The concept of an airbrush has existed since the Neolithic, when men sprayed the juice of berries on cave walls with their mouths for cave paintings. The modern airbrush was born in the early twentieth century and has since been used by many artists to create sensational works of art. Here are some tips on how to get started with an airbrush.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part One: Preparation
Step 1. Prepare the materials
Working best with an airbrush requires a few things. Check the “Things You Will Need” section at the bottom of the article and get ready. Put the hot stamping sheet on the easel or on the table, fill the bucket with water and arrange the other tools so that they are easily accessible.
Step 2. Know the tools
To use the airbrush well, you need a certain knowledge of its components and how they contribute to the desired effect.
- Airbrushes are of two types: single-action and double-action. Double action ones provide more control, while single action ones have fewer moving parts and are easier to clean.
- The nozzle is the point where the needle is put. Depending on the project you have in mind you can use different needles.
- The air source is the one that feeds the airbrush so that it sprays properly. Most jobs need a source that provides 100 P. S. I. air. constant. Ask an expert for advice on what pressure is best for the project you have in mind.
Step 3. Prepare the paint
Use the jars and bowls of your airbrush set to mix the acrylic paint with a little water and obtain a consistency similar to that of ink. If, on the other hand, you are using inks, there is no need to dilute them. Remember that you can add water but not remove it, so put in a few drops at a time. Learning to achieve the ideal consistency requires a little practice.
Each project requires different paints. Depending on the surface you are going to paint, you will need to adjust accordingly. To give an example, if you have to paint fabrics you will need a soft and flexible paint, which does not break or be damaged by washing. Conversely, a harder paint is preferable to use if you need to paint a metal surface
Step 4. Test the paint
Adjust the airbrush cap so that the needle does not touch the cap but that there is enough space to let the air through. Try spraying paint on paper to test the consistency, practice using the lever and button. For a more homogeneous effect, keep the airbrush about 20 cm from the surface.
Step 5. Learn to control the spray
Nebulization refers to how finely the paint is sprayed. The higher the pressure, the finer the atomization.
- The type of paint and its viscosity affect the atomization. Experiment with different paints and different viscosities to find the effect you want.
- For precision work you will need a thinner needle and low viscosity paint. Use low pressure air to do this type of work (15-40 P. S. I.).
Step 6. Learn to clean the airbrush
Detach bowls or jars and immerse the airbrush in a bucket. Now let some air pass so that the paint is washed off. Cpsì you will avoid that the colors mix inside the airbrush. Finally, blow the water away from the airbrush by pointing it at a rag or paper.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two: Start Using the Airbrush
Step 1. Make a preparatory drawing
Use a pencil to sketch the work you have in mind on the board. Erase unnecessary lines and try to lighten the indispensable lines. Make sure the drawing looks like what you have in mind.
Step 2. Start working on the paint
When painting try to work with one color at a time and start from the lower layers. In general, light colors are done first, then dark colors and the larger areas are filled in first.
- Cover the areas you don't want to paint. Put a frisket (a plastic sheet with adhesive back) over the design: cut around the area you want to cover with a knife and remove the extra part. Once finished, remove the frisket from the covered area. For the same purpose and to cover particular areas such as sharp edges you can use masking tape and paper.
- Use a fine needle for the details. As already explained, to work on the details you need less pressure (15-40 P. S. I).
Step 3. Seal the paint
Once finished, spray a fixative on the paint to seal it.
- Stay at least one meter away and spray with horizontal movements being careful not to overdo it.
- Let it dry and then, if you want, give another hand vertically.
Step 4. Clean the airbrush
The airbrush should be cleaned as soon as you have finished painting, so that the paint does not dry inside and deposits do not form on the needle. To be sure to clean everything, disassemble it, paying attention to the needle which is particularly fragile.
Step 5. Get better
You can search for videos online to learn different painting techniques. If you are in a big city, keep an eye on the street artists who are often seen in the places most frequented by tourists. Observing the techniques of others is a way to learn them and use them later to create your own style.
Advice
- A double action airbrush is recommended because it allows you to control the paint and the air separately.
- If you are just starting out and think that investing money in a quality air source is an excessive cost, you can try to rent a CO2 container from someone who deals with welding and the like.
Warnings
- Wear a dust mask or respirator.
- When working with the airbrush, make sure you do it in a well-ventilated place. In any case, it is better to work outdoors or in a room with many open windows.
