Slowly getting better at the pinstriping

[necessaryevil]

This is the first time I've actually been happy with one of my designs. It's nothing to brag about, but it's an improvement from previous attempts. I don't draw it first in pencil or cheat in any way, I just start with a line and go from there. This entire design is only about 4 by 2 inches, so you can imagine how hard it is to keep these tiny lines perfect. I'll get better as time goes on...

 

[chimichanga]

You might want to check out sketchkult.com. Its a great source for pinstriping ideas and techniques. Also for products you can check out coast airbrush.com.Keep on practicing man and don't let up. Its difficult to maintain a steady consistent line but soon you will be really good. I wish I had more time so I can pick it up again. My swords are catching dust at the moment.

 

[necessaryevil]

Thanks for the links, I'm really trying to learn on my own though. I don't want to copy anyone's techniques or designs. I have the utmost respect for stripers, but I want to do something I can really call my own. At my rate it'll be years down the road before that :roll:

 

[chimichanga]

Thanks for the links, I'm really trying to learn on my own though. I don't want to copy anyone's techniques or designs. I have the utmost respect for stripers, but I want to do something I can really call my own. At my rate it'll be years down the road before that :roll:

True but its always good to practice other pinstripping designs.It helps you with control and line consistency. Get yourself a piece of glass and draw or create a design on paper and slip it underneath the glass that way after your done you can easily remove the paint from the glass. That how I was practicing when i had time.

 

[Mr. Farrell]

that's not bad. I've been workin on my skills too... just with pencil though so far.

 

[icyuod2]

do you have an actual pinstriping brush? if not get one, it will make your life easier.
and of course, slow down and take your time. how do i know ya rushed it? cause ya didnt let the paint dry before ya moved on to the second color.

when i pinstripe i use two hands to paint. one to hold the brush and the other hand as a guide resting on the surface i'm painting. (paint brush hand resting on it.) i drag my guide hand over the surface as i paint. with such an intricate design you'll have to allow plenty of dry time or its gonna turn into finger paint.

if ya really want to hone your skills first start painting straight lines (as long as possible) once you can paint straight/even/fine lines, with your eyes closed, then move on to curved lines. once ya got the curved lines down, then try sticking the 2 together with more intricate patterns.

your design is very cool, sorta a tribial tattoo art kinda pinstripe, but the uneven, different thickness lines (ie the ones you painted a few times,) really take away from your design.

good luck.

 

[necessaryevil]

Yeah, it was a real fast job. This is just a sheet of metal I practice on, if you look really close you can see a few layers of pinstipes that have been painted over. I don't have a real brush, just an art store brush that I modified to work. I would like to make my own brush soon or at least get a hold of someone's hand me down. I guess I need good paint too, this is just from the little model car bottles of enamel. I'm in no hurry to get good, it's just a fun little way to kill time. Thanks for the imput fellas.

 

[icyuod2]

dont get me wrong, i wasn't knocking ya. its a pretty slick design.

 

[Von Stans]

dude check out e-bay you can get the mac brushes for like $10 as apose to the $20 to $30 they are if you buy them in a store...... and 1shot is dirt cheap for the amount you get and it will make a huge differance's in you line consistency.......

i love the design it is so original...

 

[necessaryevil]

Thanks for the pointers and I'll check out brushes on ebay. No worries icyouod, I enchourage people to tell me what I'm doing wrong here, it's all trial and error. You should have seen my first attempts, it was bad REAL BAD!

 

[BarnesTO]

Striping is something I've been interested in doing as well. I checked out Ed Roth's books, and some good advice of basically says that it's ok to copy, and change the design just enough to make it your own....after all, that's what every striped has done since Von Dutch started the whole thing in the 50s.

It looks like you're on the right track, but don't limit your resources because you think it's "copying" or "cheating"....I didn't go to art school, but I'm sure art students study the greats and use them for inspiration, right?

 

[ArtGeco]

Thanks for the pointers and I'll check out brushes on ebay.

PM me your address, I'll send you a brush.

 

[elvis51]

artgeco- you wouldnt happen to have another brush you would be willing to ship would ya? :wink: if not i totally understand that im a cheap-o

Easy E

 

[necessaryevil]

Thanks for the pointers and I'll check out brushes on ebay.

PM me your address, I'll send you a brush.

Thanks man!, I just sent a PM to ya.

 

[ArtGeco]

artgeco- you wouldnt happen to have another brush you would be willing to ship would ya? :wink: if not i totally understand that im a cheap-o

Easy E

I may have one more, I'll check tonight, drop me your address and I'll let Ya know tommorow.

 

[necessaryevil]

I just want to publicly thank Artgeco for sending me a brush, it'll be a huge improvement until I get compitent enough at striping to invest in a good brush and real paint. It's members like this that make the ratrodbikes site such a great thing to be a part of.

 

[ArtGeco]

Glad to help.

 

[sensor]

if he doesnt have another brush to give away theyre only around $10-$12 from a local automotive paint store(id say start with a 00 or 000)

 

[davidhud29]

http://www.pinheadlounge.com/