my gig! lessons learned and some pics...

Now, when I am home in front of the TV, practicing with my sable on my leg I can make some wonderful teardrops, lining, etc. I think because I am not stressed, because my leg is not moving like a child's head, and because my paint is the right consistency I am doing well. But when one of those goes out of whack (I don't know which one) the whole process goes kaput.... I think a more springy brush would be good in the short run, but really when all is well I think I do well with the sable. I think it is all the *other* things that are roadblocks for me... does that make sense?
Barbie

I think you did a great job!!! And each te you paint you will learn more and more. Trust me it never ends. Everytime I think I have the perfect way or system, something always ends up popping up that can be improved. You're first non-paying gig looks a heck of alot better than my first paying one did! I'm impressed!

Sure, use a #2 for fine lines. Being able to do "it all" with a #4 or #6 is a steep learning curve. I use #2 a lot for fine work... it is just faster than fussing with shaping the larger brushes properly!

Have a variety of sizes and shapes... you'll figure out what will work for you and what won't.

You might find that you will have more control with a small angle or flat brush too... using the narrow edge is sometimes easier than trying to keep a round from splaying out.

And you might be loading your brush up too much... take some time to play around at home with it.

I don't know how you are wetting your paints, but what works for me is to add a drop or two of water to my cakes as I set up, then I have a wet spot, which then turns into a hole in the cake... then when I add water into the hole I can control the consistency of the paint better... add a drop if it is too thick, thin out the paint on the brush by brushing off the excess on the drier part of the cakes.
Don't load the brush too heavily.

Here are photos from tonight. I think I did better. No faster, but a little better. We put a dehumidifier in the room, and I think that helped. I also used liquid black and white Mehron paints - they are not as opaque, but overall I am happy with the (temporary) compromise. I think I see a little progress from last night to tonight, and I like that! I will do more on Thursday, and some on Friday.

II would love your critiques and suggestions!
Barbie

SHannon, I did use the #2 tonight and it helped a bit - not as much as I expected, I think I really still need to learn to become ONE with the brush, you know?

And the "hole" thing sounds about perfect - that way you would only have glop in one spot - where you want it! And then I could wipe off the excess on the dry parts. I will try that tomorrow.

Thanks for the input!
Barbie

You're pictures look great...and in your original post I think you said you weren't ready to be paid yet? I don't think so! I think you are ready!

I'm just learning how to do optimal teardrops and swirls now...and I find that when I use a #4 or #6 even to make better drops I basically use a bit of pressure to flatten the brush while I'm loading it. I do a uni-directional swipe on one side and then flip it over and do another unidirectional swipe on the other, and repeat until the brush is loaded with enough paint. In other words, don't twirl the brush to load. To do my teardrop I hold the flattened side perpendicular to the skin surface (that's 90 derees) so that the skinny side of the brush rests on the skin. Then I lightly drag the brush (to do the skinny part of the drop) and gradually increase the pressure on the brush to increase the thickness of the line until I eventually press hard down on the end to make the fat part of the drop.
Anyways not to turn this into a drop tutorial (and it's not like I'm even remotely qualified to give one but I've been practicing!) but that's the advice I have.
Keep up the good work! And don't sweat it! (haha get it? ....coz you were sweaty?.......ugh)

LOL Dana - I just tried teardrop your way and I love it! More controlled teardrop than the "flick". Though I will also keep the flick, it is useful for things like teeth, etc.

I still am not ready for paid gigs (maybe reimbursement for supplies, though). I am a bit of a perfectionist and it would break my heart to charge someone for my less-than-stellar designs (I think about 1/2 of them now I am not okay with... though on the other hand about 1/4 of them really make me proud!). Really, the guilt thing, will be my undoing, eh? I'm working on it

Regards, Barbie