Quick question.

Mr. Magoo said:

OK, I just noted the reply from Nessus, so I'll take it as affirmative, NEVER mix paints. In fact, I should toss out the others just so I never get tempted (lots of nice pearls and metallics there to cause no end of trouble.

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Needn't toss them out. Just make sure you keep them segregated in your workflow by cleaning. Or, since you have multiple brushes now, assign them to separate brushes so you can use them concurrently without having to clean.

Nessus said:

If you can get fine enough lines, you technically could get a fairly crisp edged border by drawing a fine line, then scribbling/crosshatching to fill in behind it until you have enough margin to cover the overspray (the "fuzzyness") when you back up to get a wider spray for proper infilling. However that would be a very inefficient way to get a solid color, and would risk incurring a lot of unwanted visual texture.

Texture can be a good thing (google Wayne Barlowe, and look at how he uses diegetic textures as crosshatching in his pencil sketches), but it all depends on what you're trying to accomplish, and how quickly.

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Well how about this: Yesterday I made very good use of spidering to achieve the appearance of coral reef sea weed. I hit the trigger hard and got very nicely shaped lines 1/2 -3/4" long.

INFILLING! I've yet to see how to do that without getting those start/stop spots one gets by going back and forth. One direction only??? Tedious.

Nessus said:

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Where did you learn to describe things so well? I used to write technical manuals, so I notice such things.

Your point is well taken, and besides it takes less time to use my fingers and pinch it off than to fumble around looking for the eraser, tho the biggest danger is just having the AB in my hand, hahaha.

A month ago I was ready to give it up. Now I'm confident that I will be able to make it do what I originally intended, which is colored lines drawings, among other things, partly professional, partly hobbiest. Thanks to you guys.

Mr. Magoo said:

RE: the ERASER: I'm serious . . . . . and why the uproar, it works very nicely. Here-to-fore I was jabbing into a crease in my jeans, but it is now too hot for jeans. Using the Pink Pearl brand which is non-crumbly.

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Uproar? LOL..No uproar, just surprised that anyone could consider that a good idea, especially from someone who wrote technical manuals (Maybe Boxing or WWE manuals?)...Something like that doesn't need further explaining as to why its a bad idea, just needs common sense applied. One problem is many beginners see things like that and figure its worth trying, thus my post..Dare I say it I honestly thought you we're just pulling our legs..But at least nessus maybe helped save you some more pain..I wouldn't be surprised if you've cracked the nozzle or hooked the needle, but perhaps you've gotten lucky, luck sometimes saves the day. Best of luck for your future endevours...

Jamming needles into hard stuff will end in tears... unless you are the guy selling the new needle. I use my finger to scrape the tip dry off...

Cotton bud soaked in reducer if im really cautious!

A #4 paint brush with shortened bristles did it for me. Dip it in water or cleaner and just wiggle it over the needle tip and it is clean.