Practice exercises?

[BobRoss]

I dont get to practice for long stretches but i do practice everyday, even if its just a 5 minute session.

I mainly just do dots, keep trying to learn a dagger stroke (annoying) and some non detailed doodles.

Ive been doing dots for a few weeks, mainly because like i said i have a lot of days where i only get a quick 5 minutes. I literally spend more time cleaning the AB and work area after use than i do spraying a lot of days - i take that into account when i practice, so i have to have a min of 10-15 minutes to spare.. I always break the AB down and clean it. I have to, no matter what any other gospel preaches - not debatable for me.

Anyway, any routines i should be doing? I guess its time to add lines maybe, but i still don't feel comfortable and my aim isnt perfect. I think i keep doing dots so i can learn to aim better. SO i can take my brush over an area and hit the exact spot i want. im better than i was, but im still a few hairs off a lot of times. so part of me refuses to move on

I dont even know where i really want to head in this medium. I like doing abstract, your non realism stuff in other mediums. Then i see the works you guys produce realism wise and it inspires me, even though i dont want to go there at this point, but it does tear at me. for example, portraits aren't my thing. But its just tempting to try to become a realism guy.

Ive seen some advice to practice through your art creation, but i wasnt enjoying that. cause of my lack of control. so i went back to basics and dots.

im thinking dots, then lines, colors, and then learn how to make stencils (never made one before). i just dont have any exercises other than think dot shoot dot... light dot, dark dot.. group dots, pick a spot --- spray more dots.. doodle, fill it with dots.. fun ey?

what kind of exercises should i be doing? especially for control? should i be using some sort of breathing technique? i know when i was trained to shoot a rifle for max accuracy you pulled the trigger when not breathing.. just for a mil sec... if i hold me breath with an AB ill suffocate... but is there a similar tech/theory on breath control

idk, im just rambling on without a clear focus of what im probably really trying to say.

cheers

 

[Vick]

If you go on YouTube and type in Daniel powers there are some exercises from his power series level 1 DVD. I watched these and liked them so much I bought the DVD. These are the excersizes I use to practice. They work really well for control n technique.

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[BobRoss]

If you go on YouTube and type in Daniel powers there are some exercises from his power series level 1 DVD. I watched these and liked them so much I bought the DVD. These are the excersizes I use to practice. They work really well for control n technique.

Sent from my LG-K425 using Tapatalk

Thanks so much. These are great, ive been watching the few samples i can find on utube the past hour or so and i cant wait to start. yeah i think ill stop and practice. Its exactly the type of stuff i was looking for.

Cheers..

 

[BobRoss]

well someone said to upload dots at one point.. i said i would

cheap sketch paper (using the other side of wet dried wrinkled paper, the red dot/s are from the other side)
cheap practice aldi tube paint, reduced with homemade reducer

goals: hit target at various depths with various intensity.

4 x marks for really bad dots..
still notice my aim is a tad bit off, but i love the grid system.. i have to bring the butt of the brush and place it against my cheek bone for good accuracy. hopefully the side feed gravity AB helps with my line of site.

also added me cheap air brush holder anyone can make.
cut up a plastic water bottle..
taped to some dvd case with some double sided tape on that.
it works... can fill the bottle with weight if need be..

also my cheap rectangular standing easel.


so heres the first sheet using a modified daniel powers grid and practice lesson

my super cheap ab stand.. will add a second bottle once i get my other AB.

a cheap reclaimed frame of something from the dump aka the tip. i can add more cardboard for wings that extend along the wall... it works
picked up a cheap desk today, well a free desk for give away, will be converting that one to a sitting station

 

[BobRoss]

finished all 4 sheets.. did more dots, some dumbells and mr powers line practices. i feel like i had wasted weeks of me life in ways.. structure is good at times too ya know... thanks again vick.

 

[markjthomson]

Dots and daggers, the Mr Miyagi technique... If you go to Airbrushtutor.com he has a truck load of other exercises that cover the 6 basic strokes/shapes you use in airbrushing. Dot, line, dagger, reverse dagger, transition and blend. He also has practice sheets you can down load. Then there are exercises in texture, hair, skin, etc. Add to that a couple of other exercises, eye, tiger, a portrait and you've got plenty to keep you amused even if you only use one colour. You need to join up and be logged in to get the downloads. There are videos he has there as well. If you want to go further, he has a video tutorial you can purchase online (well worth the money) and has 3 other tutorials you can purchase. My recommendation is get the video tutorial and do that one, then do the eye, the cat and the German. That is a good progression through difficulty.

You tube also has a truck load of tutorials and techniques you can watch and learn as well. Happy hunting...

 

[MarcosD]

You are more accurate than me!!! Keep the good work!!


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[BobRoss]

Dots and daggers, the Mr Miyagi technique... If you go to Airbrushtutor.com he has a truck load of other exercises that cover the 6 basic strokes/shapes you use in airbrushing. Dot, line, dagger, reverse dagger, transition and blend. He also has practice sheets you can down load. Then there are exercises in texture, hair, skin, etc. Add to that a couple of other exercises, eye, tiger, a portrait and you've got plenty to keep you amused even if you only use one colour. You need to join up and be logged in to get the downloads. There are videos he has there as well. If you want to go further, he has a video tutorial you can purchase online (well worth the money) and has 3 other tutorials you can purchase. My recommendation is get the video tutorial and do that one, then do the eye, the cat and the German. That is a good progression through difficulty.

You tube also has a truck load of tutorials and techniques you can watch and learn as well. Happy hunting...

ive watched a lot of abtutors stuff, it led me to this place looking for more. I practice some things he shows, but i was still really struggling with targeting/accuracy and he doesnt show that from what i found. maybe in other videos i havent seen idk. but for targeting, i personally find the grid super helpful for me.

using the top feed and aiming from the side, i thought i was closer than i really was.. it showed up when i was trying to retrace my own lines. the grid makes it easy for me to see where im at from the intersection the majority of the time.. bottom, bottom right... and left when im shooting towards the edge.. idk.. coming from a military background.. aiming at a target similar to a grid is normal and more useful for me. i also have a side feed on the way hopefully thatll be like looking down a barrel.. idk maybe ill get use to aiming from the side and wont want to bother

im not sure if ill do the abtutors eye video or that powers guy arms anytime soon. im still concerned about aim.. once i get me aim down, ill feel a lot more confident and will move on. i have all the colors in the world but i just stick with one a session to speed up the process of what im trying to accomplish.

im just loooking for many tutorials from many artisits.. from other novices to masters.. it matters not.. im always willing to learn from anyone as long as i can clearly understand their teaching methods

i dont see me buying any lessons at this point. as you can tell from my AB stand, KO airbrush, aldi paint, reclaimed easel, crappy paper.. im pretty cheap..

thanks for the advice..

 

[BobRoss]

well more dots.

paper same cheap reject store stuff. im almost out, so i think ill try to get some all purpose media stock to go along with another stack of this absorbing thin sketch stuff.

paint: cheap aldi tube paint with homemade reducer.

goal: hit targets at various depths/intensity
goal 2: quick fire - shoot first ask questions later - go as fast as possible

so im still liking the grids.. top two pages are mediums paced good aim.. then i got tired on page two and went to quick fire on the bottom pages. lines on the bottom left page look real blurry cause i went over the area more than once so i didnt have to use more paper...

i need to get that free desk i got modded and up and running with an angle easel.. by the time i reach the bottom of the top row of paper im starting to bend at my knees.. to full squat to knees by the time im at the middle of the bottom row.... i figure if i can go balls to the walls from my knees.. perhaps ill be able to gain the control i desire much sooner rather than much later..

ps.. story of the blob of blue.. it was a phrase that rhymed with suck blue..self motivation.. term of endearment... but i thought id be classy for you guys and bob it out..

another week of dots and then fully on to lines.. then me abstracts i guess

 

[Vladimir]

Finally, I've seen a photo of your brush. It's from Fengda as the hose is. http://www.cnbida.com/products_detail/productId=90.html

Looking at your ABing way reminds me of mine. ABs were from the same factory and tube acrylics were from good brand. And how I understand your tortures It's hard to get good results and easy painting with all that.
My story after those experiment was as follows. I bought first Iwata and literally within five seconds of painting with it I realized how tools can be good either as the paint (I've loaded urethanes then). So I feel your story can be similar. I was not the first with such a story, there were a lot of such stories before mine and would be after
With an AB you have it's hard to get better results (from what I see on the photos). It looks like you got there right viscosity and the pressure.
When you'll have better tool this one will step back to be used on the backgrounds.

Considering all these dots etc... I don't know what for to do them for so long, just my thoughts. I'd seen videos and immediately painted monochrome portrait just with the same brush as yours, but bottom feed. Had blue shift though that was all I had, I mean issues. I think when you challenge yourself, you learn much faster than just practicing in dots and lines. I wouldn't say we paint lines and dots, but shape, light and shadow. And a lot of techniques and tools are used during "airbrushing": shields, masks, erasers, blades etc etc. So I'd say step forward, as you already have good results in dots and lines, especially taking into account which AB and paint you use.
Though, we're all different as ours experiences are, I've just shared mine a lil bit

 

[Squishy]

Your dots are great. Lines are basically just moving dots, so you have that control already. Speed can straighten them up, though they are not at all bad, and remembering to move your arm before you pull back for paint, and carry on moving after you snap it off, will avoid the blobs I see on a few, and give you a clean start and finish.

You might want to practice your dots in different tones/opacities, and also from lines work on dagger strokes, and then fades and blends, again in varying tone/opacity. (this I all covered in the free exercises on the airbrush tutors site, mentioned above)

Although doing the exercises in different colours will help you learn your paint (different colours can behave differently), colours aren't essential right now, although its fun just to play. The strokes are the foundation of everything you will need, getting them nailed will mean you can tackle any image later on. Then you want to paint a few monotone pics to nail working on your dark and light areas (its very easy to go too dark too soon) and develop subtlety in your blends and fades, and start thinking about texture. Then when you add colour its a natural progression which will allow that subtlety to carry through, and you can keep colour bright and clean etc.

There are those who don't learn in that order, and I was one of them. IMO it really slowed down my progression, I went back and forth, and learned the hard way that, doing this before that made areas of my work very poor as I hadn't got that under pinning knowledge. I think it took me much longer to learn.

If you do want to try a project, I suggest the airbrush tutors free eye project. He carefully planned it so all the stroke exercises can be used to create it, so you wont be running before you can walk. And although fairly simple, it is something that by repeating clearly shows progression, adding further elements as you go along such as texture, fine detail and colour. These principles can then be applied to any image, and give you the understanding needed to develop your own original work and style.

I suggest trying to set aside some time to try an image, and put the exercises into practise. 1 it stops you getting bored, and 2 it further develops the skills using them in a proper painting in combination with each other, and learning how to link them together for best effect.

 

[Chris g]

I would say so far so good !

Try a few dagger strokes and also try mixing in some shading of simple shapes, (e.g. sphere, cylinder, cube), makes you start thinking about light. Then give the 'eye' a go, you could break it down into stages if time is a problem.

I just buy cheap art paper from my local 'cheap shops' and even use kitchen paper towel for practice.

Chris

 

[Lt4-396]

I agree completely with everything above... imo you should move onto lines than daggers than fading and take a stab at the eye tutorial. It looks harder than it really is. Do the eye multiple times and I guarantee with each one you will see more and more progression. If all you do is dots than that's the only thing you will be good at, step out of your comfort zone and get painting.

 

[BobRoss]

Finally, I've seen a photo of your brush. It's from Fengda as the hose is. http://www.cnbida.com/products_detail/productId=90.html

Looking at your ABing way reminds me of mine. ABs were from the same factory and tube acrylics were from good brand. And how I understand your tortures It's hard to get good results and easy painting with all that.
My story after those experiment was as follows. I bought first Iwata and literally within five seconds of painting with it I realized how tools can be good either as the paint (I've loaded urethanes then). So I feel your story can be similar. I was not the first with such a story, there were a lot of such stories before mine and would be after
With an AB you have it's hard to get better results (from what I see on the photos). It looks like you got there right viscosity and the pressure.
When you'll have better tool this one will step back to be used on the backgrounds.

Considering all these dots etc... I don't know what for to do them for so long, just my thoughts. I'd seen videos and immediately painted monochrome portrait just with the same brush as yours, but bottom feed. Had blue shift though that was all I had, I mean issues. I think when you challenge yourself, you learn much faster than just practicing in dots and lines. I wouldn't say we paint lines and dots, but shape, light and shadow. And a lot of techniques and tools are used during "airbrushing": shields, masks, erasers, blades etc etc. So I'd say step forward, as you already have good results in dots and lines, especially taking into account which AB and paint you use.
Though, we're all different as ours experiences are, I've just shared mine a lil bit

Thanks for finding that info about the old AB Vlad. I looked at it but i didnt see any spare parts. will those parts you showed me in theat old thread work on it now that you know what model it is?

I also got my side feed in the mail today, i only got to test it out and it seemed just as fine, maybe later today ill get to use it 30-60 minutes. I only used the .2 mm about two cups full to see if id have any trouble pushing my aldi tube paint.. i had no issues. so i guess ill leave this as my fine detail .2 and my older AB as my .5/.8mm set up..

i do like the side feed set up better than top feed, i can definitely see a lot easier looking straight down the barrel... but i also noticed today that my aim with looking from side has improved a notch as well.

no iwata or other expensive name brands ive never heard of for me.. this last 20 dollar chinese brush and my other is it for a long time. i dont dream of expensive brushes or how they would work. fact is i just cant afford to buy one. im grateful for what i have and just have to learn to do the best with the hand dealt to me. i will buy some better paper to go with my cheap paper to try.. so i get to make a step there

im almost ready to take a step.. its just the aim.. when my aim is a tad bit better ill move on.. i havent even practices lines much. just aim.. targeting.. if i cant hit what im trying to paint.. to me it doesnt matter what im trying to do.. . but its coming.. ill post a pic of the new Ab i got today and if you could tell me what kind of KO it is would be great.. i notice the new one has much shorter needles than my old one.. even though both were cheap, this one was cheaper and feel that way in weight.. my older one has good weight this one feels light.. maybe cause the back is plastic..

 

[BobRoss]

heres that img of the gun vlad.. its okay.. idk what i think about tiny screw in nozzles.. i like the floating tips better. but the AB seems the same in performance.. but i wount know how good they can be since i still lack control..

the AB same hose, seem like the same company just cheaper model. i cant find measuring tape but it seems the needle size is around 4 inchs.. much shorter than the 183

so more dots.. need more dots and starting to do line.. trying out new AB.. aim was better and worse.. better cause i can see down the barrel.. but worse since its a new way to aim again.. if i keep one eye closed.. no good.. have to look both eyes.. actually this is because im semi ambidextrous.. my dominate eye is my right so i shoot rifles/gun right handed.. i write left handed.. i use a computer mouse right handed.. i use chef knives left handed.. i use steak knives right handed.. i was a switch hitter in baseball.. etc etc etc it goes on... i started writing with both hands as a kid.. until the system was like pick a hand... i do practice airbrushing with right hand a little.. even though im mostly just using the left hand to AB.

oh i practiced an eye.. not the eye you guys suggest i practice.. just whats i think an eye is in my head.. my art style i guess..... thus the cartoon eyebrows i would go back in and color the eyebrows with other stuff.. but once again no control in my art... its why i went to dots.. well i lost control..
..so instead of having a uniformed eye half circles etc.. i started to drift on both.....also started to rip the paper with paint/air.. need better paper.. but i need more dots and line practice.. i just do..

 

[Vladimir]

Thanks for finding that info about the old AB Vlad. I looked at it but i didnt see any spare parts. will those parts you showed me in theat old thread work on it now that you know what model it is?

I also got my side feed in the mail today, i only got to test it out and it seemed just as fine, maybe later today ill get to use it 30-60 minutes. I only used the .2 mm about two cups full to see if id have any trouble pushing my aldi tube paint.. i had no issues. so i guess ill leave this as my fine detail .2 and my older AB as my .5/.8mm set up..

i do like the side feed set up better than top feed, i can definitely see a lot easier looking straight down the barrel... but i also noticed today that my aim with looking from side has improved a notch as well.

no iwata or other expensive name brands ive never heard of for me.. this last 20 dollar chinese brush and my other is it for a long time. i dont dream of expensive brushes or how they would work. fact is i just cant afford to buy one. im grateful for what i have and just have to learn to do the best with the hand dealt to me. i will buy some better paper to go with my cheap paper to try.. so i get to make a step there

im almost ready to take a step.. its just the aim.. when my aim is a tad bit better ill move on.. i havent even practices lines much. just aim.. targeting.. if i cant hit what im trying to paint.. to me it doesnt matter what im trying to do.. . but its coming.. ill post a pic of the new Ab i got today and if you could tell me what kind of KO it is would be great.. i notice the new one has much shorter needles than my old one.. even though both were cheap, this one was cheaper and feel that way in weight.. my older one has good weight this one feels light.. maybe cause the back is plastic..

Now having a glance at your AB I have serious doubts those "Master" parts would fit, as they may be from another AB factory. Fenda's nozzleswere always plated, no bare unplated brass. Those that I've given a link you in another thread are bare brass.
I'll try to search for the parts for your AB, put here the links that you've shown in other thread.

This side feed I find more comfortable to work with than that gravity one you have. Yes, this one is better for detail work, as far as it can be called for detail work.

I find all side feeds more convenient for my way of ABing, that's why I have many side feed models.

I wish to you to have better situation as soon as possible to get yourself better tools.

So, you've done another step forward

I think new AB is from the same factory. It's lighter in weight as it has shorter body and may be it also has smaller diameter body. Are you sure it has plastic handle? Maybe it's brass?

heres that img of the gun vlad.. its okay.. idk what i think about tiny screw in nozzles.. i like the floating tips better. but the AB seems the same in performance.. but i wount know how good they can be since i still lack control..

I also liked those conic nozzles more. They're more forgiving for the paint reduction etc. That's why good paint matters also.

 

[BobRoss]

Now having a glance at your AB I have serious doubts those "Master" parts would fit, as they may be from another AB factory. Fenda's nozzleswere always plated, no bare unplated brass. Those that I've given a link you in another thread are bare brass.
I'll try to search for the parts for your AB, put here the links that you've shown in other thread.

This side feed I find more comfortable to work with than that gravity one you have. Yes, this one is better for detail work, as far as it can be called for detail work.

I find all side feeds more convenient for my way of ABing, that's why I have many side feed models.

I wish to you to have better situation as soon as possible to get yourself better tools.

So, you've done another step forward

I think new AB is from the same factory. It's lighter in weight as it has shorter body and may be it also has smaller diameter body. Are you sure it has plastic handle? Maybe it's brass?




I also liked those conic nozzles more. They're more forgiving for the paint reduction etc. That's why good paint matters also.

the plastic part on the new AB is the back piece you can screw off and on. the whole black section... the first Ab is metal front to back. i dont think they are plated brass nozzle either.. i could be wrong but they seem like all brass.. id squeeze to find out but then id be excrement out of luck..

thanks again..

 

[Vladimir]

i dont think they are plated brass nozzle either.. i could be wrong but they seem like all brass..

It's strange... Could you take pictures?
I've bought one AB from Fengda recently to experiment with it. The AB itself is crap, they've done some brainless modification to that model and the trigger action is the worst I've ever tried. But the nozzle of it (conic) is stainless steel! I was really surprised. The nozzle is 0.3mm like for the nozzle setups for the ABs similar to yours. All of those 0.5mm I have for kinda eight years or so are plated brass.

 

[Squishy]

Another bonus to trying an image, you can identify areas to focus praticing on, so it helps you prioritize your exercises. You may well be one of those who will always do exercises, many of us (me) do them even after years of painting just for warm ups and to test paints etc. But don't always focus on dots. Just my view but I think your fades are not on the same level as your line work. Lines are important but for example in a portrait you will hardly use them. Dagger strokes for eyebrows and eyelashes, and maybe some in the hair, though many use other techniques. Things rarely get outlined as it gives a cartoony look, its all about painting up to the edge of an area, and how hard or soft you need that edge to be, so while dots and lines are a great starting point, they may not be what you will use most, so don't neglect the other strokes.

 

[BobRoss]

It's strange... Could you take pictures?
I've bought one AB from Fengda recently to experiment with it. The AB itself is crap, they've done some brainless modification to that model and the trigger action is the worst I've ever tried. But the nozzle of it (conic) is stainless steel! I was really surprised. The nozzle is 0.3mm like for the nozzle setups for the ABs similar to yours. All of those 0.5mm I have for kinda eight years or so are plated brass.

yeah ill take a pic.. i was just cleaning the old one at the moment. this is the original with brass nozzle gently just slides in brass holding.. no threads.. the nozzle cap holds it in place..

the new AB is this.. that whole back that is black is either very light aluminum or something but reminds me of heavy but thick plastic..

thanks again for all your help vlad