Hand-coloring

One of the challenges with going digital was trying to figure out how I going to be able to still “hand-color” and produce originals. Through a lot of trial and error, I discovered that I liked working with pastels on the digital prints.

My black and white images start as archival pigment prints made on 100% cotton rag, acid-free paper. The first step is to shave down soft pastels to a fine powder.





I then apply the powder using various tools designed for
pastel artists. Color pencils are used to add highlights and fill in small areas.





I still have prints that I printed in the darkroom on fiber photo paper.
To color these I use photo oil paints.




I find hand-coloring very calming and meditative and time seems to fly by. This is one of the reasons it was so important that I find a way to hand-color digital prints. I am still learning all aspects of digital photography. I probably will be for the rest of my life. It's a little overwhelming at times but I am enjoying the journey.................