where do I start?

[minniemouse]

On and off throughout my life, I've been painting. Usually signs in enamel or portraits on stone. I've carved in stone, by hand, and gold leafed the letterig. Yet, it was only this year, I learned to use a blowie brush. I've never yet tried, a long hairy brush, and yet - since coming on this forum - it interests me.
So, as I love doodling with scrolls on stone - what dvd or beginners kit would you suggest I try?
I know there's Lots on the market and just wondered which one, if any you peeps could recommend?
I'd also like to try glass etching and going extreme with gold leaf - so any help here, would be great!

[figair]

Well Minniemouse,
Your a day late and a dollar short. I was just selling some great books in the for sale section to get started on striping.
if you are looking at DVD's You def have to get "Beginning Pinstriping" By Jenson.
Laern the basic techniques, and go from there.. Ever since i watched that DVD, I have been nothing but drawing w/colored pencil..Laying out designs,ect...Hope that helps.But get that vid! I sold mine other wise I would be selling it to you,lol..
Eddie

[minniemouse]

Yeah, only saw that thread an hour ago - boo-hoo. Can't do me a copy can you, before you mail?

[figair]

already in the mail.. mailed it yestaurday..Sorry

[fontgeek]

I would strongly suggest Wizards DVDs on the subject. He has three, the first one covers the basics, I would buy it and watch it a couple of times before you go shopping, the DVD will give you a good heads up on what you would be dealing with, the kinds of equpment, the solvents, etc. Going shopping with some knowledge makes it a whole lot easier, and a whole lot cheaper. For the things you don't understand, you can ask here.
There are a great many books on the subject, and a few different approaches to doing it.
There are several DVDs by other artists as well, some of them are really good, some aren't. I would start with the WIzard ones though. I know you can get all three from CoastAirbrush for $25 each if you buy them all at once, Dixie and others may have the same kinds of deals going.
There are a couple of books out now by the name of "Pinstriping Masters", volume one is nice, I haven't seen volume 2 yet. Volume 1 has short bits by lots of artists, each with their own twist, but for overall learning, this book lacks the solid foundation and the explainations on the basics.
Alan Johnson has a new one out, I haven't seen it yet, but I look forward to at least browzing through it.
You might check your local public library, or maybe some of the services that rent DVDs, you may be able to view a variety of different classes on the subject without blowing a whole bunch of money.

But I think you made the right choice in asking first.

[minniemouse]

Thank you. Nice answer.
I've got two airbrushing DVD's, the first one, I wouldn't recommend to any begineer and the second, one I would.
Thats exactly why I asked.
I'll give the Wizard a go first.
But, Thanks. Many Many thanks.

[blinddog 99]

Minniemouse, I concur with Fontgeek. The Wizard Pinstriping Basics DVD will set you on the right path, contains all startup information and practice points that will lead to success. Very good instructional DVD......

[Whit]

Good Luck on it Minnie !!!

[eliz]

Minnie,,, just remember the more accomplished you are,,,
the easier it looks,,, those DVD's will fool you,,, they make
it look sooo easy,, and until you get your feet wet with
your own brush/paint,, then you'll know what's what .......
As with anything new,,, it's just Practice,, Practice,, Practice !
Oilbase paint works the best I've found,, and here,, a mack
#00 or mack #000 Dagger for most applications,, but for
larger areas (trucks) a #0 or #1 gives a better line .....
A scroll brush would also compliment your arsenal as well ...
Good Luck,,, Happy Practicing !
Be sure to post your progress as well ...

[redanner]

What are you going to use for glass etching? Paasche Air Eraser, A Dental Drill with the dental attachments, or Chemical Acid! The Paasche Air Eraser has a very soft effect like frosted glass! The dental drill leaves a rough etching where as the Chemical is in between and may not be as long lasting as the other two! I prefer the air eraser because it is priced reasonable where as the Dental equipment sells any where from $350.00 or more! Paasche equipment with aluminum oxide is around a $100.00! You can also use bigger Sand Blasters using silica sand to etch glass! I have the Paasche and I've always wanted to try the dental drill! The Paasche is nothing more than a miniature sand blaster that looks like an airbrush!

[minniemouse]

I've done chemical acid on wine glasses - works very well. Not sure about on car window glass though.
Dental drill sounds a bit like using a dremel, which I've already used on glass and silver - it's got a rough finish where as the acid didnt.
Sounds like the Paasche will be the way to go with this. If I look on ebay, is there any Obvious way to tell if one is knackered? Otherwise, I'll have to wait til I'm stateside and bring it home in my suitcase!
Again, anything worth buying book or dvd wise? Or just the usual... practice, practice, practice!

[redanner]

I've done chemical acid on wine glasses - works very well. Not sure about on car window glass though.
Dental drill sounds a bit like using a dremel, which I've already used on glass and silver - it's got a rough finish where as the acid didnt.
Sounds like the Paasche will be the way to go with this. If I look on ebay, is there any Obvious way to tell if one is knackered? Otherwise, I'll have to wait til I'm stateside and bring it home in my suitcase!
Again, anything worth buying book or dvd wise? Or just the usual... practice, practice, practice!

I have thought about a dremel tool but the article that I read on it a few years behind me said that the dental drill runs at much higher rpm because it is pneumatic and the bits for it were far better because of the fine work they are designed for! Think about how fine and detailed they need to be for your toothies! That just my opinion!

Actually I have seen some on e-Bay being sold as airbrushes! I actually sent a note to one person that they indeed were not airbrushes! And that somebody might get the hair on their back up if they ended up with an air eraser instead of an airbrush!