zoomer said:
a2jacketpatches said:
Airbrush is simply irrelevant in this case, it could be done with 10 times the amount of work involving stencil cutting, mixing color, and countless other issues, like starting a forest fire to cook a hot dog.
But that would look Truly Professional! It would actually be BETTER than anyone in the 40s could have done. It would add to any artist's resumé and attract commissions from street rod, truck, and airplane owners who appreciate precision and craftsmanship.
Whereas this is..."just" authentic. It impresses only those like us, in the know.
And that is the
real genius, because it goes
against so many unspoken values about craft vs art. You're not gonna get any calls from American Chopper or Monster Garage. Nobody's teeth are going to make audible sucking sounds when they behold your detail work. But it's gonna be the real deal.
I'm just promoting my good friend and partner Jim, and his ability to add depth and dimension to his patches using strictly paintbrush.
What I was saying is that this type of work ( Jiggs ) could be done with an airbrush but wouldn't be very practical. I'm well aware of the market for each because I've actually painted motorcycles, large murals on buildings, and for the past ten years, very simple to very elaborate painted patches and jacket art. I began my art career building and painting scale models for the Cockpit Shop in NYC during the 80's ( Avirex ) and sculpting for a company called Soldat in the early 90's. To this day, I use all techniques learned over the years in one way or another every day.
So I agree completely with you, the thing is that airbrush is brought up on a regular basis here when totally irrelevant and usually in a negative way. As if it's some kind of magic wand. Criticized because it was not used to paint jackets, and spoken of as if the work is overdone. For the most part, by someone who has no clue as to the mechanics involved and skill necessary to make an airbrush work effectively. I even remember a guy saying "airbrushes didn't exist in the 40's" and "oil paint formulas are completely different now than in the 40's"
Bottom line is that airbrush work is very much sought after by the paying customer but constantly knocked by the non paying critic ( concerning A2 jacket art and patches ) So the only preference that really matters to me is that of the customer. Everyone is entitled to their own preference and opinion, but they can always count on my opinion of their opinion when it comes to an art technique they have limited to zero knowledge about.
Whatever you need, I can do it for you. Airbrush, brush painted, I'll paint it with a stick if that's what you want.
The following photo of Dali is done completely in airbrush, and "Sack Time" is about 90% paintbrush and 10% airbrush. Airbrush was used on the body flesh tone shading only, the face, hair, fingers, clothing, and any real detail with a paintbrush. But to the untrained eye of the critic, it's airbrush and not authentically done.