Painting over darker surfaces

This may have been discussed many times before. I have always
when doing my own painting, no matter if its striping, lettering,
or airbrushing anything on metals or T-shirts always preferred to
do it over a light surface. In other words I work from light to dark.

I have seen so many of you here who do super nice T-shirts, helmets,
and many things over a black or darker surface. So when Airbrushing over
dark colors can you just spray many light passes over the base???? I have
seen shirts and other things this way.
So if doing a face over black, just build with white and let the black show through, and then go back and forth using white and black????? You are
using the white like its the only color you have and reshading in darker colors.
I never really tried it this way. After seeing some nice eagles and very nice t-shirts I would like to try it.
Any input would be great.
Fresnojohns

[cdv]

Fresno, thats how I paint. Matter of fact, it seems backwards for me when I do paint on a white background. Big D and I just had a conversation about that the other day and he is used to doing it over white as you are. (With the exception of working on dark colored bikes and cars)

Yes, generally you just dust in with the white and then build up the areas using the dark color as your shadowing. Then when completed you can come in with a wash of transparent colors (if you want it in color) and then only where needed, come in with a darker color for showing more definition if needed.

Once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature.

The last two T-shirts I did were white on black. I tried thinning the paint more for the second one and found that it was harder to do to get the white more pronounced. Ended up getting more fuzzies that way instead of less thinned paint like the first one. It is easier to do on a black panel or illustration board.... which I normally paint black before I paint anything on it! Wish I could find black illustration board.

Cliff

[Sabreghost]

i agree with cdv, i put a white layer and then hit with the iron, then more white but in the areas that are white, then go back and darken the dark areas, then hit with colour where needed.

[fontgeek]

For painting on black shirts, etc., I tend to spray white first, and leave areas that I know will be black uncovered, and areas that will be dark with less coverage. But only if I know specifically that those areas will be black or dark. Often times I don't know exactly where darker areas will be in the finished product, so I end up using black or darker shades of colors anyway. Because the paint sprayed is not trully opaque, working from light to dark (white background with colors layed on top) is the easiest way to get a predictable outcome for the finished product, and with textiles (shirts, jackets, etc.).
Keeping the numbers of layers to a minimum is an absolute must! Thick layers of paint tend to crack and flake with the normal wash and wear cycle. The severe bending and flexing of the material is more than those thick layers of paint can take, especially when you add heat, abrasion, and time into the equation.

[BigDaddyCustoms]

I'm definately used to starting light, and working my way dark....then adding my highlights when finished. Trying to work from dark to light......just confuses me alot of times....

It's hard to break that habit.....it's the way I was taught and learned....and after doing it so much.....I just naturally think that way.

Big D

[fresnojohns]

Thank you to everyone who took time to answer this. I am
trying this technique with alittle success. For now I better keep
it light to dark and get that dialed in first. Just have to be careful on T-Shirts
and not overdo it. Thank you Big D, Fontgeek, Sabre, and Cliff for your
valuable help.
Fresnojohns

[TSQUIRTZ]

Here's a tip that I use when working on black shirts. Paint the area black first and heat set the black. Then start with your white. Try it and see how much easier your white builds.

[fresnojohns]

TSquirtz,
Thank you for that tip. I will try that too. I hope that will
make a difference.
Thanks again,
Fresnojohns