I have absolutely no experience what-so-ever using an airbrush but it has always been a process that has intrigued me. I have used spray paint and stencil methods before in my practise and I have always thought that airbrushing could be similar in terms of technique and method, just a little more fine in terms of spray, detail and finish. A few years ago I came across some examples of illustration where airbrush techniques had been used and the results of using this method were far from the old-fashioned 1960's album artwork I had seen or the popular nail-art/make-up examples I know that air-brushing is used for today. This artwork was fine, detailed and a great way of creating artwork using stencils, adding lots of fine details, pops of colour, gradients and the finish almost looks screen-printed in its smoothness.
I was given an airbrush as a gift for my birthday a few years ago and unfortunately never got around to experimenting - or even putting it all together to test it out. The airbrush and compressor came separately but what stopped me from being able to start using it was the fact that the manual included with the airbrush was all in a foreign language.
I have managed to do some online digging and found that on my airbrush's make "IWATA" website, there are some specification and manual information specific to by airbrush make and model, that should help me to start out as a beginner:
- Background about my airbrush why i have it etc (photos). make/model etc
- contextual research: artwork created using an airbrush that interests me (artists)
- research regarding the use of airbrushing (tutorials, website notes, you tube video embed?):
FAQs – Airbrush
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an airbrush?
A: An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that sprays fluid (paint, ink, dye, stain, glaze, etc.). It resembles, and is held like, a pen. It applies paint through a process known as atomization.
A: An airbrush is a small, air-operated tool that sprays fluid (paint, ink, dye, stain, glaze, etc.). It resembles, and is held like, a pen. It applies paint through a process known as atomization.
Q: What’s atomization?
A: An airbrush takes a fluid and turns it into a directed airborne mist. You can think of it as a sophisticated perfume atomizer or as a controllable spray paint can.
A: An airbrush takes a fluid and turns it into a directed airborne mist. You can think of it as a sophisticated perfume atomizer or as a controllable spray paint can.
Q: How does an airbrush work?
A: The airbrush must be attached to an air source to spray. Airbrushes have two systems that must work together to function properly. The air system provides energy for the atomization of the fluid. The fluid system delivers the paint to the tip of the airbrush to be atomized and sprayed onto a surface.
A: The airbrush must be attached to an air source to spray. Airbrushes have two systems that must work together to function properly. The air system provides energy for the atomization of the fluid. The fluid system delivers the paint to the tip of the airbrush to be atomized and sprayed onto a surface.
Q: What type of airbrush is best for me?
A: This depends on your desired application. Most airbrush users today use single- or dual-action, internal mix airbrushes because they offer the most control and the finest of sprays. However, single-action, external mix airbrushes are very popular for hobby and craft applications, the spraying of ceramic glazes or high viscosity materials, or where cost is a factor. (They are generally less expensive.)
A: This depends on your desired application. Most airbrush users today use single- or dual-action, internal mix airbrushes because they offer the most control and the finest of sprays. However, single-action, external mix airbrushes are very popular for hobby and craft applications, the spraying of ceramic glazes or high viscosity materials, or where cost is a factor. (They are generally less expensive.)
Q: What is the difference between internal-mix and external-mix?
A: In an internal-mix airbrush, the air and paint mix inside the paint tip. This produces a thorough atomization or mixing, which results in a very soft, fine spray pattern. In an external-mix airbrush, the air and paint mix outside the tip, producing a coarse spray pattern.
A: In an internal-mix airbrush, the air and paint mix inside the paint tip. This produces a thorough atomization or mixing, which results in a very soft, fine spray pattern. In an external-mix airbrush, the air and paint mix outside the tip, producing a coarse spray pattern.
Q: Why are there different size tips for the airbrush?
A: Nozzle sizes are differentiated by tenths and sometimes hundredths of millimeters. The different sizes allow for finer or coarser paint (how finely the paint pigment is ground up) while trading off between finer and coarser lines and spray patterns. The line sizes are relative within the Iwata product line. A practiced hand and deft touch can accomplish some amazing lines and effects with a .5mm nozzle on the Eclipse or Revolution series airbrushes.
A: Nozzle sizes are differentiated by tenths and sometimes hundredths of millimeters. The different sizes allow for finer or coarser paint (how finely the paint pigment is ground up) while trading off between finer and coarser lines and spray patterns. The line sizes are relative within the Iwata product line. A practiced hand and deft touch can accomplish some amazing lines and effects with a .5mm nozzle on the Eclipse or Revolution series airbrushes.
Q: What types of surfaces can be worked on?
A: All surfaces can be airbrushed, paper, canvas, plastic, metal, glass, wood, leather, skin, etc. The key is to insure the proper preparation of the surface prior to spraying and its compatibility with the sprayed material.
A: All surfaces can be airbrushed, paper, canvas, plastic, metal, glass, wood, leather, skin, etc. The key is to insure the proper preparation of the surface prior to spraying and its compatibility with the sprayed material.
Q: What kinds of paint can I use with the airbrush?
A: All paints, oils, acrylics, watercolors, automotive paints, enamels, alkyds, etc., are sprayable as long as they are thinned to a consistency, like light cream, that enables them to flow easily through the airbrush. However, if you’re just learning how to paint with an airbrush consider buying airbrush ready paints „ then you can focus on improving your technique rather than worrying about whether or not your paint is going to clog the airbrush.
A: All paints, oils, acrylics, watercolors, automotive paints, enamels, alkyds, etc., are sprayable as long as they are thinned to a consistency, like light cream, that enables them to flow easily through the airbrush. However, if you’re just learning how to paint with an airbrush consider buying airbrush ready paints „ then you can focus on improving your technique rather than worrying about whether or not your paint is going to clog the airbrush.
Airbrush ink/paint: Research
I recently purchased a large collection of Daler Rowney FW Artists' Acrylic Inks for use with a dip pen, to paint with, marble with and to create various effects using ink in water. After researching into this brand, it turns out these inks are one of the best for use with an airbrush, better still my IWATA make and model of airbrush. The pearlescent selection of inks in the same range have particles too large to pass through the airbrush needle so I need to remember this - however the large range of flat colours is fine and are also intermixable which is great. Now to add to my collection...when I stop being a poor student!
Masking/Stencil techniques: Research
Thoughts going forward:
I know that I will need to do a lot more research into this technique as i go along and throughout the process of creating my OUIL505 responses, however this initial research has got me inspired and I feel I am headed in the right direction (by way of materials at least) and cant wait to get started.
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