I like old black and white pictures, there is something fascinating about the way the picture is aging, becomes imperfect, so different from the way we make digital pictures now.

I stumbled upon  the picture I used for this painting recently and decided to try a mixed media version of it.

I experimented with a technical paper that is translucent and works well with watercolors and inks and had enough tooth to take dry pastels as well.

Beginning : Black and white mixed media painting tutorial

Here are some pictures of the process. Click on any picture to see a larger version.

I started by scanning my picture to print a larger version on paper, I used a grid to help with the drawing.

I start my drawing on newsprint, doing a bit of shading as well.

Here is a close up of my drawing. Transferring the drawing is easy because my paper is translucent

I start to paint the figure with black watercolor.

The technical paper react a little bit like yupo paper or hot press, it does not wrinkle with the paint.

I work on the background with black ink, I like the textures the ink makes while drying, really close from what you get on yupo paper.

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I sprayed some alcohol to add textures on the black couch.

I am refining the figure with black and white colored pencils.

I accentuate the contrast with black and white dry pastels. I paint a contouring of the picture.

The finished painting- Beginnings