With the advent of new synthetic dyes, airbrushing, one of the painting techniques, is rapidly developing. Instead of a brush or pencil, the artist draws with a special machine.
A tool that sprays paint in a thin layer, that's what an airbrush is. With its help, picturesque paintings are created, house facades and fences are painted, and stylistic patterns are applied to cars and motorcycles. Thanks to the specific application of dyes, it is possible to create three-dimensional panoramas with an imitation of rough texture on an absolutely smooth surface.
Device
The airbrush device is structurally similar to a spray gun, which is widely used for all paint and varnish work in automobile workshops. The device is intended for fine work, where the emphasis is on the minimum size of lines drawn with a minimum thickness of paint applied to the working surface.
The standard package includes:
- container for paints;
- trigger buttons or handles;
- control unit (button);
- replaceable nozzles;
- needle.
Additional elements of the machine, which are designed to simplify the artist’s work, include:
- device stand;
- airbrush holder;
- compressor;
- air hose;
- filter for the working environment;
- The airbrush is equipped with replaceable nozzles. The thickness of the applied paint spot and its width depend on the size of the spray unit. The compressor supplies air under high pressure, allowing you to quickly paint large surfaces and create subtle color transitions and smooth lines.
A high-quality tool comes complete with at least two types of attachments, nozzles of various diameters and several replaceable needles.
Additional recommendations
Knowing the basics of how the product works, the artist will be able to decorate any surface, and following step-by-step instructions on how to use an airbrush will make the work easier:
- Before purchasing, you need to determine which airbrush is best to choose according to the previously discussed criteria;
- When working, keep the device strictly perpendicular. This will ensure even paint spraying;
- The intensity of the color, the thickness of the paint and the result depend on the distance to the surface. It is permissible to change the distance, but only gradually;
- During the spraying process, smudges may appear. They are removed with sandpaper, after which modifications are made;
- To make the process more comfortable, it is recommended to prepare several jars at once. This will save time on changing the palette.
The intensity of the color, the thickness of the paint and the result depend on the distance to the surface.
Regular training and gaining experience are the main conditions for successful work. Drawing with an airbrush is quite difficult, but knowing the main rules and principles, the artist will be able to create amazing three-dimensional images.
Types of airbrushes
Structurally, the airbrush differs in the type of paint mixing:
- internal mixing;
- outdoor
Depending on the supply of solution, there are gravitational and siphon, and according to the order of adjustment of the passage of air and dye - single or double action. Types of airbrushes are classified according to the type of launch control:
- lockable;
- flow-through
Flow-through and lockable
The flow-through design operates without the ability to regulate the spray pattern. Once the compressor is turned on, the artist can only stop or start the paint stream without adjusting the pressure. Modern spray guns operate on the flow control principle. The lockable design of the airbrush allows you to adjust the pass directly with a trigger on the body.
The lockable design has an additional dye consumption system, which allows layers of the required density and thickness to be applied.
Internal and external mixing
An airbrush spray gun with an internal mixing type has additional pipes that are built into the body. The paint forms a mixture with air inside the device, which allows you to strictly dose the mixture consumption. Adjustment is ensured by precise needle movement. Having chosen the required color of car paint, they create precise small patterns on the fenders and hood of the car.
The accuracy of drawing a pattern depends on the position of the needle and the reliability of its fixation.
External mixing is used in simple designs. This tool is accessible to beginner artists. The paint is sprayed without additional internal regulators, the composition is mixed with the air flow and comes out of the nozzle in a uniform stream. Painting a car or creating designs with an airbrush of this type allows you to obtain a uniform coating of the same thickness and color saturation.
Necessary equipment for airbrushing
An airbrush is a modern alternative to painting with paints, which became possible after the invention of special accessories. The standard set is a small suitcase that is equipped with all the essentials:
- A set of several paints;
- Airbrush;
- Air compressor;
- Soft hoses;
- Bright lamps for lighting.
The artist can buy ready-made kits already fully assembled or assemble his own kit based on individual needs.
In ready-made kits, the manufacturer offers the buyer a standard set of paints. It is often not enough to create truly bright and colorful drawings, so experienced artists additionally acquire a large palette of paints.
Beginners who are just starting to study the question of what airbrushing is are still recommended to use starter kits, which are complemented by accessories and teaching aids. Advanced artists prefer professional kits, but they will also not be enough to work with an airbrush, so fill the suitcase with additional accessories at your discretion.
An airbrush is a modern alternative to painting with paints, which became possible after the invention of special accessories.
How to choose
To choose the right airbrush, consider the following parameters:
- An airbrush powered by a compressor requires an external power source. Equipment powered by cylinders can be equipped with units for regulating pressure and air supply.
- The air hose must be rubber, plastic braided, and of sufficient length.
- Chinese airbrushes are often equipped with a pressure reducer. This will limit the maximum pressure on the device and ensure dynamic air flow.
- Quality of seals. We choose plastic seals for working with acrylic paints (Japanese production).
When choosing a model, the following are taken into account:
- presence of a handle;
- size, weight of the device;
- container volume for dyes (at least 2 pieces from 2 ml);
- number of nozzles;
- the presence of a Teflon seal for the needle;
- number of regulators.
Iwata
Japanese Iwata airbrushes are made of stainless carbon steel, chrome-plated brass, resistant to corrosion, with a Teflon seal. Manual assembly, varieties, and checking the sprayer settings allow you to use the tool to create precise drawings in a wide variety of areas: body art, body airbrushing, textile painting, porcelain painting.
Fengda
Fengda airbrushes (manufactured in China) are chosen by experts in their field, and they are also preferred by those who have only recently begun to master the art of airbrushing. The devices are characterized by ease of use in service stations for body repairs, when painting facades, large areas, and minimal adjustment function.
The model range includes all design types. Not recommended for creating small drawings. The needle seal needs frequent repairs.
Jonnesway
The Jonnesway airbrush (Taiwan) is made of chrome-plated steel; the needles are made of titanium. The company has its own steel foundries and specializes in the production of repair kits and keys for cars of almost all models. The production of airbrushes is a related industry, so the choice of Jonnesway models that are in high demand is limited.
Caring for the device
The correct principle of caring for the device will ensure its performance, wear resistance and durability. The key rule in care technology is cleaning the airbrush, which should occur even after short-term use.
Airbrush care
So, how to clean an airbrush:
- rid it of excess paint;
- pull out the needle, wipe it towards the sharp end;
- pour a small amount of water or cleaning solution into the airbrush;
- wipe the dye container with a rag;
- Blow out the airbrush pre-filled with cleaning solution;
- unscrew the safety cap, wipe it with a similar solution and tighten it;
- reinsert the needle, securing it in a collet-type clamp;
- Carry out the blowing procedure again.
Also, the pressure in the apparatus should not exceed standard values. If it is too high, it will cause the air valve to seal and damage the connections.
Author: Baranov Vitaly Petrovich
Education: secondary specialized. Specialty: car mechanic. Professional diagnostics, repair, maintenance of passenger cars of foreign production 2000-2015. Extensive experience working with Japanese and German cars.
2 comments
- Leha says:
The most important tip when working with an airbrush is daily practice. This is the only way to improve your skills, because the point is not in money, but in art! Each of your next works should be better than the previous one. I would also recommend: airbrushing on a white car will be an excellent practice for a beginner, because... Even the slightest mistake will be visible on it, and any artist is a perfectionist. - Ivan. Skivko says:
I learned a lot about airbrushing, I had never heard of it before. I think this information will be useful to someone.
How to use
Setting up the device, preparing and selecting a surface are necessary steps to mastering the airbrush. 3-5 hours are enough to learn how to use the tool correctly. Preparation includes:
- Connecting the air supply hose to the compressor.
- Installing a paint tank.
- Blow out the nozzle with a stream of air.
When changing colors, you should always flush the nozzle with solvent to avoid uneven color in the design. It is best to practice on a sheet of cardboard or use a stencil for work.
Why does it spit paint?
Setting up an airbrush requires care and caution when fixing the nozzle. The kit includes a key for installing a threaded nozzle. The cone-shaped nozzle is installed by pressing the cap.
If the threaded nozzle with nozzle is installed offset, a distortion occurs in the air supply system. The pressure decreases, the device may not produce a uniform stream, but spit paint. Among the possible reasons for the supply disruption are:
- clogged nozzle;
- There are dense pieces in the dye, uneven consistency;
- lack, excess pressure;
- insufficient fixation of the needle, worn seal;
- incorrect consistency of dye.
The smaller the nozzle, the less thick the chosen paint should be. The thicker the dye is chosen, the more pressure the compressor must supply.
Settings
A properly configured tool will turn the painting or painting procedure into a pleasant hobby. Before starting work, the following settings are required:
- A stable supply of compressed air at the selected pressure is checked.
- Place a container with paint of the consistency that is suitable for the selected nozzle.
- Adjustment is made by moving the needle.
- If the airbrush does not produce a jet when you press the trigger, you should loosen the needle lock.
- If spraying starts at the slightest touch of the handle, move the needle forward using the adjusting screw.
How to paint
You can master the airbrush at a semi-professional level after several hours of training. How to use an airbrush for a beginner:
- You should not spray the composition on one point for more than a second: the paint may flow.
- After installing the dye tank, you should check the quality of the jet on the rough material (a piece of cardboard).
- Do not bring the nozzle close to the work surface. The minimum distance is 2 mm.
- The farther you hold the nozzle from the working surface, the wider the drawing point will be, and its contours will be blurred.
- To accurately draw an element, it is recommended to take the smallest diameter of the nozzle and hold the airbrush at the minimum allowable distance.
- The angle of inclination of the jet to the working surface should be as close as possible to 90°.
An airbrush is used for drawing, monochromatic painting, and can be used to create optical illusions on a completely flat surface. This is a convenient tool for repairing paintwork and creating airbrushing when decorating a body.
Feed Types
Depending on the location of the paint container, the device has:
- siphon feed;
- hybrid;
- gravitational.
With the gravity feed type, the tank is installed at the bottom of the device. Under the influence of air movement through a working airbrush, a pressure difference is created in the body and the installed tank, which lifts the paint.
With a siphon installation, the paint container is located at the top of the device. The working medium enters the housing under the influence of gravity, and after mixing with air, a uniform stream emerges from the nozzle.
When using a siphon feed, it is better for novice craftsmen to use an air bulb instead of a compressor: this will allow them to master the control principle in a short time.
Artists who prefer to create paintings over a large area in the art style choose siphon structures. Body airbrush masters prefer gravity feed of paint to a nozzle with a diameter of no more than 0.2 mm.
You can paint with an airbrush with a hybrid feed using dyes of maximum density. The difference in methods is based on the use of excess (extra) pressure. With this design, the paint tank can be installed vertically (on top or bottom of the device), at an angle or horizontally.
Design options
Using an airbrush, you can create a unique nail design that will fit into any look. The following options are considered the most popular:
French manicure or Baby Boomer
- done using sticky strips and (or) a gradient, best done on medium or long nails.
Ombre
- looks ideal on short nails, goes well with rhinestones, bouillons and other decorative elements.
Lunar with gradient
- suitable for any length, creates a feminine look, combined with glitter and sequins.
With stencil
- the easiest to implement, saves time, creates a neat and attractive design.
Small thematic images
- usually painted on one or two nails, the drawing technique is simple, suitable for any holiday or celebration.
Geometry plus gradient
— suitable for any nail length, creating clear lines and shapes.
Any, even the simplest nail design can be made unique by creating additional details using acrylic powder, rubbing, beads, broths, etc. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
conclusions
To become a good artist, you need to constantly improve. You definitely need to carefully study your mistakes, look at ready-made airbrush drawings and constantly practice. An aspiring artist who wants to make a living by airbrushing must definitely study special manuals and learn to master the airbrush flawlessly.
Sources
- https://InfoKuzov.ru/material-instrument/chto-takoe-aerograf
- https://InfoKuzov.ru/material-instrument/aerograf-svoimi-rukami
- https://kuzov.info/princip-raboty-ayerografa/
- https://tehnika.expert/dlya-remonta/aerograf/ekspluataciya-ustrojstva.html
- https://topreit.ru/aerografiya/probuem-sebya-v-iskusstve-aerografii/
Accessories
Airbrush accessories are designed to greatly simplify the artist’s work.
Holder for airbrush and compressor
Attached to the desktop surface, this accessory helps secure the device and thereby protects it from falling. Typically, the holders have several standard positions and a ring for the pressure regulator.
Tablet
This metal, varnished plate is similar in structure to a car hood. It is intended for training in drawing and checking the quality of paint, which can subsequently be easily removed with a solvent.
Airbrush paints
There is no need to skimp on the quality of airbrush paints. Therefore, it is better to purchase car enamels from well-known brands. Using untested dyes can lead to color mismatches, wrinkles in the design, and sometimes even damage to the airbrush.
What to remember
Let's summarize:
- Airbrushing is a relatively new and very popular trend in nail design. It helps to create a perfect and original nail design in a short period of time.
- There are two types of airbrushes - single and double action. The first is ideal for beginners, the second is intended for more experienced craftswomen.
- The technique of applying a picture using an airbrush is quite complex and to achieve perfection in it, you need a lot of practice. Don't try to create a complex design with drawings right away - start with the very basics. First, master the basic technique and learn how to work with stencils.
- In order for the airbrush to last a long time, you need to choose high-quality paints and do not forget to clean the tool in a timely manner.
Did you enjoy working with the airbrush? How long did you have to train to learn how to use it? Share your experience with us in the comments!
Compressor apparatus
Another important element included in the airbrush kit is the compressor. Most craftsmen pay special attention to the presence of a receiver in the compression apparatus, a special container at the bottom of the device where air accumulates. This design has a positive effect on the life of the device, because when the receiver space is filled with air, the device turns off and the cooling process occurs.
The following air supply options are available:
- Using small cans. This method is very convenient for small amounts of work and in cases where there is no source of electricity nearby. The downside of this option is the high cost of the cans, so using them regularly is not very profitable. But many craftsmen use them to apply a test pattern.
- Via an electric compressor. One of the most profitable ways to supply compressed air, because... It works from an electrical outlet, making it very ergonomic. There are two types of such electric compressors for airbrushing: piston and membrane.
The compressor is an important element for airbrushing
— A piston compressor supplies air to the tank using a special piston. Such a compressor is often used to simultaneously service several airbrushes.
— Diaphragm compressors are available in two configurations: with and without a tank. A tankless compressor is the most budget option. In it, air is supplied directly to the hose of the device. But this type of air supply can lead to pulsations, due to which the airbrush paint is supplied unevenly and, accordingly, the image quality deteriorates.
- Using compressed air cylinders. This option is great for small amounts of work. It does not require a power supply, is silent and does not require an additional filter. There are cylinders of different sizes on sale, which makes it easy to choose the best option.
When purchasing an airbrush with a compressor, remember that it is important to choose the right device that matches the type of airbrush and follow the operating instructions. Otherwise, the compressor will overheat and spoil the image.
