Better Flames - Take your flames to the next level - *Tutorial*

[Commando]

You've seen my first Realistic Flame Tutorial. That was the basics. Now lets take it to the next level.

What I used:

• Basic airbrush setup
• Basic free hand stencils (I use french curves, which are just drawing templates you can get anywhere)
• Primer: Duplicolor sandable primer
• Base color: Duplicolor silver
• Design colors: Auto Air airbrush paint: Transparent Black, Transparent Red,
• Transparent Orange, Candy Orange, Tranparent White, Transparent Yellow
• Clear Coat: Duplicolor Clear
• Finishing supplies: 1000, 1500, 2000 wet sandpaper, 3M Rubbing compound

Basic airbrush setup



*First I prepped and primed my project

Then I wet-sanded the primer smooth with 600 grit

Then I sprayed the base color: Duplicolor silver

Then I freehand sprayed the background black: Auto Air trans black

Ok let's get started with the flames. Free-hand your first layout of the flames you want: Auto Air trans red. Stick to basic shapes. No need to use the free hand mask. This is where you really decide the layout of your flames. So if you need to outline what you want in pencil first. Notice I've got my reference picture next to my project to help me layout the basic shapes.

Next lay out your next set of flames: Auto Air trans orange. Start by freehanding the flames then com back with your freehand mask to sharpen some, not all, of the edges.

Next lay out your first highlights: Auto Air trans yellow and trans white mixed to give you light yellow. Start with by freehanding the shapes then come back with your free hand mask to sharpen some, not all of the edges.

Remember this will eventually be the orange in the final design.

Ahh.... The magic of candy colors: Auto Air candy orange. Notice how spraying candy orange over the design melts everything together.

Next, I add some final highlights using the free hand mask: Auto Air trans white

This is while I'm starting to tone down my highlights with candy orange.

Now I go back and darken the outside edges: Auto Air trans black. I make sure to blend the black into the background and not just follow the outline of the flames.

Next, the clear coats: Duplicolor Clear I used 4 clear coats. Then I wet sanded with 1000, then 1500, then 2000, then buffed the clear coat with 3M Rubbing compound.

Here's the finished project.

More pictures on my site. VBulletin only let's me post 25 pics in a post.

Feel free to ask questions.

TD

[Zephik]

That looks amazing Commando!

This must of been the project you mentioned to me earlier? I have to admit, It looks damn good. I love how it looks like there is actual damage caused by the "fire". Taking it up another notch like that makes it look so much more realistic and definitely adds to the overall effect.

That could be my small gripe with flame jobs on things. Flames can look as realistic as can be, but without the "damage" caused by those "flames", it just doesn't look right in my opinion.

Good job on the airbrush work, it came out very nice! If I ever decide to have something "flamed", it will be just like that.

[SgtM]

I'd like to see a contest between you and Mike Lavalle. In my opinion, your stuff is right up there with his. +rep

[Helix666]

Those are some awsome flames...

wish I had an airbrush...

+rep.

[lominono]

oh WOW, this has given me inspiration because I just got into spray paint art and I've been thinking of how I could do FIRE!

Dude you don't know how much this could help me out. I need to get some orange paint though, than I'll see how it goes.

THANKS!