Airbrush discussion

[palitoy]

I'm flirting with buying an airbrush, always been curious.

The biggest benefit would be to do more custom work.

I'm curious if any of you use them regularly for your work and how you feel it helps?

[EMCE Hammer]

I bailed on mine after much frustration. I bought a cheap one, and I am assuming it was just a piece of junk. I wanted to mix my own colors and spray them instead of spending zillions to have custom colors mixed and compressed into an aerosol can like I do now when I don't want to use a brush. I would think it would open some doors if you could get a good one and master it.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I've been using one for all sorts of stuff for decades. Because custom figures are so small, they're not super-useful, but you can do some nice effects with them. They're good for laying down base colours, and adding effects to outfits. I use them a lot on model kits, and shirts.

I use a Paasche H, single action. It's considered a "beginner's brush" by a lot of folks, but it works just fine for me. Stay away from double action brushes; they're tricky to use and DAMNED fragile. I use a compressor on mine. Avoid the canned air; it's expensive. If you don't like the noise of a compressor get a tank and fill it with the compressor.

Don C.

[palitoy]

So you'd recommend an air brush if I was trying to do a volume of base coats for heads and other things but for general everyday custom work, it's old timey brushs?

[johnmiic]

I did some research in to airbrushes a while back and bought a Paasche` Airbrush but still haven't learned how to use it. I purchased it for painting model kits with acrylic enamels.

Mine is a "dual action" model because what I read about them said they offer the most control over the way the paint is applied. Not only does the button go up and down but slides forward and backwards. This toggle action allows greater control over the width, (?), of the paint stream coming out and allows for finer details to be applied. That sounds like a great feature for painting small scale heads like Megos but as Don said; it also makes it harder to use. Somehow industry people master it and paint fine detail on filming miniatures so it can be done. I would think with enough practice anyone could get the hang of it. I bought this a long time ago and I don't know if things have changed and if airbrushes have improved features over this.

I've also heard there are "quiet compressors" based on info I get from the Sci-Fi model kit forums. The Iwata line was recommended to me. You can see the entire line here:

http://www.iwata-medea.com/index.php/pr ... mpressors/

I've also been told Paasche` D3000R is a very quiet model.

You can also use an air tank instead of a compressor. I've been told you can rent one instead of buying it, (where is another matter). Also I was told you don't need to refill it too often but again, I was told that. I haven't used one in actual practice. They have no compressor motor so they make no noise. I was also told you need to make sure it has a regulator that can be dialed down to 10-15 psi. and a moisture trap is needed.

[thunderbolt]

never used one for customs or models, I've always depended on washes and drybrushing to get a realistic look to stuff.

[samurainoir]

I found masking/cleanup/maintenance on an airbrush really cumbersome and messy back in the day when I was doing 2-D on canvas stuff as a kid.

On Sunday, I'll show you what I've been doing with testers and tamiya spray paints this week. Not environmentally friendly, but convenient.

[ctc]

>you'd recommend an air brush if I was trying to do a volume of base coats for heads and other things but for general everyday custom work, it's old timey brushs?

Mostly, if you're talking Mego-esque stuff. You can do more with them, but if you're comfortable and skilled with a regular brush already you'll probably want to stick with that. When I make my customs I use all kinds of techniques; spraypaints, different primers, a little airbrush, classic brush work, acrylics enamels powders and differing varnishes.... Every new technique you master has the potential to add something to your work. Just 'cos I don;'t airbrush so much doesn't mean you won't discover some technique that works for you that's awesome.

I build a lot of Japanese robot models, and tanks; larger areas that are MUCH easier to do with an airbrush.

>Somehow industry people master it and paint fine detail on filming miniatures so it can be done

You can do that sort of thing with a single action too; but it takes a little more control and planning. I was taught how to airbrush by a guy who was an absolute fanatic, and he HATED the double action brushes. He had one, two actually.... one broke.... and didn't feel the extra bit of control over the spray was worth the hassle.

>I've also been told Paasche` D3000R is a very quiet model.

I got a D500 and it's pretty quiet.

>You can also use an air tank instead of a compressor. I've been told you can rent one instead of buying it,

You can get decent ones at Canadian tire for a couple hundered bucks. Make sure you have a regulator on it that'll adjust from about 10 to 90 psi. If you plan on doing a lot of stuff it's cheaper to get a cheapie compressor and fill the tank yourself.

>a moisture trap is needed.

Oh yeah! 'Specially if you live in S. Ontario where the humidity is insane! The one I got is a little widget you splice into the airhose.

>I found masking/cleanup/maintenance on an airbrush really cumbersome and messy back in the day when I was doing 2-D on canvas stuff as a kid.

It can be. I usually plan a bunch of projects to fire off at the same time, set my stuff up and make a morning of it. My compressor is a single stroke diaphram one, so it can only run for an hour or so before you have to let it cool. I use that time to swap out paint jars, needles, quick cleaning, etc.

Tip: A good way to practice airbrushing is to hit the dollar store and get some colouring books.

Don C.

[Capt_Amego]

I was thinking about it but decided against

[mego73]

I have a pasche single a two dual action from my painting days. They work good once you know how to use them. Thinned acrylics in them are a challenge since they do clog a bit.

[gaga4toyz]

I still use the old brushes but nothing beats an airbrush. You aren't going to get as good of results if you go cheap on the equipment though. I would recommend a water based paint that doesn't require any thinning of the paint. They don't smell bad and the clean-up is easier. Here's a site that has some good paints. http://www.freakflexpaint.com/about%20us.html

The great thing about an airbrush is you can eliminate the brush strokes. You can also apply the paint in very thin layers. If you are doing flesh you can paint your parts with a darker color first. put highlights in around the nose, mouth, and eyes and then put thin coats of flesh colored paint on top. The darker colors will show through and wam the piece up. You can also use future floor wax as a sealant.

Dave Lee and I went to a class sponsered by kitbuilders magazine. I believe the cost was $300 and you received paint, an airbrush, a compressor and some other stuff. About $1200 worth of stuff. IT also included a resin bust and a class where they show you how to paint. They also have a sculpting class. They have these classes in various states I believe. Below is their info.

http://www.kitbuildersmagazine.com

[email protected]
618.588.5232
618.207.1096

Kitbuilders Magazine
Dan & Barbara Jorgensen
1117 Harvey Lane
New Baden, IL 62265

http://www.facebook.com/kitbuildersmagazine

[samurainoir]

^^^
Roadtrip! 8)

[DistinctiveDummies]

I use an Iwata Eclipse with a .35mm needle. Its double action. You press down on the trigger for ar and pull back for paint volume. I do all my heads with an airbrush. I spray the main coat at about 18psi and drop down to about 10psi for shading and highlighting. Additional shading can be done with pastel chalks. I would recommend airbrush ready paints ad a colour wheel to start Brian. That way you can mix a lot of your own colours. Hair I always brush paint.

[Chris]

I have a pasche single a two dual action from my painting days. They work good once you know how to use them. Thinned acrylics in them are a challenge since they do clog a bit.

Clogging was part of my airbrush experience too. I can't think of one artist that uses them.