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You guys are gonna' get so sick of my stupid questions. I am trying to teach myself pinstriping and hand lettering. I don't want to go into the sign business, I just want to do custom work on cars/bikes. All of my previous experience has been airbrushing, mostly t-shirts, and mostly water-based paints, with occasional forays into one-shot on vehicles. What can I draw on a painted metal surface with, and then paint over? Plain old pencil OK for this? I currently own a grand total of one sword striper, and one lettering quill. I am practicing nightly in my attic with model car enamels on paper, an old dresser, on leftover license plate blanks from my airbrushing days. What brushes should I buy? Is there a good primer out there, explaining basic brush types, and the strokes they are used for? I have ordered all four of the Craig Fraser HoK paint kits sold by Coast Airbrush, and they should be in any day. Anyone with any experience spraying or brushing with these urethane paints, and a willingness to share their knowledge, will be gratefully appreciated. Anyone in the central Virginia area who is doing custom car/bike work, who could use a spare pair of hands on the weekends, get in touch. WILL WORK FOR INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!! By the way, even if you all do throw me off for asking way too many questions, this is one killer website!!!!!!!!Thanks bjay65@webtv.net
-------------------- Ben Sherr Street Metal Custom Auto Art 3006 River Rd Hopewell, Va 23860 (804)452-1540 Bjay65@msn.com Posts: 77 | From: Hopewell, Virginia | Registered: Mar 2002
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a regular pencil is not a good choice, as it will scratch a painted surface, and really not give a decent line to see. I suggest a Stabillo pencil in Blue or White, depending on the background color. These can be purchased from almost any art or sign supply.
I would also suggest using the sword and quill that you have until you decide if you can make them work or not, then there are many more you will want to purchase.
As far as practice goes... boy shops are a great source for "practice panels". Most are more than happy to let you "borrow" damaged fenders or hoods that will be trashed. Glass also works well, as you can stripe or letter all you want, and scrape it off and go again.
Not having the ability(or knowledge) to post pics, I can't show a ssample of these, but someone else probably will. The basic practice designs for striping are, straight lines, and a "lazy S". Practice both of these vertically and horizontally until you are satisfied with them. Then start putting them together to make different designs.
You should first buy a book on pinstriping that will show these designs, plus the correct way to hold the brush, and lots of other tips.
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Hey Ben, we don't throw people off for asking too many questions. Fire away.
To add to what Don said, the reason we use stabilo pencils is they're water based. They go on creamy with a light touch and after you've finished your painting you can wipe the pencil off with a light wipe of a damp cloth. One caution though...being in Virginia - they will soften and even melt in high heat. Don't leave them on the dashboard of your vehicle. Keep 'em in the shade. When it's real hot we even refrigerate ours.
Anyway, good luck with your education. Don't miss an opportunity to get to as many meets as you can.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Ben, check out my website lighted on the bottom of this reply. Its helped Craig Fraser as well many veterans and persons just like yourself who are just starting out. As time goes by I add more helpful tips on how the projects were achived. This site has always been on the top 5 websites from any search engine since 96.
Hope this helps ya!
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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