Flames

[shadow2462]

ok about a month ago I gave up on doing flames because it was becoming a nightmare for me. I realize I wont get the results that others do but since I do not have any Kandies which I'm working on getting, all I have is opaque's and transparents. So I wanted to see what I could achieve out of what I have and so this is the result.... I know the flames stink the object was to see what I could get out of what I had. I have the idea for flames but tend to let myself get carried away and they get too busy, plus should have used a black background for contrast. I started with a pinkish base 1st layer, trans. red 2nd layer, a peach color for 3rd layer, then a trans. orange, next was a pale yellow layer and last was a trans. yellow.

 

[Talla]

Shadow ... looks like you use your stencils too much. I used to do the same thing and found they didnt seem to flow properly. Also, as you mention, you should start of with a black background which helps with the contrast and definition.
I dont know if you have seen this vid on youtube by Mural Joe but he has two good vids on producing natural looking flames using opaque paints. Better still his technique uses no stencils at all (just like mitch's free hand flames).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuVnK2FnrJE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Also a good saying from Mike Lavellee (hope I got the name right) is "loose to tight .... dark to light" meaning start with say a red and a loose free hand pattern and tighten up each successive layer with lighter colours.

I'm still learning but this helped me with the technique (unfortunately the visualization of the flames and what you want comes from practice if that makes sense?)

Andy

 

[shadow2462]

Shadow ... looks like you use your stencils too much. I used to do the same thing and found they didnt seem to flow properly. Also, as you mention, you should start of with a black background which helps with the contrast and definition.
I dont know if you have seen this vid on youtube by Mural Joe but he has two good vids on producing natural looking flames using opaque paints. Better still his technique uses no stencils at all (just like mitch's free hand flames).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuVnK2FnrJE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Also a good saying from Mike Lavellee (hope I got the name right) is "loose to tight .... dark to light" meaning start with say a red and a loose free hand pattern and tighten up each successive layer with lighter colours.

I'm still learning but this helped me with the technique (unfortunately the visualization of the flames and what you want comes from practice if that makes sense?)

Andy

Thanks, I kind of know what I'm doing wrong but not sure how to fix it...if that makes any sense. Its like I start off ok but it seems to go a stray but this Is I think one of my better attempts, my first one looked like a box of night crawlers lmao. I'll def. check video

 

[Talla]

I know exactly what you mean. Its the same with me. Its just practice I think. Other folk have said my last couple of sets of flames were good but it wasn't what I was after and the more you try the worse they seem to get.
Mural Joe's video is good but but I think he looses some of the realistic element right after he mentions his wife seeing a reproductive organ in the flames!

 

[foreveryoung001]

I've found two things that I struggle with... finding the right color scheme, but also learning how to keep the flames loose and free flowing. My first attempts had decent color, but they looked like big seaweeds. Then I sort of got the technique so they looked more natural, but was having problems finding the right color combinations to make me happy. I thought I had it locked down pretty good, but the current project I'm working on, is making me realize I still have a lot more practice to do. Keep throwing paint and trying different techniques and you'll figure it out.

 

[Squishy]

I am no flame master (far, far from it Lol), but I think it comes out better if you freehand the basic shape, and only use the stencils to sharpen up, and define the flame and let the overspray fill in to give the subtle shading and texture. I always do the next layer in over reduced white, then spray over with the next colour too, it still blends with the colour below where needed, but also defines that layer to give more depth. Sorry if I'm not explaining very well. Probably best to ignore me , and check out Mitch's flame tutorial.

 

[shadow2462]

I am no flame master (far, far from it Lol), but I think it comes out better if you freehand the basic shape, and only use the stencils to sharpen up, and define the flame and let the overspray fill in to give the subtle shading and texture. I always do the next layer in over reduced white, then spray over with the next colour too, it still blends with the colour below where needed, but also defines that layer to give more depth. Sorry if I'm not explaining very well. Probably best to ignore me , and check out Mitch's flame tutorial.

I don't ignore any help or opinions, I'm here to learn and it seems that most do struggle with true or free form flames and seems that they have an epiphany when they finally get it.... like turning on a switch, so my journey continues.