Hobbytex Instructions

HOBBYTEX
BASIC PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS

Item No. 8664

Hobbytex ball-point painting is an exciting, easy and fun way of fabric decorating. There are dozens of pictures, table-linens and fashion items available to paint or you may prefer to decorate your own items. There are also many other helpful Hobbytex accessories and exciting techniques which makes this Australian craft a wonderful and most enjoyable pastime.

The following information is a quick guide to basic painting. You will need to use the new Complete Guide To Hobbytex Painting (8670) to discover all the exciting techniques.

BALL-POINT TUBES

Each Hobbytex Ball-Point Tube of paint is fitted with a specially engineered ball-point tip. Correct care and use are important to keep the tubes in top condition. Before beginning to paint, lightly press the crimped end of the tube to fill the nylon tip with paint. Hold the tube in a completely upright position, not on a slant. with the tip pointing down, touching the fabric. Apply an even pressure whilst painting in small, circular motions. The moment the tip is lifted from the material surface, the paint will simply stop flowing.

TUBE CARE

It is recommended that you use the Hobbytex plastic Tube Guard (1615) on each tube of paint. These guards protect against excessive squeezing and help provide a firm grip. Do not squeeze or fold the tube as the paint is being used up. Instead, just lightly press the remaining paint towards the tip.

Ideally, paints should be stored in the vertical position, with the tip pointing down. The Hobbytex Tube Toter (1603 & 1604) is ideal for storing your paints and comes with a handle for easy carrying. This will greatly increase the life of your paints. If, over time, some paint pigments begin to separate, then by having them stored upright in the Toter, any problems can generally be avoided, as the oil will separate to the crimped end of the tube. Store paints in a cool place in the house. Do not leave them in a hot car.

TIP CARE

The Ball-Point Tips should be wiped clean frequently using a lint-free cloth dampened with Hobbytex Tip Cleaner/Thinners (1628). This will ensure an even flow of paint & maintain your tips in their original condition. Keep the Tip Cleaner on hand whenever you are working with your paints. The Tip Wrench incorporated in the Stylus (1616) makes removing the tips that may need cleaning or soaking, so easy.

If a tube has not been used for a number of years, the paint may have dried

in the paint may have dried in the tip and is easily fixed by replacing the tip altogether. Replacement Tips are available in packs of 3’s (1605), 10’s (1670) and 25’s (1651). Simply unscrew the old tip using the Tip Wrench and screw in the new one, tightening it with the wrench.

JUMBO TIPS

Jumbo Tips are great for painting large areas and backgrounds, particularly on non-woven pictures. They are also used when painting on velveteen and toweling as it allows the paint to flow easier on the raised fabric. Simply remove the regular tip from the tube with the Tip Wrench and screw in a Jumbo Tip by hand. These are available in packets of 2 (1643) or a pack of 10 (1709).

BLENDING & SHADING

Many Hobbytex items require a gradual change of colour to give a more realistic effect. This is made much easier in many designs that are already “pre-shaded” and allows the blending of colours to be minimal.

A broken line of dashes on a Hobbytex Colour Chart indicates that the colours are to be gradually merged by blending them together. The result should be a subtle change of colour, and you should not be able to see a line where the colours meet.

Apply the first colour to the design, painting to just above the blending line. Then apply the second colour to just below the blending line, allowing the two colours to overlap. While the paint is still wet, use the Hobbytex Blending Stylus (1616), the flat and coned shaped ends to blend the colours together. Very realistic effects can be obtained by blending colours, but remember that the blending must be done whilst the paint is still wet.

PAINTING ON NON-WOVEN MATERIAL

Hobbytex pictures are specially screen-printed on a non-woven fabric. This is a bonded, flat, firm fabric which is ideally suited to applying paint. The pressed fibres readily absorb the paints and blending colours together is made very easy

Paint on a firm, flat surface. Place a thick blotter underneath your work to ensure the paint is readily absorbed. The Block Blotter (1632) is ideal for this. If you are right-handed, then start painting from the top-left of the design so as not to smudge your work with your hand as you move around. Start at the top-right of the design if you are left-handed. When painting large, non-woven pictures, you can also use brush painting which makes blending easy and gives a very realistic look.

PAINTING ON POLY-COTTON MATERIAL

Hobbytex Tablecloths and other “linens” are screen printed on a woven material which is mostly polyester cotton or polyester viscous rayon. Painting on these fabrics is much the same as the non-woven. However, it is advisable to use a Hoop & Blotter to keep the material from moving, whilst painting. The Hoop will hold the woven fabric firmly in place and you can use both sides of the blotter each time you need to move your position of work. The base of the hoop also provides a solid surface for ease of application and paint saturation.

Large Oval Hoops (1608) are suitable for cloths, centrepieces, placemats, runners, cushion covers, etc and the Small Round Hoops (1606) are ideal for the doilies & serviettes. Replacement blotters are also available.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Keep out of reach of children. The spirit/oil based paints are not designed to be used by young children. Children over the age of about 8 may use the paints but only under complete adult supervision. They are not a toy and are generally designed for adult use. Keep this in mind when storing your paints if you have young ones in the house or visiting.
FIRST AID: If swallowed, wash out mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Obtain medical advice.

Always paint in a well-ventilated area. Ideally, paint in a large room or have a window open.
If you get paint on your hands, it can be removed easily with the Tip Cleaner/Thinners. Because of the natural oils on your skin, the paint cannot penetrate. Soap and water can be used although it may not come off immediately, but after a few good soap washings, it will be worn off.

Wishing you many Happy Hours with Hobbytex