Template plastic

Where can I get the clear plastic used in templates so that I can cut some out?

I get it as Michaels in pads. Stencil Material. You can also get a stencil "burner" where you use a modified solder iron to "Cut" the stencils.

Often, with air brush on a one up project, I cut stencils out of index cards.

on a related note... where can one get good airbrush training? Or is it straightforward enough to pick up on your own?

FABAIC has classes in airbrush.

I once used projector paper.

I saw some stencil sheets at Walmart the other day, I almost got them just to use to practice facepainting on. I think they came in a pack of 3 and they were 7x10 size for under $4.00

found a pack of 120 at Office Max.

I teach airbrush classes, have for many years. I can also refer you to qualified instructors. I will be at FPABC and travel for group classes. Happy to help you. As with anything you can learn some things on your own, but if you want to be proficient take a class. Airbrushes are temperamental and a class will save you a hundred headaches, and will give you tips on how to render looks you will not "get" online / on your own.

Honestly every instructor I know can tell you that they have had to backtrack people or help them fix their airbrushes because they made errors in trying to learn on their own. You can but really a class is so worth your investment.

I cut stencils from 7.5 ml clear material. I am giving away scraps at FPBAC in my pre class. It is too hard of a material to cut with an exacto or burn. And burning is ok but you will never get the quality of stencil as a real plotter or a laser will give. With this material templates or rails are easy to cut with scissors.

I have never seen clear stencil material at Micheals, Hobby Lobby or such crafting places. I sure some have art supplies, but limited. They do sell a milky white material, which Walmart also carries. One can from art stores and airbrush shops buy an acetate alternative, which you can cut with exacto and burners. These will last you a few uses and do require more/better handling of the stencil or template/rail.

I make all my own stencils as I use them a lot with brush&sponge body painting. Far cheaper and you can get what you actually want straight away, as well as offer custom designs for clients logos etc.

Get a hot-pen stencil cutter - MUCH easier to do anything thats not just geometric shapes(which is most stuff).

Only thing is to get to test which clear (or tinted) mylar you use before you buy much of it; even the stencil mylar sold by some stencil shops to go with the hotpen bubbles up and melts into nasty scratchy edges. In the UK I get mine from the stencil studio I think it was (a4 sheets or a bigger roll).

Its great, they last years.

Cat x