Learn to Airbrush
Airbrushing and what you will need to
get started.
I put this little article
together for those of you brand new to airbrushing and for those of you who
have been out of airbrushing for awhile.
It's common for me to hear
from folks who at one time tried their hand at airbrushing and become so
frustrated during the learning process they gave up and put the airbrush away
until just recently when they decided to give airbrushing a try once again. Our
network of web sites, forums and Airbrush Technique Magazine where created to
help anyone interested entire the world of airbrushing, custom painting easily.
Below is a list of supplies and equipment you'll need to get off to a
good start in the world of airbrushing no matter what it is you want to
airbrush.
Airbrush Technique Magazine publishes FREE basic airbrush
lessons, tutorials to get you up to speed with the basics of airbrushing,
custom paint on the following web sites.
howtoairbrush.com, airbrushhowto.com and
howtocustompaint.com . The
airbrush information, lessons, tutorials
contained on those web sites will help you become accomplished enough with
your airbrush so you'll get more out of the airbrush technique articles
published in Airbrush Technique Magazine. With a little practice and the
support of Airbrush Technique Magazine web sites and the
magazine support forum there is
no reason anyone can't learn how to airbrush.
AIRBRUSHES
These days the most commonly
used airbrush for auto art, custom painting motorcycles, helmets, fine art,
illustrations, T Shirts, models is the double action airbrush. A good name
brand (Iwata, Badger, Passche) double action airbrush can be purchased for
about $50.00 on the low end to $400.00 on the high end. Single action
airbrushes are still manufactured but for the almost the same amount of money
you can buy a double action airbrush which is much more versatile and easier to
use.
With a double action airbrush you push the trigger down for air and
gently pull back for paint. For more information on using a double action
airbrush please check out howtoairbrush.com. There you can start with basic
airbrush lesson number one and work your way thru airbrush basic lesson five.
click on image to see a bigger
view
There are two main types of double
action airbrushes:
Gravity Feed Paint is
held in the color cup on top of the airbrush. Trigger action is the same as a
bottom feed airbrush, push down for air and gently pull back for paint. The
gravity feed airbrush is generally the choice for doing fine detail
airbrushing.
click on image to see a bigger
view
Bottom Feed or Siphon Feed Airbrushes
Paint is contained in a small color cup or bottle which attaches to the
bottom of the airbrush. Generally is type of airbrush is best for spraying
thicker paints such as textle colors and for covering larger areas.
click on image to see a bigger
view
AIRBRUSH HOSE
When you purchase your
airbrush be sure to also buy the correct air hose to fit the brand airbrush you
will be using. Badger, Passche, Iwata airbrushes have there own airbrush hose's
which fit only their airbrushes. The smaller end of the airbrush hose will be
the end you screw into your airbrush while the larger end ( ¼ standard
coupling) will screw right onto just about all types of compressors. Some
hose's coming with in line moisture traps which is not a bad idea as you need
to keep any water in your air from ruining your art work.
click on image to see a bigger
view
AIRBRUSH AIR SOURCES
A common misconception is
that you need to use a compressor created, marketed for airbrushing. You can
use any compressor for airbrushing such as the ones they sell at Home Depot,
Lowes or your local art store. The advantage of the compressors marketed for
airbrushing is they are generally quiet or create less noise than your standard
type compressor. If noise is an issue using a silent compressor or CO2 would be
your best options.
CO2 - You can
generally purchase a CO2 tank from your local welding supplier for about
$120.00. You will need to also purchase a regulator for the tank and they cost
about $70.00, pictured below.
Silent Airbrush Compressors
Compressors manufactured,
marketed for airbrushing vary in price from $90.00 on the low side to $800 or
$900. These type's of compressor you can purchase thru most art supply stores
and come in various sizes. Be sure the compressor is rated for the type of
airbrushing you will be doing. These compressors are best suited for
airbrushing fine art, illustrations, nail art, body art, models and
crafts.
Standard Compressor
Standard compressors are
those you find sold at outlets like Sears, Home Depot, Lowes. For doing
airbrushing T Shirts commercially, auto art, bikes and helmets these types of
compressors are generally your best choice. Airbrush T Shirts all day long
five, six, seven days a week is very hard on a compressor and a standard type
compressor is much better suited for this type of use. Airbrushing auto art,
motorcycles, and helmets generally requires spraying base coats, clear coats
which requires at least a thirty gallon tank and five horse power compressors
to operate a small spray gun. If all you will be doing is adding art work than
a small "airbrush" compressor would work fine.
No matter what you will be
airbrushing please be sure to wear a respirator rated for the type of material
you'll be spraying.
Airbrush Holder
Airbrush holder is a must
have for any studio or shop, its very cheap insurance against your airbrush
hitting the floor.
Some other airbrush
accessories you'll find come in vary handy would be: Drawing paper, tracing
paper, drawing pencils, hobby knife, ease's of all types, and several rolls of
masking tape, Frisket Film, drafting templates and rules, an easel.
I hope this short article
gives you an idea of some of the airbrush supplies and equipment we'll need to
enter the world of airbrushing. |
