Airbrushing A Backdrop (Post 4)

Yeah! I am finished. Eleven giant portraits in six days. Here are the last three. Enjoy.

Airbrushing A Backdrop (Post 3)

Here are two more portraits that I finished on Thursday.


As I continue to airbrush, my goal for Friday was for 3 more portraits to be completed. My goal was met.


The material I am airbrushing on is a shark tooth scrim. It has an open weave. As I mentioned in my first post on this project, the scrim is a theatrical backdrop material. When lit from the front, the image painted on it, is seen. When the scrim is lit from behind, it goes transparent and the action behind is seen. I’ll have pictures in April, when the show opens.

How I airbrushed these so quickly, is shown here as a step by step process.
Step 1 - I used an overhead projector.
Step 2 – outline my image
Step 3 – color in my image

At first I was a bit hesitant on how I can airbrush this material and how the colors would lay. I found that the scrim, seemed to be forgiving. No mater how I sprayed, the colors held and no matter how much or how little detail I painted, the painting came alive.

Airbrushing A Backdrop Continued

I now have two more portraits finished. Going as fast as I can; each have taken me four hours to complete. Only eight more to go.



When they are all done. Each will have been Framed and hung upstage as a giant portrait gallery. Follow the posts, as I continue to the final finished photo.

Airbrushing A Backdrop

Picking up an airbrush is like riding a bike. Even though it’s been many years, you never forget. I forgot how much fun it is and at the same time a little frustrating when it wouldn’t cooperate.

As a set designer and scenic artist I usually work on backdrops that are muslin. Painted with rollers and brushes. But I was asked to paint this open weave drop that looks opaque when lit from the front and then becomes transparent when lit from back to reveal the action behind. It’s a great look. But in order for the design to work, the image has to be airbrushed on. Rollers and paint brushes don’t work, because the paint would clog the holes of the cloth.

And that is when I was called to dust off my airbrushing experience and paint eleven portraits ranging in size four feet to seven feet in width and seven feet in height.

This is the first painting that will be framed.

Oh, these are for a production of THE SECRET GARDEN.

Citrus at COMMA Gallery

A great crowd at COMMA for 2nd Tuesday Gallery reception. This month it’s all about the citrus. Celebrating Citrus: Taste is a wonderful variety of paintings, with some of the artists hanging around.

If you are ever in the Orlando area, stop on in. You may just be walking out with a fabulous original. Every so often, like this exhibit Karen shows many local artists. Overall, throughout the gallery there is an eclectic array of local and international artists.

There are also several studios rented out. This is a fantastic way to see some artists in action.

Several people have already gotten to see Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson’s paper skirt. I got to see it tonight and, it’s even more fantastic in person. Elizabeth style is ‘Paper Paintings’. And the skirt; is her work printed out, then lamenated and then she cut and sewed it. This is a brilliant way to wear art. I would suggest to check out her website and blog.



Robin Maria Pedrero primarily is know for her pastel portraits and purple landscapes. In this show she branched out with different mediums and injected brighter colors into this fun piece.


I have known Chere Force through the Orlando International FRINGE Festival. But was pleasantly surprised to find out she’s also an artist. Her citrus creation made me smile.

The show runs through April 10

A Nice Wekiva Day

On Saturday, March 7th, I spent a few hours out at our beautiful Wekiva Springs State Park & Wekiva Island, Apopka, FL. Over the past week and ending on the 7th, was the 2009 Riverfest & Wekiva Paint Out. There was many hiking, walking and boating tours; but what I was most interested in was the Wekiva Invitational Plein Air Paint Out. Most of the artists worked throughout the week to fill up the outdoor art show. I did find 6 out of the 24 busy at their easels.

Enjoy some of my photos.

I did get to meet Elisabeth Ferber, who’s art was used for the events posters, postcards and programs.

New Class at MAC

Starting on March 25, 2009 at 4:30
I will begin my first and new class at The Maitland Art Center.


THEATRICAL SCENIC TECHNIQUES (TEENS AND ADULTS)
Wednesday: 4:30-6:30 STUDIO 4

This class will introduce students to the techniques used on stage sets. Students will learn the mixing of paint, creating wood grain, marble, brick and stone, painting basic “forms” with lights and shadows; trompe l’oeil; and making patterns using stencils, templates and paint stamps. All of these techniques can also be used for your home and other artistic creations. Material fee: $25.00 payable to instructor the first day of class.

Here is my mini bio that is found on the faculty page.

Bonnie Sprung: BA, Hofstra University, Set Design and Graphics. AA, Valencia Community College, Fine Art. Set /Scenic /Make-up design for over 80 shows locally and in NY, since 1980. 11 years teaching Set /Scenic design for BCC Summer Fine Arts. Has shown her fine artwork in numerous exhibitions and has gotten several awards.

So if you would like to add a new skill and have some fun. Registration is on the website www.maitlandartcenter.org

The Maitland Art Center
231 W. Packwood Ave.
Maitland FL 32751-5596
407.539.2181