My Airbrushing Padawan's: S!R and KLEVR

[Jacob Kobryn]

Hi!
This is where my airbrushing padawans (mentorees) (though I currently only have one :P ) will post there progress in the great art form of airbrushing and I will post assignments and critiques.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT
You are to post a short paragraph that describes how long you've been airbrushing and what you want to achieve with your airbrushing. I'd also like you to post what kind of airbrush you own, what kind of paint you are using, and on what surface.
After you do this I would like you to post 1 piece of airbrushed art work that you think is totally friggin awesome and one piece of art work that wasn't airbrushed that you love. Remember to credit the artists! Then post a picture of your best airbrushed art to date and a piece done (airbrushed or not) that you absolutely hate (done by someone other than you ;) )

My Example:

I have been airbrushing for about a year and over that course of time have one multiple awards such as airbrush.com's armature painter of the year and raised to the title of Fire Master by Mike Lavallee's Tru-fire Contest. As an airbrush artist I wish to grow to the point that I am as confident as I am with a brush or pencil. I also wish to be one of the first (excluding Giger) airbrush concept artist.

I use the MLearn Richpen MOJO (POSITIVELY THE BEST AIRBRUSH EVER!!!)
House of Kolor and SEM paints
on metal sign blanks, bike tanks, helmets, ect...

An airbrush piece I love: Depths by Rod Fuchs
http://www.fuchsart.com/gallery/Fgallery1-13.jpg
Harvester (also RF)
http://www.fuchsart.com/gallery/Fgallery1-3.jpg
Storm Front
http://www.fuchsart.com/gallery/Fgallery1-16.jpg

Non airbrush piece: Silver Dragon by Todd Lockwood (oils)
http://toddlockwood.com/resources/images/galleries/magazines/01/silver_dragon.jpg

The best piece I think I've done so far:
My Blu-Fire Snowboard
Giger-Esque Panel

Stuff I hate!
Pretty much all modern art...

Now you try!

[S!R]

Hi, I'm S!R.
I've been familiar with airbrushing and an on again off again practitioner for close to ten years.(Mostly off again.) As far as my intent or goals with this mentorship they are, I guess just to be able to dialogue with other airbrush users, as well as definitely learn about others techniques and time saving shortcuts as well.

I use a crappy little compressor with no air reserve tank, and an Iwata HP-C gravity feed airbrush. Mostly Createx and Deka paints on stretched canvases and canvas panels occasionally.

1)Here is a photo of a mural i did a couple years ago in our house.

2)A canvas panel that became a skate deck for Libtech skateboards.

3) My old PB, with an attempt at true-flames..



I always thought Sorayama had a bad ass style, plus most of his 'models' were easy on the eyes.. :)

http://www.compuart.ru/Archive/CA/2006/6/24/sorayama.jpg

Not exactly heading up the E. Templeton fanclub...

http://streetpulse.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/sectbloody02.jpg

[Jacob Kobryn]

I just thought I should give you some major eye candy...
Tica by Dru Blair
http://airbrushworkshops.com/images/ticastepwebOpt.jpg

[Matsign]

Airbrushing did this?

[Jacob Kobryn]

Yep it was airbrushed by master painter (and teacher) Dru Blair.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Hell yeah Sorayama's bad ass. He is the god of chrome. I haven't seen anyone create a chrome effect as realistic as his. If you get the chance to pick up the May/June August/July September/October and the yet to be released November/December edition of Airbrush Action Mag, theres an epic (100 steps I think) how to by him.
I'll post round two soon

[S!R]

I personally havent done much with frisket in a few years would be fun to brush up on those techniques and cut some film...

[Jacob Kobryn]

I'll go way beyond that... ;)

[Jacob Kobryn]

ASSIGNMENT TWO
These exercises may be extremely basic but they are the back bone of airbrushing. With out them your work would be awful, the better you can get at these, the better airbrusher you are.
First I want you to practice your dagger strokes. First do thick to thin then thin to thick.When you are confident with that then do many varied thicknesses in one line.
After that is finished do "ladders". Make four dots then X them and dagger to the right on the top, left on the bottom. Dots are helpful, try to make the smallest dot to the largest dot. Also practice some basic shapes, shading isn't important right now just getting control of your brush.

These were done on the computer btw...

[Justin.]

Jake don't forget about your own responsibilities..

[Jacob Kobryn]

Yep. But I'm sorry, COW 100 is taking up all of my time right now. I'll get done with your assignment in november.

[S!R]

Jake don't forget about your own responsibilities..

Does this mean you are sitting in on our class??

:xpld: Or do you just pop into random Jake threads to rap him about the knuckles??

All in good fun man.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Ha ha. No he's my mentor.

[Jacob Kobryn]

A HUGE TIP
Instead of using createx, which face it can be difficult sometimes, use E'Tac EFX on canvas. This stuff is AMAZING. It works just like a uro with amazing vibrancy and almost no tip dry or even none at all. It's waterbased so you don't screw up your body. Use private stock for clothing, both work for auto.
http://www.etac-airbrush.com/
This was done with only EFX black:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/lzrdlvrx2/Ron1.jpg

[S!R]

Grr. Ok...breathe...
So I'm not sure if it's combination of not thoroughly breaking the gun down and 'gun-cleaning' it, a severely bent needle, or just plain lack of skills but i had a rough time so far completeing this assignment.

I did have alot of clogging problems so I will be looking for a local distributor of the paint you suggested, efx...as well as maybe a replacement needle or two...

But for the sake of showing my attempts thus far heres a couple flicks of the assignment so far.... (I have my gun completely broke down and soaking so hopefully tomorrow will yield better results)

[Jacob Kobryn]

Could be the brush, the paint, the compressor or simply you. Try thinning your paint down more, use higher pressure (40 psi is good), and be lighter on the trigger. You MUST strain your createx. Createx is notorious for paint clots. A womens nylon works well for this. It's good that you're starting out on harder surfaces as you can develop some bad habits when starting out with tees that make it harder to acclimate to surfaces such as metal and boards. A surface I like better than canvas is Crescent's 5114 Cold press watercolor board. It's a smooth thick board that takes well to all sorts of paint. It's fantastic to airbrush on and stands up well to erasing and scraping.
Sadly E'tac is only sold online or if you live in the UK you can get it from Gordon at Airart http://www.aerart.co.uk/aerart_etac.htm
And remember this is only your first assignment, you'll get better.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Dude it's been a while. How's it going?

[S!R]

Lol, it has....
Just waitin for COW 100 to wrap so you, and my other mentor, can assign somethings....

[Kuma Kensai]

hey, thought i'd lend in some help if this is still going. I've been airbrushing professionally for about four years. Won a couple of awards and had stuff published in national magazines without pursuing the publisher. Fun stuff.

S!R,

on your warm up stuff, dagger strokes and pinwheels and dots and stuff, use your AB'ing hand's (that which pulls the trigger) pinkey for reference to the surface (let it touch the paper or substrate). Use it as a guide and to add the more familiar feeling of resistance (what you normally feel when using pencils and brushes and stylus (Pl?)) this will help with your line control and tip to paper distances while painting.

You can curl your pinkey to get in closer and remain in contact. Obviously you will have to back away at times to fog areas for value and blending, if you practice the arm movements (they should be full movements, use your hips, wrist and shoulder) in tight your muscles will begin to remember the movements and it will be easier to repeat the movements as you pull away from the paper.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURY THE END OF YOUR NEEDLE INTO THE PAPER OR SUBSTRATE. YOU WILL BE BUYING A NEW NEEDLE! This applies once your comfortable enough to remove the crown cap (it creates turbulance around the needle deflecting the air and paint, making it more difficult to make precision width tight lines.

Basics of the dagger stroke:

1. DO NOT LET OFF OF THE AIR BETWEEN STROKES!!!!!! this will kick off the minute buildup of paint that dries on the end of your needle (this is much more previlent in paints with high pigment loads such as white and black) and you will get spatters.

2. Every couple of strokes stop and clean your needle tip to help prevent splatters. (you can let off the air now)


3. Lead in and follow through on the stroke, by this I mean your arm should be in movement before and after you are releasing air and paint. This allows a nice gradient wide to tapered point line that is a daggerstroke. If you don't do this you will have a perceptable dot at the wide end and you will not be able to achieve a fine point.

Well thats all I have time for today, try thes things and keep them in the back of your brain housing group while painting. The movements you learn at this fundemental level will allow you to more readily realize the image in your head while using an airbrush. A real airbrush is a difficult tool to use but can render almost anything with skill. It can be frustrating. here's some pictures of a car I did last summer.

Here's a link to my AB'ing site if your interested to look. www.kumaautoart.com

[Jacob Kobryn]

Thanks for that Kuma. I'd like to introduce KLEVR as my newest mentee.
I've stumbled upon quite a few resources on the web for airbrushing. The #1 resource in the world is http://www.learnairbrush.com/. I want all of you to make an account there. I'm angus147258. The web cam is awesome, Mikes like the nicest guy ever, and the forums super cool too. Chances are the public how-tos there are too difficult for you guys but eventually you'll be able to follow them. Another is http://airbrush.com/. The how-tos aren't very good but the forum is incredibly useful. Make an account there too. There are some good beginner tutorials at http://www.howtoairbrush.com/ but they're not very useful once you get past that point. The forum sucks also.
I'd like you to read and follow this article:
http://www.howtoairbrush.com/lesson%201.htm
I know airbrush artists who are very talented and accomplished and still do 10 minutes of daggers and other basic exercises every single day. You will of course need to take a little bit more time. I don't think you are ready to airbrush a full painting yet so keep on doing daggers, dots, and gradients. These are the main elements of all airbrushing.

PS. S!R are you still alive???

[S!R]

Jake- Yuup, still here, just nothing 'assignment' wise been going on on the thread in many a moon.

Im still in.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Well it was implied that you would do the assignment not once but MANY times repeatedly. It's an exercise that you need to master which according to your last post you have not.

[S!R]

Yep, all very true. I'm not sure my airbrush is salvageable. I will try and get some more goin on there.

No worries though.

Hard to split my time between the many things im learning and such, plus i recently got married, which all jokes aside, does take top priority for me.

PS bookmarked all the resources and registered for the suggested site already.

[Sig.NAL]

Roger that, have registered at both, just got done with the family Christmas thing was just checking up on things here. got a new Digicam from santa so i'll be posting exercises soon!

[Sig.NAL]

Okay, first two assignments here we go!

Nils Larsen, 23, been airbrushing for less than a month, but have been playing around with spray paint for a couple of years on and off so i have some measurable experience within the air propelled medium. i just recently purchased a Gravity fed and Siphon Fed Iwata Eclipse HP series. Using An Iwata Smartjet to power my works right now. I would ideally like to attain a level of ability that allows me to freely create images of the same or near enough quality of things i can draw/paint/tattoo. I like the intuitive feel of the airbrush and the ability to control line weight with the slight adjustment of distance/nozzle, i also like how challenging it is and numerous parts/accesories/factors that go into the work. (Respirators make everyone look like a space marine/badass. Everytime i'm working i get to be Darth Vader, and who the hell wouldn't want that. It also requires one to work confidently more so i think than alot of other mediums since the slightest hand wobble will totally throw off a line etc.

Been using Createx paint thus far, i'm not sure if it was sitting on the shelves at the store too long, but i've been having quite some trouble with it for paint that's supposed to be 'airbrush ready' the white completely clogged my brush and i had to break it down, clean it and then water it down and added a couple drops of cleaner to the solution and have been having some trouble cleaning colors out completely before switching to others. Suggestions welcome!

Piece i love. Can't go wrong with Giger saw this when i was like six and wanted to be able to create with as much visual impact as this had on me.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/Alien.jpg

Another Piece i love, backpiece by Guy Aitchison that looks better than the painting it's based off of!
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/aitchisonbackpiece.jpg

My only airbrushed 'piece' thus far, really just playing around with my Siphon fed brush when i got it, and fixing the too-thick white. Drippies are from cleaning out brush.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/AirReap.jpg

And a piece i ABSOLUTELY HATE, the fucking soup can by Andy Warhol. While i find the guy himself rather interesting, i hate pretty much everything i've ever seen of his art--uh, i mean work-- uh, i mean stuff. A truly dismal time in art history.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/campbells.jpg





ASSIGNMENT TWO!!
Okay i figured i should get at least one excercise posted before i'm off to Revelations and won't have the opportunity to do so for another week or two. forgive the blurriness, i'm still figuring out the nuances of my camera and it's lighting settings, Vertical daggers are the most difficult for me and thin to thick daggers also troublesome. bottom to top is easier for me than top to bottom. Diagonals are pretty comfy. I think consistent even lines are the absolute hardest since they require such unchanging distance from the 'canvas' and a steady trigger finger. my second ladder set went worse than my first. Will post some more shapes and gradients with the next set, and some curved daggers which should be fun. anyway here it is.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/PadawanAss20.jpg

[Sig.NAL]

ahh nuts, it would be sideways... here we go!http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w168/nadelmacher/PadawanAss20-1.jpg

[Sig.NAL]

Oh yeah and i forgot to mention, I'm working primarily on Primed board and plaster/sheatrock.

[S!R]

Guy Aitchison is the shit. Nice pick.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Not bad man, your exercises are looking good. Keep at it.
And createx white and black SUCKS. You just experienced the same thing that just about every airbrush artist these days experiences. It's definitely not airbrush ready. You really need to strain it first a few times with a nylon legging or similar. After it's strained you should thin it with at least some water. If you want to experiment with what works, people have had better results with future floor wax, fantastic, or glycerin added. The thing that works the best for me I get from my friend Tor from Norway. It's a citrus based cleaner that works wonders when added to water based paint. I suggest just not using createx at all. If you have the equipment and space, uro based paint like House of Kolor and SEM work WAYYYYY better than any other water based paint ever made. If you can't get away from water based stuff, then try etac, aqua flow, or SEM envirobase.
I'll see both of you next week in Seattle!

[Jacob Kobryn]

Oh and to me Giger's a holy deity... I have an HR Giger calender!

[Jacob Kobryn]

Different Application Techniques

There are 3 main techniques when airbrush on how to go about creating images. There are of course many different deviations on these techniques which I will go into more detail about later. They are: Freehanding, when you apply paint with no guidelines; Stenciling, when you cut your own or use a pre existing guideline and then flesh it out further after it is applied; and Masking, when you apply a tacky material like Transfer Tape (what I use most often), vinyl, or frisket and cut out your design (or if you’re using vinyl it would most likely be pre-cut). We are going to be concentrating mostly on Freehanding techniques which is why I had you do all of those exercises.

There are a number of ways to achieve a freehanded image. You can use things called freehand shields and airbrush softly with them held in place to increase the sharpness of the lines. You can make your own, use found objects, or buy them. I, however, tend to step away from freehand shielding as I find it quite difficult to create the exact look I am going for. Basically the only time I will use them is when painting fire. When Freehanding it’s important to build up lightly. Think in shape, not in line. This video is an excellent example:

gfWfWG79sOA

Yes if you look back at my previous posts you can tell I’m a hopeless fan boy of Henry Pyykko. :P
The only exception is with lettering on T-shirts because they will absorb the paint with very little risk of spidering or paint splattering.

So, I come to my second assignment: I want you to, on a piece of paper, Bristol, or panel airbrush freehand an image of anything. Do what ever you want.
I hope this assignment is more interesting than the last. :(
I’ll update this a little bit later…

@S!R I want you to continue with past assignment before completing this one.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Also you guys should enter this:

http://www.airbrush.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=333928

I know both of you have some experience in graffiti/hip hop style art. It's right up your alley! And I had as much fun at ABU as I did at Revelations. You'd love it!

I think I'll enter in the pro comp as I've received several request to enter there instead of amateur. The Admin even said:

Jake, step up to the plate bro and move to the PRO Division. Make all of us ABU'ers proud!!!!!!!!

Well, I hate Hip Hop anyway. Graffiti's cool but I suck at it! xD

[Jacob Kobryn]

Let me dwell on freehanding a bit more. There are a few different ways to get a look you want. Most of the time I start by building up my image with white on a black surface, next apply candies (or Kandies which are almost like liquid glass colors. They’re toners/dyes in a clear base.) to achieve the color/vibrancy I want. Kandies are VERY vibrant so use them sparingly if you want a darker/grittier look. The kandies will make the white base substantially darker. Next shade with an opaque shadow color (normally a mix of red/green or blue/black) to accentuate the form and add depth. Finally I’ll highlight with opaque white or another light valued color.
This How-To basically shows my technique:
http://learnairbrush.com/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewarticle&id=20
I really suggest being active on the airbrush forums. You’ll learn more things there than you can here. Like conceptart.org, you’ll be exposed to many different techniques and you’ll be able to try them and find what works for you.

[Sig.NAL]

Whooh! What's up! Sorry i've been aloof this past month, work has been kicking my ass and i've been having to adjust to a busier schedule since two of the other shops around town have closed down. And my friggin cat chewed through my respirator and i've been putting off getting a new one until i go to Lowe's to get lumber and stuff for a project i'm working on. I will try to enter that contest though as i should make it there well before then. Peace!

[Sig.NAL]

Also you guys should enter this:

http://www.airbrush.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=333928
Well, I hate Hip Hop anyway. Graffiti's cool but I suck at it! xD

Oh No! I don't know what kind of music your in to, but don't rule out all hip hop! I used to say the same thing until i was exposed to the quality stuff. My favorite music is Punk followed by classical and one of my friends got me hooked on underground Hip Hop, which is vastly different from what you here on the radio or see on TV. If you don't like the genre it cuz all the stuff you hear is about gettin crunk, being a playa, spinners, hoes, ice, bling bling, slinging rocks and shooting people then you should check out some of the following:

Grandmaster Flash
Aesop Rock
Atmosphere
De La Soul
Eyedea and Abilities
RJD2
Madlib
Del Tha Funkee Homosapien
Quasimoto
Mars Ill
Immortal Technique
Brother Ali
El-P
The Roots
Mos Def
9th Wonder and Buckshot
Soul Position
The Dyno Spectrum
Talib Kweli
Mr. Lif
Mr. Dibbs
Sage Francis
Kool Keith
Doctor Octagon

I like all these guys alot, they're all intelligent with alot on their minds, and definitely talented lyricists, with content real people can relate to, plus they've all generally got a really chill sound/style which i find really helps me relax and sort of get into the flow when i'm painting. So while you may still not like them, i urge you to check them out, and if you give 'em an honest chance, you just might find yourself zoning out on a painting bobbin your head in time with the beat...

[Jacob Kobryn]

I didn't mean any offense dude. I know that good hip hop exists it's just not what I'm into. I'm really into Metal. Not much else tickles my fancy.
It's good that we're getting things running again. I'd love to see you guys enter that contest.

[Sig.NAL]

None taken. I just know alot of people who dislike it since they've only heard the lame stuff. I've recently been getting into metal, it's usually either hit or miss with metal for me i either like it right off the bat, or i roll my eyes. If you have any suggestions i'm alway eager to hear more good music

[Jacob Kobryn]

If you like Death Metal check out Opeth. They're "Prog Death" which means that they write their songs much more like a "real" musical piece instead of just basing it around a single cord like a lot of bands do. They also have a very high vocal aesthetic so the vocalist is a great singer as well as growling. They did a mellow album if you don't like the heavy stuff. It's like evil fairies singing lullabies. :P

Mellow:
0UxS6r49OlY

Heavy:
N8IddaGnLq4

I'd recommend Blackwater Park out of all of their albums. Damnation is the mellow one. They have a DVD called Lamentations that showcases both.


...I think it's free on the web somewhere.