Airbrushing
Choosing the right airbrush from the large range available needs a little knowledge of the different features and some consideration of its possible uses.
Consider possible future uses you may find for the airbrush and that someone else in your house may think the airbrush is ideal for - cake decoration, nail painting, T-shirt designs or a new paint job for a motorcycle helmet!
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Airbrush Features
Airbrushes are classifed by three main features:
A) whether they are single or double action
B) whether they are internal or external mix
C) whether they are bottom feed or gravityfeed
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Single Action
When the trigger is pressed In the single action airbrush a pre-set amount of fluid is sprayed which is regulated by turning the needle adjustment screw at the back of the handle. This simple action is ideal for the beginner.
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Double Action
Double Action is so called because the airbrush is controlled by pressing the trigger down for air and back for colour. This simple double action manoeuvre allows the user to change the width of line, the modulation of value and the opaqueness of the paint without stopping the hand movement. Double action takes more skill to control and is more suited to the experienced user.
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External Mix
refers to the manner in which air and paint come together outside the head of fluid assembly causing the spray to be a larger dot than that of the internal mix airbrush.
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Internal Mix
In the internal mix airbrush the air and the paint come together inside the head assembly and produces a thoroughly atomised fine dot spray.
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The Feed
Gravity Feed refers to airbrushes with top-mounted colour cups in which gravity draws the paint into the airbrush. Less pressure is required enabling slower hand movement which creates excellent control for fine detail application.
Bottom Feed refers to airbrushes on which paint enters through a siphon tube or colour cup attached to the bottom of the airbrush. Removable jars or various size colour cups can be connected to and utilised with bottom feed airbrushes. This configuration is generally more versatile and enables the user to change colours quickly.
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Inks and Paints
Most paint, gouache and ink, mixed to milky consistency, can be used in the airbrush. Metallic paint colours generally have a larger pigment size and should be avoided. Daler Rowney FW Artists Inks spray well, are lightfast and waterproof. Airbrushes can be cleaned using Airbrush Cleaning Fluid.
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