Pinstripe pics...opinions and criticism welcome!

I like the combination of thick and thin lines in this design.They don't always work together but in this case I think they fit.
There are a couple of ways to improve design symmetry.I usually start out with a teardrop shape for a center line and work outwards.I try to keep the initial batch of lines fairly close to the center line which makes it easier to balance.Then I make a line on one side that goes out fairly far from the center.You can use reference marks to get the other side the same if you like.I use points on the surface I'm striping as a reference sometimes;for instance,if I'm doing a hood I might reference a grille bar or a change in a moulding or maybe a bumper bolt.
Another help is the way the lines go away from each other and come together.The sharper(narrower)the angle(especially when bringing lines together)the easier it is to transition.Study designs and you'll see what I mean.Don't be afraid to measure something if you're unsure.And if you do get it a little off,you can easily correct it by making another line on the opposite side to match.That's one of the reasons you see a lot of VERY complicated designs!
As for learning with guides or assists,my feeling is:whatever makes it easier for you,go for it.I've heard a lot of people decry the use of a Beugler Striping tool,but I can tell you right now they ain't easy to use and I always like to point out that Gary Jenson(the Swirly-Q guy)uses one all the time for straight line work and his artistry is second to none!I like to use a magnetic guide strip to do straight lines if I don't have anything to use on the car as a guide.Some people use masking tape;I do if I'm doing an aluminum or fibreglass vehicle but it is harder to do that way.ANYTHING that makes my job easier I use.I used to freehand lettering until I found I could cut my time in half and get better results by using a pounce pattern.Do I still freehand letters?Occasionally if it's a small letter and there is a lot of copy.For larger work I use a pattern.
Striping I freehand because it is easier for me to work that way,but if you want or need to do a pattern,who am I to question that?
What it all boils down to is PRACTICE and MORE PRACTICE!I've been striping since 1955 and I practice every time I pick up a brush and that is the truth!
It looks like you're having fun with it and I think your work is very good for having been striping for so little time.
Ray

 

Well said Ray,Im just the kind of guy that likes banging my head against a wall cause it feels good when I stop. When I stripe Im always trying to prove something to myself and dont allow myself any slack or benefit of any outside help.

 

Looks great!!

 

Wow. I really appreciate the design. I find it tough to be a beginner and have killer designs, when I spend most of my concentration on brush handling and line consistency.
Looks like you have it all down.

 

I think it looks great. The tiki face caught my attention long before the "uneven lines". Hey at least they know it was hand painted and not a crappy decal.

 

Most lavaly!! Jason!.....more hidden talent ...........DAM you VonTingler!!

Dont forget tho Jason.....the more people think you can do........the more they want ya to do!!!

 

Awesome stripin' Mr. Von!! I'm diggin' the wide lines and face. Don't worry about making your designs the same on each side of the car. You can't see both sides at the same time anyway. I do alot of flames and they are never exactly the same side to side.

 

Unless it involves the IRS,or your Wife,there is no such thing as cheating.
Man is just an animal who uses tools.

I will use any tool,technique,or method to produce a better product in a reasonable amount of time.
If spending 30 seconds to draw a grid will make my life easier,and my work better,why not?

You want to save time ?
There is at least 1 HAMBer who has made a Pounce Pattern for a 1" grid.

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If you ever get a chance,read David Pye's book,"The Art of Workmanship".
VERY interesting ideas on what constitutes "good" workmanship.

 

I've never been a fan of wide lines, but I gotta say you really made it work for you in this application, looks awesome to me and if it were my truck I'd be showing it off to everyone I met even lil ole ladies at the grocery store.

Got a feeling if I tried to stripe it'd look like my 5 yr olds fingerpainting.

 

Hey, can I get in this thread! I've been trying to post on this all day. Been busy preparing for the flight to Cali in the early afternoon, later today.

First and foremost, Von Tingler, all I gotta say is; I wish I could of done as well as you have on the truck when I first started. The first coupla years my stuff resembled "Welts on a Welldigger's ass" instead of pinstriping.

The consitency of your lines will come with hard work and "Practice,Practice,Practice" and after 30 years; more Practice. What impressed me is just how artistic it looks and I really dig the "TIKI" theme in the main design. Although I always like to be positive in giving guys encouragement, I must say you got the Moxie for this biz. Keep it up!

I enjoy the TIKI stuff but, never tried it or incorporated it in anything before. Now after that design and the influence that damn BARNETT is having on me , I got to try some things in the future.

Next, I'd like to comment on my esteemed HAMB bro, OOMACK . OOMACK is a old school MoFo and I know where he's coming from. In Chicago, when I started, the only way to learn was to go for it and do the best ya could without the aid of grids or center lines. All the greats striped that way and replicated anything done on one side; to the other side.

It was really difficult at first to figure it out. But, after awhile it gets better. You just had to work that way. I can't ever remember guys marking anything out in advance. Not even one center line on a hood or trunk lid. The whole mystic, if you will, was trying to get it right as you went along. At carshows or in someones garage there was always some smartass trying to measure, what ya done to see how close it all was. It was really nerve racking. It is a good way to cut your teeth. It's quite a challenge, and it's fun. Hell it's rough just trying to remember what ya did on one side and do the same design in reverse 10 minutes later, without looking at the other side too many times.

I would venture to say that learning without guides is the TRUE way. But, it's not the only way. Grids, centerlines, what ever makes ya feel comfortable and gets the job done is good by me. The end result should be customer satisfaction, a good job, and doughski in the pocket. Enough of my ranting.

V.T., I'm proud of ya.

Whodaky, You are the soul of this boards HAMB stripers.

El Vago, You are the fountain of knowledge and experience for HAMB stripers. I'm not worthy enough to carry your kit.

OOMACK, you a BAD boy. Man, your stuff is tight. Show us more.

BARNETT, It's TIKI time. Your a RULER and I only met ya once!

Ian, your knowledge and enthusiasim knows no bounds here.

Ouch, my head hurts. Gotta go.

Joel

 

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I really like everything except the tiki face. Personally, I'm just not into pinstriping that has faces in them. I do like the lines, wide and narrow though. Great work.

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I hate to say this, but I agree 100% with Donize. I'm not for the faces that much...the art and craftmanship of them may be the best - but I prefer all lines

 

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I really like everything except the tiki face. Personally, I'm just not into pinstriping that has faces in them. I do like the lines, wide and narrow though. Great work.

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About 50% of the designs I do for some reason always start looking like a face so I just kind of run with it.If left alone I'll almost always turn a design into a face or a bird or a spider or some other critter.
Don't get me wrong;I love doing 50's style striping and a lot of people want this now so this is what I give them.But I love to experiment and I guess that's one of the reasons my car has been victimized so many times.
I also love to experiment with different color combinations.Sometimes colors you wouldn't think would work together look great! Of course the opposite is true just as often.
I guess what I'm trying to say is:Learn your craft to the best of your abilities,have fun,and as the saying goes,"Don't be afraid to try something different;Remember:the Titanic was built by professionals and the Ark by amateurs".Sorry for the rant.
Ray

I hate to say this, but I agree 100% with Donize. I'm not for the faces that much...the art and craftmanship of them may be the best - but I prefer all lines

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Ya know, I could give two shits if it's perfectly symmetrical. I think that is a standard that some of you stripers are putting on yourselves. I can go to AutoZone and get all the silk screened symmetrical crap I want. It takes a SKILLED PROFESSIONAL to get things a little out of whack.

Beautiful work, btw. I've never been a huge fan of pinstriping, but I really dig what you've done on that truck. Let's take another look.

 

I have to say that it's beautiful work, symetrical or not. As for lines vs. faces, since when were we concerned about doing art the way everyone else has/will?
Praise inovation because it frees the masses from boredom!

 

you rock VT....(did I just say you rock) you and the rest are inspiration to us wantabees.....can't wait to see your next attempt...(attempt is wrong word more like masterpiece)

 

I've got to say it looks like shit! your sorry ass gonna be home Friday night? me and the Greazy boss want to stop by and collect some green and steal your redneck tiKi Truck

 

The more I look at that piece, the more i like it...which is the exacct OPPOSITE of how I usually feel about anyhting I paint. I still like the tiki face! Stripers have been doing faces since Kenneth Howard, Ed Roth, Dean Jeffries and all the other original masters!

 

Very nice -
I just started trying to teach myself to stripe and I'm looking at all the examples I can find. I like the wide lines - obviously gives it more substance and heft. I'm a rank amateur but that's my two cents.

 

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Oh and to Jester...
SURELY YOU JEST! ha ha.
I'm definitely NOT creating masterpieces.
and I've been eyeballing your stuff as well. You been hard at it, and its lookin' good my man.

VT



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thats a huge compliment....

 

you guys are killin me.

 

'Whodaky You are the soul of this board's HAMB stripers' Peter Pan, I feel very humbled that you should say such a thing. I know that I am not a natural striper or artistic type, like so many of you are. I have had to work real hard to attain the level at which I am at. I think for many of the guys here that are having a go at striping they are exactly like me ( you have to remember I have been playing around with this for around 12 years), so it is just a matter of committment and dedication. I am not one to do the grid thing but I will mark in a centre line and or points to duplicate a line. As Safari said you do what you have to do to make things easier. This is especially true when you are learning, especially if you are not what I call a natural. But as OO Mack says, don't become totally dependant on aids.
Here in Australia when I started, the art of '50s hot rod style was almost dead and maybe in some small part I have helped to bring it back from the brink. Because there are so many people out there having a go at it now and that to me is very very exciting. The world can never have to amny stripers.
For me my striper is a passion, nothing more nothing less.
To many words as usual, but hey that's just me. Geoff aka Whodaky

 

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Thanks guys...

Oh and check this out...

BARNETT ROCKS!

Barnet who?



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Yah, Your gay and fat and I like you just the way you are. HEHEHE......


Dude that great I like it.......... BS