"Airbrush Quick Tips Archives"

6/11

Stippling Technique:  Large Dot, Small Dot—Stippling is a term that refers to the spraying of visible dots that are utilized to create specific effects.  Both external and internal mix airbrushes can spray a stipple.  The external mix brush does it almost innately because of the method in which it sprays the paint, while the internal mix brush produces a stipple when the air pressure is lowered to 1 or 2 pounds pressure (psi) and/or when the air cap is removed.  Both work at a low air pressure for stippling.  This incomplete atomization produces unusually large specks of paint that can be controlled with the airbrush.  The spray is used to develop various textures, e.g., the rough surface of a metal casting, rust, and fabric as well as background areas or color field painting, etc.  As opposed to the soft, delicate spray usually achieved with the airbrush, artists find the ability to stipple the spray extremely handy.

Airbrush Holders – It’s quite obvious that you can’t just set the airbrush down on the work table when it contains paint or the fluid will flow onto the work surface.  It’s necessary to have an airbrush holder in which to support the airbrush upright.  Different types of holders are available ranging from the simple, flat metal holders that come with some airbrushes to the more elaborate double-holders that have regulators and moisture traps attached.  Most types consist of two hooks between which the airbrush rests.

Myriad Airbrush Applications – At a recent basic airbrush workshop program held in Milwaukee (see www.arttalk.com/workshop/workshop.htm for the next dates), a survey was taken to see in what applications the students intended to apply their new airbrush skills.  The diversity of the students was amazing, and following are some of the many responses:  illustration, fine art acrylic on canvas, fabric/T-shirt painting, wall murals, sign painting, working on vinyl, makeup for hi-definition TV, kustom auto/motorcycle painting, wood carvings, furniture decoration, plastic models, miniature figures, model railroads/dioramas, doll restoration, glazing ceramics, china restoration, wall stenciling, photographic retouching, painting on fur/feathers, face masks, fingernails and preliminary renderings of designs for tattoo clients. 

The airbrush is constantly being adapted to new and unique applications.  Key to many of these is the ability to apply paint without touching the surface with a brush.

Spray Straight – When spraying with the airbrush, point it directly at the work surface; and move your entire arm when making a spray pass.  Beginning artists are sometimes inclined to move only the wrist when directing spray, and this prevents them from getting even coverage with the paint.  Another problem can arise when spraying at an angle if the spray lifts the edge of the stencil/frisket material.  Paint will drift underneath the stencil and a hard edge will not be achieved.

 MAC Valves – The new Hi-Line Airbrushes from Iwata look very similar to the older HP Series except for one unique feature:  There’s a knob situated at the bottom front of the airbrush just below the color cup. This is the micro air control or MAC valve.

A breakthrough in technology from IWATA, this valve allows infinite control of the air flow at the head assembly of the airbrush.  This is quite different from regulating the air pressure at the compressor.  For one thing, it allows you to adjust the airbrush to spray a coarse stippling effect by cutting down the air flow.  Conversely, by opening the air flow you will get full atomization without ever having to touch the regulator.  To achieve an extremely fine line for detail work, adjust the air valve to give maximum control of the paint output.  Also, by fully opening the MAC valve, the airbrush can be quickly cleaned during color changes.  To paint a broad background, fully open the valve to spray a large amount of paint. 

Some airbrushers find it handy to hold onto the MAC while painting, giving added stability and being able to instantly twist it open or closed at will.  See your retailer and visit www.iwata-medea.com.

Your Airbrush Trigger Fell Out!--All airbrushers will experience having the trigger fall from the airbrush when they remove the needle for cleaning.  The needle runs through the trigger and holds it in place.  When the trigger falls out, the spring-loaded return lever that pushes the trigger back into a shut-off position will sometimes fall forward and drop into the housing of the airbrush.  You must pull back on the needle holder, relieving the spring pressure against the return lever, in order to replace the trigger, which seats itself on the air plunger.  You’ll know that it’s in place when you can press down on the trigger and air comes out.  Once it’s back in place, gently slide in the clean needle and hold it in place by tightening the needle chuck screw.  Refer to the instructional booklet that comes with your airbrush, usually accompanied with a cutaway rendering of the internal parts.