Airbrushed underwater sealife in progress [Archive]

Tigerquill

12-08-2003, 10:42 PM

Thought I would post the latest job. Although it's not finished these close-ups give you a little better idea of what my company does. I'm an artist for hire, which means, within reason what the client says goes. Its not as gratifing as doing fine art work, but since the more you draw and airbrush, the better you get, your level of expertise will grow at a much faster rate than say someone who only gets to do artwork on the weekends. This is a bedroom for two little girls and each one has her own favorite sea creatures. I'll attach one with this thread then do some others with dimensions attached in the copy. This room is 12' x'12 with 8' ceilings. The killer whales go around a corner and measure roughly 10' in length. I projected them on separately, worked out the spacing and the composition and flat painted them with a brush in basic black and white. I then masked them off on the outside edges, trimmed them out with a number 11 exacto and airbrushed the highlights with Black and White Createx airbrush paints. There are several areas in this bedroom that have large creatures on them, but they are hard to photograph in the context of the room due to the closeness of the area.:cat: Tigerquill

Tigerquill

12-08-2003, 10:48 PM

In this thread is the next step that I use....I have airbrushed the highlights and shadows in. I don't airbrush the base coat because it is faster for me to hand paint it. That way I only have to mask it off once and by utilizing freehand shields I can separate the areas enough to keep clean lines and save time. I wanted to have this all done last week, but I will have three more days work this weekend to finish. The next reply will show both of the killer whales untaped....:cat: Tigerquill

Cherri

12-08-2003, 10:49 PM

Looks great so far.

I also do a lot of artwork at customers request. Just nothing like this.

I can't wait to see more.

Thanks

Tigerquill

12-08-2003, 10:59 PM

Then you take the mask off and Presto...instant whale!!!! All told I probably have about an 1 1/2 hours in these guys. When you're doing an entire room and the kids are sleeping on the floor, there is no time to be indecisive. I planned this room out in my initial meeting with their parents and jumped into this. These whales are about 10 feet long, so you can see that painting bigger doesn't mean slower. I used Delta creamcoat paints out of the bottle for the basecoat and Createx airbrush paints for the highlights and shadows. I use application tape for the mask. This is a tape I buy to apply vinyl letters. I buy it in 48 inch long rolls (logs) and have it cut to managable widths. The company I use has free shipping, and since I use this stuff for my automotive art too that means its a good value. I use regular friskit for illustrations, but this stuff is just too handy.:cat: Tigerquill

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 01:11 AM

Cherri,
no matter what size you paint, this technique can be used. Working for clients is usually trying at best, but I try to keep to my original game plan as close as possible. I hope to have the finished pics of this room next week to post. I'll put several more of the lead players on this thread in the next cople of days.:cat: Tigerquill

Alan Cross

12-09-2003, 01:29 AM

Very nice work....and you are so fast...looking forward to seeing more.
Alan :)

kahlua

12-09-2003, 09:35 AM

WOW! These look great! You handled the corner well, it's hard to tell they were painted in a corner at all. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

kdkbrown

12-09-2003, 10:40 AM

Wow! These are fantastic! So life like! I bet the girls are loving this!

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 11:09 AM

Oh, the girls squealed for about an hour.....they are happy alright. I'll send more pics of the other side later. :cat: Jennie

Alan Cross

12-09-2003, 12:09 PM

What is on the other side?
Alan :)

jocelynsart

12-09-2003, 12:17 PM

Wow Tigerquill, how beautiful is that? You did such a great job! Aw, I can imagine how excited they would be having something special like this on their wall in their room.
I know what you mean, all painting goes towards improving and learning for sure.
Joss

Caterwallin'

12-09-2003, 12:28 PM

Tiger, this is awesome! Now about this application tape, is that what I would ask for if I went to buy some?
Can't wait to see the other side!

Sam

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 01:10 PM

Alan,
as you go through the door of this room, you are on the extreme left side as you enter. With the door open there are three dolphins playing with one partially hidden behind the door. Two feet further and you see two beluga whales, they go almost to the corner. Once you turn the corner you have a sea turtle swimming through kelp toward the ceiling, a window and then the smaller killer whale. At that corner you see the bigger killer whale and your eye follows him around to a third corner where cartoon characters frolic among the kelp. At that corner on the turn is a closet, but we painted that too in undersea squiggles, as is the ceiling fan and all the switch covers. It actually looks like you are under water. We will add a boat on the ceiling ( the bottom perspective) an anchor and the rest of the coral to "ground" the mural and seal the whole thing for durability. I'll put a dolphin pic at the end of this note. This is the finished version of them. :cat: Tigerquill

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 01:11 PM

are the dolphins playing.....:cat: Jennie

Alan Cross

12-09-2003, 01:13 PM

Wow so this is just a little part of the room it would be great to see it all....but you really need to be there to get the whole feeling eh?
Alan :)

Alan Cross

12-09-2003, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Tigerquill
are the dolphins playing.....:cat: Jennie

We posted at the same time....this is amazing....wonderful work.
Alan :)

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 01:19 PM

Sam,
yep you just ask for application tape. Tell them it is used in the appliction of vinyl letters. Any reputable sign supplier will have it, and one of the better companies who make it is R tape. I also buy the clear so I can see where I'm cutting, especially between two critters ( like the dolphins) so I don't get the edges confused. That's paper tape on the killer whales, and it works great. There is an airbrush company on the west coast who carrys the tape in smaller quantities if you just want to try it, but it may not be as cost effective. Sign suppliers are cheaper. Send me a PM and I can turn you on to my people if you want, they ship free anywhere in the US.:cat: Jennie

Caterwallin'

12-09-2003, 02:34 PM

I'm just blown (PTP) away!! This is awesome! I could not have this in my room, I would never come out!!! I love the whole Dolphin scene, and that rising stalk of Kelp just sinks (PTP) you deeper into the illusion!! The idea of the boat on the ceiling is great , I can't wait to see it! I'm sizing up my walls! Thanks for the info on the mask. I'm going to get some. I do, on occaision, get to do some walls!
Please post some more pics!!!

Sam

kahlua

12-09-2003, 02:58 PM

This is so amazing! I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures. The whole concept is really cool. Did you come up with the idea or did the client?

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 07:38 PM

Kahlua,
The client wanted whales, dolphins and a Turtle. I have done this kind of room before and offered the complete job. You are pretty close to me here in Monroe and I should have hard copy of the finished room when I'm done, so if you want to see them, let me know...I just finished a restaurant on Byrne St. and Door St. down in Toledo a couple of weeks ago. I did the airbrushed murals at the Children's Wonderland for about 5 years too, my last year was 1999 I think. At the restaurant I did some flat panels, sprayed a ceiling like the galaxy and did a small mural in the womens public restroom.........and the sign out front. It's a sports bar called The Ale House. If you head up north, take 75 north to exit 11, there is a McDonald's at the exit where I painted a wall in the Playland the same way as this room, but the wall is 26' high by 68' long. Now, THOSE are WHALES there!:cat: Tigerquill

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 08:03 PM

and here is the turtle masked off for spraying. I used the exacto to trim the EXACT EDGE of the mask. This is really the time consuming part. Use a VERY sharp blade and a really LIGHT touch, remember this is drywall you're cutting on and you can't take it back. This little guy was hand painted with a brush first then....

Tigerquill

12-09-2003, 08:06 PM

swimming through the kelp to the surface (in this case the ceiling). I'll be adding bubbles around his nose this weekend. :cat: Jennie

kahlua

12-09-2003, 08:46 PM

These pictures are so fun to look at!

I don't go down town too much, unless I have to. I actually grew up in Bedford and moved to Toledo after I go married. I will have to check those places out sometime.

Thanks so much for sharing your work with us, it is just too cool for words.

Penny220

12-09-2003, 10:40 PM

Jennie,
How about posting the average prices for a log of transfer tape. All vinyl shops carry it, it's just a matter as to how much they will charge you for it. You might want to add in a web-site or two for ordering from a supplier. I'm saying this because when I went to my local vinyl sign shop and asked about having me get some I was blown away by what he was going to charge me. The strangest part was the huge discount he was offering me for lettering. Go figure.

Great job on your murals! I knew a guy who airbrushed a mural on a living-room ceiling so they could feel like they were underwater. He went to his local hardware store and bought large rolls of tubing. He kept the paint on the floor, lied on his back on the scaffolding, kicked up the air-pressure and siphoned it off of the floor to his gun. It's this type of ingenuity that is good to have filed in the backs of our heads for when the inevitable question arises, can it be done. The answer is always yes so long as you add the words, "how much are you willing to pay"

Next question,
what do you charge for a job like this?

keep sprayin'
Penny

acyaws

12-09-2003, 11:14 PM

Beautiful! Teach me Teach me!.......I want to learn this. Hubby went out and bought me everything to use but I think Im actually afraid of it. Is that possible?

Alan Cross

12-10-2003, 01:43 AM

Originally posted by Tigerquill
swimming through the kelp to the surface (in this case the ceiling). I'll be adding bubbles around his nose this weekend. :cat: Jennie

This is looking so cool....waiting for more...
Alan :)

Alan Cross

12-10-2003, 01:44 AM

Penny220

12-10-2003, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by acyaws
Beautiful! Teach me Teach me!.......I want to learn this. Hubby went out and bought me everything to use but I think Im actually afraid of it. Is that possible?

Get out a roll of paper towels do not expect to paint anything, just play with it. Play with the air settings until you are able to get the desired affect. Don't worry towels will all catch the paint! Once you think you comfortable, move on to textile (sweatshirt/t-shirt etc) Next, a coarse paper. Don't try to create a masterpiece just play with the new tool. Once you can handle paper, use it for a background of your next painting. Each time use it a little more and more, don't put it down, keep playing and in no time you will be very comfortable. The trick is to stay simple and progress slow. If you set your expectations too high you will disappoint yourself and never use it again, if you play with it, you will move much faster than you though you could and it will take no time at all. It takes seconds to learn and a lifetime to master so have fun and enjoy.

Airbrush malfunctions WILL occur. With experience you know how to deal with them but in the beginning you can frustrate yourself. Don't get frustrated. Post the problem and what the brush is doing, go clean your brush and wait for one of us to reply. Any question you post will invariably help the next person.

PS, remember it has been pre-established to mix a little liquid refreshment with paint :cat: :D So relax and enjoy.

Penny

kdkbrown

12-10-2003, 10:32 AM

Tigerquill

I can only imagine the girls delight to have such a wonderful underwater playground. I hope the clients paid you well.

Donna

TarheelTerrier

12-11-2003, 10:46 PM

Wow! These are knockout gorgeous! I have a question...what method did you use for the background? In some pics it looks like a free spray w/maybe some handheld stencils to define...then others it looks like a traditional brush/rag applied colorwash. It's lovely however you've done it.

Susan

orchid black

12-12-2003, 12:20 AM

These are so beautiful... this is actually the sort of thing I want to do in our bathrooom when we move. Such an inspiration for us! Thank you!

Tigerquill

12-12-2003, 01:08 AM

First thanks for the kudos and I'm thrilled that other artists are inspired by this work. That means as much to me as the work itself and I live for that. Some questions answered...application tape in bulk comes in a 48" roll that I have the company "split" into smaller ones. I did call them after Sam asked me about it, and they do carry smaller sizes from about 1 " to any size you want.....their email is richdist@hotmail.com so you can email them and ask about prices. Shipping is free, but if you get the big log split up they charge you a fee (2.00 I think). I use 6" and 8" alot. The small rolls are reasonably priced. Now the background of the room..the clients painted the room a light sky blue, so I left it that way. I take Tropical Green Createx and pull the trigger about 1/2 the way back on my Iwata Eclipse, staying a good 8 to 10 inches from the wall and use a "squiggle" pattern over the entire room. You actually "mist" this pattern on. (Think about the squiggles on the bottom of a pool and how they move). Keep moving about the room, we did everything in there including the ceiling fan. Below is a better pic of sqiggles on a big mural I did. What do I charge? This room is 12 x12 x8 and the ENTIRE room is painted. I base price the room at $2000.00 and this will end up at about $3500.00....Tigerquill

Tigerquill

12-12-2003, 01:13 AM

the price I mentioned above. The picture I added for the squiggle example was considerably more. But it was also much larger 26' x 78'. Those are 8' doorways you see there. Jennie

Penny220

12-12-2003, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by Tigerquill
I base price the room at $2000.00 and this will end up at about $3500.00....Tigerquill

Why did the price change so much? Did they add a lot of stuff from the time you started or your base price for any room mural is $2000? It must be nice to live in an area where doing murals has a market. How do you arrive at your base number? How long did this room take you to paint?

Penny

kdkbrown

12-12-2003, 10:59 AM

Tigerquill

I base price the room at $2000.00 and this will end up at about $3500.00....Tigerquill

I understand your pricing. I think it is fair and reasonable; considering Commercial Painters (house painter) charge that much! And they don't give you a piece of fine art to enjoy for years.

Do you get alot of commission?

Donna

Alan Cross

12-12-2003, 11:44 AM

That finshed photo is very cool will you be doing that to the girls room?
Alan :)

Tigerquill

12-12-2003, 02:54 PM

...the finished room will be finished like the mural you see there. I am going back tomorrow to put in the coral and some extra neat things, like bubbles for the turtlte and stuff. Penny, the people talked to me about a few extra things after I arrived there. They added the coral and dolphins, the cartoon characters and a few extras ( all small) so the next step was to show them the big mural pic (from the Mcdonald's) and see if they wanted that. I try to work around people's budgets too, so sometimes you make a little less, but the point is to not sell your work too inexpensively, it comes back to haunt you. Frankly, I've probably made my own market here, that's why a good portfolio is so important. I'm not listed in the phone book and I work 7 days a week. I generally start one wall in a kids room, 8 x 15 or so, floor to ceiling for about 2000.00 and of course that dosen't mean you always GET it. The other thing is I now charge what my experience is worth. These are all commissions...the name of my company is Tiger Quill Images, Professional Art Services...I make signs too. Remember on this job I have housing too, because we are away from home. Your clients will pay that. It will take me 9 days ( 4 more this weekend) to finish this entire room. I take a 50% deposit on these jobs...anything over 5000.00 I have a contract drawn up. And yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus!:cat:

orchid black

12-15-2003, 03:33 PM

As I said before, such an inspiration to me. Thank you again!

Leaflin

12-18-2003, 08:37 PM

WOW!
I finally read the whole thread. Your work is awesome Tigerquill. Just don't know if there are enough adjectives out there for this :D
Thank you for taking us through your process. I eagerly look forward to your next image!

orchid black

12-19-2003, 12:49 AM

hey! i just received a commission to finish an underwater mural someone else had started in a kids' room and never wanted to finish... weird... i won't be airbrushing, but just thought it was interesting enough to post here...

Rodman

12-30-2003, 11:39 AM

I could use a 1,000 words and not say it all so, i'll just say WOW!!! thanks for posting...Rod-Man

Tigerquill

01-09-2004, 10:02 PM

Thanks, Rod-man.......hope you had a great holiday and Santa gave you a really shiny new airbrush........here are the finish pics I promised, I hope to get some with better lighting later on :cat: Tigerquill

Penny220

01-09-2004, 10:15 PM

WOW!!!, this is GREAT!!!! :clap:

ProfessorGreibowitz

01-10-2004, 12:04 AM

Yes, WOW! Very nice. The cartoon fish are neat. I'm sure they are from some Pixar or Disney movie but I am too frugal :rolleyes: to go to movies. heheheheh

Tim

Tigerquill

01-10-2004, 08:55 AM

WOW!!!, this is GREAT!!!! :clap:
Thanks, Penny, hope you had a good holiday and the boys are back to the fold. I was never so glad to be finished with a job! A couple more murals coming up soon...maybe then I can do a proper WIP. Stay Warm, Jen :cat:

Tigerquill

01-10-2004, 08:58 AM

[QUOTE=ProfessorGreibowitz]Yes, WOW! Very nice. The cartoon fish are neat. I'm sure they are from some Pixar or Disney movie but I am too frugal :rolleyes: to go to movies. heheheheh

Professor,
actually I don't go to movies either so it's a stretch for me when this stuff is requested. By the way, nice beard. Good to meet ya. Tigerquill :cat:

ProfessorGreibowitz

01-10-2004, 12:14 PM

hehehehe Actually, I usually have the stache and goatee going on but since it's winter I allowed a few more hairs to sprout.

Nice meeting you and make sure to post some in-progress pics again - details, too!

Tim

Caterwallin'

01-10-2004, 03:13 PM

Jennie, sorry so late getting here! This is awesome! And like everyone else, all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!

Sam :clap:

Tigerquill

01-10-2004, 08:08 PM

Jennie, sorry so late getting here! This is awesome! And like everyone else, all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!

Sam :clap:
Thanks, Sam
I may have another wall mural to show ya..I go to give the estimate on Monday. Its at the local high school, I spent the better part of the afternoon looking for reference materials......we'll see how it goes. I'm suppose to paint the school mascot in the gym, about 14 feet high. Ought to be interesting. They are closed for spring break in Febuary, but only a week. Whew, here we go again..... :cat: Jennie

onefromheaven

01-11-2004, 08:24 PM

Great job on these murals, thanks for taking us along with the progress pics as well. :clap:

OzieRTgal

07-20-2009, 01:16 AM

I am impressed.. I would love to do something like that. I wanted to do a mural on my laundry and dunny walls but never got around to them (cost factor and four small children combined) now we rent. I have never air brushed though.. it would be standard brush painting. congratulations on a job well done. and yes the fish characters are from a movie. BTW how do you deal with copyright issues?