Marshall’s Photo Oils are a different type of oil paint than you may have seen or used. They were specifically developed to be transparent so that they could be used to add color to black and white photos. The most important thing to remember when hand coloring photos is that the photo oils are only going to be used to TINT or STAIN the photo, not cover it up. The color must stay transparent so that the shading and halftones of the photo will show through. The most common misconception people have about hand tinting photos, is the assumption that they need to not only paint in the image, but also know how to create all the shading and tonality. Since the black-and-white photos themselves already contain all the shading and gradation of tonality, the transparent paints or pencils merely add a stain of color over what is already a 3 dimensional image. It is the transparency of the paint, coupled with the application process that gives the photos their realism.

Ideally, the photo oils should be used on black-and-white or sepia photos that are produced by standard photo processing on matte finish photographic paper. However, there is also a Pre-Color Spray available that can be used over glossy photos and other types of printed photos that will prepare the surface to receive the oils. It is also important to note that using papers that are not specifically designed for hand coloring with the photo oils will result in the paint not adhering properly to the surface.

Hand coloring (or hand tinting, as it is sometimes called) requires a light hand and a gentle touch. The important rule with the oils is that less is more. Applying the oils or pencils to a black and white or sepia photo is easy. Squeeze only about a pea-size amount of each color onto a non-porous disposable palette such as a small plastic plate or a blank CD. Apply the paints sparingly to the photo, one small section at a time, using 100% cotton tipped swabs. Beginning with the larger areas of color first and apply color from light to dark, adding and blending in colors as desired and gently wiping off excess paint with a cotton ball. Colors can be adjusted or lightened by using a clean swab or cotton ball and blended by adding additional colors in thin layers. Colors can also be easily mixed on your palette before applying. Since the oils are only staining or tinting the surface, it is important that the paint layer stays very thin so that the shading and halftones of the photo will show through the color. The harder and longer you rub the paint, the more subtle the color will be. A fascinating feature about these paints is that you can virtually change entire sections of color just by applying another color over it! You can erase color easily from the surface of the photo at any point before they dry by using a plastic eraser or the PM Solution that comes in the Learn to Color and Hobby Oil set, or by just rubbing off completely with a cotton ball or by just coloring over the area with another color. In fact, the paint can be easily erased from areas such as teeth or the whites of the eyes which makes it fool-proof when coloring.

The transparent photo oils are ideal to use for the larger areas while the pencils can be used to add details and define areas. However, Memories by Marshall’s Metallic Pencils or the Marshall’s Photo Painting Pencils Starter Set can also be used to add details where it is difficult for a cotton swab to color with the paint. Or, if preferred, you can use the pencils to color in the entire photo, especially if the photo is very detailed. The pencils will give a softer look to a photo when used to color in large areas. This can be especially dramatic when used to color in small details of a black and white photo, leaving the remainder of the photo uncolored.

Until you master the process completely, it is recommended that you practice hand coloring on a COPY of a photo instead of on the original family heirloom. The Memories by Marshall’s Student Handcolor Kit even comes with two practice photos to help the novice become comfortable and familiar with the paints and the process. Once you try hand-coloring photos you will be amazed at the ease with which you also can transform plain black and white photos into something extraordinary.

Suggested supplies:

• Memories by Marshall’s Student Handcolor Kit or an artist grade Marshall’s Photo Coloring System Photo Oil Kit Set, such as the Hobby Oil Set or the Learn to Color Set (Marshall’s Arts & Crafts)
• Memories by Marshall’s Metallic Pencils or the Marshall’s Photo Painting Pencils Starter Set (Marshall’s Arts & Crafts)
• Plastic Eraser or Kneaded Eraser
• Black & white photo in a matte finish, produced by standard photo processing on photographic paper*
• 100% cotton balls
• Non-porous palette such as a plastic or foam plate, plastic paint palette or a blank CD
• Optional: Extra 100% cotton tipped swabs

*It is highly recommended that a practice photo (such as one of the photos included in the Memories by Marshall’s Student Handcolor Kit) be used to practice your technique on first!

Basic steps:

	Carefully poke a small hole in the top of each tube of paint. Squeeze out a pea size portion of each color onto your palette, allowing 1 to 2-inches between each color. (Note: If excess oil is squeezed out initially, wipe that off and discard.)
	Using a different swab for each color, begin with the lightest color that will be used over the largest area. Since you will use the paint sparingly, pick up a very small amount of paint on the swab to begin with. Apply the paint to the photo, gently rubbing the area until it is covered with a light layer of paint. Using a cotton ball, softly smooth out the color, removing any excess thickness so that the overall appearance is that of an even coated, non-textured transparent stain.
	Apply colors as desired on the photo, coloring OVER areas to change color and using the eraser to REMOVE paint from small areas or from details. Large areas of color can be subdued or removed altogether by rubbing repeatedly with a dry, clean cotton ball or one that has been moistened by the special PM solution that is included in the Learn How to Color set. Let dry 48 to 72 hours, depending on humidity and the thickness of the paint.
	When dry, use the Memories by Marshall’s Metallic pencils or the Starter Pencil oil pencils to add details to photos such as lips, eyebrows, strands of hair, fur or eyes, plant stems & stamens or leaf veins.

• Apply the paint sparingly in a circular, rotating motion when possible to cover the area evenly and quickly.
• Blend with clean swabs or cotton balls until the surface is evenly covered and of the correct shade. When blending color, use a light, delicate touch at first since the longer you rub and the harder you press, the lighter the color will become. Each large general area, such as the sky, face or dress, should be rubbed down or blended before coloring in the details or any adjacent area.
• Use multiple shades of the same color family, as well as complementary colors, to create a more realistic look. For example, use Sepia and Burnt Sienna, as well as Raw Sienna and Cadmium Deep Yellow for coloring blonde hair
• Since colors can be so easily removed before they dry, take advantage of this characteristic to experiment and become more familiar with the way different colors look when blended.
• Use the paint sparingly! It is easier and less messy to add paint where it didn’t cover completely than to wipe off lots of thickly applied excess paint.
• Change cotton swabs and cotton balls as often as needed to prevent accidentally transferring color to the wrong area of the photo.
• It is also possible to blend specific colors on your palette rather than on the photo.
• For some interesting blending/streaking effects, apply two colors in adjacent areas of a photo and then lightly pull one color through the other with a cotton swab. This is especially effective when hand tinting landscapes, flowers or other nature subjects.
• Colored prints should dry in from two to three days, depending on the thickness of the application and the weather/humidity.
• Transparent photo oil paints are acid free and will not fade through time or harm your photograph. They are considered permanent after they are completely dry; however, they can be erased or altered for at least 24 hours before they begin to set. Like other fine art work, keep hand-colored photographs out of direct sunlight.
• Practice hand coloring on a copy of a photo instead of the original family heirloom! Some of the "Memories by Marshall’s" kits even include practice photos to help the beginner become familiar and comfortable with the paints and the process.
• Squeeze out only a very small amount of each color paint onto a hard non-porous palette. A pea-size amount to begin should be sufficient for most photos.
• Use deep and light colors, as well as complimentary colors and multiple shades of the same color family to add realism to your photos. For example, using several shades of green paint on leaves or foliage will more closely resemble nature.
• The use of deeper and lighter colors will also add dimension to a photo that might have overexposed areas.
• Use pencils to lighten up underexposed or too dark areas or add missing definition and details.
• When coloring a very dark or underexposed area of a photo, use the metallic pencils to bring out the color. These pencils are more opaque and will allow you to add color to an otherwise dark area.
• For a softer look, gently smooth edges of areas colored with the color pencils with a cotton swab. Leave the hard edge where more definition or detail, such as veins on a leaf, is desired.
• Hand-color only a small portion of the photo for extra interest. For example, coloring only a single rose in a still life or only the eyes and lips of the people in a family portrait would make a very dramatic statement.

Courtesy of Marshall’s Arts & Crafts/Brandess-Kalt-Aetna Group
Page by Heather Gibbs