Catch the second episode of “The Paint Shop” on Surfline.com. In this short, Drew shows you how to quickly customize a surfboard using masking and stencils. Not just for surfboards, you can use this technique to customize any of your stuff; skateboards, wakeboards, snowboards, whatever. Check it out and get instantly inspired!
Question from Alexa Case: “I have an unglassed blank and i’m going to paint it (with acrylic) and I was told I couldn’t do it on the stringer. but your boards are painted over the stringer. Did you just do it on top of the first coat of glass (I was planning on painting on the foam) ?”
When I used to airbrush and sponge-paint boards, most people asked to have their stringer (more…)
When your painting includes people, you want to get a good flesh tone color on the skin, which is not easy to do with bright colored paint pens.
I’ve had a lot of people write, asking if I was going to get Tan Poscas on our website. Poscas don’t come in Tan. But here’s a great solution to getting a good flesh tone color for skin: (more…)
Could a Plumber do this?
Artists, are you charging more than your plumber does? I think you should.
We live in a historical home, built in 1926. They didn’t have good plumbing back then….so we spend a lot on plumbers. Typically, our plumber charges about $200.00 an hour, PLUS parts. (Southern California’s not cheap!)
When I price out a small commissioned painting, (particularly surfboard paintings) many times Drew will question my quote, saying, (more…)
8' x 3' TRIP II is Painted on Wood
Paul Cotton writes: “Did you paint the Tripp II on wood, since it was so large, and how did you prime it for use with the paint pens? (more…)
A commonly asked question I get from artists is: “Will you represent me?” Or, “How do I find an agent to represent me?”
My quick answer is this: Consider representing yourself. It’s tricky to find someone GOOD to represent your work. (more…)
At a dinner party last weekend, I was bragging about my upcoming 6 week trip to New Zealand and Samoa, when one of my super wealthy friends said, “Wow, I wish I could do that.”
I almost spit out my wine and said “BULL! If you really wanted to, you would!” He conceded, that yeah, I was right. If he really wanted to he could. (more…)
Tune into my new “HOW TO” video clips on on Surfline.com. To watch, go to their VIDEO tab and look for “The Paint Shop” logo.
I’ll be adding a new episode every month. Future episodes will show the behind the scenes designing of a bike line, many different, unique surfboard painting methods, and the designing of other useful things. Let me know what you think! If you have suggestions for future shows, write a comment below.
Life is Good – Drew
(Follow me on Twitter)
The painting of a Helmet
Paul Cotton wrote this question: “I received your dvd and paint pens for xmas and the dvd got me inspired. I was wondering before you paint a motorcyle helmet how do you prep it?”
Well, Paul, here’s the simplified version:
1.) Remove everything from the helmet (screws, padding, insides, etc.) Some rubber parts on some helmets won’t come off – in that case, tape them off.
(more…)
For the past 13 years, Drew and I have written new goals every January. It keeps us on track and gives us something to work towards.
Most people don’t write out their goals, so we’ve made it easy for you by listing the TOP 5 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR ARTISTS. We’re cool like that…..
1.) I RESOLVE TO PROMOTE MYSELF SHAMELESSLY IN 2009. I will always have photos of my work with me to show to people I meet. I will introduce myself as an artist, and I will have a business card ready to hand out and make it easy for people to remember me and what I do.