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Organic artist Deb Haugen and the Airbrush….starting out simple!
Years ago I studied with an amazing painter by the name of Jack Reilly. He taught me how to use an airbrush, and really see color. I studies with Jack for several years, and learned a lot. Eventually Jack left the studio, I took over the studio and the students. I taught surfboard makers, car painters, illustrators, fabric designers, model makers, and special effects guys. I taught a beginning airbrush class, and learned a lot also from my students with all of the different applications they were using.
We used an H1 Paasche airbrush, it being a single action. The single action brushes are very easy to use for beginners. You press a button and that gives you spray, then you use the appreture setting at the tip to give you line/spray width. To start out with, I find it’s a lot easier to work with your paper or canvas hung on a wall, you standing in front of it level. Instead of worrying about learning over and spilling ink or paint out of your airbrush, with the artwork on a wall your body can move an adjust. It’s very important to keep a good stance, loose, and be able to move with fluidity. You are strifing for fluidity with the use of an airbrush, so when you FEEL fluid this helps your work. Bend at the knees a bit, and plant your feet apart even with your shoulders. You will feel steady and in control, a good thing to be while airbrushing.
Look through a magazine for a photograph of folded or draped fabric in a solid color, or shoot a pic yourself to work from. This will be your first study in what the airbrush can accomplish for you. Take that photo and reduce it into a black and white image, making sure it has high lights and high lows in value. Mix your colors. This exercise works best in black and white, shades of grey, you’ll see why later. Mix 5 colors from very dark to extrememly light greys. Once you trace in or draw, or project the image, you can start airbrushing. I use watered down acrylic paint, take care in mixing or even straining out any lumps. I paint very large and found that mixing my own acrylic paints to spray works better for me and is extremely cost efficient…..yes, I’m cheap when it comes to supplies, I am always looking to cut costs down. In airbrush work it’s always better to work from light to dark. At the end you can come in with some very light highlights to make the art come alive.
Work the folds, and drapes evenly and with a fluid motion to your hands and body movement. Flow with it and fool around with how close you are to the paper. If you are getting dripps on the paper, you are putting too much paint on it all at once, and or you might be too close to the paper. Back up and SLOW down. When you airbrush it’s not easy to see the spray at first, you’ll become accustomed to it after awhile. It does take full concentration, but don’t tense your shoulders and get too tight, that will show in your artwork. Once you have finished the grey draped fabric, now it is time for some magic. Mix up a transparent color, such as a Phthalo blue, or even one of the new Luiqitex transparent inks, spray evenly and very lightly from a distance over your entire painting. This creates lots of ooo’s and ahhhs from students, as it makes the fabric come to life.
Lastly have fun with the airbrush, have patience, and experiment. It takes a bit of use to get comfortable but you will be amazed at what you can accomplish!
Good Luck….Deb
About the Author
Deb Haugen is a Malibu artist, and is known as “The Organic Artist”. Her work is in collections worldwide, and you can visit her web site at http://www.theorganicartist.com
5 Bestselling Airbrush Painting Supplies
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Airbrush Depot KIT-CAKE-20T BAKERY 2-AIRBRUSH CAKE KIT W/ COMP HOSE AI ABD KIT-CAKE-20T SIZE: KIT BAKERY 2-AIRBRUSH CAKE KIT W/ COMP HOSE AIR-B PAINT Airbrush-Depot Airbrushing Equipment ABD / MASTER CAKE A-B KITS… |
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Airbrush Depot KIT-CAKE-828 COMMERCIAL 6-AIRBRUSH CAKE KIT COMP HOSE A ABD KIT-CAKE-828 SIZE: KIT COMMERCIAL 6-AIRBRUSH CAKE KIT COMP HOSE AIRBRUSH PAINT Airbrush-Depot Airbrushing Equipment ABD / MASTER CAKE A-B KITS… |
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Airbrush Depot KIT-CAKE-SD20 SUPER DELUXE AIRBRUSH CAKE DECORATING KIT ABD KIT-CAKE-SD20 SIZE: KIT SUPER DELUXE AIRBRUSH CAKE DECORATING KIT 2 AIRBRUSHES Airbrush-Depot Airbrushing Equipment ABD / MASTER CAKE A-B KITS… |
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Campbell Hausfeld FP2028 1-Gallon Oil-Free Pancake Air Compressor with Accessory Kit $55.88 Great for inflation, brad nailing, stapling, and air brushing, the Campbell Hausfeld FP2028 One-Gallon Air Compressor quickly inflates and fastens to save you time and money. With its tank that eliminates the pulsations caused by piston action, this compressor will give you smooth, consistent performance.FP2028 One-GallonAir CompressorApplications:Completing over 25 inflation and fastening project… |
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6 AIRBRUSH NAIL ART PAINT STENCIL KIT-w/Tank Compressor $349.96 6 Master Airbrush Brand Model S66 Precision Dual-Action Siphon Feed Airbrushes with Color Coded Handles and 0.35mm needles/nozzles and 3/4 oz. Fluid Bottles Airbrush-Depot Brand Model TC-196 Powerful High Performance Maintenance Free Twin Cylinder Piston Air Compressor with Air Storage Tank that has a Automatic On/Off Shutoff, Air Regulator with Gauge and Filter (Full 2-Year Warranty) 6 Station Ai… |
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Video: Createx How To Begin Airbrushing $3.95 Great VHS video for learning the basics of airbrushing. Learn at your own pace…. |
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Ocean Sunless AIRBRUSH TANNING 8.5 DHA Medium Tan SOLUTION QT $26.76 Airbrush Tanning Solution with 8.5% DHA by Ocean Tanning Essentials is a fast drying sunless solution suitable for use in airbrush applications, HVLP systems, and spray tan booths…. |
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Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning System $12.99 The Salon Bronze Airbrush Tanning System is the self-tanning airbrush system that allows you to safely tan in the comfort of your own home…. |
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OCEAN 16 oz DARK TINT Tanning 12.5% DHA Tan Solution Airbrush Spray Sunless PINT $24.99 Ocean Tanning Essentials Botanical Blend Sunless Airbrush Tanning Solution 100% PARABEN FREEHyaluronic Skin Conditioner Anti-Aging Ingredients Ocean Tanning Essentials is professionally blended using ORGANIC DHA as well as numerous other natural botanical ingredients to ensure a deep, golden bronze tan within hours that will last and last! The anti-aging and h… |
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Water Base Airbrush Makeup 1oz – Blue $20.88 Special water base makeup that will not clog your airbrush, dries instantly. This makeup will not rub off on clothes or skin. This liquid makeup will not fade and it is water resistant, but removes instantly with soap. All ingredients used are FDA approved. Spray it on your hair, material, easter eggs, and even balloons. One (1) oz. bottle will spray 250 to 350 stencils. The 16 oz. will spray up t… |