Stenciles

Curious to what you guys use for stencils... new guy painting here

First run... don't be to harsh! Will take any advice! But really kind of lost on different style stencils you guys use! I know brad uses 3D and something I may gravitate to but for now I'm looking at a rookie cheap route lol

I don't use stencils. I don't stress over the imperfections and inconsistencies that come with that. It fits with what I try to do with my baits. However, there are some youtube videos of guys making their own vacuum form stencils.

Thanks for the reply SWalker!!

Josh, I would also so that if you want to learn how to paint baits, watch EVERY ONE of that guys how-to videos.

Start out with cheap lure blanks..just don't try to sell them..use them to learn with. Don't clear coat them, use denatured alcohol on a rag to clean the paint off so you can reuse the blanks again and again. Start with simple 2 or three color patterns. Work with opaque, transparent and pearl paints to get an idea of how they spray and look together. Thinning paints properly is important as is airbrush control. Practice and then practice some more. As you get better work up your own patterns and write them down so you can duplicate and improve on them. Don't just copy other painters patterns, make them your own. You can buy sheets of mylar at the hobby store and draw your own flat stencils, or use plain old paper. If you can draw you can make stencils. Swalker9513's advice is spot on. Here is a link to an old post on making stencils without spending much $$ Cheap stencil making They work great...take your time cutting them out and experiment around with your own ideas. Good luck.

dr. bois is right on the money. start simple and inexpensively and grow from there. you can be into this craft for a bunch of money before you know it. i'm surprised he didn't mention using milk containers for stencils...one of his trademark moneysavers... they're the right thickness, usually around every house, and work great. when you getto foring stencils you can easily make your own vacuum box. in fact i probably have the parts to make one around here somewhere that you're welcome to have. just hook it to a shopvac, use a heat gun to soften the plastic and you'rein business.
remember too that less is more. that will make sense as you gain more and more experience. get your paints from walmart. water based acrylic..usually $0.50 a bottle..and more colors than you'll ever need.
a great way to start laying down "patterns" is to use fabric. it' isn't expensive and it can give you some very realistic looks.