nb to stripes

[MysticSpank]

Ok, i thought it would be a good thing for me to learn pen striping.. so i got a brush 000 size, a can of one shot paint, reducer, and cleaner, and some brush oil......now what ?? How thin do i want the paint, and what/ when do you use the brush oil ? or is that something that the art shop just wanted to sell me ?

My mail goal is not to make the fancy designs, but to simply outline letters, numbers, flames and the like.

Also i would like to know..... can i actually do this with a little bit of natural hand shake ?? I am hoping the different style of brush will help with the control... I tried to do a stripe around a number with a regular artists brush, and AA paint, and by the time i was thru, i redid the entire job :eek:

Thanks in advance for any tips

Matt L

[STREAMLINER]

Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!!!!!!You don't need a steady hand to stripe but you can't be Michael J Fox either....Just relax when you're pulling a stripe and realize that you're not performing brain surgery where someone's life hangs in the balance of you're hands....I've been striping close to 30 years and i still consider every job practice.....As far as thinning the paint, just add a few drops of reducer to a small amount of paint and pallette it on an old magazine until it just "feels" right....This comes with experience....You don't want "drag" or too runny......There are tons of books and magazine articles out there dealing with striping.....Get them and study them

As far as the brush oil goes, that's to keep your brush soft when it's not being used....I use motor oil.......

And AA paint is for airbrushing, not striping.......Big difference

Good luck

[Stripe57]

http://www.sketchkult.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=84032f26c7b829d9b6d6acdb8904edb3

Look here, lots of good info.

[Mike Adams]

When I started to strip I found better success controlling a larger brush. For me I used the 0 then graduated to the smaller brushes. For outlining letters and numbers I like to use a scroll or liner brush in a hand over hand position and holding the brush vertically . I will repeat practice practice... there are many technics and hand positions and they vary from striper to striper the most important thing is getting the paint at the right consistancy and a properly loaded brush.

Good luck Mystic

[Ron Gibbs CdnRatFink]

Heres a couple posts I did on other forums that might help a bit.Noting this is how I do it ,variations of striping education are similar but others sometimes do differ on what techniques suit them best .


Heres the Skinny!
You do need to thin your 1 Shot ! Pulling a consistant line it is critical..Loading your brush with just the right amount of reducer and paint is half the battle.Turps are fine ,! Shot reducers are fine but I like Paint Thinner,not Laquer Thinner.There is a difference.The secret is to laod your brush getting the paint into the belly and pallet it side to side on an old telephone book or an old magazine to a chisle knife shape.you don't need a lot of reducer but you do need some.
For designs I draw a center starting line with a Stabilo pencil,then work my design from that line to the left usually then copy the design on the right side.
The best way to practise is get a piece of glass or an old body panel and work on them.You can wipe it off and start again till you feel more confident.Good practise would be making figure eights ,S's and straighgt lines.
For long lines,lay down some 1/4" or 1/8th masking tape along the side ov the vehicle.Make sure your brush is clean (No old paint in the belly that is starting the gum up) wet your brush with a bit of reducer ,dip in the paint ,pallet it so it is just right,a bit of drag but not much.I prefer a bit looser so you can pull a longer line.Once it is palleted nice to a chissle/knife flat shape start your stripe by reaching outwards from your body stretching your arms so you can pull a long sweep .Just touch the area you are going to stripe gently with the tip till you get it placed just right and can apply pressure to the brush as you start pulling the stripe.You will be able to feel the pressure you are giving and that will give you the width stripe you need,it's up to you to keep that pressure constant and keep moving ,pulling that stripe for all it's worth.Remember to use that tape as a guide and stay about 1/16th to 1/8th away from it.You will need to learn to use your arms a shock absorbers and keep going as you walk and move further down the side.Reload your brush and start again about 2 inches in on where you left off on the stripe ,that way you can continue without changing widths ,it will flow right out of the previous paint you laid down and you can keep going.For the second line take the tape off and now use your first stipe as a guide to follow.You can adjust your pressure now and do the second line thinner yet.Try and stay loose and relax,yet keep focused .It's all about practice.

The way I oil my brush is very simple.Once I have done a rinse in clean thinner I give it a snap ,then run it between 2 fingers and squeeze gently any excess thinner out then dip it in Motor oil,yes! your typical 10W30 and again work it between 2 fingers squeezing the oil through it gently and bringing the brush to a flat ,chisled knife shape .This way it stays in the same shape it should be for pinstriping with enouigh oil in it to keep nice and oiled up.Then I lay it flat in my brush box and it is ready to go next time with just a little rinse.I have used tranny oils,brush oils ,different oils and I still come back to the motor oil as my favorte preservative for brushes.The Tranny oil stinks,the brush oil I find too thick and gums up your brush ,but the motor oil gives me years of use out of my brushes.I have found the detergents in the motor oil do no damage to my brushes at all.
When you get a new brush ,give it a rinse in oil,get it into the belly of the brush ,then clean it with your thinner and you are good to go.Always make sure you clean it well ,getting all the paint out and make sure you get your oil soaked into the belly when storing.It is the belly where brushes break down,start loosing hairs and loosing their shape.A brush that pulls like it is sticking IS.It will start pulling hairs out and your brush will be toast.Periodically while you are striping give it a good rinse as the paint will start to gum up in the belly.A loose brush ,properly thinned will pull a much better line and turn on a dime.
Ron.

[MysticSpank]

Thanks guys, that was all very helpful..... and if i am understanding this right.. it takes practice ?? HEHE. Should be a lot of fun now that i have a start..... the glass idea is great, adn one i wouldnt have though of !!

[Burton]

I have been using some cool pinstripe practice panels. They wipe off real easy and are basically some sort of plastic. I've also been using them to pallet with since its been getting hotter. "Hi Rise" here on the forum hooked me up, just PM him if you have any questions.

[willz0072002]

had to chime in ...helpful words Ron, thanks...