How use graphite in paint job?

slartibartfast

New Hunter
Hello, this is my first post and I am asking only because I cannot find any definitive solutions on how to use the graphite powder. Is one to simply add it to a can of paint or can it be dusted onto a spray job? I want the paints to have that metallic or baked paint look to them, so I am curious to know as I have never used this stuff outside of drawing. Thanks in advance!
 
Thanks? I was hoping for more words, maybe even a small paragraph.... anyways, apply when wet? Where do you get the stuff etc. Sixxgunn, if your going to reply, if your going to do it, do it right! LOL Just bustin' your balls a bit.
 
What are you planning on using the graphite for? The way you asked the question is about as helpful as how do I use glue?

I've used graphite powder for weathering. Once the paint is dry I brush on a bit of powder that I scrape from a pencil. I'm not really sure what I'd say about the technique beyond that.
 
I guess that was what I was looking for. I didn't think I would have needed to spell it out. I didn't think this question would illicit sarcasm and ridicule, but thanks!
 
Jeez, you guys are really rolling out the red carpet for this poor bugger. Makes some hesitant to ask for help with that attitude.
 
no one ridiculed you, nor were they sarcastic; your questions were answered. they may have been brief and concise answers, but they were answered. it never hurts to to have your first post be an introduction thread. tell us a little about yourself, what kind of costume do you want to build, etc. that way when you start asking questions people have warmed up to you, they know you a little better, and have an idea of why you're asking that question.

*edit* what's up with kirby getting R. Kelly'd?
 
Well I'm no expert but here is my two cents. You can get a razor, knife or something sharp and scrape pencil lead. Another easy way might be just get one of those electric pencil sharpeners and start whittling away at the pencils. When you open the catch bin you'll have plenty of graphite. You may also want to get some drawing charcoal and scrape it into a powder as well. Just blend it in with your fingers and try to think about why the places are burt. Be careful that you don't over do the charcoal or you'll have Boba looking like he just escaped 3rd degree burns on Mustafar! Go slow, take your time and have fun. Also look at as many reference photos as you can and other costumes on this site. The graphite will give you light burt smut effects and the charcoal darker effects. The only thing is that unless you use something to set these permanently into the fabric they may smudge or smear. If you are really brave you could replicate these burnt looks with an airbrush and fabric paint. Best of luck.
 
I was being a little facetious in my reply - I am really not that sensitive Saint Nasty! I guess as I have been lurking for some time I mistakenly felt that I didn't need to introduce myself first - that would have been a more civil thing to do.
I am an artist and I paint and sculpt, with more emphasis on sculpting lately. I did a full body sculpt of a Stormtrooper that I just finished up and now am tackling Boba. What a world of difference! I thought the Stormtrooper would be far more difficult as it requires everything to be sculpted and the vacuum formed - but that was ironically what made it easier. Boba's helmet is not as sculptural as the Stormtrooper and the suit and everything else is challenging to either find or create. So that is where I am at - just finding odds and ends right now and working on a helmet that was made by FP.
I have noticed that pictures of a really decent looking helmet had this powdery, almost granular look to the surface of the paint job, although an extremely fine texture that it is almost hard to see. I assumed this was done by using the graphite that I kept hearing about. I figured you added it to the paint when wet, but this didn't really look so hot when I tried a practice piece. So it is used more specifically as burn patterns and not as a general finish for the entire paint job? I guess that is what I specifically wanted to know.

ps that is Kirby drinking lemonade, you dirty bird!
 
I guess that was what I was looking for. I didn't think I would have needed to spell it out. I didn't think this question would illicit sarcasm and ridicule, but thanks!

Sarcasm? Perhaps a little.
Ridicule? Definitely not.

I was completely serious, and I'd say that Sixxgunn's answer was legit as well. When you ask a vague question, you get vague answers ;)

Not everyone uses graphite ( I'd guess that most do not. -- controlling powder precisely is much harder than using an airbrush) It's not like it's a ubiquitous thing that is a part of every build.

So, when asking about a particular technique it's important to explain to people what your goal is, so that they know how to answer. The more specific and detailed your question, the more helpful answers will be.

When I do my helmets, I get that fine texture by misting different colors on top of each other. I'll use a few shaes of green / grey / etc... in very thin mists back and forth on top of each other.

I use graphite powder sparingly for smudges and heavily dirty spots, but not much at all. Most of the coloration is done with paint.
 
When I use graphite or any other 'decorator type dust' for example, some times I use colored chalk to make dust also, usually grey brown black. I get the item the way I want it, (small sections, and dust it with a light coat of clear coat, in the finish you desire. I suppose if you wanted it to stick after the fact, you could try clear coat and then dust it, but painting it will by dragging will cause the finish to deform. Also note that you have to do short, light layers of clear so it doesnt run.

Youll not get it off though, so be warned.
 
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