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Pipa Oct 1, 2005

Hi everyone, i was wondering if anyone had any tips about shading around your bears feet pads, I tried this once and it looked utter rubbish and dreadfull  so that went in the bin  , i was wondering how you all get such lovely shading in a circle around the edge of your feet, is it done using an airbrush or can you do it by hand using your marker pens ???

Meri Bears (UK) Oct 1, 2005

Really good Question Pipa - I look forward to the replies on this. So many times have I ruined a bear by deciding to try and shade the footpads.

Sometimes I make the footpads with Ultrasuede and sometimes I use the mohair backing. I find that on the mohair I can just about get a decent shading if I use oil paints but if the ultrasuede is a light colour then I definately leave well alone.

Helena Oct 1, 2005

I use both pencil and marker pens for shading, it depends what mood I'm in! And it also depends how dark I want the shading to be.

Pencils build up more gradually and are therefore more controllable. You can even use the tip of your finger to blend the colour more, and I've had no problems on light shades of ultrasuede. I use Karisma Colour pencils, which can be found on eBay I think (although I buy mine from a local craft shop - about £1.30 each). Anne of Starlite Bears recommended them to me - thanks Anne!  :)

With pens, I use acid-free permanent markers, various makes. I start gingerly at the very outer edge of the pad with short strokes moving slightly inwards. Then I use a copic blender pen to 'drag' the colour further inwards at the same time as 'diluting' it. It kind of blends....I found it a bit nervewrackiing at first, but like all things beary it just takes a little practice :cool:.

What I'm planning to try next are the oil paints as recommended by Shelli. They sound and look fantastic.... 

Bumpkin Bears Oct 1, 2005

I use oil paints for my shading, applying a very little at a time with a brush and build it up gradually.  Make sure you take off most of the paint from the brush onto kitchen towel before applying to your bear.  I have also used a cotton bud for the footpads!  I find it a bit firmer to use than a paint brush for this part of the bear. 

Have fun,
Hugs
Catherine

Pipa Oct 1, 2005

Same here Kate, I made a lovely bears leg once with a cream foot pad and i tried to shade the foot and well.. it didn't work 

Pipa Oct 1, 2005

Hi Helena. oh yes i've heard of those pencils. never tried them though !  it looks like there are quite a few methods so it must be a case of trial and error to see what suits you best

Pipa Oct 1, 2005

Thanks Catherine. never thought of using oil paints ! i might have to get myself all sorts of crafty bits and try them out !! 

shantell Oct 1, 2005

Several artists are using a dry oil paint technique...I tried it with both acrylics and oils and it works great.

Here's a discussion thread link where Shelli shares how she does it...

http://www.teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=611

I feel like I'm playing traffic director today :)  Perhaps it's from being caught on the freeway yesterday for 3 HOURS...and be redirected off the freeway and headed back to where I just came from...AUGH!!!

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorOct 1, 2005

I've also used both pencils and art markers to shade.  Prismacolor is the brand name for both of them . . . Berol Prismacolor on the pencils and just Prismacolor on the markers.  These markers also come with a blender like Copic has.  Think if you just experiment, you'll find one method that suits you best.   :dance: 

Pipa Oct 1, 2005

3 hours  :twisted:  :twisted: i cant imagine how awful that msut have been !!!!!!!!

aerianna Oct 1, 2005

I find I can control the color by fingerpainting. I use fabric paints, first I pour several out into a paper plate and mix to make the color I want. Then I use a stiff bristled brush and my fingers to build up color gradually- so you can't even see it at first. This way you can't go wrong.
Aerianna

Judi Oct 1, 2005

I think it is really neat how there are many ways to shade the paws.  I myself airbrush them with acrylic paints.  Takes less than 5 minutes to do all four paws.  This includes using/layering  three separate colors. It also dries instantly on contact.

I haven't tried the other methods as mentioned above but would love to try them sometime just to see other ways this can be done.

Great tips ladies!

carsoncreations Oct 2, 2005

I think it is really neat how there are many ways to shade the paws.  I myself airbrush them with acrylic paints.

Judi,

I too use the airbrushing technique to shade the footpads, but use the Dynaflo airbrushing paints.  Are the acrylics you use just regular acrylic paint and are they as easy to use and do they need heat to set them?

Hugs,

Wanda

Densteds Oct 2, 2005

Hi Wanda,
I do folk art (tole) painting with acrylics, and have used them on some of my bears. I haven't used an airbrush but just dilute the paint, making sure I only get a small amount on my brush, practise on some old scraps first. I wouldn't think you'd need to heat set it, because any paint I've ever accidently dropped onto my clothes has stayed there forever unless I run and wash it instantly...it never comes out.

hugs,
Denise.

carsoncreations Oct 2, 2005

Denise,

The acrylic paints are also cheaper to buy than the Dynaflo.  If I make sure they are a watery consistency, it should work.  Will have to give it a try.  Thank you for the input.

Hugs,

Wanda

jazzyrags Oct 2, 2005

Boy i have a lot to learn when you say acrylics do you mean like jo sonja  fabric paint,and has any one ever tired shading the pad before sewing would that work or is that a silly question. fran

Judi Oct 2, 2005

Wanda,
I find that Createx paints work very well.  I like to reduce these paints even though the bottle reads it is not necessary.  They do not need any straining before using an airbrush.  They are supossed to be heat set but like Denise said, if you spill any on your clothes and don't wash it out right away it becomes permanent.  I think it is still a good idea to heat set even though if someone were to submerge a bear into water they would have much more toworry about ruining than just the paint.

When I airbrush on a jean jacket I always heat set the paint...but that is a jacket that will be washed.
  This tiger jacket I airbruhsed with Liqutex acrylic piants.  I have been using these paints for more than 20 years and they not only work beautifully but they are very colorfast.  These colors have not faded on this jacket that I did more than 15 years ago.

Liquitex concentrate is also a great paint to use.  It requires reduction with water but I never need to strain this paint and it flows beautifully.

Judi Oct 2, 2005

Fran, I personally would not shade the pads before putting them into the foot.  I think it would be very difficult to keep the effect even.  ALso I like to let the paint overspray onto the mohair.  Just my opinion.
BTW you avatar bear is beautiful! :clap:

jazzyrags Oct 2, 2005

Judi i looked at your web site it is amasing the eyes on binkien are wounderful is that all shading to make it look so real, and momma's Bear is wonderful is that all to do with shading, looks like the eyes are set in the mohair ,if i send you a photo of the best i can do will you tell me how to inproved my work and what i am doing wrong as i have only used shading pens so far fran

Judi Oct 3, 2005

Fran, Thank you so much! :pray: :hug:

I would be honored to look at your work.  I have found that pens work really well if you use them in layers.  Email me your photos at either judi@luxembears.com or tbearpicnic@hotmail.com

I look forward to seeing more of yoru bears.

jenny Oct 3, 2005

I tried my oil paints for the first time last night...on footpads....it was good!! I need to be more sparing with it though...I can be heavy handed. I used to paint with oils...and love slapping it on the canvas in big blobs......not the thing to do here!!!!

I have often airbrushed before-hand ...onto silk...then cut out the 'good bits' for my pads... That worked well for me since because I was doing a piece of fabric ...rather than specifically cut pieces the presssure of accuracy is taken away...and the creativity clicks in.( Iam far too messy to risk it on my bear...and the last time i did it, masking the bear off took longer than making the bear itself!!!!!)

I have used silk paints too...along with inks....which I set with an iron before sewing them in.. Pure silk is good for pads as long as you line it first. I get the thick kimono type silk ( Duchesse I think it's called) for our 'Fancy Silk Store' in Birminham...also we have loads of Indian fabric stores who do wonderful fabrics.

It's all good fun!!!!

Jellybelly Bears Oct 3, 2005

I've read this topic with much interest   I use pencils and markers but like the pencils the best.
I am yet to try dry brushing but that will be my next step. :angel:
And Judi...I've made that mistake before...painting the pads first and then sewing...doesn't work lol  :twisted:

staticbear76 Jan 22, 2008

im to scardey cat to try that but soon i hope but i just want to try out with shinywrinkly leahter for the soles of the bear feet.

Daphne Jan 22, 2008

I use my oils all the time... I think Shelli was the one who told us about dry brushing oils back quite a while ago. It works beautifully.... especially if you are a chicken about using an airbrush like I am! I think it's the next best thing to achieve a similar effect.

I use pencils too. The markers... no matter what ones I tried... were too heavy or left a film or something... I couldn't get the soft, blended look even with the blender pens. So I've given up on those for the most part.

All Bear Jan 22, 2008

I like to use my airbrush with specialist acrylic paints/inks for shading footpads .. it works beautifully on wool felt especially.  Unlike Judi, I prefer to shade my pads before I sew them into the leg.