For custom car builders today, one of the biggest expenses - and a make-or-break feature of the build - is the paint job. Now, with the expert help of one of the country's top custom painters, readers can learn to custom paint their own cars, from design to finishing touches. With the attention to detail and keen sense of style that have made her the most sought-after custom painter working today, JoAnn Bortles offers step-by-step instructions for achieving that professional look at home. Her book provides detailed advice on every step from base coating to artwork and airbrushing to clear coating and troubleshooting, with special emphasis on designing and executing elaborate paint schemes such as flames, skulls, murals, and pin striping. Clearly written and amply illustrated, this is the ultimate how-to-custom-paint guide.

Airbrush Painting

by JoAnn Bortles

Published 28 October 2009

Having only one airbrushing technique is like driving on only one road; it limits the places you can go. This book by famed custom painter JoAnn Bortles gives you the airbrushing tools to take your art just about anywhere.  Taking up where she left off in her best-selling How to Master Airbrush Painting Techniques, Bortles outlines a full range of techniques and their applications.  Her straightforward, clearly illustrated directions show you how to airbrush everything from backgrounds and murals to animal subjects and delicate human features on virtually any surface. 

 

Designing, drawing, painting from photographs; portraying natural and manmade landscapes; manipulating light and dark; painting airplanes, cars, and trucks; depicting birds and reptiles, animals and people in stylized and realistic ways:  These are among the many techniques Bortles explains in direct, easy-to-follow terms.  Her book is an ideal guide for airbrush painters seeking to expand their skills, and for readers of Bortles’ earlier book who are hungry for more.


Learn how to tackle all types of automotive paint and graphics projects with this photo-rich reference by award-winning custom painter JoAnn Bortles.

How to Design and Apply Automotive and Motorcycle Paint and Graphics covers the most popular custom painting stylesand techniques in an easy-to-understand format. Step-by-step examples of projects are accompanied by handy tips and tricks features, as well as photo galleries to provide examples and inspiration.

Writing for hobbyists and professionals alike in an accessible, easygoing style, author and award-winning custom painter JoAnn Bortles presents both traditional and modern techniques and tools, from low tech to high tech, making it easier than ever to obtain professional results on your hot rod, muscle car, truck, or motorcycle.

In addition, Bortles includes content that has not been properly addressed in existing custom painting books, with chapters devoted to painting muscle car rally stripes, lowrider graphics, and creating plotter-ready vector drawings for stencil work.

With details on tools and materials as well as how to design paint jobs and test paint techniques, you will learn how to design and apply:
 
  • Both traditional and realistic flames
  • Ghost effects
  • Multilayered graphics
  • Two-tone paint for cars and motorcycles
  • Lace paint
  • Gold leaf
  • Free-hand and tape pinstriping
  • Patina effects
  • Logos and lettering
  • Clearcoats
  • Troubleshooting

All the information is designed to enlighten both automotive and motorcycle applications and includes the most popular paint and graphics out there.

Whether you are experienced with an airbrush and masking tape or simply aspire to lay unique paint and graphics on your vehicle, How to Design and Apply Automotive and Motorcycle Paint and Graphics is the ultimate one-stop resource for instruction, ideas, tips, and techniques.

The Motorbooks Workshop series covers the topics that engage and interest gearheads. Written by authorities in the subject matter and illustrated with color photography, Motorbooks Workshop is the ultimate source for how-to know-how.