patterns or wing it?

[CarsonsChaos]

I'm ready to try some patterns though I'm sure I'm not ready.
I need a break from lines and curves.
Just wondering how many of you draw out your stripes on the surface first.
I'm sure the really good stripers can just lay it on and it look good.

[Whit]

First,,, find a basic,,, this will mark your style,,,
from there,, you can add all the extras you want !!!
Whatever you're comfortable with !!!
It does'nt really have to be symetrical if you don't want,,,
Asymetrical can work great in several situations as well
as symetrics as on the side of an 18 wheeler !!!
Start with a "Teardrop" basic,, and add wings/arms/feathers
or even start with a basic feather sweep (elongated 'S' design)
and add sweeps and scroll's for your designs !!!
It's all a matter of "Play Time" and experiments !!!
When I started,,, I had ths stuff on cabinets/chairs/tables/etc
and anything else in my area that could'nt move fast enough
to escape the brush,,, mirrors and windows included !!!
Just Have Fun With It,,, it turns into work soon enough !!!
-
PS---
When I started,,, was in tha 50's,,, I was 15/16 at the time,,,
this was when striping was king,,, snotnosed kid out there
pullin a couple a hundred in a weekend when min wage was $1.25
and it ruined me for life as far as a job goes !!!
The work is still there once you get your lines down !!!
Good Luck on it !!!

[purplemyth]

I draw mine out, but sometimes I add extra lines.
go to pinheadlounge.com. Look at all the designs there. They may seem over wheling. But since you've been practicing, you'll be able to see how the designs are put together.

I went thru all the portfolios a couple weeks ago. I wrote down the names of those that I liked their style. Styles are like flames, all different in subtle ways .
And as whit said, soon everything around you becomes a target :rofl:

[sharonsstudio]

Carson do what ever your most comfortable doing.. if you can do it without drawing first more power to ya..

[Ultra Al]

When I was going through Wizard's drill (1000's of lines C's and S's) I broke up the monotony by drawing some flames on a piece of paper and putting them under glass and painting them. I started out with the X-caliber and later used the Mack series 10 in 00 and 000, still my two favorites. All I use for reference is a chalk line to mark center. I probably should take the time to draw out patterns but I want to learn to do it freehand.
http://www.coastairbrush.com/products.asp?cat=283&pg=1
Here is where you can find some good reference and designs to practice while you develop your own style. Thats what I am struggling with now, creating something without everybody's footprints all over it. The combinations are infinite but there are a lot of cliches and only so many lines. AL

[dubie]

Ron Gibbs had printed us off a bunch of simple and complex designs to use during his seminar. We placed the design under a sheet of glass and pinstriped on the glass. It's a great way to feel comfortable with curves and angles. I still use this method to train my hand before doing it on something real