Airbushing DIY: How to Paint a Denim Effect on Plastic

The various textures of everyday materials fascinate me. Denim is one of those things. So, for this second airbrush project, I wanted to achieve a blue-jeans inspired look for my Gundam Beargguy model kit. I'm still at the amateur level when it comes to gunpla and airbrush painting that's why I kept the steps simple. Industrial spray paint was used, decanted for airbrushing.

These were the steps I did. Note that all parts were painted with primer before adding the colors. Make sure that paint dries fully before proceeding to the next step.

 Step 1: I used a cream color base (50/ 50 cream and white mixture)
Step 2: I pre-shaded the edges with black paint.
Step 2: Using gauze each, part was covered and secured. In this case, I used hairpins, because that's the available material at hand. Safety pins would have been easier to manage.

Step 3: No. 21 Blue was applied to all parts. After painting, the gauze was removed to let the paint fully dry.

Step 4: I repeated step 2, this time applying No. 28 Dark Blue paint. 

Step 5: Remove gauze and allow to dry.

That's it - a simple and easy way to paint denim effect. The output resulted in an approximation of denim, but not too realistic because the spaces in between the threads are not to fine. Perhaps a better result could be achieved with double or triple layer of gauze. Maybe next time, I'll try that.

Table Setting Idea: Using Pastel Colors

A table setting using pastel colors exude serenity with its muted and ethereal beauty. Renaissance and Impressionist painters have used various combinations of pastel colors on their masterpieces. When transferred to the art of table setting, to achieve this, take note of these simple tips:

1) If you want a more serious or classy-rustic, effect for entertaining adults, focus on using pastel-colored ceramics either in blue, yellow, or green. For a more juvenile or girly effect, replace the blue and green with pink and orange.

2) Using a single color in various shades (monochromatic effect) distributed among different stoneware plates and bowls can create a cohesive look.

3) Mixing various shapes, sizes, and textures of pastel-colored ceramics makes the table setting more interesting. Experiment by combining fine ceramics with some accents using earthenware.

4) Use a white vase or one in translucent cream or butter yellow color.

The food and the wine will add the strong colors for this type of table setting.

Post note: Two summers ago, hubby and I took a course in Food and Beverage Services. It was also then that my interest in table set ups has been revived. I have a small notebook full of scribbles of ideas, which I might as well share here.


image credit: Dinner Series
under Creative Commons License
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)