Archive for the ‘Art’ Category

Airbrush Art Tips For Beginners

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

When you are first learning something new, things can sometimes get a little tricky. You are trying to create a new form of art and may be learning that some things may be a little difficult to make happen. The experts showing you how to do something on a video make it look so easy. You might believe that it is easy until actually try to do it yourself. It is at this moment that you realize that you are not able to do what they did. To begin with, you need to practice with simple techniques until you get the hang of how to do them. Simple techniques will give you a better understanding of the process and allow you to have a foundation to build on.

When you first try using an airbrush, you should use a cheap surface that you can just practice with. A simple black paint will work for this – no need to buy additional colors. The only thing you should be doing is experimenting with the airbrush. Get used to how it works and feels in your hand. Practice spraying the airbrush on to your cheap surface while you learn just what pressure is needed where. If you are using a double action airbrush, you should be experimenting to see how far back gives you how much paint spray.

Once you are comfortable using the airbrush, then you should work on creating shapes with your airbrush (circles, triangles, squares and rectangles.) While this may seem stupid, it will help you to learn how to create designs using your airbrush. Continue to practice with shapes until you are able to perfectly render airbrushed shapes. Once you have the ability to render the shapes, you can move on to rendering shapes in different textures. This means that you should work on creating shapes with thin lines and shapes with thick lines. This will help you to learn more how to use the airbrush to render broad designs as well as fine detail.

Airbrushed Ocean Wall Mural

Airbrushed Ocean Wall Mural

Now that you can render the shapes, you can move on to using stencils. This will give you a feel for stencils, since most beginning airbrush artists will use stencils to create their airbrush art. Practice using stencils on a cheap surface and still using your black paint. You will also gain knowledge from trial and error on how to remove stencils without disturbing the paint.

The type of paint that is best for a beginner just learning is Golden Airbrush Colors. These paints are ready to use and will save you from having to deal with thinners and such. Save those types of paints for when you have gained yourself some experience with airbrush art. Stick to ready to use black paint from Golden Airbrush Colors because it really does not matter how the paint looks at this point. The only thing that matters is that you learn the basic techniques so that you have a good solid foundation of skills in which to advance you forward with.

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How To Prepare Various Surfaces For Airbrush Art

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

When you begin an airbrush art project, you will first need to prep the surface.  The preparation work that you do will be determined by what type of surface you will be airbrushing.   The prep work to the surface will ensure that the paint sticks to the surface, and that nothing  interferes with the airbrushed design.

FABRICS

For airbrushing t-shirts, sweatshirts, denim and other natural fibers, you must  wash the material.  Washing the material  will remove any loose fibers and will take care of any shrinking prior to placing your airbrush art design on it.   So be sure to wash and fully dry your material before you begin.

LEATHER
Leather needs to be wiped down with rubbing alcohol prior to doing any airbrushing. This will remove the oil that is on the leather, which will prevent the paint from sticking to the surface.    Be sure that all the leather has been wiped down,  and that the alcohol has dried before beginning.   When you begin you need to place a base coat of Opaque White first before you begin your actual airbrush design.

1089234333_3fcbe8020a_m-airbrushed-cat-in-car1

WOOD
Wood surfaces should be sanded prior to doing any airbrush art. Take the time to use sand paper and lightly sand the wood down by hand. If you are doing a mural on a wood floor then use a hand floor sander. You don’t want to mar the wood only remove any rough areas. If the wood has been waxed or has a gloss coat then sanding this will remove this and allow for the paint to stick to the surface.

SKIN
Skin should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol to remove any oils from the skin. The skin’s own natural oils will prevent the airbrush paint from successfully sticking to the skin and will cause the airbrush art tattoo to come off to soon. The use of talc powder after the design has dried will help to keep oil from building back up and thus still ruining the airbrushed tattoo.

NAILS
Nails should be clean and buffed prior to beginning.   Buffing the nails will give a rougher surface for the paint to cling onto.  Prior to actually airbrushing the nails,  a base coat should be applied.   There are actually two reasons for the base coat. This base coat will help protect the nail from the paint and help the paint to adhere to the nail better.

METAL
Metal should be wet- sanded to give a rough, grainy effect.   This rough grainy effect will help the paint to adhere to the metal.   With metal actually being smooth,the paint will have a hard time sticking to the smooth surface.   This is why it is important to wet sand the metal first.  A base coat should be applied to the metal before any airbrush art design is started.

Take your time and be sure that the surface you are working on is prepared thoroughly so that the paint will stick. You don’t want  to work on a great airbrush design only to realize that the paint is either not sticking or looks messed up.

AIRBRUSH PAINTS AND SUPPLIES CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT:


www.DickBlick.com - Online Art Supplies

How To Create Your Own Airbrush Art Stencils

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

There are two methods of doing airbrush art. One way is that you can use stencils or masks to airbrush your artwork on to your project. The second way is to freehand the design onto your project, without the use of stencils or masks. Nearly all stencils and masks that you purchase are reusable. The stencils are made from different material depending on what the stencil will be used for. However, no matter what material your stencils are made from, they all have two things in common.

1. Purchasing the stencils can start to get expensive.

2. You are limited to only creating designs based on the stencils that you can get your hands on.

While these stencils can greatly aid you in your airbrush art, they also can hinder your creativity. So the best way to deal with using stencils and reducing costs, as well as leaving your creativity open, is to create your own stencils.
564980383_44fbd02b4d_m-airbrushed-truck-tailgate
If you can trace, you can create your own stencils cheaply. All you need to do is find a design that you like and then trace it out onto paper. Make several copies of the design since you will be cutting on them. Also the airbrush paint will get them wet and they can start to tear. You will want to keep the original design so that you can refer back to it. After you have made several copies of your traced design, start cutting out the areas that you need to cut out. Next place the home made stencil onto your project and begin to airbrush your project.

If you want to use a more durable material to create your stencils you can use the plastic pocket folders. These can be picked up rather cheaply from the store in the office supply section or hit the back to school supplies. You will need an exacto knife to cut your design out. Depending on the size of your stencil you can probably create more than one stencil from this plastic folder. If you purchase the see-through folders, then you can use these for stencils, even if you are limited to tracing your design onto the plastic folder prior to cutting it into a stencil for your airbrush art.
3210531979_ef08f72bdd_m-airbrushed-guitar
No matter what material you go with, be sure that you remember to cut out your areas slowly and carefully. By taking your time, you can be assured that everything matches up the way it should. If you are doing a stencil for perhaps a dog, then you would want to take your time to be sure that the eyes are the same size, the nostrils are cut out and shaped the way they should be and so on. If you rush, you could end up messing your entire stencil up. The stencil is to aid you in creating your airbrush art and is a big part of the art process. You may have to practice on a scrap piece of material until you get used to how the knife works and how to properly cut out the areas. This will help to ensure that you create a working stencil for your airbrush art.

You can find AIRBRUSH SUPPLIES at:


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A Look At The History Of Airbrush Art

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Airbrush art is a popular form of painting various designs on numerous types of surfaces. Everything from skin, clothing, canvas and automobiles are being used to show these gorgeous works of art using airbrushing. Motorcycles and building murals are also targets for artists to show off their creativity with airbrush art.

The history of airbrush art is just as fascinating as the creative designs that artists are using airbrushing for. Experts believe that a primitive form of airbrush art was perhaps used by ancient civilizations. The method believed to have been used in this primitive form of airbrush art was the use of a hollow bone to spray the paint out of, by blowing through it. While this is a very primitive method compared to modern day forms of airbrushing, it does still work. Take a look at children’s airbrush art kits that require the child to blow through one end of a tube to create the airbrushed art. Now ancient forms of airbrush art have been carried over to modern day children’s crafts.

Pastrana Airbrush Art

Pastrana Airbrush Art

In 1893 the world saw a more modernized version of airbrushing when Charles Burdick patented the first airbrush device. This device was used for retouching photographs until around the 1920s.

During the 1930s airbrush usage increased when advertisement agencies jumped on the bandwagon to create advertisement of new products. Soon airbrushing would be used to paint Pin-Up girls on to the American planes during WWII. This is where airbrushing started showing up in the more modern world in the form of art.

In the 1940s Walt Disney showed the world a new use for airbrush art. He took airbrush art to the animated screen. The backgrounds for Walt Disney’s animated movies were created using airbrushing. Airbrushing allowed them to create shadows and lighting tricks to achieve a more realistic looking background. While even this seems primitive compared to what we can do with animated movies as well as for airbrush art, this method did pave the way for both the improvement on animation and airbrush art.

Airbrushed Trailer

Airbrushed Trailer

The 1960s brought us even closer to what we now know we can do with airbrushing. Airbrush art in the 1960s made its way into the music world. Album covers were done using airbrush art to create the whole hippy style images. The wild psychedelic artwork that was popular with that era was done thanks to the use of airbrushing. Tie-dyed looks and large hippy flowers, and even the peace signs, were making their way onto vehicles during this era. Airbrushing the artwork on vehicles took a lot less time to paint as compared to doing the designs by hand. Thus airbrush art was being experimented with on vehicles at this point.

The way we use airbrushing now to create art certainly has come along way from the primitive methods used by our ancestors and even our parents. Now a days we can see airbrush art almost everywhere on almost every type of surface. The only limits with airbrush art now is determined by the limits of the individual artist.

Com-Art Opaque and Transparent Airbrush Color Kit set of 10

Com-Art Opaque and Transparent Airbrush Color Kit  set of 10

Badger Model 155 Anthem Airbrush Kit  model 155

Learn How To Airbrush

Thursday, September 10th, 2009


‘WHO ELSE WANTS TO AIRBRUSH LIKE A PRO?”

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Take 5 Years Off Your Learning Curve!

Too many people buy expensive airbrush equipment with all the best intentions of using it, then get frustrated with the lack of information for beginners and put all that expensive stuff in the closet to gather dust. Most books and information available on the market today assume that you are either already an established airbrush artist or only gives you the most basic information about how to set up your new equipment.

Classic Airbrush Techniques starts from the beginning and goes all the way to professional techniques, laying out detailed airbrush lessons that guide through exactly what you need to do to get to the next level.

We have obtained the rights to resell these classic airbrush lessons once again to the public, after being “lost” for decades. Written by professional airbrush artists of the 1950s who used the airbrush to produce professional work the way many people use computer graphics programs today.

You get 13 lessons packed with valuable information that will reduce your learning curve by years.

You will learn all the classic airbrush information that is just as relevant today.

* Control your airbrush
* Rendering 3 dimensional objects
* Control of tones
* Lighting Effects
* Greater confidence in ability to control the airbrush
* Chrome effects
* Commercial Illustration
* Production Illustration
* Architectural Illustration

And best of all, these guys did it before there was the huge commercial market for hobbyists, so you will learn how to do things “the old fashioned way” saving a ton of money on new gimmicky products.

Airbrush Technique Ebook

Classic Airbrush Techniques

Classic Airbrush Techniques


What Will You Receive?

The book is presented in two halves, totaling 110 pages. The first half presents the fundamentals of using the airbrush, and basic exercises to improve your confidence with the airbrush. The second half offers professional exercises to develop your technical skill rendering objects, textures, and effects. Photo Retouching, Commercial Illustration, Production Illustration, and Architectural Illustration are also covered with specific directions and printable outlines for you to practice as often as needed until you can master each skill.

Bonus book

Bonus book

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How To Use Stencils For Quilting

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

When the average person thinks of stencils, the word probably brings to mind early American style painted floor cloths, or stenciled walls.  Stencils enjoyed a great resurgence in style in the 1980’s as everyone went mad for the country look.   However, when a quilter thinks of stencils, a very different use comes to mind.  The crafter,  unfamiliar with the use of stencils in quilting, may be quite perplexed as to how they are used.  After all, when you look at a quilt, there’s no evidence that anything to do with stenciling in the traditional sense has occurred!

However, stencils are actually very useful in the art of quilting and advances in technology are quickly making them a must-have tool.  Quilting stencils are very similar to stencils for paint, and often look about the same.  They are most often made from a sturdy plastic, with holes punched in it for the design.   However, while painting stencils are used to create decorative elements, quilting stencils are used to lay down a pattern to follow when stitching.  The use of quilting stencils allows quilters to reproduce elaborate patterns on their quilt tops.  With quilting stencils, you have an easy way to transfer and then follow a stitching design.  You don’t need to worry if you feel you can’t draw.  With quilting stencils,  the drawing has all been done and all you have to do is follow someone else’s design.

90108625_2372e61273_t-poppy-quilt

Many companies offer quilting stencils and the supplies you’ll need to go with them.  You’ll find designs ranging from traditional florals and fans to very contemporary styles.  Take a look around some of the quilting sites on the internet or visit your local quilting store to get an idea of how many stencils await you.

Quilting stencils are easy to use.  To transfer the design you can use chalk or stitching or water-soluble pens.  (It is very important that you test the water soluble pen with your fabric before using it with a stencil-you don’t want it to ruin your beautiful pieced quilt top!)  All you have to do is lay the quilting stencil atop your fabric and trace the pattern.  Voila!  You now have a stitching pattern to follow without a lot of muss and fuss.  After all, most quilters prefer to spend their time designing,  piecing a quilt top,  or doing the actual quilting,  not messing around with pattern transfers.   A simple rule of thumb is to choose a design about a half an inch to an inch smaller than your block,  so that the resulting pattern doesn’t look crowded.  You can also take one of the smaller stencils and repeat the design by laying it down in a pattern on your fabric.

Quilting stencils are one of the most useful advances in notions for the home crafter.  The average quilter of yesteryear would be amazed to view all the notions and supplies that are now available for the home crafter.  Why not take advantage of these advances yourself?  Quilting stencils are a great time-saver.


Fabric at joann.com!

Essential Supplies For Quilters

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Shady Lane Quilt

Shady Lane Quilt

If the quilting bug has bitten you,  you may be confused about what exactly you will need in the way of supplies for your new craft. A huge part of the fun of starting a new hobby is learning about what kinds of supplies you will need to accomplish it.   There’s something so satisfying about working with tools and supplies.   While the craft of quilting doesn’t technically require much more than a good sewing machine, needles, thread and scissors,  there are so many wonderful supplies on the market that will make quilting easier and much more enjoyable.

#1 Sewing Machine
Start with a sewing machine, the most basic of your supplies.  Though it is technically possible to sew a quilt without a machine, and some people still prefer to do it, most busy crafters today like to use a machine.  You’ll want to at least use it for piecing together the blocks for the quilt top, and after that you can choose to do the actual quilting by hand or machine.   But most quilters would agree that the sewing machine is the most essential of your supplies, and so the soundest advice is to buy the best you can afford.  There are many wonderful brands such as Bernina, Pfaff, Janome, and Husqvarna Viking, to name a few.  Bear in mind that most quilters only need a machine to sew a straight line, so you don’t need to worry about buying one with a lot of fancy stitches.

Singer 7412 Electronic Sewing Machine

#2 Cutting Tools
Next on any quilter’s list of supplies is a cutting tool.  Plain old fashioned scissors are good, and you’ll need a pair dedicated to fabric and one for paper only (paper dulls scissors very quickly).  However, as a quilter your new best friend is sure to be a rotary cutter and mat.  A rotary cutter is a much more efficient tool than the scissors you may be used to, and you can also cut pieces for quilt blocks in volume with it.  You’ll need a rotary mat to protect the surface you are working on.  Don’t make the mistake of putting a rotary cutter and mat at the bottom of your list of essential supplies-they will make your life easier and your new hobby much more pleasurable.

Fons & Porter Rotary Cutter 45mm

Fons & Porter Rotary Cutting Ruler-8”X14″”084726″

#3 Fabric, Thread,  Pins, Needles, and Seam Ripper
You’ll need fabric, of course, and most quilters swear by 100 per cent cotton fabric.  The array of color and pattern that cotton fabric comes in is truly staggering.  You’ll also want to put thread on your list of supplies.  Cotton thread is good, with a high luster and long-lasting strength.  You’ll need pins for a variety of reasons.  Pins seem to be one of those notions that quilters have very specific preferences for-you might prefer good old fashioned straight pins made of all steel, or T-pins, or pins with the brightly colored heads.  Why not put a variety on your shopping list of supplies and experiment with which ones you like best?  You’ll also need needles and a seam ripper.

Fons & Porter Ergonomic Seam Ripper

Fons & Porter Quilters’ Flat Head Pins-Beige

#4 Bulletin or Idea Board
Many quilters also consider a bulletin or idea board as an essential.  This can be placed near where your sewing machine is set up and used as a place to pin swatches, arrange fabrics in potential color combinations, and post ideas torn from magazines.

Start your list of essential supplies today, and you’ll be a happy quilter.

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QUILTING FABRIC AT JOANN.COM

Joann.com


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