Airbrushing
T-shirts and Clothing
Creating Custom Airbrush Art on Clothing
By
Ray Gatica: AirbrushMagic.net
As an airbrush artist we
get calls for creating unique, fun airbrush art on clothing because when
creating on clothing, a one of a kind designs, we do not have to create
masters like in silk screening and the turn around time is a lot quicker and
its a little less expensive in most cases.
Sometimes we get calls from
people that get both of these techniques mixed up. It is also a whole
different process.
Silk screening is what you
see most on the streets when you see graphics on T-shirts and clothing. This
process allows to create and the same design quicker and more economical that
airbrushing the shirts. This is because the airbrushed stuff is more of a one
of kind deal. Normally most airbrush artist do not recreate the same design
repeatedly, so each shirt will be unique.
Ray Gatica, is the main
artist at Airbrush Magic, in Houston, TX. We have been airbrushing for over
twenty years. We have done airbrushing on a whole variety of surfaces, from
motorcycles, cars vans, airplanes and on clothing and fabric and textile like
curtains, dress shirts, jackets; and believe it not even on a fur coat.
When it comes to
airbrushing on T-shirts or what ever it is, there are various ways of creating
the design. First of all one can paint the design by free handing the design,
which means just spraying straight on to the surface. Even though this might
be simpler it also takes experience in using the finger control so that you
can draw the design from your head and then fill in it in with the color. .
This usually is acceptable in most cases when the they customer is looking for
the not-to-sophisticated, free hand, airbrush art feel on the shirts. This
approach is usually done by lesser experienced airbrush artist that do not
know of other of more advanced, sophisticated techniques. This usually works
well in most cases but the art, since it is free handed will look fuzzy and
dirty because the edges airbrush spray is not contained. However some people
like this effect because it looks more spontaneously created and more
like original, raw art.
When needed, Gatica takes a
different approach that entails cutting friskets (positive images/stencils cut
on tape for the purpose of containing the over-spray to a particular space
dictated by the cut image), and shields that allow the airbrush spray to be
contained. Gatica prefers this method because the airbrush art will look
cleaner and more professional. Doing it this way, the airbrush can compete
with the silkscreen technique mentioned above.
Gatica has spent a large
time of his airbrush career in painting and touching up photos with the
airbrush. This was, of course, before the computer came into existence, along
with programs like PhotoShop and other art and photo editing programs. This
experience has given Gatica a good feel when it come to creating airbrush art
on what ever surface.
In cutting friskets and
shields, Gatica, uses prepared masking film that comes from art supply stores
along with application tape found in sign shop supply shops. He even uses
scrap laminate that he collects from laminate shops to make shields and
stencils that he also uses to paint on fabric. He uses these friskets, shields
and templates to cut letters, make curves, straight lines, circles, and other
precut images, images used to create intricate designs and paintings on fabric
and clothes. These techniques are more advanced are usually learned after a
few years of airbrushing. However, when teaching airbrushing he shows the
techniques to students at an early stage than when he learned it.
He also provides tips on
where to get some of the material at a good price. And maybe even for free.
These tips are priceless and are very important when someone is starting
airbrushing.
Over the years we have
created and painted a variety of design art. We have created Disney
characters, Created some pretty sophisticated art and designs airbrushing on
leather jackets, pants, jeans, T-shirts, vest, etc. Some of the designs have
been more interesting than others but it has all been fun. I still enjoy the
challenge when customers come by with some weird idea and I have to figure out
how to make the art come to life for the customer. All the ideas are different
and need to be given some consideration when approaching each painting.
Our work can be seen at our
website at www.airbrushmagic.net.
We can be reached at 281-441-9714 or Email: Ray@AirbrushMagic.net.