How to Airbrush Fish Scales
Create textured motifs with a soft mist of color using art techniques, such as airbrushing. This method allows the artist to apply several layers of colors by implementing fluid movement with a handheld airbrushing device, adjusting the paint color intensity and spray width coverage. Airbrushing enthusiasts can duplicate object details, such as fish scales, by referring to photos for shading and color application density. The farther you hold the airbrush applicator from the surface, the wider the spray coverage, and the closer you hold the surface, the thicker and denser the paint appears. Make stencils for each color layer to prevent color in unwanted areas.
Things You'll Need
- Transparent acetate film
- Felt pen or marker
- Fish outline
- Fish scale stencil
- Cutting mat
- Cutting blade
- Old newspapers
- Repositionable masking tape
- Airbrushing paint
- Airbrushing device
- Textile airbrushing paint
- Nozzles
- Pearl sheen
Instructions
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Creating the Fish Scale Stencil
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1
Trace the fish scales on matte transparent acetate film to create a stencil. You can sketch free-style by drawing oblong shapes, connecting the sides forming chain-like abstract scales. Use a non-smearing felt pen or marker.
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2
Overlay the film onto a fish outline drawing. If you are airbrushing the scales to make a graphic screen for T-shirts or wall art, you need the fish outline to adjust the fish scales in proportion to the design. If you are airbrushing fish scales as abstract art, skip this step.
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3
Place the stencil from Step 1 on a cutting mat and perforate the fish scale outlines with a cutting blade. Continue to run the blade around the scale outlines. Cut out the scales you want the airbrush paint colors to appear, referred to as the positive space of the stencil.
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4
Repeat Steps 1, 2, and 3 to make separate stencils for each color layer you want to apply to the fish scales. For example, if you are making gold, orange and red scales, make three separate stencils in the same size.
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5
Align and overlay the separate color stencils. This step ensures the stencils align with each other prior to applying color, preventing unwanted colors to seep into different areas of the surface. If you are making a one color fish scale or are applying several shades of color within the same stencil, skip Steps 4 and 5.
Airbrushing the Fish Scales
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6
Position the first stencil color layer on the desired surface and cover the remaining areas, such as your work table, with old newspapers, to protect from spray or paint leaks. Cut small pieces of repositionable masking tape and tape around the stencil border.
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7
Add the airbrushing paint into your airbrush tool. If you are airbrushing on fabric, use textile airbrushing paint. If your airbrush contains different size nozzles, such as fine, medium and heavy, change the nozzle to the desired size. Each airbrushing tool brands vary and has different parts and accessories such as airbrush compressors as well as pressure regulators and gauge combinations. Generally an air hose attaches the compressor to your airbrushing device.
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8
Hold the handheld airbrush device approximately 8 inches from the surface. This creates modified spray coverage by moving your hand in a side-to-side or up-and-down direction, according to your preference. Refer to your brand's technical guide for distance suggestions and drying time. If you want to adjust the volume of paint passing through the nozzle, most models have a screw on the side or rear of the unit, allowing you to increase or decrease the paint intensity by turning it in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
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9
Remove the first color layer stencil carefully and let dry according to your brand's instructions. If you apply the subsequent color layer stencils when wet, the airbrush paint can smudge and ruin your surface.
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10
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 in this sections with the subsequent color layers.
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11
Apply a shiny surface to the fish scales by using finishing paints, such as pearl sheen. Mix pearl sheen paint with distilled water, which helps to prevent the airbrush from unwanted clogs. Pour the mixed pearl sheen in the device's paint cut, attach to the airbrush and close the paint cup lid. Change the nozzle to a fine tip to create a fine sheen mist over the fish scales as another option.
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Tips & Warnings
Single-action airbrush triggers control the airflow. By pushing the trigger down, the air passes through the airbrush and by letting go of the trigger, the airflow stops. Double-action airbrush triggers control both the airflow and the paint volume. By pushing the trigger down, air passes through the airbrush unit. By pulling the trigger back, paint flows. Deliver more paint to the airflow by pulling the trigger further back.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
