Airbrushing

[beary_times]

Hi again...! :D

Sorry to be a pain, but I have another question.... :rolleyes:

I would like to try airbrushing. I'm a bit of a novice, but I've seen bears that have been airbrushed, and I love the natural effect they give to the fabric.

Can anyone tell me if there are any courses available, or any books dedicated to airbrushing bears/fabrics.

I've done a bit of research and I've seen Badger, Devilbiss & Copic airbrushes but I'm not sure what is best for a novice. I'm not sure whether to invest in a small compressor, or buy cans of air (how long will a can of air last?)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

B.T. ;)

[Melanie Jayne]

Have you ever tried using the copic markers on your bears? I think that this is the best way to start adding shading to bears and often produces the same effects as airbrushing. You just use layers of colours and build up with darker shades, plus there is a blender pen available too.

I have never actually used the copic airbrushing system, but I do know that some artists find that the colour flow is hard to control. It is a good idea to invest in good equipment and you could always use some cheap shop bought bears to experiment on.

Here are come photos of bears that I have used the marker pens on to add shading to their faces and paw pads

http://www.beartreasures.com/sitebuilder/images/bear-304x410.jpg http://www.beartreasures.com/sitebuilder/images/two2a-455x338.jpg

hope this helps
Love Melanie

[Jenny]

I have used the Copic system and I agree with Melanie that it's great for using the pens on their own but the airbrush system is spluttery and the ink leaves a crispy residue on the fur when sprayed. I have a small compressor and an airbrush that I have never used because I am addicted to using oil paints (sparingly!!!) along with markers to shade my bears. Though the minute I get chance I'll be using the airbrush. I have some Createx colours along with the fabric medium which is needed to make it adhere to the fibres.

I found out about short courses ..apparently Hereford College do short courses and so does an airbrush supply company near Brighton..it's £150 for a two day course.

[Geralye]

Bear Bits
http://www.bearbits.com/files/courses.htm
do a course on airbrushing.

[davistedds]

The fabulous Judi Paul does an online airbrushing course at NorthCountryBears (Nancy Tilberg) Here's the link:

http://www.kranbearys.com/EbearZ/Airbrushing.htm

[All Bear]

I use a compressor with an professional airbrush pen, I think they whole kit n caboodle was about £250 several years ago. I haven't done any courses though, just learned through trial and error (and believe me, there were some horrendous black eyed errors in the beginning!:p ) I also like to use fabric pens ... they give great control on heads in particular.

This bear has airbrushed paw pads and fabric pen shading on the face.

http://www.allbear.co.uk/Images/Honeythunder3.jpg

The face shading on this one is done with fabric pens:

http://www.allbear.co.uk/Images/Bedazzle.jpg

This chap has been shaded with the airbrush:

http://www.allbear.co.uk/Images/Icicle.jpg

Judi Paul is a great teacher by the way ... I've done her face felting course and really enjoyed it. She is an exceptionally talented airbrush artist ... take a peek at her website http://www.luxembears.com to see how clever she is!