How to Draw on Flamenco Guitars
Flamenco music originated in Spain and traditionally has been a signature musical style of the poor and oppressed. Most flamenco involves simultaneous dancing, guitar playing, and singing, accompanied by the rhythmic punctuation of hand-clapping or percussion. In many paintings and other artwork, flamenco dancers and musicians appear sultry and mysterious. The colors red, black, yellow, and white are prominent, as are the images of decorative fans, festive gowns, and beautiful, dark-haired women.
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Things You'll Need
- Photocopier
- Masking tape
- Transfer paper
- Pencil
- Permanent markers in various colors
- Clear-coat acrylic spray paint
Instructions
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Remove the strings. Check your guitar's manual for instructions, as the method of removal varies from guitar to guitar. If your instrument did not come with a manual, you can usually find a manual for your make and model on the manufacturer's website.
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Cover the bridge with masking tape so that when you're drawing, you don't leave behind any stray lines or marks. Also apply masking tape to the edges of the fingerboard where it meets the body of the guitar.
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Do an online image search for flamenco dancers and guitar players, as well as Spanish paintings and drawings of landscapes, roses, vines, and other Spanish-influenced imagery. Print the images that appeal to you. If they're not the size you need, enlarge them on a photocopier.
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4
Place a piece of transfer paper over each image you'd like to include on the body of your guitar. Yellow and white transfer paper work best for transferring images to wood surfaces. Carefully trace each image. When you're finished, take each piece of transfer paper and place it on the body of your guitar where you'd like the image to appear. Retrace your drawings on each piece of transfer paper. The graphite will rub off and your drawings will appear on the guitar.
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Go over your drawings and color them in with permanent markers in various colors. Let dry for 20 minutes. To protect your drawings, spray acrylic clear-coat enamel paint over them, and allow the paint to dry overnight. Remove the masking tape, then replace the strings according to manufacturer instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you master this technique, try using enamel paint to decorate your flamenco guitar.
Do not sand your guitar before drawing or painting on it, as it might affect your guitar's sound.
Drawing or painting on your guitar will probably decrease its resale value.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit spanish guitar image by bayu harsa from Fotolia.com
