On Friday I visited toy inventor Mel Birnkrant and painted some of his "Outer Space Men" action figures in gouache.
Gouache is an ideal medium for such a study because of its opacity and high tinting strength. You can also draw over the dry, matte surface with watercolor pencils or a white gel pen.
Today we'll be flying to Los Angeles to speak at art schools, theme park design firms, and animation studios, before spending next weekend at the CTN Animation Expo in Burbank.
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Mel Birnkrant
Outer Space Men website -- Read Mel's story of inventing some of the world's first action figures.The Return of the O.S.M. -- Mel tells how he brought the figures back into production.
Mel Birnkrant's website, with other inventions and his incredible cartoon character collection.
Art Supplies
Watercolor sketchbook
Watercolor pencils
Gouache
Travel brush set
White gel pen
Tutorial Video: Watercolor in the Wild
Download at Gumroad (Credit card customers)
Download at Sellfy (Paypal customers)
DVD (72 minutes, Region 1 encoded, with slide show)
9 comments:
I misunderstood at first but now I get it. My misreading makes me wonder, could you paint with guache onto the figures themselves to good effect? Can guache be used on objects then clearcoated for customization?
The fact that I mistook your rendering for the actual figures says I'm coming to the right site.
Thank you, sir.
You'll see the Nerdrum show at Copro won't you? I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Hi James, Do you use all the paint you put on your palette, if not what do you do with the remainder?
Christopher, I used most but not all of it. I squeezed it out on a damp paper towel. When I had to take a break for a meal in the middle, I put a cover over the paint so it didn't dry out. I threw the remainder in Mel's trash can -- hope that's OK, Mel.
Mr. American Man, if you don't like American Women, I would suggest you try "Horroscope," the woman from Saturn, who according to Mel has "brains, wisdom and clear thinking," that is, if you can get used to her tentacles.
Joel, I have no idea about that use of gouache. I've begun experimenting with Holbein acrylagouache for such miniature painting, but I should leave your question to experts.
Bill, hadn't heard about the Nerdrum show. The schedule's a bit tight, so we might have to miss a lot.
Have to say, I enjoyed your reply to "American Man."
James can you talk a little bit about your color choices you used on your palette for this painting? Since the figures were so vibrant did you augment your usual gouache palette? Also for a travel set would you ever used gouache from dried pan that you made from tube color, say like watercolor? Thanks.
I like the look you are getting with the gouache. Has a loose oil painting feel about it. Hope you are still thinking about making a gouache tutorial.
Ha ha ha, you can be real funny James! American Man deployed his tentacles out to this foreign and alien blog.
"Horroscope" from Saturn with her tentacles may just fit perfectly, as you suggested.
We've got Gurney Journey Dating Agency here as well:-)
Maybe American Man needs an "inflatable" woman. NOT made in the USA.
Hey James,
Are you using an "Albertian Net" for your block in? I notice the grid on the early stages of you drawing. Thanks!
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