I have just started learning the fine art of pinstriping. I know the best thing for me is practice, practice, and more practice. I pull lines everyday but I was wondering if anyone would like to give me some advice on symitry.
layout your stripe design on paper, glass, metal, corn husks, whatever using pencil or stabilio first. No paint at this point. Get yourself some reference lines layed out also. One vertical and one horizontal. Draw your design around the reference lines first and then take a look at it to determine if it is symetrical. Use the horizontal and vertical reference lines as guides when laying out the design. The refence lines should be used to divide the design in half or into quarters. Using these lines as a guide will help keep the design on an even keel. If it looks good in pencil then paint over what you drew.
Whilst I dont disagree with what was posted above. I tend to work with just a conter line (most things I do have a central line done in paint first, ie a tear drop) if you are right handed paint the left side first line by line switching to the right side and build it up line by line. This will work well on anything other than wide designs at wich point I'll run a piece of tape along the bottom of the panel and mark the edges of the lines.
I kind of agree with Ant. Unless there is a specific image/graphic that I'm after, IE heckle n jeckle or some other famous cartoon etc, I get a picture of the design in my head and then start at the middle and work my way out. I do however lay myself out some reference points either with a stabilo pencil or some bits of masking tape. It helps me keep everything in perspective. If I'm doing a cartoon, or trying to mimic someone elses design, then I draw or trace it out on paper, then roll it with a pounce wheel and pounce it on the panel I'm working on. Face it I'll never be Dutch (or anyone else for that mater), so my fantom picture will never be like his. So if someone wants a specific style stripes I gotta cheat. BTW Ant have we met yet? Just curious, it seems like I meet so many anymore.
Ah yes well I only do stripes and slashes, will be doing some more lettering this year I need a pounce wheel and some chalk though. I dont think we have met, I am rarely in the US and I only know 2 other stripers anyway. I'll try and find some pics of my work, it's not super good, but the guys I've done it for are always pleased.
Super good is in the eye of the beholder friend. There are guys around that I've known forever that wouldn't let me anywhere near there ride. Others go out of their way to find me. I'm never completely happy with what I've done, I guess when I am I'll be done.
If you're just starting out,one of the best ways I've found is to use a piece of transparent material(either glass or plexi)and make a grid of 1" squares on a piece of paper with a heavier center line.Tape the paper to a board(an adjustable drafting board is nice but a slab of wood propped up by a pile of books will work equally well)and secure the glass over the grid.Set it in a comfortable position(I like an angle of about 15 degrees from vertical)and stripe away!As was said before,if you're right handed,pull the left side line first.That way when you go to make the same line on the right your hand won't obscure the line you've just painted. I find it easier to lay down a center line(a thin loop or teardrop)first and then make a couple of longer lines going out sideways to define the perimeter of my design.Then gradually adding more lines in between always doing first one line on a side and then the complimentary line on the other. Another hint that may help is when you are bringing two lines together try to make them merge at a very narrow angle as it's easier to blend them than if you try to make them come together at say a 45 degree angle. I am in the process of setting up a tech post on this and it may be a week or so until it's complete so bear with me. Ray
Use a Stabillo pencil to draw a grid. Mark the center line. Use the grid to determine if the design is symetrical.Draw the design,then paint over it. Wash the Stabillo lines off when you are finished. And read the TECHOMATIC !
Look at this thread for some good beginner stuff... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=245580&Forum=All_Forums&Words=3996&Match=Username&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=245414&Search=true#Post245580 Stacey
Here is a work in progress. You can see the Stabillo grid. From there you draw your design,and then paint over it. Wash the Stabillo off when your finished.
What are you washing the Stabilo off with Unkl Ian? Another question: Say I lay down a black center line & let it dry. It looks good. Then I lay down another color intersecting over it, but make a mistake. I go after it w/ the denatured and invariably take the gloss of the original black line. Is there a way to prevent doing this, or is it one of those "it is what it is" things?
It's all practise. I go for the Vertical centre line and a dot on this for the horizontal centre. A sign painter friend once told me to use anything that makes things easier. I do agree with that, but as you learn and practise it is a good idea not to get to dependant on stuff that makes it easier. I know that is a contradiction but, when you are saying doing a design on a piece that can be rotated or moved in any postion, you can sometimes become dependant on being able to move thnigs, ; whereas if you are doing a car for example you can't move that object. You can move yes, but not always into the ideal postion. I practised for probably 3 years for at least a couple of hours day before I was confident to do something for some one else. I have been striping for around 13 years and consider every piece I do to still be practse. Woah I had better stop here, or I will go on for hours!
I just found my lost mack brush, and now it's shaped like a J. What's the best way to get it's shape back? Not trying to hijack the post, but I thought while we were on the topic...
[ QUOTE ] I just found my lost mack brush, and now it's shaped like a J. What's the best way to get it's shape back? Not trying to hijack the post, but I thought while we were on the topic... [/ QUOTE ] Usually if they are distorted like that it is almost impossible to return them to their original shape but you might try this: Make sure the brush is cleaned with a good brush cleaner and then soak it in a good light oil(there is a product Mack Brush sells that is 100% sunflower oil)and lay it on a flat surface such as a piece of glass with the flat side of the brush down.Shape it with your fingers so it comes to a point.Leave for a few days and then clean it out and see if it is straight. Another way that might work is to support it over a pot of water with just the hair in the water using a dowel across the top of the pot and an alligator clip to secure the brush.Heat on the stove but don't let it boil for an hour or so.Remove and try the oil trick again.The heat shouldn't affect the glue holding the hair as long as you don't get it too hot. A tip for breaking a new brush in:I wash out the sizing in the hairs that is used to keep it in form using warm water and detergent.Use an old tooth brush and brush through from the base to point.Dry and immerse hair in brush oil for a moment,then turn up so hairs are pointing upward secure using an alligator clip(I use them on all my brushes when soring them in the shop)and let sit for a couple days.Wash out with brush cleaner and you're ready to stripe. Inverting the brush lets the oil wick into the wrapping(ferrule)and it will remain as long as you do that periodically and if any paint gets in it won't dry and cause the hairs to break off.
Mytol, you should be able to rub the new line out, taking care where the next color crossed to black line, Stabilo, will wipe off with a rag. Never be afraid to wipe out your work and start again. You have to be happy with what you are creating, this is a real disapline we are talking about here. You got to strive to become as good at it as you want to be. This is one of the hardest parts about teaching one's self to strip. If what you are doing isn't happening for you, rub it out and walk away from it. The worst thing you can do when you are learning this stuff is to continue on with a piece that you aren't happy with. I know when I starting teaching myself I would have to be in the mood to even attenpt to do stuff. Now after all these years that is not necessary. It is almost a case of turning it on at will. I do my striping as an amateur and do not work with paint as a job! As you prgress and do stuff for people and maybe even give stuff you do in your shed away, it is a good idea to photograph your work as a reference to see how you are developing as a striper! Ok enough from me I am starting to ramble. For me the passion I have for my striping is the key!
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