Start With the Airbrush Basics

 Get the feel of your Airbrush

Ok, so you have purchased an airbrush and have a regulated air supply.  Now you are ready to have some fun and learn.  As  earlier mentioned, I recommend starting with a low viscosity paint, DR PH Martins or Golden Airbrush Colors.  If you don't want to spend the money yet, you could used food coloring.  It is inexpensive and very easy to clean.  Paper towels or pellon are great surfaces on which to practice.  Attach the paint bottle are fill the paint cup. Start out just getting the feel of the airbrush.  Push the trigger down and pull back for varying amounts of paint. Practice spraying close to the surface and gradually move away from the surface. Notice how the patterns change depending on the distance from the surface.  Close is for finer lines, as you pull away from the surface the spray gets wider and softer.

The following exercises must be done on a regular basis to master the control of the airbrush.  Be patient with this and always try to relax.  If you feel your getting too frustated,  just take a break.  Come back when you are more relaxed.  I am not going to lie, these exercises are monotonous and tedious.  They must be mastered though, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and more PRACTICE.

Observe the illustration below.  To do the first row of dots, slowly pull away from surface to get this effect.  Second row of dots, try to make each of these same size. Notice the short lines, you get this effect by stopping the airbrush briefly with the paint still on and then shut off.  For the dashes and longer lines illustrated, keep the airbrush moving after paint is shut off to get this effect.  Same with the dagger stroke, shutting paint off while still moving will give the end of the line a point.  You can exagerate the point by moving the airbrush closer to the surface as you finish the stroke and shut off the paint.  Thick to thin lines are made by adjusting the distance to the surface as you make the line.  Remember, closer is thinner.  Blending is done with same stroke as the dagger stroke but further from the surface for softer effect. Make overlapping strokes while slowly moving away from surface. Remember, for even edges keep the airbrush moving after you shut off paint.  If you stop with the paint still on, you get a uneven blending.

You've practice enough to at least get a good feel for the airbrush.  Now it is time to have a little more fun.  The best design to start with is the classic airbrush beach scene.  You will be using all the strokes you have been practicing.  I recommend practicing these scenes over and over. They are not as boring as the first exercises, but you will still get to practice the most important strokes: lines, dagger strokes, dots, blending and shading.

The following is an illustration of the beach scene.  Try variations of this. Varying the colors used, position of the palm trees, adding some clouds, small island on the horizon, the possibilities are endless.  Here are the steps.

 Caring for your Airbrush and Basic Trouble Shooting

You want to take care of your new investment. Never leave paint in your airbrush after use.  It's ok just to flush some water (water based paints) through it until it is spraying clear. I will leave the water bottle attached to the airbrush until I'm ready to use it again. If you are using a different paint use the appropiate thinner i.e. mineral spririts or lacquer thinner.  Again, spray until it is spraying clear.

Sometimes it is necessary to take your airbrush apart and clean it. Before you do this, read your manual and study the parts diagram.  As you take it apart pay attention to all the parts and how they fit.  After a while this will become second nature.  Once the airbrush is disassembled, soak it in an airbrush cleaner overnight. Use a brush and clean the parts individually.  Re-assemble your airbrush and lubricate it with a little oil (3 in 1 oil is fine).  Now your ready to go.

The most common problems you will have with your airbrush

• It won't spray
• It sprays but skips
• When you shut the paint off, it continues to spray or leaves trails
• When you press the air button, paint comes out before you pull back on the trigger

The most common causes are a paint clog in the tip or paint drying in the tip or end of needle.  Check the tip first.  Unscrew the head of the airbrush, remove the tip and clean out the paint clog. Pull the needle out, clean it and check for any bends or a spur on the end. If needle is damaged in any way, replace it.  After the tip is cleaned and you are still having problems, check the paint intake of the airbrush.  Some times you will see a visible paint clog and it can be easily removed with a spare needle.  I keep an old airbrush needle around for this purpose.  If it still is not spraying smoothly, the problem could be in syphon tube of the paint bottle.  I keep some pipe cleaners handy to run through the tube and clean out any clogs or dried paint in the syphon tube.  Another problem could be the paint is just too thick.  If this is determined dilute the paint a little (just add water for water based paint, etc.) and see how it sprays.  Add small amounts at a time, you don't want it too thin.

The problem with paint not shutting off completely or airbrush leaving trails is improper needle seating to the tip.  Unscrew the nut that holds needle in place.  Try gently pushing it in and out and feel it seat aganst the tip.  Tighten the needle screw and try your airbrush for proper function.  If you are still having problems replace the tip.  Again, visibly check the needle for bends.  If it is bent, replace it.

Dropping your airbrush can damage your tip or needle.  Handle it with care.

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