Not right yet

[Clem]

A friend of mine asked if I could put some yellow and orange flames on a new propane tank. I told him I had never tried it and he may not like it. I had an old tank so I figured I would let him know what he was in for.

With little prep I painted the tank white and with the flame examples from Redhouse and Dave I ended up with the first picture shown below. Not really what I was hoping for but it is my first shot at flames.

He showed up with the tank and looked at what I had done. I had put some red in the flame and he wanted the red left out, the back set was too dark and the tank black. He said it looked great to him and he didn't need the tank right away.

I put black on over over the white with little prep again and that is the second picture.

AA paints, white, yellow, edged with orange and glossed over with sun gold. It has not been cleared.

Need some help here folks. It doesn't look quite right to me so what am I missing/doing wrong.

Thanks to all that respond.

Clem

[blinddog 99]

Overall, I think it looks pretty cool. Just perhaps the flames could be more elaborate, more flame licks, curvier? Is that a word?

[Clem]

That could very well be it. I just know that they don't look right and can't put my finger on why. Just looks like something is missing.

Thanks Dog for the response and if you think of something else let me know.

Really don't want to embarrass myself or him.

Clem

[moose]

Clem,

Great job for a first effort. To me the bottom of the licks are too thick. but that is personel preference. To make them pop you might add a blue pinstripe to outline them.

Tim

p.s. still working up the courage to tackle something other than paper daggers.........

[Clem]

Moose, I know what you mean about posting some of this stuff. ( I can call it stuff because I am not not/worried about being an artist) It is the only way I can get an opinion on it though.

The way my hands shake anymore I'm not even going to try. This is keeping me guessing enough as it is.

I used 1/8" masking tape on these and getting a tight loop with that is tough for me. Need to work on that too.

Thanks for the response and I can use all the help I can get.

Clem

[blinddog 99]

Don't be discouraged, you did great! Keep on havin' fun with it. LOL Clem, I hear you on the shaky hands. When i paint detail, my arthritis kickin in, I rest my elbow on the bench and hold my airbrushing hand with the other hand, and then adjust my artwork within reach. Its a bitch gettin old, ain't it? You did good!

[JimmyG]

Wow Clem....I really like your first tank the most, ya got nice contrast depth with your overlay flames, looks way more 3D....I can only suppose the guy didn't like that because his new tank is black and he don't know how important red is...?

What kind of 1/8" masking tape are you using? Is it 1/8 fine line tape?

On the first tank you did, I'm trying to figure out your overlay process with taping, because the edges of the layers are touching each other....I would try leaving the fine line tape in place till done with both layers, remove and use the thin white outlines leftover to guide with darker thin outlines by airbrush....That might really jump the 3D even more.....
Myself, I'm use to outline squirrel tail brush and would do those that way, doing by fine line air brush would surely scold me....

On the black tank, it's more 2D, just gotta think color contrast for emphasis....I still like the first tank better, nice going Clem....
I hope I ain't too long winded here, and I tend to think from signpainter concept, solid color against solid color for contrast effect....:)

[Skids]

Clem, i think those look great for your first effort! On the second tank, i'm seeing some unevenness....orange needs to be nice and smooth. looks to me like paint was too thick, or perhaps you were getting clogs?

All in all tho-...BRAVO! glad to see you taking stuff on!

[josie]

Looks very good for a 1st Clem:clapping: im glad you are finally posting your work,,,,Keep it up it will only get better

[Skids]

It just occured to me that what you might be thinking of as "missing" is maybe stripes around the flames?

[Clem]

I wish I could take credit for the layout of the double layer. I was just being lazy and put the second on top. Kinda wanted to see the difference up close but didn't know how it would turn out. Don't have to compare pics that way.

I do like the double layer the best and the dark red in back does set it off to me. If I was to do this for myself I would try the way you outlined Jimmy. May try it later anyway. I am not big into flames but I kinda like this. Not what he wanted and it is his tank that will be done. I would like to do a good job for this guy. Some time back I needed to dig out part of the back yard and pour a slab. He heard me talking to someone else about it. He showed up ready to work and even brought two cases of beer with him just in case. Don't find many friends like that.

The tape is 3m 1/8" masking tape. Kinda learning the stuff. I have noticed that if I put pressure on the tape and twist my finger on the curve it doesn't tuck up as bad. Hoping I can keep getting it tighter.

Don't anybody worry about long winded answers, as you can see I get that way at times. It also takes a while and several words to get the details right and explain what you see. Something I am lacking.

Curious why Moose and Skids both say blue for the stripe.

Thanks much for all the responses folks. I do appreciate the help.

Clem

[Skids]

i meant to say purple....

[Clem]

Kinda got distracted for a few days but I did do this a few days ago. In the next few days, between Christmas and New Years, I'm going to go ahead and get the tank to be painted ready. This is closer to what I can live with. Just thought you folks might want to see.

Clem

[Skids]

better all the time Clem! loks like your white base got a little thin at the bottom letting the black base muddy up the yellow, but hey, it's practice right?

something about flaming a propane tank just screams DANGER! reminds me of the time i tattooed a barbedwire armband and the girl wanted poison ivy intertwined.....gave me the willies the whole time i was doin it for some reason!

[blinddog 99]

Clem, much better again! Keep at it bud, its gettin better and better!

[Clem]

Thanks for the responses folks. I do appreciated your comments and suggestions.

If painting a propane tank with flames bothers ya, behind the cardboard is my forge. I haven't fired it up with the tank setting at the face of it and I haven't sprayed any paint when it is going, yet. Doubt that I will.

Clem

[moose]

Clem,

Coming into Airbrushing from s pinstriping backgrouind blue is just the traditional outline color for old school style flames. As Skids said purple would work also as well as other colors.

Keep the paint flowing

Tim

[Skids]

aww man...Clem has a freakin FORGE! I'd LOVE to spend a day with you learning dood!! there was a time when that was wizard stuff!

[helmetguy]

Really good for your first effort. Flames are something usually look "right" or "wrong". You know what looks right when you see it so practice till it gets "right".
From traditional to tribal, I strive to get them "right". Still woking on it though. Here are some of both.
Good luck

[helmetguy]

Additional note: Always, always, always use 3M tape! You won't regret it. This will save you hours of redo work.

[blinddog 99]

Pat, that's some nice looking work! Clem, you feeling inspired yet?

[Clem]

Pat, I really do appreciate the response and pics. Always trying to see the difference in others and what I need to do to improve mine.

Dog, yes it is inspiring but at the moment it is hard to get to the garage due to family illness. Things are improving and I should be able to get out there soon.

One last thing I am figuring now is an attempt to use frisket instead of layers of tape. Looking around to see the right way to do this, may end up just put it on and go for it.

Thanks again folks.

Clem

[Clem]

Finished the tank up. It would be nicer if the edges were stripped but for me to try it now would only make it worse.

Thanks for all the help folks.

Guess I am a hobbyist now. First project completed.

Clem

[colourshift]

Do what I do....clear it with something...then try and stripe it...the clear enables you to keep wiping it off until you get something you're happy with.