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Being an avid auto enthusiast, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I began to wonder how I could use these cool sign tools on my cars... Being mostly into vinyl and sandblasted signs, I decided that I would need to expand my horizons and look into getting some painting tools. So, I picked up some Mack Brushes and some One Shot Paint and started outlining vinyl flames that I put on Corroplast for practice. I had a blast, but the results were not even close to something that would be acceptable. Some of the brush strokes felt good and looked good, but I couldn't easily replicate them.
I sure could use some advice on techniques if someone wouldn't mind helping.
I guess that goes the same for painting signs in general. I would like to add that facet to the business and I have also bought an airbrush. Where do I start? I really don't consider myself an artist, and if this is a requirement, let me know so I can put my brushes down!!
Thanks in advance,
-------------------- John Hugentober Blasted! Signs and Tees Lebanon, OH John@BlastedSigns.com Posts: 25 | From: Lebanon, OH | Registered: Oct 2002
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John, for pinstriping, I recommend the hannukaine book and also more importantly, get yourself to a Live Meet. Click on the live meets tab on the left of your screen. That is where you will get the best hands on experience and assistance. Nobody can pick up a brush and expect to be a pinstriper overnight. It takes ALOT of practice to get those hairs to do what you want them to do.
Good luck
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Ditto as above, and practise, practise, practise...!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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while you are waiting to go to the live meet. Slow the paint down with some retarder, and paint consistancy is just about the whole ballgame. The consistancy of the paint determines whether the brush glides with the smallest bit of drag for control, or flops all over the place because the paints to thin, or hops, skips and jumps because the paint is to thick. Coroplast isn't to good to practice on because it builds up static and does funny stuff to the brush hairs. Get an old fender or door and practice on that. even your own shop truck will do, afterall, you can just clean it off when you are through practice for the day. Lastly, don't pallet your brush on a phone book, it absorbs the oils out of the paint and changes the chemical composition, and not for the better. Use a glossy magazine for a pallet, like an older Readers Digest(garage sale item). They are just the right size to hold in your hand if you need to and you always have a clean surface when you need it. Nothing takes the place of practice. It's all cubic hours=cubic bucks......
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I too just got a Mack OO and have been trying my hand at it. I remember back when I was first learning how to hand letter, I practiced on a small piece of glass (about 12"x15") it was smooth and easy to clean off.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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Thanks for all of the advice, guys... I located the Hannukaine Book and I'll pick it up, Harris. I found it at Eastwood which is the same place that I buy a lot of my restoration supplies. It's also the same place that I bought the One Shot and the Mack Brushes. Where is the best place to buy these types of materials? I would love to make it to a Letterhead Meet because there is nothing like hands-on learning. I am a little intimidated by the meet concept because of the talent that attends these meets. Do rookies attend as well?
I don't have any problem with the concept of practice, I just want to make sure that my techniques are sound and that I am not performing repetition on "bad habits" before I even start.
Mike, can you tell me if the retarder is the same as reducer? Recalling back on my recent "playing around" with the flames, the brush did want to drag and I'm sure that it would be smoother with a thinner mix. I can't wait to try that! Thanks to all of the tips that you and Michael offered as this is the kind of detail that I am trying to figure out. Some other questions that I have include:
Do I spin the brush? What angle should I hold it? What other brush techniques are important? How do I reverse direction? What line width should I target for each brush?
I was practicing with an 00 brush and I am sure that I was laying down lines that were thicker than they should have been.
Thanks a bunch,
-------------------- John Hugentober Blasted! Signs and Tees Lebanon, OH John@BlastedSigns.com Posts: 25 | From: Lebanon, OH | Registered: Oct 2002
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Back in the 80's when I first started, I used to sit in my easy chair with a board in my lap and practice the ends and sword brush methods. That really helped me to do what I do today. I've never read a book about it, but just watched two masters....Bob Howell & Dan Grossheider, (they were so patient). You cant learn this stuff in a book.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Good for you, John! If you want to go to a live meet...I'm maybe 40 miles (?) across the border in Butler, PA. I'm having one Jan. 9-11th. I myself am not a pinstriper, just a wanna-be. BUT...I wanted to tell you, please do not be intimidated by attending a live meet. It is the best thing you could ever do for yourself...it will literally change your life. Remember, one of our mottos is to leave our ego at the door... everyone is great at a meet from newbie to oldster. The above advice is right on the money. You might also want to invest in a Swirly-Q brush...I can almost pinstripe with one of those. Adding brush skills to your sign repotoire is always a good thing. It doesn't take a ton of money, and it is more fun that just about anything! Love- JILL (ps...hope I spelled stuff right! Spellcheck won't pop up for me!)
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Sounds like a pretty cool exercise, Rick. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get around someone that can teach it to me.
Thanks for the encouragement Jill. Coming to your live meet sounds like a blast, and hopefully I can make it. My day job has been pretty busy lately and taking a day off would be tough. We will have to play it by ear.
I agree with your comment about adding the brushwork to the sign business. It will definitely add a new element that we have been missing. Of course, with only being in business for a year, every element is new! The great part about it is we are constantly learning. It doesn't seem like this is a business where it would get monotonous. Each job brings new ideas and challenges.
I'll have to look for a Swirly-Q Brush. It sounds interesting.
Thanks,
[ November 30, 2003, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: John Hugentober ]
-------------------- John Hugentober Blasted! Signs and Tees Lebanon, OH John@BlastedSigns.com Posts: 25 | From: Lebanon, OH | Registered: Oct 2002
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I kind of agree with Rick. Except instead of sitting in a chair and painting on something on your lap to practice, try to simulate a more realistic working situatiion. For straight lines simulate a height that would be similar to a car or pickup. For curves hold your brush high and make your lines using the tip of a well loaded brush. Practice on glass which will simulate slick automotive surfaces. The paint can be scraped off when it dries.
The thing you have to realize is this -- you can watch people at meets until you're blue in the face, but eventually it comes down to practice. Everyone's hands are different, so a brush that fits one striper's hand doesn't necessarily mean it's the brush for you. Try several brands for both straights and curves. I would also recommend any books or videos on striping. Plan out your designs to begin with and practice with latex gloves on. If you switch to urethanes which are superior to 1 Shot you will want to use gloves to keep isos out of your blood stream. Even if you use 1 Shot I would use gloves to keep the paint off your hands. I didn't realize this at first. I went about 20 years without wearing gloves and my hands suffered and I was always hiding them. It took me a while to get used to gloves, but now I can pull those puppies off and go right for my cheeseburger without having to scour my hands. Good luck!
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Although not a "pure" pinstriper, I have tried it in the past and dropped it out of frustration, but recently started going to live meets and found a real love for pinstriping.
I'm sure you'd have a great time at Jill's meet, should you go, and be able to pick up some great tips there to help you along the way.
Check out Joey Madden's website about the different kinds of paints and how they work. Some really great info there.
Have fun... Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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Thank you Ray for the plug on my site which has helped more then just one person. Pinstriping isn't for everyone, but for those who are determined to get to the end of the line using a sword, it's the only way to get there. There are many more signmakers these days who are learning that mastering the sword brush isn't an easy task, just ask the Mayor!
Though my site has many excellent points on what to use and how things are done, it doesn't cater strictly to the novice, but to those who want to learn more about what they do from another standpoint.
Bill Diaz has made excellent points in many of his posts on why the use of urethanes after learning the craft. Practice and learning are the key factors and the key can be found at many Letterhead and Pinhead meets. Plan to attend a meet and get into just as many seminars as you can.
It amazes me how far some have come in such a short time when they are determined to actually do this kind of thing. And remember this, design work and pinstriping are two different things, and shortcuts aren't gonna make you better.
Getting a subscription to Auto-Art magazine which is written by pinstripers for pinstripers and other vehicle artists can give you the incentive to stand you up in the right direction.
Hope this helps
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
Thanks for all of the help guys. This is the just the info that I was looking for. I am now checking out Joey's site and there is a lot of great reading there. Thanks everyone,
-------------------- John Hugentober Blasted! Signs and Tees Lebanon, OH John@BlastedSigns.com Posts: 25 | From: Lebanon, OH | Registered: Oct 2002
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Joey knows what he is talking about John. We're fortunite to have him in town.
I agree with his advice to look into AutoArt. You just can't beat the info offered by magazines that are actually owned and run by people actually in the trade. AutoArt also carries a wonderful new book on pinstriping titled "Pinstriping Masters." I have a copy of my own, so I have no hesitation about recommending it or the magazine. We're also pleased to have them as Letterville Merchants.
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