Applying tattoo techniques to oil painting with Jose Perez Jr.

Jose Perez Jr. here and today I am walking

through my oil painting titled "The Key." I was invited to participate in a gallery event for fellow tattoo artist Carlos Torres' studio and gallery opening in Long Beach, CA.

The concept of"The Key" comes from my personal experience with tattooing. The 'key to my success' comes with a physical price.

Although there are many differences in tattooing and oil painting application and technique, there are ways to bring artistic decisions and layering that I apply in both tattooing and oil painting.

4 ways to apply tattoo techniques to oil painting:

1. Reference Images:

Search strictly for high resolution images online. Images should have even distribution of lights and darks. Contrast is key in creating depth and a focal point.

In Google image searches, click TOOLS, click the drop down menu under SIZE and select LARGE.

: GOOGLE > IMAGES > TOOLS > SIZE > LARGE

Search strictly for high resolution images online. Images should have even distribution of lights and darks. Contrast is key in creating depth and a focal point.

Stock photography sites such as 123rf.com and istockphoto.com

Can’t find a good image online?

For this painting, I took my own reference images, added some details and adjusted the tones and contrast in photoshop.

Take your own reference pictures!

This will take your reference image a step further, allowing you to control the lighting. Play around with light sources or add multiple light sources to maximize drop shadows and highlights in your piece.

For this painting, I took my own reference images, added some details and adjusted the tones and contrast in photoshop.

2. Composition:

The first step in the design of your piece should be composition. Begin with a general shape such as:

figure 8
a circle
triangle

It's best to commit to this artistic decision in the beginning and follow it throughout.

In "The Key" I chose my favorite shape, a triangle, and applied it to the background and foreground of the painting.

The first step in the design of your piece should be composition. Begin with a general shape.

3. Guidelines and Shadows:

Starting with an outline ensures a guideline for future painting sessions. Create the lines fairly quickly and light so they can be masked when you layer that area.

After laying out the guidelines, I add the darker shades throughout, working from darkest to lightest. After applying some lighter shades, you may want to go darker in some areas to really push the contrast. Similar to tattooing, keep your shades consistent during the painting process. Clean your brush thoroughly in between different shades.

Add some general shades to the background. Go darker around highlighted areas and lighter around shadowy areas of the main subject. Keep in mind, the background should accent the focal point, not distract from it.

4. Texture and Details:

Once general shades and shapes are laid out, I begin to layer detail and texture and follow the same darkest-to-lightest technique as with shading.

Texture creates extra details & makes the painting uniquely yours. This is the time to add your signature flair. Take your time and use small brushes for tight details. Try adding a variety of textures to your piece. Be sure the textures mimic the same lighting and contrast as the subject. Some examples of textures include: