New Guy from Minneapolis, Minnesota saying Hello

S

Splat

Guest
Hello everyone. My name is Scott and new in almost every sense of the Airbrush world proper.

First off. let me say that it takes a lot for me to join a Internet website. This site has some of the most down to earth people that I have ever seen. For that I commend the members here.

My bio in airbrushing goes way back almost 30 years with a purchase of a Paasche VL. I have used that brush for anything imaginable to use a AB with, short of an attempt at actual art.
I'm 59 years old and have no illusions of ever being a 'real' artist, Hence my name.
But a long term fascination of color theory(s) and implementation has finally warranted becoming a earnest student.
And with that, there is obviously an incredible amount to learn which brought me here.

The VL has been a wonderful brush, and will never say a bad word about it. But after a month or so of dabbling with paint, I was getting the feeling that I was trying to scratch a itch on my back with a garden rake.
So I decided I needed something a little better.
Just wanted a decent 'Learner'. Good quality, gravity fed, medium size needle, and easy to clean.
I called just about every AB manufacturer and after a wonderful conversation with a nice lady at Iwata, ended up with a HP-CS. And that has turned out to be everything that I could ever have wanted or need, and then some.
Got a little frustrated with Badger with 3 calls over a week and never anyone available to help me. Either in a meeting or out to lunch.

I cant really state here what my interest(s) are exactly here, because I honestly dont know yet.
At this stage, I have my hands full with just improving fundamentals and will wait for a force to pull me in from this ocean.
As long as it has to do with color though, I'm in.

I will say that the talent here is absolutely jawdropping, and in the SBS alone is a great place to get lost and waste time, paper, and paint.

Lots to take in here onsite and will be reading for a long time.
So in the meantime and again...........Hello!
 
welcome from Australia Splat,
you are right, they are a down to earth bunch around here, we often wind up in the gutter so be warned !!
I think a lot of the atmosphere around here is due to the fact it started in Australia and we are known for not taking ourselves to seriously. I think that attitude alone put off any potential egos so they never took part or if they did they didn't last long. Look long and hard and you wont find a single Diva.

lots of info so take your time and join in when the urge hits you. You wont go wrong with the Eclipse CS, its a workhorse of a lot of people.
as far as color theory .......well good luck with that, I'm one of those that just goes with what feels right, trial and error. I dare say i'll get a hang of it at some point but in the meantime I'm having a ball.
never be afraid to put up any questions you have, and above all remember the motto around here........"spread the love"
enjoy the journey and have a giggle along the way
 
Hello scott,wecome to the forum,sounds like you know your way around the airbrush,Look around ask questions if you need any help feel free to ask as we are here to help . The Iwata HP-CS is a great airbrush and im sure you will enjoy it.
 
Thanks for the nice welcome guys. Basepaint, you hit on a big self analyzing test with the 'sounds like you know your way around a AB'.
Told myself if I couldnt tell the difference between the VL and the Eclipse I'd just wrap it up right there and bag it. :)

Jack, that color theory thing is just my 2 brain cells I have left, from too much lacquer thinner in the past, shorting out and doing their own thing.
I always over analyze everything that even comes close to physics. Never have much luck either, but unfortunately I'm just wired that way.
Tried figuring out sound, but all I got out of that was a 24/7 headache.

About the only thing I purposely avoid being curious about and analyzing is dirt. I'm saving that for when I'm in the grave and up close to give me something to do.

I have a blast watching these videos and pictorials you guys post, and trying to figure out where all you artists are going at the start of the basecoats and highlights. Most of the time I'm completely lost. So when the questions of 'why the heck are they doing that?' begin to subside, I can move on.
 
Welcome to the forum @Splat we're a good bunch here and try to help as much as possible. So join in and don't be afraid to ask any questions while your getting back into airbrushing.

Lee
 
Welcome aboard from the UK Splat. You made a great choice with the CS, I love that brush. I also have a micron, which is incredible, but my CS still has a place alongside it. Its the perfect combo IMO.

You have two brain cells, whaaaat!! You're already a step ahead of me, my lonely brain cell is jealous yours has a friend, but even though it has (and is) taking its time to learn, its getting there, and with no art background whatsoever, and with the good folks around here, plus an extra brain cell, you'll be amazing yourself in no time.

Colour theory is too much for me, I'm more of a wing it, that works, lets go with it type. However there are plenty around here who know all that stuff, and will be happy to share, dissect, and discuss to your hearts content.

As for being a "real artist", if you're creating something, you're an artist. Does it matter that its been done before, or if the technique is developing, or if you find your own way? No. If its come from inside you, and you've captured it on a surface to share with others its art. The most important thing is you get something out of doing it, relaxation, escapism, wanting to know the ins and outs of what makes it work, whatever - but hopefully fun.

Everyone here really is down to earth, and happy to help with anything so just shout out. Except me, I'm a diva and they only let me in because I'm not safe to be left to my own devices, and need watching.
 
Hi jord001 and Squishy. Thanks very much for the nice welcome. I appreciate that!

Squishy, You sound like me! When no one else will talk to you, rest assured that there is a new member that can relate to you completely. Gotta take advantage of that while you can though. My birthday is coming up and its likely I wont be around after that due to smoke inhalation from blowing the candles out.

You hit it right on the nose with the getting something out of this. Its more for relaxation and disappearing from reality than anything. If I create something great. If I just make a billion dots and lines, thats great too.
Just came in from a work break and was messing with the Eclipse some more. I've come to the realization a few moments ago that trigger control is an art in itself.
Think I spent 15 minutes just blowing bubbles back into the cup to try and get a feel for the 'break' and flow. I have a serious new appreciation for people that are able do little teeny tiny hairs.

Oh....... When you get to only one brain cell, would the little voices in my head disappear? :)
 
Ha, I will remember you said that. I've already run out of people to talk to, and have a restraining order from the local donkey sanctuary as they have a field full of two legged donkeys after I talked all their hind legs off lol

Trigger control is key. But even my lonely brain cell got it eventually, so just keep plugging away at those dots and lines, and try a few little images to keep your two cells motivated along the way. Hope the bubbles aren't just manifesting themselves, as that's not a good sign.

I'm sorry to say that as the brain cells vacate, it just leaves more room for more voices, but its ok, it gives you someone to blame when you're talking yourself out of a sticky situation.
 
Ha, I will remember you said that. I've already run out of people to talk to, and have a restraining order from the local donkey sanctuary as they have a field full of two legged donkeys after I talked all their hind legs off lol
.

Don't let squishy fool you, we talk to her often, but be warned, if a subject can be taken into the gutter then squishy will be the one taking it there!

Everything about the airbrush is a learning curve, but you will get there. We've all been there. Some take longer to get there than others. In my case it's a lack of time that has slowed me down but I'm progressing, so will you.
 
Don't let squishy fool you, we talk to her often, but be warned, if a subject can be taken into the gutter then squishy will be the one taking it there!

Ohhhh, I'm feeling right at home now. I wrote a couple lines earlier that were firmly planted in the gutter, but have to acknowledge the fact that I am new here. So they were respectfully deleted. Figure I should at least wait until I have 10 posts and been here a week for me to disconnect the governor and fire on all cylinders. :)

Made a game tonight.
Oversized Tic Tac Toe! Inline Dots, then lines connecting the dots, then Xs and Os, then daggers to check all the boxs off. Like a hundred boxes.
Then did it all over again, only smaller.

Last 1/2 hour was spent trying to figure out if I won or lost either of the games.
 
Welcome to the forum Splat! You picked an awesome brush! The HP-CS is a workhorse! I have three of them and they are my go to brushes. You can do larger work, like the rat project fur, or (with practice) really nice tight fine lines with it. So, once you get past the learning curve, you'll be creating some fine works of your own. I really like your idea of tic tac toe practice. LOL

I have a blast watching these videos and pictorials you guys post, and trying to figure out where all you artists are going at the start of the basecoats and highlights. Most of the time I'm completely lost. So when the questions of 'why the heck are they doing that?' begin to subside, I can move on.
So, you fit right in.. LOL Most of us are completely lost. I know I am at the beginning of my paintings... like "what the heck".. "that looks like crap".. "where's this taking me".. but we push on and somehow they come out at the end. LOL That's creating art!! So don't fear.. just jump right in and have fun with it. Like Squishy said.. you're an artist when you've created something from within to share with others.

We want to see your practice sheets. If you have any questions, post em up. We are all happy to share what we know.
 
Thanks for the boost CALz! Between Google, Youtube, the forum here, paints, technique, fundamentals etc., the learning curve is fast and furious.
Its going to hit a wall here pretty quick. :)

To be honest, I dont ask a lot of questions because just about every answer has been covered somehow-somewhere on the net. The boon to taking the time to learn that way is you stumble onto people that you can model yourself after. Realizing now the importance of body position. Paint and reducers are going to be a whole chapter in itself it looks like.

One other thing that I learned. The people in Oz sure are a goofy bunch. Maybe thats why I feel so at home here. :p
 
Goofy is one word lol. Stark raving bonkers applies to some - welcome to the madhouse lol.

The forum originated in Oz, but we're from all over, we just get to blame them lol lol lol.

There's a lot to take in when you're starting out, but seems like you got a handle on it. Even if you don't have questions, never underestimate the nosiness of this forum. We want to see how you're getting on, post up some pics of your tic tac toe if you like, a good idea for other newbies, plus we can give you a pat on the back seeing you're on the right track. If you don't want to, that's fine, we're still pals, just pals with unfulfilled nosiness needs lol lol lol.
 
Hey Squishy, Its not because I dont want to post pictures of my progress. Fall is the busiest time of the year for me, so visits here are a lot of hit and run.

Plus...If I were to post my practice lines, I simply dont have the time right now for the certain inundation of commission demand for my super realistic lightning. :p
 
Hey Squishy, Its not because I dont want to post pictures of my progress. Fall is the busiest time of the year for me, so visits here are a lot of hit and run.

Plus...If I were to post my practice lines, I simply dont have the time right now for the certain inundation of commission demand for my super realistic lightning. :p
I get you, don't want to disappoint the masses when they can't all have a masterpiece. I think we went to the same school of art lol lol lol.
 
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