Airbrush
101 |
Beginner's
Tips |
1. |
KISS - Keep It
Sanitary, Silly! Most malfunctions are caused by a dirty airbrush.
With airbrushes, cleanliness is next to godliness. If you use
water based paints use distilled water or purified water from one
of those machines. You won't get any mineral deposits in
your airbrush & the colors of whatever medium you use won't be
affected by chlorine, minerals or anything else your tap water
contains. |
2. |
Wear a mask or
respirator! - Even water based dyes, paints, and inks aren't good
for you to inhale. If you're using something other than water
based paints make sure you use a respirator that will remove the
vapors. Get one that is approved by NIOSH (National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health).
|
3. |
Learn what your
mediums are made from. A lot of artist's materials are toxic, not
only the solvent but also the pigment (that goes for water based
mediums also!). Read labels, call manufacturers (800 numbers are
great!), and read this book: "Artist Beware : The Hazards of
Working With All Art and Craft Materials and the Precautions Every
Artist and Photographer Should Take" by Michael McCann
(Watson-Guptill). Your local art store should have it or try
Amazon. Beware, a lot of solvents (M.E.K. - denatured
alcohol - lacquer thinner etc.) can be absorbed through the skin!
When I repair airbrushes I always wear gloves to protect my hands
from whatever solvents I'm using. Remember the dust from overspray
can also be toxic.
|
4. |
Ventilate! - Get
the overspray away. You can make a simple & cheap spray booth
or ventilator for waterbase paint only
using a bathroom fan from Home Depot, a small wooden frame made
from 1x4's to mount the fan in, and dryer vent hose to reach a
window, etc. Set this on your work area. Use foamcore to make the
sides, and top. I have two sets of foamcore
"wings" that I can change, depending on what I'm doing
and how large it is. You can use the same setup for solvent base
paint but you need a fan that is safe around flammable type
paints, most bathroom fans aren't. It's something to check out if
you buy a commercial unit. |
5. |
Wear eye
protection! - You never know. what can happen. This is especially
true if you use a Paasche AB. Its very easy to launch one of those
needles and have it hit you in an eye.
|
6. |
Use some type of
"cleaning
station" or "catch container." You can spray
your excess paint into the container when you clean out your
airbrush. Its just another way to keep from breathing paint and
vapors. You can buy one or make one from a plastic
container. I use a round container that originally held baby
wipes. I popped it open and filled it with coarse foam that I got
from an upholstery supply shop. Since I don't use acrylics I can
reuse the foam. For acrylics you could use the foam if you don't
let the paint dry or use paper towels. I have a second one with
1" of coarse foam at the top and bottom with good aquarium
carbon sandwiched between. I use this for oils and lacquers. I
also cut off the tips of the four flaps in the lid to help save
needles. You can even use soft drink cups, T.P. or paper towels
for water based mediums in a pinch.
|
7. |
Learn the ins
& outs of your airbrush and how to disassemble &
reassemble it. Other than Paasche's AB, they're very simple
instruments. This is the best reason to buy from a local dealer,
live support.
|
8. |
When you first
start out, use a water based medium such as Dr. Martins dyes or
non-permanent inks. They are easy to spray, don't require
thinning, and are water soluble after they dry making clean up
very simple. Acrylics can be a hassle to use for a beginner
because they dry relatively quickly, clogging the airbrush and
slowing your learning curve. An easier & quicker way to
practice airbrushing with virtually no cleanup is to use "Brush-Up
Paper" by Loew Cornell. It's a specially coated paper
that was designed for practicing brush stroke techniques. When you
"brush " water on it, the wet part turns black. The
black fades as the water evaporates, magic. It works with regular
brushes or airbrushes. I use it to test repaired airbrushes so I
don't have to re-clean them. It costs $3.95 and can be reused
hundreds of times, especially if you use distilled water!
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