Question for Wanda Marsh

[chipper67]

I had a question regarding an old article back in Summer 2003 Issue No. 23 - Black Bear on page 70. And if anyone else can quickly answer this I would appreciate it. My question is about painting the bear. On page 73 in the second paragraph Wanda states: "Make sure this wash fades into the Raw Umber used for the rest of the body." When she says Raw Umber does she really mean Charcoal Black for the body? Was that a mistake because obviously the pictures, to me anyway, show the bear black and not a brown color. Or, is she meaning use a base coat of Raw Umber and then charcoal black which that probably is not true because she doesn't say anything about a base coat. I'm at the stage of painting right now and I'm just a bit confused about this. Note: This is the first time I have carved a relistic animal and woodburned the fur.

Thanks,

Chipper67

[bethc]

I notice you haven't gotten any answers, yet, Chipper67. I do not have issues as far back as 2003, so I can't see the pictures you're looking at, but from working with artist's tube acrylics, I know that raw umber is more a dark grayish brown. Burnt umber is a rich dark brown. Depending on the wood used in the carving, it is possible that a thin coat or multiple coats of raw umber might look more gray than brown especially used over the woodburning. Why don't you try checking it out on a scrap piece of wood and see what it looks like? Good luck!

Beth

[chipper67]

Thanks Beth,

I just decided to use a different brown instead of the raw umber. I think it was spice brown. I posted some pictures of the bear in the New projects thread.

Chipper67