New Art

[Cherri]

I don't know much about the computer, but I will try.

This is my first portrait after picking up the airbrush. I am still struggling with my lines and dots.

This was a gift for my Uncle. He had a photo from a magazine in a frame for years and now he has a painting. The original photo was so old it was nearly black and white, so had to come up with my own colors. I also changed the way the flag was in the background to make it more appealing. (to me anyway)

This was the first time I had ever used masking. Not only did I have a great time doing this piece but I learned A LOT!

[kdkbrown]

Cherri,

The painting is small, try uploading it larger. It looks really good for your first portrait attempt. I bet your uncle was very pleased.

You are right! Airbrushing is a blast!

Donna

[Caterwallin']

Cherri, I don't know what to say..........I'm at a loss for the right words!
This is absolutly fantastic! Please try to get us a larger photo and tell us more about it! What paints, how big, what support, what masks, what you learned and so on!!!!

Sam

[Andrew Rance]

Amazing for a first effort! The airbrush is a really hard medium to learn from scratch, and you have produced a worthy piece of work.

[Penny220]

I am impressed! I too would like to know more about how you approached it and see a larger version. This is great, exactly how long have you been airbrushing?

Penny

[Cherri]

Now I am at a loss for words. Thank you all for such wonderful comments.
I have two more since this one.

You will laugh, but this was painted on muslin. (waste not want not) I used sew A LOT and have tons of the stuff around. I stretched it over a old canvas I had, pressed it with an iron after applying AB med to prevent fuzzies. I took it to have it framed right on the canvas.. LOL Yes, I totally freaked out the guy doing the framing. He never saw anything painted on muslin. (He removed it from the canvas support)

I am trying to remember when I picked up the airbrush.. I think like 3 months ago. I got it for Christmas a long time ago and never got around to it. I finally got curious and decided to try using it to apply glaze to porcelain to speed up the process and give me a smoother application. Then I learned (the hard way) how to take it apart and clean it correctly. Finally I decided to try painting with it. I copied a couple of things I saw on the net and then did a few T's. Then I went on to canvas bags freehand and REALLY liked it. Instant gradification.:D

I used my Paasche VL, Golden Fluid Acrylics, airbrush medium, wax paper, painters tape for the masking and took my husbands compressor away from him. I drew the dog in with chalk. Then made a mask with wax paper. I cut around the dog and then masked off the flag area and sprayed it. Once that was dry enough, then re-applied the background mask and began working on the dog and his jacket. I think the size was 18" X 22"

This painting has a lot of problems, but I learned a lot from it. The biggest thing was: One, if you are not sure of your layout, photograph it and look at the picture before you begin painting. You will see any mistakes. Two, never, never remove the bottle of paint until you are done and ready to change colors. (I got so into what I was doing that I almost ruined this by spilling paint on a finished jacket area. But hey, learned how to fix that...more learned).

[Cherri]

The tiny head I am using is a picture of a wolf T that I did for my brother for his Birthday. Now that is tiny.

[TarheelTerrier]

Wow! Looks like we've got a natural for sure! Super work, and had to laugh about the muslin since artists through the ages have used all sorts of substrates and muslin is in there too! It is a natural fiber so one might consider it traditional. Linen is a dream to paint on after you've gessoed it properly. Maybe you can find an old linen remnant in your stash!

Originally posted by Cherri
Then I learned (the hard way) how to take it apart and clean it correctly.

Using Wax paper as a mask will certainly make you appreciate all the wonderful friskets mylars and liquid masks you can play with now that you've started.

Can't wait to see more of your work!

[Penny220]

You are a natural for sure! I would look into other frisketing materials. You can use just about anything but please change before you learn the hard way as well that wax and paint do NOT mix. I have a box of microfiche from when I worked in computers, it's the perfect thickness and great for cutting hand masks and small masks, bonus is the stuff is free!

Penny

[Cherri]

Hi;

Again thank you for the nice words. I don't know about a natural, but thank you.
I really like the airbrush and wish I had more time to spend with it. However, right now the conventional brush and porcelain are helping keep the bills paid. LOL I am one of those folks who just wears toooooo many hats.


I am a bit confused as to the reference to wax and paint don't mix?

I know someone gave me a tip on lubing my airbrush with WD-40 and it worked great. However, I caught a bunch of grief about it from other painters.. After getting more information I was able to form my own opinion. I learned that if I was painting hard surfaces I would NOT use it because of the fish eye effect it can cause, however, with textile it causes no ill effects. (that I know of anyway)

As for more painting. I know I will continue to paint using the airbrush. I really enjoy watching my painting come to life. I have even attempted a few people portraits; Something I have NEVER done. (bad experience when I was a lot younger and it stayed with me)

One of the best things that happened to me was the internet when it comes to my art world. Now I have people to converse with that are like minded. When I got access to the net it literally opened a whole new world to me. I just never knew about things that folks in other more populated parts of the U.S. take for granted.

[Cherri]

I am not overly happy with this, but since you asked I will post it.

This image was taken from a copy of a photograph done by a professional photographer. The owner wanted me to paint it so they could give it as a gift to the owners of the dogs. The amature in me thought, sure why not.. Well, what a pain, I leaned a lot about masking. LOL The dogs were relatively easy, the car was another story. I hope you guys can see this okay. I am still learning how to work my photo thing on my computer.

Again on muslin using Golden fluid Acrylics and VL airbrush.

The lady was thrilled and I was relieved. I told her that I was going to keep the copy of the photo and rework this painting in my own way when I had time and would give it to her if it came out all right.

My thought is to increase the size of the image so that you see more of the dogs and less of the car. It is a cute picture, but to me the dogs should be more prominent than the car. Of course will be a bit before this happens.

Your thoughts?

[Penny220]

Using the wax in the AB is for the threads to create a tight seal. I just went this route this weekend when I COULD NOT for the life of me get a tight seal. (Thanks Sam) This is different though because the wax does not touch the paint. Bees wax is also a different composit than parafin wax (a petrolium based product)

WD-40 and anything else you put in your brush will have a residual effect. If you use it for doing textile and turn around to do a canvas afterward it's still there.Although you may not notice it as much with textile as you will with a hard surface the effect is the same. Fish eye is just one of the problems. It seals the surface making it impossible for the paint to adhere.

I like the dogs in the car. Yes, I think the dogs should have been a little bigger but it's very nice the way it is. You are doing fantastic work and I think all of us are enjoying seeing it. Keep it up.

Penny

[Caterwallin']

Cherri, again I'm at a loss for words! I'm so impressed!
As for the wax paper, let's see if I can make any sense! The wax paper is not absorbent and will repel most water based paints. If your not really careful, the paint will begin to build up around and/or next to the cut edges. When the build up becomes to heavy, it will bleed over into your artwork and under the wax paper. When handled, wax paper becomes creased and wrinkled. Each of these creases causes the integrity of the wax coating to be compromised and allows the paint to bleed through. A mask should be absorbent. I know all of this useless knowledge because I used to use wax paper and I had severe problems with it!

[Cherri]

Caterwallin;

Okay, gotcha.. I understand what you are saying now.


Thank you.

Oh... and never say anything is useless knowledge. I said this in another site and will say it again here.

No matter how good someone is at what they do, they must always continue to learn. What one person has forgotten or does without thinking is something that another would LOVE to know how to do. The little things that are mentioned are a huge help to those of us out here.

Thanks

[Alan Cross]

Nice work Cheeri I love the dogs in the car...
Alan :)

[jocelynsart]

Hi Cherri: Welcome here. You are definately a natural with the AB. That is the hard part, getting used to the movement, the use of it. Now getting some tech knowledge from others will really make you take off in it.
Really good work so far.
Joss