Q & A with Drew Brophy


Drew Brophy has been a professional artist for over twenty years. Drew came from the simple beginning of airbrushing surfboards now it’s his job to make a wide variety of things look cool. Using a variety of mediums, Drew has designed hundreds of things including skateboards, wakeboards, tiki mugs, clothing and Converse shoes. His de- signs begin life as a concept that he creates in his studio in San Clemente, California. When he’s not painting, he’s surfing and traveling with his family.


Q …. What drives you to be an artist?


A……Growing up I was an avid surfer and I got into painting my own surfboards. Eventually, I got a job painting boards at a surfboard factory.


Q …. How was it you first picked up an airbrush to use in your artwork?


A …. It was at the surfboard factory that I was first handed an airbrush. I had no instruction; I had to figure it out for myself. It seemed more technical than artistic.


Q …. You use different mediums for your projects. How does airbrush fit into that? A …. As a professional artist, learning to combine different mediums and techniques allows you to get more creative.


I like to team up graffiti, paint pens and airbrush together; spraying with spray paint is so loose and free, and the air- brush is so tight. The paint pens give it another dimension. Being able to use those three mediums together has enabled me to finish a big project, like painting a van, in eight hours rather than eight days.


When I create big abstract paintings, I love using the trans- parent airbrush paint. I’ll start with spray paint, then add airbrush and then use brushes. I end up with unique layers of paint and texture. These paintings have become very popular with my collectors.


I also like using the airbrush with stencils. I like how some of the stencil techniques I’ve used on surfboards can be used to paint shoes and boots – a fast and easy way to customize your stuff.


The possibilities are endless…


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