COLOR & PAINT
In English language, you got these two words: COLOR and PAINT. „Color“ describes the optical color tone, i.e. blue, green, red, etc., whereas „paint“ refers to the liquid that is applied with an airbrush or paint brush. In many other languages such as French and Spanish it’s similar – except German. Can you imagine that in German, we have only one word, having both meanings? „Farbe“ – quite imprecise, isn’t it? But however, „paint“ and „color“ are of course closely linked in art and especially in airbrushing, it may be significant to choose the right PAINT for the requested COLOR.
This issue is focussing on both aspects: It is bringing up artworks with a special color effect, such as the cosmic pyramid illustration by the Venezuelan artist Irán Caro, which literally shines out at us. As well as Lorena Straffi’s butterfly, coming to life from a cloud of color. Of course, there are reasons for this enormous brilliance: While Irán Caro works with fluorescent paints, his Italian colleague Lorena Straffi relies on a pearlescent base coat.
The cover art work by American artist Joshua A. Zarambo even makes color and paint the central pictorial element – and here, too, the special use of glitter and flakes enhances the effect of the already bright colors. Another special feature of this work: Zarambo uses the AI image generator Midjourney to find designs and is explaining this approach to you.
Of course, all artists have been using paint and color(s) for painting for hundreds and thousands of years. Around the year 1503, Leonardo da Vinci used oil paints on poplar wood for his famous Mona Lisa painting. What if you use synthetic paper, Createx Illustration paint and an airbrush for this artwork? Australian Paul MacDonald was brave enough to try this – and didn’t just focus on the famous smile, but also on the cracks in the 500 year old wood to make it look authentic….
Last but not least, this issue is introducing to you three new paint products you might want to try in your studio, and German paint manufacturer Schmincke is presenting its 3D printing owl tutorial, showing you how artist Gerd Koch created and painted the old company logo design in 3D.
Enjoy this colorful issue and take care!
The ASBS Team
#StaywithUkraine
News
Airbrushes: Ultra 2024
Paints: Aquarylic Colors, NuWorlds Paints, Talens Pantone Collection
Accessories: Cricut Joy & JoyXtra, Reflex Gallery Line
Books: The Art of Anne Stokes, ASBS Reference Books
Digital: Wacom Cintiq Pro 17 and 22
Step by Steps
Brain Melt – AI-inspired illustration
Artificial intelligence forms the basis for this work by American artist Joshua A. Zarambo from his picture series „Mind-Melters“.
Pyramid – Cosmic landscape
The pyramid by Venezuelan artist Irán Caro is an ideal work for airbrush beginners, who will find many individual challenges in one artwork.
Butterfly of the night – Illustration with pearl effect
Italian artist Lorena Straffi has created this dreamlike yet enigmatic picture, which is also an ideal exercise for beginners, using transparent colors on a pearlescent background.
Schmincke Owl 3D – 3D print painting
The traditional Schmincke owl is also a model for 3D printing. Gerd Koch designed the 60 cm tall heraldic animal for its first appearance at the airbrush show in Grefrath.
Mona Lisa – Historic portrait
Australian artist Paul MacDonald has recreated Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous, over 500-year-old portrait of the Mona Lisa using an airbrush – with all the cracks and textures of the wooden panel.
Interview
Dream cars made in Japan – Powerful illustration art by Akira Watanabe
The Japanese illustrator designs the packaging illustrations for model car manufacturer Tamiya, among other things, but is also at home in the world of car illustrations for Dunlop, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Ford & Co.
