Marilyn Portrait with Alcohol Marker Hair Shading

A project from our live show MONDAY SALE - Join me for some crafty bargains - Broadcast 14th August 23 · 14/08/2023 · watch it from 23:00

A striking portrait of Marilyn stamped large on card and coloured with alcohol markers to create dimension in her hair. The technique uses layered brown tones to build highlights and shadows, creating a realistic halo effect around her face.

You will need

A5 Stamp Set - Beautiful Inside and Out - Marilyn - 140823ASEE IT

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Step by step

1. Stamp Marilyn in midnight hybrid ink onto white card. ▶ watch 23:00
2. Gather several brown alcohol markers in varying shades, from light to dark. ▶ watch 24:00
3. Start with your lightest brown shade and colour a section of hair, leaving white space as a halo effect. ▶ watch 24:15
4. Follow the hair lines in the stamp design, feathering the colour outward. ▶ watch 25:30
5. Apply a medium brown shade over the lighter colour, concentrating on areas where the stamp shows darker lines. ▶ watch 26:00
6. Use your darkest brown to define braids and shadows, creating depth. ▶ watch 27:00
7. Go back over the white halo area with a very light colour to blend and soften the transition. ▶ watch 28:30
8. Allow the markers to dry completely; the alcohol will evaporate and lighten the colour. ▶ watch 30:00
9. Optionally add white gel pen highlights to enhance the halo and catch light on the hair. ▶ watch 37:00

Tips from the show

• Alcohol markers dry lighter than they appear when wet, so go lighter than you think you need to.
• Leave white spaces in your halo and braids to create dimension and catch the light.
• Follow the stamp's line work—it does much of the shading work for you.

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