Creating Confidence Turning Photos into a Pin-up Girl

Last updated on October 27th, 2023 at 03:52 pm

My dream to empower women has had some fantastic moments. Most often, those moments are when a woman sees her pin-up photo turned into a painting for the first time.

As I’ve honed my pin-up-to-a-painting process, I’ve tried to find ways to keep my clients in the loop. One way is to show the steps that their painting is going through to become a work of art.

I use Corel Painter and the iterative save function, which saves files as you go. I try to save often enough to see each step when I scroll back through later.

I’m working on better software to capture the process. The video of my process featured at the end of this article below was made on my iPhone. I still have a bit of a tremor in my hands. I apologize in advance for any shakiness.

Creating a pin-up painting from a photograph involves several steps, from selecting a suitable reference image to the final touches on your artwork.

Here’s 12 Steps in the Pin-up Art Process

1. Reference Image Selection
Choose a high-quality reference photograph that aligns with the pin-up style you want to create. Look for images you’ve taken with good composition, lighting, and poses that convey the desired mood and personality.

2. Sketch the Composition
Start by creating a rough sketch of the composition on your canvas. This sketch will serve as a guide for the placement of the subject, background, and other elements.

3. Outline the Subject
Outline the subject based on the reference image. Pay close attention to proportions, angles, and details. This is the foundation for the painting.

4. Block in Basic Colors
Begin by blocking in the basic colors using a wide range of brushes. Focus on the skin tone, clothing, and background. This stage is about establishing the color palette and the broad shapes.

5. Add Shadows and Highlights
Build depth and dimension by adding shadows and highlights. Study the reference image to understand how light interacts with the subject and use this information to create volume.

6. Refine Details
Gradually work on adding more details to the painting. Pay attention to facial features, clothing texture, and other intricate elements. Be patient and take your time.

7. Background and Surroundings
Consider the background and any props or elements that complement the pin-up theme. These details can enhance the overall aesthetic of the painting.

8. Skin Tones and Complexion
Achieving realistic skin tones and complexion is crucial. Blend colors carefully, using various shades and highlights to create a lifelike appearance.

9. Hair and Makeup
Pay close attention to the hair and makeup of your subject. These details can significantly influence the pin-up style. Use fine brushes and subtle strokes for hair strands and makeup accents.

10. Clothing and Accessories
Refine the clothing, accessories, and any jewelry in your painting. The details in clothing, such as folds and patterns, can add authenticity to the pin-up style.

11. Final Details and Touch-Ups
Take a step back and look at your painting as a whole. Make any final adjustments, corrections, or touch-ups to ensure the overall harmony of the artwork.

12. Sign and Date Your Work
Don’t forget to sign and date your pin-up painting. This adds a professional touch and allows viewers to appreciate the time and effort you put into your art.

13. Photograph or Scan Your Artwork
Capture a high-quality image of your finished painting using a camera or scanner. This image can be used for showcasing your artwork online or in print.

Creating a pin-up painting from a photograph is a skill that improves with practice. As an artist becomes more experienced, we develop our own unique style and techniques. Keep experimenting, learning, and refining your approach to create captivating pin-up artwork.

It’s just one part of my big dream journey.