|
Post by margaret51 on Mar 21, 2008 3:24:45 GMT -5
Hi can anyone give me any tips on drafting film? I have never used it and would like to know more about it the good and the bad. thank you Margaret
|
|
|
Post by jan on Mar 21, 2008 4:42:29 GMT -5
I'm sure Andrea will have better advice than I do since I've only used it a few times.
The film doesn't hold many layers so it's best to use the color you want to begin with. A sharp pencil is needed for lighter strokes but you can use a blunter pencil if your strokes are heavier.
Use one of those white nylon (?) erasers for mistakes as the surface of the film can be easily damaged. Actually, I use Scotch tape to lift the color from a mistake & don't use an eraser at all if I can help it.
You can use the back to get richer color if you want to, especially if the back also has the same frosted finish as the front.
Use the same backing paper that you'll use for the finished painting so you can get the colors and values right. But, you can also just use white then try different colors when you finish to see which one works best. After a while, you get a feel for the right color to begin with.
Like I said, Andrea will probably have some good tips for you - she's the queen of drafting film!
|
|
|
Post by margaret51 on Mar 21, 2008 4:52:48 GMT -5
Thanks Jan I didnt think to use Scotch tape. I'm going to see what kind I can get tomorrow and may be have a go at grafting film.
|
|
|
Post by papillon on Mar 21, 2008 8:26:37 GMT -5
Jan has already given you a lot of advice here. I myself have only used drafting film once and that was with graphite.
Andrea surely can give you some hints too... even Joanie has used it recently for coloured pencils.
|
|
|
Post by Joanie on Mar 21, 2008 10:44:15 GMT -5
Hi Margaret...................I recently used drafting film for the first time (see example in my Gallery). I absolutely loved it!!! I think Jan's advice is good and can't think of much else except that I accidently used a piece of watercolor paper under it while doing the painting and it left a rough texture to my drawing. I loved it!!!! But normally you would use a smooth textured paper underneath it. Just experiment and have fun with it, that's what I did. I can't wait to see you do a finished project on it.
|
|
|
Post by andrea on Mar 21, 2008 19:53:59 GMT -5
Hi Margaret, you've already received some good tips. You can get different makes of drafting film, ask what they have in your art shop. Make sure you get the double sided drafting film, to allow you to push your darks and whites. I use blue or white tack as an eraser or a battery eraser gently. Don't use any form of solvent based products on it such as copic colourless blender; it dissolves the frosting! I know this from personal experience! DOH! You have to apply the CP layers very gently as it will only hold 5 layers at the most. If you want more; use the blue/white tack to remove gently and you can apply a little more. Because it holds less layers it is generally quicker than CP on paper. I find that prismacolours are the best pencils to use on film, some of the others just don't seem to hold onto the film surface. Experiment with coloured papers under the film to see how it effects the colours of your picture. You don't have to transfer line drawings onto drafting film; just place it underneath as a guide. I can't think of much else at the minute! Looking forward to seeing what you do. Yell out if you want any more advice ;D I'm doing a picture on drafting film at the moment but am struggling to get the skin tones right because of the restriction with layers.
|
|
|
Post by margaret51 on Mar 21, 2008 21:39:41 GMT -5
Thank you all for your advice on this you are all so helpful, I will let you all know how I get on. thank you again.
|
|
|
Post by Martina on Apr 3, 2008 2:22:18 GMT -5
I have another question:
Using CP on paper/board you can achieve to make more layers with using a fixative spray. Would this work on film too or would it kill the colours or smudge it?
|
|
|
Post by jan on Apr 4, 2008 6:43:20 GMT -5
Martina, I think you can use fixative on some film after you have sufficient layers of cp but I would certainly test it on a small piece before spraying a piece you really want to keep.
|
|
|
Post by andrea on Apr 4, 2008 6:46:47 GMT -5
I haven't used a workable fixative on film so can't answer Martina. as Jan says; try a small area and let us know.
|
|