How to Airbrush a Pirate Flag
Using an airbrush and stencil you can quickly create your own pirate flags using simple rectangles of cloth purchased at a fabric store. For added atmosphere you can tatter the edges of the flag once you have finished painting it for a ghostly effect.
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Things You'll Need
- Black flag
- Masking tape
- Skull-and-crossbones stencil
- Airbrush and air source
- White and black paint
- Protective cloth
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Wash and dry the black flag to remove any chemicals left by the manufacturer that could interfere with the paint's adhesion.
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2
Stretch the black flag across a flat surface and tape it in place with masking tape.
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3
Place a skull-and-crossbones stencil in the center of the flag. If it is a self-adhesive stencil, peel off the backing before sticking it in place.
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4
Tape the edges of the stencil in place with masking tape. This will prevent the stencil from moving and protect the fabric along the edges of the stencil from accidental overspray.
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5
Connect the airbrush to its air supply and turn on the air.
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6
Load the airbrush's paint reservoir with white airbrush paint designed for fabric.
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Spray the white paint onto the cloth through the holes in the stencil. Apply a single, solid coat. Be careful not to build up too much paint, which can crack if it is applied too thickly.
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Allow the white paint to dry fully. Use a heat gun to speed up this process.
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9
Switch the white paint in the reservoir for black. Spray into a paper towel until any remaining white paint has been flushed out of the airbrush.
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10
Spray black shadows onto the skull and crossbones. To do this, decide where the light on the skull and crossbones is coming from (for example, the upper left) and lightly spray shadows onto the opposite side (the lower right). Make the shadows the most intense at the edge of the stencil, fading them into the white to create the illusion of rounded shapes.
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Add additional shadows and details in black as desired.
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Allow the black paint to dry.
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Remove the masking tape and stencil from the flag.
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Heat set the paint by covering it with a protective cloth, then running an iron set at 300 degrees over it for two minutes. This will help the paint to stay bonded to the pirate flag.
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References
- Photo Credit pirate flag image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
