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moonbrat2001 Mar 29, 2009

Hello All!

I'm making a bear for a friend of mine, and he's got to be two things: gigantic, and elderly. Well, I've got the gigantic down (I'm using a beautiful pattern by Judi Lynn seen here), but now I'm not sure how to go about making him look old. The fur I want to use is a short pile, medium brown synthetic fur, but I want him to look like he's graying around the face and stomach.

What would be the best way to go about giving him a gray tint? I was thinking of trying airbrushing, but after reading a few other threads I'm not sure if it would work: I don't want to overload him with paint, because he needs to stay cuddly and as soft as possible. I can't have him being oily or brittle from paint.

The only other thing I can think of is making his muzzle and tummy out of white fur, and then trying to blend it into the brown with Copic markers, but again, he's going to be heavily loved, and I can't have paint rubbing off everywhere!

Has anyone tries making an elderly bear like this? Have any ideas?

Cleathero Creations Mar 29, 2009

When "painting " a bear layer, layer, layer once each layer is on some people heat set it using their oven or their blow/hair dryer on hot.  Brush it between layers as well makes sure t is soft and lovely. 
At the top of the forum you will find te library where more info on painting/airbrushing will be.
good luck

moonbrat2001 Mar 30, 2009

Thanks! I'll definitely try heat setting it and lots of brushing.

ScaliWagGrrs Mar 30, 2009

I think airbrushing is a great way to get a blended look.  I find that with regular paintbrushes paint can be put on too thick.  If you haven't used an airbrush, practice a lot before actually doing it on your bear. I read as a tip in another thread once that a great way to practice is on bears and animals you can buy cheap at a thrift store. I think this was a great tip.
Hope we get to see the bear once he is done! Have fun making him!
Beth

moonbrat2001 Mar 30, 2009

Thank you! I have a huge stockpile of old stuffies to practice on, a few of those will definitely find themselves covered in paint soon And I will definitely be putting up pictures of the old guy when he's done!