Airbrushes are a great way to apply your art to a surface in a way that will not leave brush strokes. It can be done by anyone, regardless of artistic ability, when combined with stenciled cutouts that can help to guide your design. You will want to get the most out of your airbrushes when you use them for a project, so follow these tips and you should be able to properly use one for your next painting, shirt design, or model detailing. With a little luck and a lot of patience, you should get the finish that you are looking for.
Airbrushes are ideal for thin lines, but they can also be used to paint over larger surface areas as well. The difference will be in both the nozzle being used, or the head of the airbrush, and the distance at which you hold the brush itself. Remember that larger areas will require more paint, so plan ahead for your project. Airbrushes can also be used to create different tones by adding layers on top of one another, which is something that brushed paints cannot do as easily. Because of this, airbrushes are ideal for use when you want to add darker tones or detailing to a realistic model, or for when you want to create a multifaceted, multicolored finish on plastic, vinyl, or metal.
Most airbrushes operate with a single action, externally powered unit, although there are more expensive air brushes which use an “all-in-one” construction. You should try to look for airbrushes which use an external motor if you are a beginner, as these will be less expensive and easier to replace in the event of a malfunction. In general, airbrushes are powered by compressed air which pushes the paint through the nozzle and onto a surface, so the air supply is going to be just as important as the brush and the nozzle themselves. Choose a good compressor for your project to get the most out of your airbrushes.
Finally, check to make sure that the surface that you are painting is properly prepared when using airbrushes. As with regular brushes, this could mean cleaning or sanding the surface, followed by adding a primer for certain types of paint. You will want the paint to adhere to the surface and form a bond, so the right preparation will leave a long lasting finish.