Viking Bags
Los Angeles, California
Phone: (888) 208-1949

Viking Bags is the world’s largest Manufacturer of motorcycle luggage & after market parts. Viking Bags sells leather and hard saddlebags, for some of the most popular bikes on the market.

1. Observation: Developing the ability to observe your subject matter accurately is crucial. Pay attention to details, proportions, shapes, and relationships between different elements.
2. Line and Contour: Lines are the basic building blocks of a drawing. Practice drawing different types of lines—straight, curved, thick, thin—to create contours and define shapes.
3. Shape and Form: Understand how to depict shapes in two-dimensional space and represent three-dimensional forms. Start with basic geometric shapes and gradually progress to more complex forms.
4. Proportions and Scale: Learning to accurately measure and represent proportions is essential for realistic drawings. Use comparative measurements, sighting techniques, and the concept of negative space to establish relationships between different elements.
5. Light and Shadow: Understanding light and shadow is key to creating depth and dimension in your drawings. Study how light falls on objects, creating highlights, shadows, and mid-tones. Explore shading techniques, such as hatching, cross-hatching, and blending, to render value transitions.
6. Perspective: Perspective is the technique used to represent three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. Learn the principles of one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective to create the illusion of depth and distance in your drawings.
7. Composition: Composition refers to the arrangement of elements within a drawing. Consider factors like balance, focal points, and visual flow to create a visually pleasing and engaging composition.
8. Texture: Practice conveying different textures, such as smooth, rough, shiny, or fuzzy, using various techniques like stippling, cross-hatching, or employing different drawing tools.
9. Sketching and Gesture: Sketching is a quick, loose, and expressive way to capture the essence of your subject. Gesture drawing involves capturing the movement and energy of a figure or object with swift, gestural lines.
10. Practice and Patience: Regular practice is essential for improving your drawing skills. Be patient with yourself, as mastery takes time. Experiment with different subjects, styles, and techniques to find your own unique approach.

Remember, drawing is a skill that can be developed and refined over time. With consistent practice and a willingness to learn, you can continually progress and express your creativity through drawing.

1. Paint Thinners: Paint thinners are solvents used to reduce the viscosity or thickness of oil-based paints, varnishes, and enamels. They typically contain mineral spirits or petroleum distillates as the main solvent. Paint thinners are effective at diluting paint to make it easier to work with, improving flow, and allowing for smoother application. They can also clean paintbrushes, rollers, and other painting tools after use. Paint thinners are not suitable for use with water-based paints, as they do not mix well and can result in paint separation or other undesirable effects.
2. Reducers: Reducers, also known as paint reducers or thinning agents, are specifically designed to adjust the consistency of automotive paints, particularly those based on urethane or acrylic enamel systems. These reducers are formulated to work with specific paint systems and are often recommended by paint manufacturers for optimal performance. They help achieve the desired spray viscosity and atomization when using spray guns, ensuring a smooth and even application. Automotive paint reducers are usually composed of a blend of solvents and additives tailored to the specific paint system being used.

It’s important to note that the terms “paint thinner” and “reducer” can vary depending on regional and industry-specific preferences. Always refer to the specific product’s instructions, guidelines, and safety information provided by the manufacturer to ensure proper usage and compatibility with the paint you are using.

Additionally, when working with any solvent-based products like paint thinners or reducers, it’s crucial to follow safety precautions such as adequate ventilation, wearing protective gloves and eyewear, and avoiding open flames or sparks due to their flammable nature. Disposing of these substances properly according to local regulations is also essential to protect the environment.

Coach Painting: Pinstriping gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries during the era of horse-drawn carriages. Skilled coach painters used fine brushes and special enamel paints to create intricate designs on carriages, including delicate pinstripes. These decorative touches were a mark of craftsmanship and added elegance to the carriages.

Automotive Era: The popularity of pinstriping surged with the rise of the automotive industry in the early 20th century. As automobiles became more affordable and accessible, car owners sought to personalize and enhance the appearance of their vehicles. Pinstriping became a popular form of automotive customization.

The Birth of Striping Styles: In the 1950s and 1960s, the art of pinstriping experienced a renaissance with the rise of custom car culture and hot rod enthusiasts. Artists like Von Dutch (Kenny Howard) and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth became famous for their unique striping styles and elaborate designs. Their bold, freehand striping techniques and innovative use of colors pushed the boundaries of pinstriping as an art form.

Influence of Kustom Kulture: During the 1960s and 1970s, the art of pinstriping became closely associated with the emerging Kustom Kulture movement. Pinstriping adorned hot rods, motorcycles, and custom cars, reflecting the rebellious and individualistic spirit of the counterculture.

Modern Pinstriping: Pinstriping continued to evolve and diversify in the following decades. Artists like Dean Jeffries, Ed Newton, and many others made significant contributions to the art form. Pinstriping techniques expanded to include more intricate designs, lettering, and special effects, such as shading and blending.

Today, pinstriping remains popular in automotive customization, as well as in other artistic fields like sign painting, motorcycle customization, and even fine art. It has become a recognized and respected art form, with pinstriping artists showcasing their skills at events, exhibitions, and on social media platforms.

The art of pinstriping has a vibrant history that has evolved alongside changes in transportation, artistic trends, and cultural influences. It continues to captivate enthusiasts and artists who appreciate its craftsmanship, precision, and ability to add a touch of style and individuality to various surfaces.

1. Color Wheel: The color wheel is a circular representation of colors, typically organized in a specific order. It serves as a tool to understand color relationships and combinations. The most common color wheel consists of primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), secondary colors (orange, green, and violet), and tertiary colors (created by mixing primary and secondary colors).
2. Primary Colors: These are the fundamental colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. In traditional color theory, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. They are often used as the base for creating other colors.
3. Secondary Colors: These colors are created by mixing equal amounts of two primary colors. The secondary colors are orange (red + yellow), green (yellow + blue), and violet/purple (blue + red).
4. Tertiary Colors: These colors are formed by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color on the color wheel. Examples of tertiary colors include yellow-green, blue-violet, and red-orange.
5. Complementary Colors: Complementary colors are pairs of colors that are positioned opposite each other on the color wheel. They create a strong visual contrast when placed together. Examples of complementary pairs are red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and violet.
6. Color Harmony: Color harmony refers to the pleasing arrangement of colors in a composition. Different color schemes can be used to achieve harmony, such as complementary, analogous (colors adjacent to each other on the wheel), triadic (three colors evenly spaced on the wheel), and monochromatic (variations of a single color).
7. Warm and Cool Colors: Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) evoke a sense of energy, warmth, and vibrancy. Cool colors (blue, green, violet) are associated with calmness, serenity, and a sense of distance.
8. Color Contrast: Color contrast involves using colors with differing properties to create visual interest and make elements stand out. Contrast can be achieved through variations in hue, value (lightness or darkness), and saturation (intensity).
9. Color Psychology: Colors can evoke emotional and psychological responses. For example, red is often associated with passion or danger, blue with tranquility or sadness, and yellow with happiness or energy. Color psychology explores the impact of color on human behavior and emotions.
10. Color in Design: Color theory is extensively applied in various design disciplines, including graphic design, interior design, fashion design, and visual arts. Understanding color relationships helps designers create aesthetically pleasing compositions, convey messages, and evoke desired moods or emotions.

These are just some of the fundamental concepts in color theory. The field is rich and complex, offering many principles and techniques to explore and apply when working with colors.

To age stripes/lettering, I usually do one color at a time. I would stripe a color, around the car/truck, when I got back around to where I started, I will sprinkle baby powder all over the wet stripes. This will flatten the sheen and speeds up the drying time, in a few minutes the 1 Shot is not sticky. I normally give it about 10 – 20 minutes to dry up a bit, you can go longer to maybe an hour or two. Then I will take a paper towel or blue shop towel and dampen it with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. You want to just dampen the rag to a little on the  dry side, if you soak it you could take the stripes off completely.

Then gently rub off the areas the might see the most wear. The stripes will slowly fade.

You can also add a little baby powder to your paint to flatten the sheen.  Below are some examples, they were all painted with 1 Shot Lettering Enamel.

Good luck, have fun!

That’s how I roll

LA Gold Leaf

W&B Gold Leaf

• 515-971-3902
indianolatintanddetail.com
504 S Jefferson Way
Indianola, IA 50125