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Hello everyone :)
Ok, so I'm having a few problems with Sloth at the moment, due to my lack of fur for him, so in his absence I would like to present to you all my latest creation: a giraffe.
Ok, so not exactly easy... or sane 
But a good chance to attempt something new: airbrushing. Just a basic coating on him at the minute, as I am using the not-so-fine COPIC Airbrush System (*waits for blows to fall*): I know you all hate it! It was a bargain, so I thought I'd get it to try it out: I can always sell it on! The cans don't last long at all...
Anyway, here's his head and neck: the pieces I find easiest... next the body, the hardest bit in my opinion. Sorry for the RUBBISH photo, but it's late here and there's no light in England anyway And I suppose I should add his ears and horns... any advice on the horns at all?
Can't wait to try hooves XD
Anyhoo, I'm off, hope you like him (He's my first sewn-face critter on my own original making, so I really hope so)
Night!
(PS, yes that is a wine glass he's perched in... all part of my o-so tidy bear making desk 
)
Cleathero CreationsI have the copic system too. really will have to look at somethin different though. You airbrushing has a fine start to it!!
Donna's Duin BruinsI have made about four giraffe. I used the copic markers but not as an airbrush. It was time consuming but I liked the looks of it. I did three different colors on each spot. You are off to a good start on him. I can't wait to see the finished product!
Donna
Oooh, show my your giraffe, Donna! I'd love to see them! Were yours standing? I'm worried about the spindly legs... :P
Bronwen, do you have the air conector thingy, or just the grip and the D60 cans? I got through one of those FRIGHTENINGLY quickly...
Cleathero CreationsJust th cans which is why I think I may have to upgrade the system.
THose cans just disappear.
They do, don't they? The tubing costs £18 though... so expensive! I might sell on the system and buy another airbrushing set, but ideally I'd like a set that works with COPICs, or one by which the paints are dead easy to use, and really cheap too... I bet that will be easy to find! :crackup:
I don't know, I like my oil paints well enough at the moment 
The COPIC's are just a little experiment of mine...
Cleathero CreationsAs far as I know any paint can go through the airbrushing systems as long as they are watered or turpsed down enough, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Donna's Duin BruinsBefore I got my little compressor for the copic set I used just an air tank with a hose with a gage on it. It worked like a charm! Those air cans are awful to use. You have no control and just at the wrong moment you run out of air. Check into the airtank if you have one in the garage. The plus to the air tank is that there is no noise!
Donna
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Judi has said that the Copic system just doesn't spray fine enough for miniatures & most smalls, especially if one is new at it.
My brand new Copic system is going on the auction block this all. I know there are others who work in a larger scale that it will be perfect for!
MerBear OriginalsI have the complete copic set with the air cans and I also have a compressor to use it with....which I don't. I found it hard to manage. I just bought a proper air brush set to use with the compressor and will probably take Judi's course this Fall to learn how.
Marion
Oooh, Marion... the complete set? Wow...
What would be amazing is if we could find a finer, less expensive to run airbrush that works with COPICs... that would be great! i am also considering the class, but if I can find a cheaper alternative to airbrushing I would like to try that too I do use oils already, but I don't think you could coat a whole creature in them!
Are there any dyes that you can selectively paint on, and then wash off so that they stay in their set patterns, do you think?
Donna's Duin BruinsThe Australian dyes might work for you. They are thick and you paint them on, let them set and then rinse. I have thought about using them for a cat or the giraffe. There might be some bleed.
Donna's Duin BruinsYou also ask about the spindley legs. I used electrical wire for a framework to support them. Also you will want to leave a long opening in the middle of the leg for turning. The first one I just tried turning the hoof and leg and could not do it. Ended up taking stitching out to get it turned. By leaving a nice long opening in the middle of the leg you can bring the foot up and turn it then turn the rest of the leg without much difficulty. Are you jointing your giraffe? I did not joint my which may have made it worse to turn.
Have fun!
Donna
Thanks Donna!
I'm going to joint him and I think I might make FIMO hooves for him: thanks for the turning tips! I've used wire in his neck for poseability, and it seems to be going ok
