Surface Masters
4-DAY WORKSHOP - CHARLESTON
WITH DRU BLAIR
Step By Step Instruction
Dru Blair shows you how to create a variety of cool textured surfaces from start to finish.
Virtual Workshop
Now you have the option to follow the course on your computer at home in real-time as a virtual interactive workshop.
Guaranteed to Improve your Art
December-3-6, 2020
Tuition $995 USD | Virtual $795
Metallics 101
Perhaps the coolest of all surfaces are the metal surfaces. They offer it all: reflections, highlights, grunge, patina, and tiny details. We'll show you how to enhance your work with different metals for maximum impact.
Unleash your potential
With our workshops, you'll not only be able to render more accurately, but you will understand what you re seeing more clearly. .
Slow growth?
Not problem. Even if you are stuck in a rut, we'll show you how to prevail in even your most challenging paintings.
This is Airbrushing Evolved
The beauty is in the subtle details, elegant colors, and reflections of a surface. Mastery of this is not as difficult as you might think. Our methods might not always be conventional, but they get results, and that's what counts.
Welcome to the next level
Imagine being able to create paintings with surface textures so real that people mistake your paintings for photographs. We'll show you how!
If you want to be the best you can be, you need to train with the best.
Why not train at the best airbrush school
in the world?
It's not just hype. No other airbrush school delivers as much content as we do. That's why the best instructors from other schools and universities train here.
Welcome to the most informative airbrush workshop on the planet.
You could spend years (or more likely, decades) trying to unlock all the secrets of surface textures. Now it’s possible for you to reach your artistic potential in a fraction of the time that it would take if you tried it on your own.
Light physics that solves all your surface challenges
Besides mastering reflected light , you will also learn all about radiosity, depth of field, subsurface scattering, and refraction. This knowledge will help take your painting to the next level!
The tools you need
Knowledge is the most powerful tool we give you, but we aren’t just limited to teaching you all about straight airbrushing. We include a variety of other tricks to help you make your present and future artwork the best possible. This will allow you to create amazing special effects of transparency for glass and water effects, for example.
What you will learn
01
Layout and composition
This is the most important foundation of any painting, yet it is the most overlooked. Here you will learn how to position your elements in its environment and make use of background negative space.
02
The 8 differences between Opaque and Transparent paint
There are a lot of opinions as to which is better. The answer is that each possesses unique characteristics which need to be considered first. You will learn all the differences, and when and why to use each.
03
Metal and Distressed Metal
Learn about the appearance of different types of metal: iron, steel, gold, pitted, painted and chromed surfaces.
04
Matching with transparent colors
Matching color with a transparent paint uses a different technique than matching with opaque paint. Here we will show you how to match colors perfectly using only transparent paint.
05
How to use the Value Color Wheel set
Value is the most important component of color. Learn how Dru uses the value color wheel set to arrive at the right color for any project.
06
Eliminating the problem of simultaneous contrast
Simultaneous contrast is the illusion that colors touching each appear more different than they actually are. We will show you how to harness this problem with color discrimination and turn it into one of your most powerful assets.
07
Using a blade to correct mistakes
Most people wouldn’t believe that a blade can be used to make subtle adjustments or correct major errors. We will show you the best way to apply the blade.
08
How to avoid that cut-out look
It's often difficult to manage the transition between the object and the background. Learn how to place the subject in its environment, and not appear cut-out looking.
09
Understanding specular highlights
We will take an in-depth look at specularity and how it defines a texture.
10
5 ways to use a hand shield
Use these different techniques to use the mask to make your painting better. Its simple and easy, yet few people know about these alternate techniques.
11
Your Tool Arsenal
It never hurts to have knowledge of other tools. Here we will introduce you to more great tools There are many tools that complement the airbrush, and we want you to be able to enjoy having them all in your arsenal.
12
Eraser techniques
Take what you already know about erasing and add to it. The eraser can be used to cut like a blade, or blend softly. We will show you how to get even more out of your erasers.
13
Extending your bladework
The blade is a powerful tool, but must be held in a very specific way to be effective. Here you will learn advanced methods with the blade for even greater realism.
14
Extra techniques for more realism
Certain types of fur are more difficult to render than others, and require a different approach. We will show it all to you, as well as some extra tips for greater realism.
15
Depth of field
One of the coolest effects is creating a sense of depth by varying the focus. We will show you how to make this work for you.
16
Navigating difficult transitions
Some complex transitions are a bit tricky to navigate. We will show you how to manage them so that your blends and edges enhance your painting.
17
Buffered Contrast Reduction (BCR)
We will teach you all about BCR .and how to use a reverse BCR technique. Its a great solution for managing complex contrast scenarios
18
5 ways to deal with the worst disasters in your paintings
Sometimes we make horrific mistakes. The trick is knowing how to deal with them, and hide them in the finished product. We will discuss the 5 options.
19
Alternative ways to match colors
Its difficult to paint anything accurately until you can really see it. We will teach you how to visually dismantle an object, then reassemble it on the painting surface.
What students are saying
I attended Dru's workshop with the hope of learning to paint, I left with the ability to "see" and a system that allowed me to develop my own understanding of painting and colours. Your system has given me the freedom to explore my own creativity.
Paul MacDonald
(Airvengers) Australia
Dru's teachings showed me how to create great detail and gave me the ability to achieve PHOTOREALISM in my artworks. Thank you for pioneering the world of photorealism in airbrushing, I doubt I would have got here without your long nights and many experiments .
David Naylor
Spain
Dru's workshop influenced the way I paint and gave me some new concepts, knowledge and skills to implement into the way I worked today I recommend it!
Mitch Lowther
(Airbrush tutor) Australia
Why should you take this class? Consider your options
1. You could give up on your dreams and continue doing what you are doing, but let's be frank. You would not have continued reading up to this point if you wanted that. You are here because you believe that you deserve to be a better artist than what you are now. You aren’t the kind of person who’s going to settle for mediocrity.
2. You could try practicing on your own hoping to figure it out someday. Its very difficult and time-consuming without all the shortcuts that we could show you, but its an excellent choice if you have all the time in the world.
3. Enroll in this course and enjoy the benefits of step by step guided instruction. You get what you need without wasting years or possibly a lifetime of guessing. If you don’t have the ability to travel to our workshops, try our Classroom in a box series and learn from home.
Our
Guarantee
We are so sure that we offer the best airbrush course in the world that we are willing to offer you tuition money back if you don’t notice an immediate improvement in your art, and in the way you see the world after taking this course.
Painting true to life textures
You will learn a lot of techniques in your workshop, but the most valuable lesson gained is for you to better understand and see the world differently.
We will give you the power to create or re-create reality with stunning photorealism, and at a level no other airbrush workshop in the world offers. A photorealist painter can easily paint in any style, from abstract to impressionist, and even mimic the old masters' paintings. The choices are limitless.
As artists, we take our inspiration from the visual world around us and re-create it on board, metal, or canvas. At the Blair School, we would like to show you how to do it more successfully.
Lodging
Our new school does not feature on-site lodging and meals. However, we can suggest the Tru by Hilton for the budget-minded, and the Hyatt House Charleston / Mount Pleasant
Virtual Workshop
We offer a virtual online option for this class via Zoom available during this workshop. We have an amazing presentation camera that transmits the lesson up-close in high definition so you can follow every step of the way. Click here for more info about the virtual courses.
Meals
Charleston and Mount Pleasant are both known for their incredible restaurants. Since meals and lodging are not included in the tuition, students will have access to a variety of choices of restaurants in the area. Also the Wyndham Garden Hotel has a bar that serves good food. At least one night we will all dine together. Families invited!
Getting here
The class will be held at the Blair Center for the Arts, 1125 Bowman Road, Unit #100, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Charleston has a wonderful airport with easy access, and is about a 20 minute drive from the school and hotel. If you plan on doing some touring before or after class, we recommend UBER or taxi service, as parking can be bit tricky in the historic town. If you have questions about this class, the direct line to the school here is 843-936-6351.
