HAND COLORING B&W PRINTS

I recently completed a series of had colored black and white photos. This technique is not new. Back in the days before color film photographers would hand color their photos with oil paints. I used PanPastels and soft watercolor brushes to get the best blending and control the amount of color that was applied on each pass.

The 16"x20" black and white photos were first printed on 100% cotton rag Hahnemuhle archival photo papers. Once the black and white photos were printed I study them to see where I want to apply color then each photo is slowly hand colored with the powdered pastels. The colors need to be patiently layered to produce different saturation values and the color must be applied selectively to create the best effect. There is really no substitute for hand applied color!

The Veranda at Cherokee Cottage, Jekyll Island, GA

Lifeguard Chair, Neptune Beach, FL

Cemetery Entrance, Savannah, GA

On Ocean Drive South Beach, Miami Beach, FL

Lonely Flower, Boynton Beach, FL

Courtyard on The Battery, Charleston, SC

Ivy Covered Doorway, Savannah, GA