Starting with Airbrush
Airbrush Styles
What a versatile tool an airbrush is! Miraculously it can make flat objects look 3-D, create soft shadings, make designs appear transparent, do textured backgrounds and much more. Airbrushes come in a variety of different styles at different price levels. The styles of airbrushes are defined by:
Profile (gravity feed or bottom feed). With a gravity feed airbrush, the paint is poured into a cup on top of the body. A bottom feed uses a hose and suction to draw the paint up into the nozzle.
Trigger action (single or dual/double). With a single-action airbrush, you press down on the trigger to get air and paint in a predetermined spray pattern. With a dual-action airbrush you press down on the trigger to engage the air and pull back on the trigger to get paint.
How paint is mixed with air (internally or externally). In an internal mix airbrush the air goes into the body of the airbrush and meets the paint inside the tool where they mix. In an external mix airbrush air and paint meet outside of the brush.
Basic Supplies
To get started, you’ll need the following: an airbrush, hose, air source, airbrush cleaner, airbrush holder, stencil film, stencil adhesive, cutting mat, X-Acto #1 knife with #11 blade, old toothbrush, round wooden toothpicks, black fine tip permanent pen, masking tape, dust mask, metal ruler and paper towels.
Air Sources
Compressed air and a connector hose are required to run an airbrush. Two common air sources are aerosol propellant cans and electric compressors.
Aerosol Propellant Cans It’s wise to have two cans of air so as one cools down and loses its pressure, the second can be used while the first warms to room temperature. To turn the air off and on, propellant cans require an adapter (regulator valve) for the top. Use a vinyl hose to connect the airbrush to the propellant.
Compressors These are the easiest to use but most expensive type of air source. The personal-size compressor equipped with an automatic shut-off is very convenient for serious airbrushers. Use a 10' braided hose with a moisture trap to connect the air brush to the compressor (instructions come with the compressor).
Your Airbrushing Work Area
1. Establish a well-ventilated work area. You may want to cover your work surface until you are familiar with
the airbrush. If using an airbrush holder, be sure it’s handy.
2. Have a roll of paper towels nearby. If a stencil is really wet after painting, while it is still in place, pick up the whole roll and roll over the stencil to eliminate surplus paint and stop runs before they start.
3. The surface you’re painting should be almost upright so an easel is very useful. If not available, use a chair back to prop your designs against (cover all exposed areas).
4. Since the paint is airborne, it’s wise to wear a mask when doing a lot of painting.
To Operate
1. Hook up propellant, following manufacturer directions included with the adapter.
2. After the airbrush is hooked up to the air supply, remove the color cup cap and the protective cap on the airbrush tip.
3. Fill the color cup with paint – no more than
1/3 full.
4. For a double- or dual-action brush, when the airbrush trigger is depressed (with the adjustment screw all the way forward) air is released. As the trigger is drawn back (while still depressed) paint is released. The further the trigger is pulled back, the larger the volume of paint sprayed. A fine line or small dot is achieved by working very close to the work surface with the trigger drawn back slightly. A broad pattern is achieved by moving the airbrush away from the work surface while pulling the trigger all the way back. The proper triggering of the airbrush is down for air movement, back for paint flow, forward to stop paint flow and up to stop the air.
Working with an Airbrush
1. Best results are achieved by constant motion. Start your motion before pressing the trigger, follow through your motion after releasing the trigger. Do not reverse your direction. If the motion is uneven, the finish will be uneven.
2. Runs and sags are the most common problem. They are caused by:
a. “Freezing” or forgetting to release the trigger at the end of the stroke.
b. Holding the airbrush still or moving too slowly.
c. Holding the airbrush too close to the surface.