Help with painting metal/gold

#1

Hello! I am in a fix with one of the paintings that I am trying to work on in Photoshop. I have really very little knowledge of how color works, besides that of the “that looks cool” variety. I was hoping someone could point me towards a good tutorial on painting metal, or color theory involving metal/gold/silver–whatever. It seems that I’m usually okay until I have a painting with considerable goldwork in it, and lately I’ve been on a kick for that, so I’ve been having troubles.

Any kind of suggestions would be helpful.

#2

What makes something look metallic isn’t so much a color issue–more of a value/contrast issue. Metals are very reflective, and any highlight on them will be pretty hot (blown out) and very sharp. If you simply get that across, you’ll create the illusion of a metallic surface.

#3

Thanks–I’ve attempted to do that in the painting that I am working on now. I find that it is easiest to use dodge and burn (I work in Photoshop), but I know that those tools don’t get good reviews from a lot of people. They help me to get the most extremes, though.

I didn’t want to post an image in this thread, incase it wasn’t appropriate, but I linked a screenshot of the image I’m working on now:
http://www.kagaipalace.com/Stages/the-swordwife-unveiled_stage4.jpg

#4

Try this:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1028888&postcount=46

Also check out the whole thread for more on color theory:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76955

The guy who started it is a good buddy of mine :wink:

#5

Hi I have a suggestion try to use a orangie brown yellowy brown and very dark purple so dark it’s almost black and dodge tool for highlights. I am no expert but the color I mention seem to be what gold looks like to me hope that helps some what.

#6

Awesome–thanks guys! You’re very helpful.

#7

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