How to Airbrush Cartoon T-Shirts
Airbrushing is an art form that allows you to easily paint on any surface. Airbrushing is ideal for applying art work to T-shirts. Using an air compressor and an airbrush gun, you can create original designs by hand or, if you aren't skilled at freehand drawing, you can use stencils. Airbrushed T-shirts make great gifts and can also be sold for profit, making this an artistic endeavor worth learning.
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Things You'll Need
- Airbrush
- Airbrush paint
- T-shirt
- Easel with solid backing
- Plastic clothespins
Instructions
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1
Attach the T-shirt you want to airbrush to a solid surface. An easel with a solid backing is ideal. Drape the T-shirt over the easel and smooth it out with your hands to make the front of the shirt wrinkle free. Use plastic clothespins to hold the shirt in place.
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2
Attach a 0.4mm needle to your airbrush gun. Use your free hand to steady the hand with the airbrush, hold the airbrush about four inches from the shirt, and carefully airbrush the outline of your cartoon in black. Use a reference photograph if it will help. If you're using a stencil design, tape the stencil to the T-shirt so both hands are free as you apply your cartoon outline.
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3
Airbrush the color and details onto your cartoon. Switch colors often, using bright cartoon colors to bring your design to life. As you color your cartoon, experiment with the distance between the T-shirt and the tip of your airbrush. The closer you get, the darker the application of paint. By changing the distance between airbrush and T-shirt, you can add shading and depth to your image. As you apply color, move from one side to the next, horizontally, keeping the direction of the paint consistent throughout.
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4
Add a speech bubble to your cartoon if you're airbrushing a character that speaks. Draw the text bubble over your character's head and airbrush in a short, funny phrase.
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