Need Help please

[odge]

Hi everyone,

I'm newish to WC.

I normally paint in acrylics, but I saw a local artist's work who used an airbrush in his paintings, so Santa was really kind (and a bit early) and gave me a compressor and a cheap airbrush.

I've had a play with it, but I can't get anything I like about it. Can someone put me onto a thread that shows a WIP or techniques etc.

I've no idea what I should be doing.

All help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jo

[HF AIRBRUSH]

hello odge,
maybe its better to give some info?..
what kind of airbrush did you get and what kind of paint do you us, have you thinned the paint ?


henk

[Milo]

Also what type of painting and effects are you trying to achive.

[odge]

Hi Henk and Milo,

The airbrush I'm using is so cheap and nasty it doesn't even have a brand name on it. LOL. According to hubbie, it's a "craft" brush - one of those that has the bottles underneath it when you are using it, but until I know what I am doing, it's probably better not to spend too much money.

To date I have been using Derivan Student Acrylic paints and I have diluted them, although I have started to add some Derivan Matisse and Atlier paints to my collection.

I got the airbrush so I could achieve the blending of colours for skies, sunsets and things like that. I am a very detailed artist with my acrylics.
I've seen paintings that are so realistic they could be photos which have been done with an airbrush and I suppose that would be my ultimate aim.

Thanks

Jo

[Milo]

Hi Henk and Milo,

The airbrush I'm using is so cheap and nasty it doesn't even have a brand name on it. LOL. According to hubbie, it's a "craft" brush - one of those that has the bottles underneath it when you are using it, but until I know what I am doing, it's probably better not to spend too much money.


Do you know if it is a double action airbrush at least? Just try not to be put off if the tool doesn't work as well while you are learning.


To date I have been using Derivan Student Acrylic paints and I have diluted them, although I have started to add some Derivan Matisse and Atlier paints to my collection.


I am not familure with those paints, I use Golden Acylics and Comart myself. Though if they are thinned and you might have to strain them they should work for starting out.


I got the airbrush so I could achieve the blending of colours for skies, sunsets and things like that. I am a very detailed artist with my acrylics.
I've seen paintings that are so realistic they could be photos which have been done with an airbrush and I suppose that would be my ultimate aim.


Take a look at Caterwallins WIP on here (and many of his starting threads or his home page he has some how tos.

Here is one of his. http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149755

Also take a look at Chris Collins art he has a Step by Step on doing a flower thats pretty detailed and has some other very nice art. Hyper Realism he calls it.
http://www.ccollins.com/airbrush/

I don't have any links off hand for sunsets and what you were asking but perhaps those will help. I am sure this well bring lots more questions and thats what we are all here sharing. Goodluck!

[Caterwallin']

HI, Jo and welcome!

I agree with Milo here, the first thing I would like to know is it a double or single action airbrush? Although it does not matter to a great length, but it would help us in telling you how to use it properly! Also, I have used some very "cheap" airbrushes before and had wonderful results, so don't let that worry you!

Please read the section describing the differences if your not for sure!
http://wetcanvas.com/Articles2/25825/428/

Most of us here will agree that the pre-mixed airbrush pigments are preferred. But you can use the ones you have! I personaly do not know anything about the brand you mentioned, but we have some great peep's here that will know about them and how to properly dilute them for airbrush use!

My next question would be the same as Milo's again, what type of efects are you trying to achieve? If your painting land/seacapes and just want to render the sky, clouds, etc., then there are some techniques we can help you with. Same goes for backgrounds in general.

Next question is, can you get into contact with some local "airbrushing" artist's that may let you come and watch their techniques! I have a major University here in town and I have art students call and schedule times when they can come and watch me paint. It does not bother me at all and hopefully they learn something! Sometimes it's me who is doing the learning from them!

The main thing I will add is, do not get discouraged! Using the airbrush takes a lot of practice! I can say that because when I first started, there were no resources available for me to learn from and I had to learn form trial and error! I had to paint uphill, both ways, in the rain..........just jokes! LOL!

Awaiting your response,

Sam
SFTS (Sorry for the spelling)

[HF AIRBRUSH]

Hello odge,...
please tell me you didn't buy something like this
http://www.kobiline.com/alisveris/FrontContent/ProductImages/1744.jpg
if you did...i don't want to dissapoint you but trow it away as far as you can...
this kind of trash won't make you happy and even makes you stop using an airbrush..
buy something like double action gravity feed, i know it's expansive and i can't look at you finance but believe me, it's a lot easyer and you will paint before you know it..

if you didn't buy something like this, show us a picture of it...at least we know what we are talking about and make's helping you a lot easyer.. ;)

henk

[odge]

Hi its Odge's other half here
The Airbrush is a single action similar to the Badger Model 350 Single Action Airbrush shown (but has no brand on it) and we have a 9cfm compressor se the other pic
Cheers alp

[Penny220]

Problem solved. You have a single action external mix airbrush. Yes, it's good for hobby stuff like ceramics, model cars and some stuff in the shop but it's not an art airbrush. The problems you are having is with the acrylic paints. When put through an external mix it does "stuff" in the air, funky stuff with the paint. Turn up the airpressure and watch fuzz fly around. LOL The good news is...try some watercolor paints with it. They should work. This won't be the airbrush you want to use and keep but with watercolors you should be able to see if this is something you may wish to do. Since hubby seems generous, you seem to want one and you already have the compressor... even on limited finances you can get a decent airbrush for not that much money. I've seen decent airbrushes for around $30. It all depends on what you can afford to spend. Regardless, you will want a double action, internal mix (I think all double actions are internal mix) For now though, give hubby a kiss for his thoughfullness and break out the watercolors :)

[odge]

Thanks henk, Sam & Penny,

Henk: Well fortunately it isn't a trash can airbrush (well not quite).
Penny: Feel the sudden urge to go for a drive and buy some watercolour...
Sam: Checked out your chipmunk WIP. It is truly a fantastic piece of art and just the sort of thing I aspire to do. Although I think the only tool I have to do this is a script/liner brush - so I dare say it will take me a long time. Paddle first...before I can dive off the 10m. I also loved the sense of humour. :D

Thank you. I'll see how I go.

Jo

[HF AIRBRUSH]

:clap: hahaha...lucky that it isn't one like i showed...
The problem is that people often buy this and just can't work with it,...then the dissapointment comes and people never try an airbrush ever again...

At the age of 16 my parent suprised me with an airbrush like the revell...just after 20 years i took the airbrush again ;)

unfortunaly i don't have any experiance with an airbrush like this so i can't tell you the details...
if i may advice you....
when you buy an airbush...double action or single action..
don't listen to others, just go to the store and try the airbrush.
Ive got 4 of them already, two evolutions double action and two hansa single action.
You will finaly end up with more than one to, but go to the store and feel the airbush.
Don't buy the cheapest one but the one that feels good, and most of the time you may try them...DO THAT !!!....lol
that saves you a lot of dissapointment


henk

[odge]

Hi Henk,

Thanks for the advice. The only problem is the local art shops (we only have two) have one or at most two airbrushes in stock, so if I want another one - like a double action - I have to order it in. So much for try before you buy. :( The other places that sell airbrushes are more hardware stores - and they have absolutely no idea of what an artist is looking for.

We've bought some "Surface Tension Breaker" which is aparently good for diluting the paint whilst maintaining the pigment - according to hubbie. ;) I'll see how that works. Maybe I need to start on a really simple project like an apple or something until I get used to the technique - my first attempts were skies - nothing like jumping into the deep end, but I think I drowned. :D

I'll keep you posted.

Jo

[HF AIRBRUSH]

ok jo,
im looking forwrd to the first pics...
and about the airbrush...just ask my mate Stan...he's in new zeeland to...so he proberly know where to look...
and other wise you should try to find another airbush artist were you maybe can try something before you buy...
it isn't that you have to buy a double action....
ive got double and single action...and sometimes i find the single action nicer to use...just depending on what i paint ;)

Yo Stan !!!...can you give this girl some advice here ?...hahahaha

henk

[odge]

ok jo,
im looking forwrd to the first pics...
and about the airbrush...just ask my mate Stan...he's in new zeeland to...so he proberly know where to look...
and other wise you should try to find another airbush artist were you maybe can try something before you buy...
it isn't that you have to buy a double action....
ive got double and single action...and sometimes i find the single action nicer to use...just depending on what i paint ;)

Yo Stan !!!...can you give this girl some advice here ?...hahahaha

henk
Thanks for all the help, Henk. You've been great. Please don't hold your breath waiting for the pics. I'm currently working on two paintings in acrylic - one's a WIP posted in the acrylics forum - and once I'm happy with these I'll probably feel I can spend some time playing with my airbrush, again. But I promise you I will post my first AB picture here. :D

Thanks again.

Jo

[Caterwallin']

Jo, here is my take on your situation. I started airbrushing with a single action ext mix Paasche and a single action ext mix Badger exactly like the one your other half posted!

In fact, I have a life long friend who is a local auto painter/artist that does some of the most phenomenal murals with that very same Badger airbrush. He won't even consider another one!

I personally do not know how he does it! I try to give him one of my many double actions and he wont take them! He always tells me "It's a poor mechanic that blames his tools" of which I have many smart alec replies, however, the point is, if this airbrush is what you have to work with, then let's try to make it work! Like Henk, I don't want you to become frustrated before you even get started!

This airbrush may not be what you will ultimately desire when it’s all said and done! But at least give it a go! When your good and ready and have time to devote to practice, let us know and we will walk you through some beginning steps! In fact, I’m going to drag out my Passche and get started!

Sam
SFTS

[odge]

Thanks Sam, your kind support is very encouraging. It almost makes me want to put everything else on hold so I can give the ab a go, but I wouldn't be able to commit to it at this point, so I'll hold off for a day or two. I'll be in touch... :D

Thanks Henk for your comments about my paintings in the acrylics forum. If I can learn some of the skills you guys have with an ab, then I hope my paintings will reach another rung on that infinite ladder to the perfect painting.

Thanks again everyone. You are all great.

Jo

[Penny220]

I just took a peek. Your paintings are absolutely stunning. I can't believe you started painting a year ago. You certainly have the patience required for an airbrush! From looking at how you paint I would say you will want an ab that is .2 to a .18 these are for detail which you seem to "demand" Also, while you are learning to use bigger "hairy sticks" :) you may change what you want in an airbrush as well. Play with the one you have for awhile. Do not let airbrushing frustrate you. If it does frustrate you simply post your frustration, there is a way out of it.

I heard the cutest story today.

A man is walking down the street and falls in a hole. The hole is very deep and the sides are very steep so there is no way for him to climb out.

A doctor walks by and the man yells out, can you help me, the doctor writes a perscription and tosses it in the hole.

A priest walks by and the man yells out, can you help me, the priest says a prayer and walks away.

His best friend walks by and he says, I'm so glad you are here, can you help me? His friend jumps in the hole beside him.

He looks at his friend and says, why did you do that, now we are both stuck in the hole.

His friend says, yeah, but I've been in this hole before and I know the way out.

With all the ab'ers in this forum, SOMEONE will always know the way out!

[odge]

Hi Penny,

Thanks for your kind and supportive comments. Everyone here makes me feel so welcome. Thank you.

I loved your story, definitely worth remembering. :D

Jo

[Milo]

Great Story Penny reminds me of a story of the Donkey that fell into an old well but I will do that another time..

Just looked at your work, Odge its beautiful I am glad you have joined us on our Journey here and I look forward to learning back as well.

Take care
Milo

[odge]

Thanks Milo and I'm looking forward to hearing the story about the donkey... :D

Jo

[Leaflin]

Hi Jo :)
I can't help you 'cause I don't know what the heck I'm doing either :D
Just wanted to say welcome and hope you pop in more often.
BTW, your Rose in acrylics is stunning!!!

[Cherri]

Hi;

I hope you got yourself started.

I was going to suggest using food coloring and water with paper towels.

It is not high tech, but it is cheap and an easy way to figure out which end of the brush sprays. LOL. j/k

I know that when I first got my airbrush it sat in the closet for 6 years before I pulled it out. Once I did, I realized I did not have any idea what to do with it. I was to impatient to wait for paints, so I used the food coloring mixed with water and paper towels to try it on . It is a good way to see exactly what the brush is doing.

Once I got paints, I wanted to throw my airbrush away at least a dozen times. Turns out it was not the fault of the brush. LOL, just my impatience with it. I have tons and tons to learn, but I am now totally addicted to it.
No going back now.

Good luck to you....

Remember make it fun for yourself. Enjoy what you are doing. Everything that one does from the moment they start is a learning experience.

[odge]

Hi Jo :)
I can't help you 'cause I don't know what the heck I'm doing either :D
Just wanted to say welcome and hope you pop in more often.
BTW, your Rose in acrylics is stunning!!!
Thanks Leaflin,

I will certainly attend this forum on a more regular basis - once I finish the rose and my gladi.

Jo

[odge]

Hi;

I hope you got yourself started.

I was going to suggest using food coloring and water with paper towels.

It is not high tech, but it is cheap and an easy way to figure out which end of the brush sprays. LOL. j/k

I know that when I first got my airbrush it sat in the closet for 6 years before I pulled it out. Once I did, I realized I did not have any idea what to do with it. I was to impatient to wait for paints, so I used the food coloring mixed with water and paper towels to try it on . It is a good way to see exactly what the brush is doing.

Once I got paints, I wanted to throw my airbrush away at least a dozen times. Turns out it was not the fault of the brush. LOL, just my impatience with it. I have tons and tons to learn, but I am now totally addicted to it.
No going back now.

Good luck to you....

Remember make it fun for yourself. Enjoy what you are doing. Everything that one does from the moment they start is a learning experience.
Thanks Cherri, I think being able to see the first few layers of the WIP's on here and the end results will help me enormously. I think I expect a masterpiece with about 2 sprays - and of course that doesn't happen.
I'm still burning to start airbrushing, but if I don't persevere with my other two acrylics I know I'll never finish them. It will happen. :D

Jo