Choose the colors that you want to use.. i have found that your pencil doesn’t need to have a point, The best effect comes when the lead has been used.
Flowers from FLOWERS Grayscale Photo Coloring for Everyone by Anne Manera
colored by Deb Norman
Color the lighter parts of your picture, very softly.. with your pencil practically on its side. Harder pressure on the darker areas enhance the picture and give a show effect.If you are coloring grass.. get the best effect by coloring each blade, this makes the grass stand out. Add shadows with darker colors, where you think the shadows should be. Color highlights can be added as you progress with your picture. You may find that when you are finished, that you want to add a little bit “Here and There” Don’t add too much.. you don’t want to go overboard. If the picture looks finished and you are happy with it.. well then leave it. You can always do another one. Even tho i love coloring a normal page I am going to continue coloring Grayscales.
Page from Nativity Grayscale Photo Coloring Book by Anne Maneracolored by Deb Norman
I hope you get as much enjoyment out of coloring Grayscales as what i do, and i hope that the few tips help..
Keep coloring 🙂
photograph sourced from Pixabay , colored by Deb Norman
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50 Shades of Colouring