airbrush technique magazine

Bubble Templates
I have found that sometimes the simplest things can be the most effective. Naturally occurring organic images like; sky and clouds, fire and smoke and water, bubbles are effects that each artist can create to enhance their artwork. The real trick to achieving most organic type effects like the ones mentioned previously are to understand their original natural flow and movement. Having spent many hours scuba diving in Hawaiian waters, I have watched and studied firsthand the underwater sea life with the naturally created formations that have become their habitats as well as the landscapes and atmospheres that create the underwater lifestyle. I am constantly mesmerized watching bubbles under the sea freely flow with the currents, always on their journey upward as they transform into many different shapes and sizes as they ascend to the surface. To say that I have painted a few bubbles is definitely an understatement, as I have painted thousands upon thousands. Because I have painted so many, they have become second nature to me to create out of my head without using reference. Take the plunge as I take you to my underwater bubble world, showing you some of the tricks to my bubble creations.

First off, I use a medium blue base coat urethane painted panel. Once completely dry, I apply a pattern that I created on my plotter at my Cosmic Airbrush Shop. I draw the bubbles by hand then scan them to the plotter to cut the mask. I also use a few selected Artool freehand shields. I use my signature Dennis Mathewson Hawaiian Hues made by Alsa for my base colors. I mix two colors, a light teal blue and a dark navy then reduced 200%.

Once my colors are ready, I begin with the light teal and using my Iwata Kustom CM airbrush, I spray a light mist right around the cut of the mask. I add around 20% more color to the bottom than the top. Bubbles reflect light from the top on the bottom of the bubble.

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Using a Mike Lavallee tru-fire template, I highlight round edges with white basecoat. How ironic, using a fire template to create water images. It works great, thanks Mike!

I then add white basecoat only to the bottom of all of the bubbles, following with the navy blue to the top of all of the bubbles avoiding contact with spraying the edge of the mask, thus giv-

ing the bubble a light glow all the way around it. Once finished, the masking is removed (saving the mask for future use).

Using an Artool Big Shield template with its perfectly cut circles, I add a few bubbles here and there as I choose, utilizing the same colors as previously explained. I have also added a few softer freehanded bubbles to some areas. The combination of the mask, Artool template and freehanded painting make for a totally natural looking bubble effect.

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I usually use a blue base candy or a transparent blue to spray over the entire piece to soften the look against the blue background.

Using a #2 liner brush with some lettering and striping colors, I mix a light blue teal line only to the bottom of the bubbles finishing with a white dot to the top and bottom of each bubble. After completing the brushwork, I airbrush a soft white glow to each bubbles bottom with white base coat.

Lastly, using a Popsicle stick I deflect some white base coat off of the end, resulting in tiny white speckles that appear as tiny bubbles.

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Q & A With Airbrush Artist Dennis Mathewson

What drives you to be an artist? I have an uncontrollable drive to create. I think, eat and
breathe creating artwork. It sometimes seems like an uncontrollable curse. Artists see the world in a different light and being an artist, inspiration constantly surrounds me. Living in Hawaii draws much of my creativity from the beauty of the surrounding nature, easygoing lifestyle and rich history. Each time I travel to other locations they inspire me differently. I have chosen Hawaii to live because of its inspiration, people, lifestyle and beauty. Plus the fact that I can airbrush and paint with the windows open year round giving me a healthy environment to paint in. first generation custom painters at that time did not wish to share their so called tricks. They turned their backs to me when I asked them questions. Seems all didnt wish to share, all but one, Bob Spina he has been a great inspiration in my life and even till this day, I call him Uncle Bob with respect. Spina, years ago was Ed Roths right hand man and he is a true 1st generation custom painter who still paints and stripes everyday to this day. Since then, so much has happened and changed for this industry and myself.

How was it you first picked up an airbrush to use in your artwork? I grew up in Las Vegas and one weekend in 1971 at age 12, my
parents took me to southern California (Laguna beach) where I saw a man and his wife painting clothing with wizards, castles, clouds, flying winged horses and rainbows. WOW! This was a fateful and incredible discovery to me seeing how an airbrush could spray color and be controlled. I received my first Paasche VL airbrush that next birthday and the rest is history. It was difficult to learn back then, before Airbrush magazines with howto articles, books and instructional videos, everything I tried to learn was pretty much self taught. I got my first job working for Big Daddy Rat at the Rats Hole shop in Vegas at the age of 16. I was coloring in cartoon hot rod t-shirts and rarely did any custom designs. We only had three colors and used day glow enamels Rocket Red, Horizon Blue and Lightning Yellow along with One Shot black and white. There was no water base t-shirt paints at that time. Any colors mixed on the shirts had to be over lays of colors and everything was cartoon style. Man, so much has changed since then. My automotive custom painting began at the same time. With practicing on my own car, I painted and airbrushed is about 9 different times, hehe. Many

How do you go about using color in your artwork?

Color is a wonderful thing and I hope that all beginning artists use color from day one in their work. It can set the mood, give power or depth to artwork. I use different types of colors in my work, depending on the piece. In custom painting, sometimes we use just what is necessary to achieve a design like red flames on a blue car, with that said we are just applying what a customer has chosen and have no say in the matter. Maybe we can help choose the pinstripe color or accents to the standard design and that is where some color knowledge can come in handy. In other paintings where I create, I use what some call Dreamscape colors where I knock down the colors hues using softer colors, giving them less vividness or brightness. In other paintings, I tip the scale the other way with lots of hot and cool contrasts in the painting with cool back lighting and warm foregrounds. This type of painting has gotten me recognition in the industry and has led to my developing a solvent based color line called Hawaiian Hues for ALSA, where I punched up the pigments into bright strong airbrush colors that I use in my own work daily.

Is your artwork planned or spontaneous for the most part?

Both, I sometimes put months of thought to a design and develop lots of reference photos in file. Some pictures I have taken my own photos and others, I search in magazines or on the net for ideas. In the end I use my own original thought and create that image to my own liking. Other times, I have no reference and I just draw what I feel or see in my head. I then paint it as if I was releasing a vision.

Do you use a computer, plotter to help with design ideas?

I use a computer mostly for email, hehe. As for creating on the computer I get frustrated and just want to use a pencil. I do have a plotter and use it for lettering or some simple images. I have used it to do many shapes for my bubbles though.

Norman Rockwell Varga have moved me. Current artist like Olivia, Boris, Simon Beasley, Robert Crumb, Walt Disney and even some of my Tiki artist folks like Doug Horne and others. I have traveled all over the world teaching classes to other artists who inspire me as well. I have been teaching since my first class in 1978 and have been involved in pretty much in most airbrush organized workshop programs and taught independently as well. I am known as a T-shirt air brusher from the 70-80s then a Custom Painter from the 80-90s and now Fine art, I mostly work for my two Galleries in Hawaii and other locations that sell my fine art. Life as an air brusher has been quite a journey and still is growing. The roads of art have taken me many paths, but in all my traveling the one thing I never forget to pack in my bag is an airbrush.

Mostly transparent or opaque colors used?

I use both opaque and transparent colors in my all my work. I also mix them together for a translucent color as well. I begin with opaque and then adjust its tones with transparent s giving it more richness. I use the translucence when I do detailed work such as a face or small object where I want to control the colors ability for richness. By adding white to a color it can build up to a gradual tone and once reached it will remain there without going too far.

What inspires Dennis to paint?

My wife, Susan and daughter Indigo inspire me to be successful. Also my customers, I have had some for many years and they depend on my creativity. Hawaii inspires my subjects and settings as does the Island lifestyle. I also try to stay true to my style of art and feel I have found my own nitch in a world full of skulls, flames and dragons. What keeps you motivated on those days when you just dont feel like painting but commission work needs to get finished? Motivation is never an issue to me I wake up wanting to paint and somedays cant wait to begin. I work 5 days a week at my shop and weekends in my home studio where I someday just want to paint at home around my family and my two dogs Kona and Tiki. I often ask them for their opinion of my paintings and my wife will always tell me the truth, my daughter will seems to like it and my dogs just plan love it always, hehe.

Who are some artists youve worked with?

Wow, this list is pretty large, forgive me if I cant mention everybody but a few names I have worked closely with are Daniel Power, Bob Spina, Tom Kelly, Christian Lassen, Craig Fraser, Make Lavallee, Steve Vandemon, Mickey Harris, Jason Doll, Vince Goodeve, Mike Learn, Fonzy, Gerlad Mendez, Jonathan Pantaleon, Blake McCully (Crosseye), Tom Perwitt, Luca Pagan and last but not least the late Robert Benedict who was an incredible artist and my good friend who passed away. I also assisted Sorayama while he was here in Hawaii. There are also lots of local Hawaii talented artist that have worked with me and that list goes on.

Which artist inspires you?

Each day can be different and I admire all art. I have a little of every artist inside me I have worked with and still am amazed by every new artist I meet. Looking at other art always gives me inspiration and classic artists like Maxfeild Parrish, Dali,