Alcohol Marker Hair Colouring on Marilyn Stamp

A project from our live show HOW TO COLOR HAIR WITH PENS - FOLLOW ALONG - Broadcast 14th August 2023 · 08/14/2023 · watch it from 0:00

Learn how to colour hair on the Marilyn stamp using alcohol markers to create dimension and depth. This technique uses layering with light, medium and dark brown tones to build realistic hair with a luminous halo effect.

You will need

A5 Stamp Set - Beautiful Inside and Out - Marilyn - 140823ASEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Stamp the Marilyn image using midnight hybrid ink, which works with both alcohol markers and watercolours without bleeding. ▶ watch 0:00
2. Gather several brown alcohol markers in varying shades, from light to dark. ▶ watch 1:00
3. Create colour swatches with your chosen markers to see which shades work best together before applying to the stamp. ▶ watch 1:15
4. Start with the lightest brown shade and apply it to a section of hair, such as the halo area at the top of the head. ▶ watch 2:45
5. Follow the lines of the stamp design, leaving white paper showing to create a luminous halo effect around the hair. ▶ watch 3:00
6. Apply the light colour from the roots downwards, following the hair lines in the stamp design. ▶ watch 3:15
7. Move to the next section of hair, such as the braided or swag sections, and repeat with the lightest shade. ▶ watch 4:15
8. Apply a medium brown shade (such as BR98) over the lighter layer, focusing on areas where the stamp lines are darker. ▶ watch 5:15
9. Use a feathering technique with short tick-like strokes to blend the medium shade, rather than solid block colouring. ▶ watch 6:00
10. Apply the darkest brown shade to the braid sections and areas needing more definition and shadow. ▶ watch 9:45
11. Go over the white halo area with a very light brown shade to blend and soften the harsh white edge if desired. ▶ watch 12:00
12. Allow the alcohol to evaporate fully before assessing the final result, as the colour will dry lighter than it appears wet. ▶ watch 14:00

Tips from the show

• Alcohol markers dry lighter as the alcohol evaporates, so go two shades lighter than your desired final colour and avoid overworking the same area.
• Leave white spaces in the hair rather than colouring it all in solid, as this creates dimension and catches the light.
• If you are not an advanced colourist, focus on colouring the hair and avoid colouring the face, as this is more difficult to execute successfully.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly