How to Airbrush Tiger Eyes
Airbrushing allows you to achieve shapes and textures that are impossible to create with ordinary paintbrushes. The versatility of airbrush paint allows you to paint on surfaces as various as car bodies, canvases, paper and skin. Before you begin, decide what surface you would like to paint the airbrushed tiger eye onto, and visit a craft store to purchase the correct kind of airbrush paint. Having a airbrush paint specifically designed for the surface you will paint on will make your job easier, and the overall work more professional.
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Things You'll Need
- Airbrush
- Air compressor
- Airbrush paint (orange, yellow and black)
- Stencil material
- Pencil
- Craft knife
- Masking tape
- Canvas (optional)
Instructions
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1
Plug in the air compressor and assemble the airbrush so that it is ready for use. Prepare your workspace and have all of your paints (orange, yellow and black are recommended) laid out.
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2
Create your stencils. Draw out patterns for three stencils: the outline of the tiger's eye socket, the outline of the tiger's eye, and the outline of the pupil. Remember that each stencil, when compiled together, will complete the full image. Once you finish drawing, cut out each stencil using a craft knife.
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3
If desired, create a background for your tiger eye using whichever color you choose. Black is not recommended for the background, because it will be used for the first stencil. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before continuing.
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4
Tape down the stencil for the tiger's eye socket, using masking tape. Pour black paint into the airbrush's paint canister and twist it on tightly. Test the texture of the spray on a scrap piece of paper before beginning, adjusting the ratio of paint to air until it creates the desired consistency. Spray the exposed area inside of the stencil black. If desired, you can clean the airbrush and add white highlights. Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the stencil and moving on to the next step.
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5
Place the stencil for the tiger's eyeball in the location you want it and tape it down, using masking tape. Load a canister of orange paint into your airbrush and spray a layer of orange inside of the eyeball stencil. Clean the airbrush and load yellow paint into the airbrush. Adjust the air and paint ratio to create a fine spray, and paint the center of the eyeball slightly yellow. If desired, you can clean the airbrush and add white highlights. Allow the layer to dry completely before removing the stencil and moving on to the next step.
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6
Place the tiger pupil stencil so that it is in the very center of the tiger's eyeball. Secure the stencil using masking tape. Clean the airbrush and load a canister of black paint into the airbrush. Paint the interior of the stencil black. Allow the paint to dry before removing the stencil.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are airbrushing using toxic paint, it is recommended that you paint in a well-ventilated area and use a particle mask.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Tiger's Eye image by photorich from Fotolia.com
