Published six times a year by The Paschal Group, Inc.
Publisher: Robert Paschal
Editor: Jeanne Paschal
E-mail: arttalk6@aol.com
Also see www.arttalk.com — The Newsletter for Visual Artists
 

Paper Jewelry – Fabulous Fun!

By Janean Thompson
(Click on any photo for a larger view!)

Think of all the times during a day that we come in contact with paper and all the things we can do with it.  For such a mundane material, it can be put to many different types of uses.  Artists are some of the most inventive users of paper, since the very ground upon which they work is often paper.  Cutting, piercing, curling, slicing, folding—paper is able to do so much when the creative mind puts it to work.

Making jewelry is one of the many creative uses for paper that can be practiced by nearly anyone.  This article will deal with two ways to use paper in conjunction with an airbrush to create distinctive and appealing ornamental, funky jewelry.  You will need the following materials to complete these projects:

—airbrush (I use my Iwata Revolution HP-CR 4500.)
—air supply (I use the Iwata Studio Series Smart Jet – efficient though quite small.)
—paper of different thicknesses and textures (Watercolor paper is very sturdy and a great choice.  Vellum or other flat surfaced papers do well and look great too.)
—acrylic paints
—push pin or piercing tool
—metallic paint markers
—scissors or razor knife
—cutting mat
—jewelry findings, tools
—patterns of shapes for your designs. (Photo 1)

Photo 1:   Design shapes that work well in forming your earrings: flat shapes, curved, folded.	Photo 2:  Paint your stock paper with various shades of acrylic.	Photo 3:  Cut shapes from heavy paper stock with scissors, X-Acto knife or similar cutter.

I love to wear earrings and do so every day.  The ones I wear are almost all collected from artists and each pair is special.  Because of my love of funky, cool and unusual earrings, I have created some of my own.  They make terrific gifts and are appreciated by recipients.  My choice of base material is watercolor paper because it is easily airbrushed with multiple layers of paint without a lot of distortion and is really easy to fold, cut and shape.  It can also tolerate being pierced for ear wires and jump rings to create a multitude of different looks.

There are two approaches to creating paper jewelry pieces.  You can either cut the paper shapes first or paint and then cut.  My preference is to paint and then cut so that I can select the closest matches for left and right or shape to shape.  (Photo 2)  After I have combined the colors I want, I let the sheet dry.  I then cut the shapes out carefully.  (Photo 3) Pierce with a push pin at the point from which the earring will hang.  Attach the ear wire.  Note that you can either paint the front only or front and back.

Folded paper can really make the designs pop.  If you want to do some simple folding, create a fan effect for a graded color area on your painted sheet.  Create patterns by testing, folding, cutting and designing shapes that will be appealing.  With your shapes ready, find the tone area on the painted sheet and cut the shapes.  Fold if that is appropriate.  Use markers, colored pencils, etc., to do designs on the shapes if you like that look.  Attach ear wires and you are good to go.  (Photo 4)

Add seed beads for glitter and added shimmer.  This is done by using a short jewelry pin with a loop at one end.  The ear wire is placed in the loop after the beads are added and the end is bent into a holding circle.  You can also cover the shapes with easy-to-use laminating sheets (available at art and office supply stores).  Simply peel, stick, and press over the shape to assure adhesion.

Photo 4:  Use metallic markers to add detail.  You can also add beads, glitter, faux jewels, etc.	Photo 5:  Finished earrings—unique and fun to create!

Bracelets, necklaces and brooches can all be made by adding small folded/cut/crumpled paper forms to a length of chain or by attaching a pin back.  Painted prior to assembly, you have lots of options for dynamic looks with bright colors and unique shapes, and nothing could be easier than making earrings.  (Photo 5)

The only limit to your jewelry creations is your imagination.  With the myriad of beads and findings out there, you can create really cool, long wearing paper jewelry for any occasion or taste.  Remember to look at resale shops for raw materials – necklaces you can split apart, earrings you can add paper augmentations to, etc.  Tons of stuff is out there if you look.

SEMA 2008 - Las Vegas, Nevada

By Donn “Too Tall” Shanteau
(Click on any photo for a larger view!)

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show was held this year in Las Vegas, NV, from 11/4/08 – 11/7/08. It is the largest trade show of the year for all automotive aftermarket products. In addition to aftermarket offerings, auto manufacturers such as General Motors also display their wares to industry insiders.

Most folks who attend are interested in the wide range of products on display such as the engines, auto suspensions, car audio and video systems or car body modification kits. There is, however, a small cadre of attendees who show up at SEMA to support the automotive paint and spray equipment industries. Those people who are not employees of the paint or spray equipment companies are most likely the artists that use these products. The artists tend to gather at the booths of the companies whose products they use. All of the latest offerings are on display for everyone to lay their hands on and “drool” over.

While there are a number of spray equipment and paint companies, the majority of the painters hang out at the Anest/Iwata air-gun and House of Color paint booths. The circus-like atmosphere in these booths is due to the demonstrations that the artists put on during the course of the event. At any time, one might expect to see airbrushing notables such as Craig Fraser, Mike LaValle, Steve Driscoll, Pamela Shanteau, Gerald Mendez, Fonzie, Deb Mahan or Ron Gibbs displaying their airbrushing skills on the giant wall that was constructed from Claybord across the back of the Anest/Iwata booth. By the end of the show, all of the artists’ works melded together into a rather unique mural.  It is my understanding that the wall was to be deconstructed and re-assembled at the Iwata warehouse in Portland, Oregon.

One highlight of the SEMA event is the Airbrush Confidential Party. Traditionally held on Thursday evening of the show, this party is a must-attend event for every custom painter in attendance that is lucky enough to procure a ticket. In addition to the full bar and great food, this party is the one place in the universe where the top custom painters in the world are all together in one place at one time. Friendships are made or re-discovered during the party as the fellowship flows like the beer and wine from the bar. This event is made possible by Airbrush Action magazine, Iwata-Medea, Anest Iwata USA, House of Kolor and Artool Products. These brands are the tops in their fields and they display it every year by putting on a first-class party for the artists.

All good things must end, as the old adage goes, and SEMA is no exception. After the exhibit is packed up and everyone migrates back to their respective local climes, all are left with the memories and experiences of their SEMA experience. These memories are all we have to hold onto until next year, when once again we gather to celebrate our industry, our manufacturers and ourselves.

Checkered Out—Creating Auto Special FX

By Thomas Adams
(Click on any photo for a larger view!)

Once again this time around, we will be exploring the world of automotive painting. I love doing flames just as much as the next guy and it is probably the most common request. But, if there ever is a chance, and there will be, you should push beyond the convention of the simpler stuff and attempt some true special effects. When I say special effects I mean the paint schemes that border on being an optical illusion, like riveted panels, animal skin, true flames, and—of course—the checkered flag.

This particular person chose the ripped checkered flag effect to go on his 1999 Chevy Tahoe. This is a great car to do this effect on.   Since it is very long and wide, it has a lot of room to draw the illusion of the flag out. This is one thing you want to consider when putting together a paint job on a car.  Ask yourself how well the paint scheme fits the size and shape of the particular car you will be working on.  In this case, as I began to lay this job out it was clearly a winner.

Now, to start, the Tahoe was based in silver. This is going to be the color of the entire car, so it goes on first and the graphics are laid over it. And this is what auto artists and body techs will refer to as base or basecoat. Now once the paint is dry and cured I am going to lay out the ripping flag. The way we start a complicated three-layer job like this is by taping off the boundaries of the entire design in blue 1/8” 3M striping tape. (fig 1 & 2).

Next we will use the process I mentioned in last sessions’ article with the adhesive-backed transfer tape. Once the design is based out in the blue tape, long runs of the 2 ft.-wide transfer paper will cover the entire boundary of the design. (fig. 3) This will save you from having to block all the masking area with small masking tape. That would take FOREVER! Once the paper is applied, use a large lumber crayon (available at any hardware store) to rub over the surface and etch out the impression of the tape underneath. This will be your guide as you cut down the center of the blue tape. Once again, BE CAREFUL! Do not cut too deep or you will scratch the paint and possibly be forced to repaint an area.

Next it gets a little trickier and a lot more fun. The owner of the truck has chosen to go with a chameleon paint for the white squares. This is a great idea, since chameleon is based in black, so painting the whole area before the squares are taped is going to save us a step while painting the chameleon. Once the checkered flag area has been taped and based in black it is time to get checkered out. Begin this process by running your line tape in parallel lines an equal distance apart like stripes. Then cross these lines perpendicularly with another set of equidistant “stripes.” You may choose to do these straight on or sideways or even diagonal to get a kind of argyle pattern like I did. (fig. 4) Also, a great variation on this is curving your lines of squares and laying in freehand shadows to create a wavy flag.

Fig. 3 – The finished outline is ready to be based in black.	Fig. 4 – The checkers are taped out and every other one is masked off.

When this is all finished we are going to block out half of the squares; these will stay black while the unblocked ones will be painted with the chameleon. Once again we use the transfer paper masking technique to tape off the squares.  After the tape is laid on here and you have used the lumber crayon to mark out the boundaries of the squares, we are going to mark each one that stays in with an “x.”  This will keep your colleagues from removing the wrong squares. Notice the green tape in fig. 4. It pays to mark these squares because the job is already confusing enough.

Fig. 5 – The whole design won’t come together and make sense until right before it is finished.	Fig. 6 – Adding some character with the airbrush embodies the special effect.	Fig. 7 – Up close you can tell that the drop shadows add a significant amount of realism to the design.

Once the chameleon is painted and cured, you are ready to unveil the whole job. (fig. 5) Always be careful when removing the tape as you may always find some weak spot in the paint. Also, if you find some scratches or little blemishes use your airbrush to finely mist over them until they are cleaned up. This works great with an Iwata HP series because when the needle cap is removed, it sprays a very fine, precise line.

Fig. 8 – Go the extra mile for your friends and customers to make sure that the job as a whole is something to be proud of.	Fig. 9 – Stand back and give yourself a pat on the back, but don’t get a big head about it!

After the job is unmasked comes the fun part—giving it some character! I used the HP-C to shade in some detail underneath the flag to make it look as if we just drove through it. (fig. 6&7)  I also took some time to freehand some stuff on the back to showcase the driver’s company logo. (fig. 8) After that it was back to the booth for clear coat and back out to sand and buff. (fig. 9-12) It is always a whole lot of work, but it is always worth it. Till next time, keep painting!

New Products for the Airbrusher

New Artool Steampunk FX® Freehand® Airbrush Templates by Craig Fraser and Metropolis Freehand® Airbrush Template Set by Yvonne Mecialis

Artool Products Co. is proud to announce the release and availability of the new Artool Steampunk FX® Freehand® Airbrush Templates designed by Craig Fraser.  There is a new art form hitting the street, which has been around for over a century: Steampunk!  More than an art form, Steampunk is a fashion statement, design aesthetic and kustom kulture lifestyle.  These new Artool Templates have all the “Tesla-esque” Jules Verne and Edgar Rice Burroughs goodies for that unique Neo-Victorian, retro-futuristic techno rendering.  The Artool Steampunk FX lineup: JUNK (FH SPFX 1), MECHANIX (FH SPFX 2), GAUGES (FH SPFX 3), SWITCHES (FH SPFX 4), KLOCKWORX (FH SPFX 5), GEAR DRIVES (FH SPFX 6) or the whole Steampunk FX Set (FH SPFX 7).  Steampunk FX is also available in the popular Artool MINI SERIES as a six-pack (FH SPFX MS).

“Hang them proudly above your workbench—between your brass goggles and the #5 Wirly-Gox Tesla-driver!”  —Craig Fraser

Also new from Artool are the Metropolis Freehand® Airbrush Templates designed by Yvonne Mecialis.  The 1927 film “Metropolis,” by Fritz Lang, was the inspiration for Yvonne’s new Artool Metropolis Series of Freehand® Airbrush Templates.  Over the years, Yvonne has developed her own unique style through the influence of the 1920’s Art Deco and Art Moderne movements.  With the Artool Metropolis Template Set (FH MET 1), which contains 6 separate templates, you can easily add “deco flare” when creating futuristic renderings utilizing these elegant curves and geometric shapes.  The artwork of Yvonne Mecialis has been featured in various publications, including “EASYRIDERS,” “BIG TWIN,” “PENTHOUSE,” “SAVAGE,” “AUTO ART” and “HEAVY METAL,” as well as being featured on TLC’s popular custom car show “RIDES.”

“Whether you’re adding an accent to your piece or creating a sleek futuristic theme, the Artool Metropolis Set is a welcomed addition to any artist’s tool box!” —Yvonne Mecialis

The new Artool Freehand® Airbrush Template Sets are now available at your favorite Iwata-Medea-Artool supplier.  For a complete listing of the Iwata-Medea-Artool catalog on the Web, go to www.ArtoolProducts.com

New Iwata Pistol Grip Airbrush Guns

Iwata-Medea Inc. is pleased to announce the arrival of the NEW Unique Pistol Grip Airbrush Guns, the Eclipse G3 and G5.  The new Eclipse G3 and G5 look like miniature spray guns but spray and perform like a large airbrush.  They work with most twin-piston airbrush compressors like the Iwata Studio Series Power Jet Compressors.

The NEW Eclipse G3 and G5 features:

—True center-post gravity-feed cups.
—MAC Valve for precise control of air and Spray Twilight-chrome finish.
—The Eclipse G5 comes standard with a 0.5-mm stainless steel nozzle and has a spray width of ¼” up to 3”, as well as an 8 oz. stainless steel cup and lid.
—The NEW Eclipse G3 comes standard with a 0.3-mm stainless steel nozzle and has a spray width of 1/8^th up to 2”, as well as a 4 oz. stainless steel cup and lid.

The NEW Eclipse G3 and G5 are available at an Iwata-Medea dealer near you.

Visit www.iwata-medea.com; e-mail: info@medea-artool.com

Airbrush Workshop

Basic Airbrush Techniques
Saturday, February 21, 2009

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn basic airbrush techniques with instructor Robert Paschal!  Learn a new skill that will increase your income potential.  Knowing basic airbrush technique will allow you to apply the technique to painting or enhancing decorative murals, nails/makeup, cakes and pastries, automotive/motorcycle design, temporary tattoos, artwork, crafts, and much more.  The use of all equipment/supplies is included, and seats are limited.

Basic Airbrush Techniques
6-Hour Hands-On Workshop
with Robert Paschal

Beacon, NY – Saturday, February 21, 2009
Approx. 65 miles north of N.Y.C. – On the Metro North Line

Consider giving a gift of learning!

Look for your next issue of AirbrushTalk in March 2009!