Hi, I have some colored pictures from the 1930s to early 1940s, before the days of coloured film, and I'd like to know the technique that was used to add the color to these pictures. Some pictures have just the cheeks and lips colored, and some have the entire picture colored. Does anyone know how this was done? Thanks, Kathy

These pictures are actually black and white photographs which have been colored using colored pencils or oil paints. You used to be able to send photos out to have them colored, or you could even buy coloring kits to do them yourself. I have seen some that were very well done, with nice skin-tone tinting and flower renditions, etc. I believe most were done by applying the color and lightly smudging it using cotton swabs or Q-tips. Al Jensen -----Original Message----- From: Kaytt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 2:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [SP] 1930s - 1940s colored picture Hi, I have some colored pictures from the 1930s to early 1940s, before the days of coloured film, and I'd like to know the technique that was used to add the color to these pictures. Some pictures have just the cheeks and lips colored, and some have the entire picture colored. Does anyone know how this was done? Thanks, Kathy

Kathy, You can still purchase kits of colors from photographic stores for this purpose. This is a fine art. I have seen some beautiful work. Phillip ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kaytt" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 2:13 PM Subject: [SP] 1930s - 1940s colored picture > Hi, > > I have some colored pictures from the 1930s to early 1940s, before the days > of coloured film, and I'd like to know the technique that was used to add > the color to these pictures. > > Some pictures have just the cheeks and lips colored, and some have the > entire picture colored. Does anyone know how this was done? > > Thanks, > Kathy > > >

Probably hand coloured with water paints, Kathy. This was a quite common procedure pre Kodacolor. These sites will give you a bit of insight into the technique: http://www.palmermultimedia.com/SVS/SVS%20Articles/Tech%20Tips/hand_tint ing_photographs.htm http://www.imagerestore.co.uk/tint.htm http://www.creativescrapbooking.com/topics/hand%20tinting.htm http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0103/pov.html Lance Got Outlook? Get NEO and have instantly organized email... http://www.caelo.com/a/rl.php3?i=GKM65 -----Original Message----- From: Kaytt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, 4 June 2003 7:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [SP] 1930s - 1940s colored picture Hi, I have some colored pictures from the 1930s to early 1940s, before the days of coloured film, and I'd like to know the technique that was used to add the color to these pictures. Some pictures have just the cheeks and lips colored, and some have the entire picture colored. Does anyone know how this was done? Thanks, Kathy