"Master" Airbrush Artist

[533clive]

It's strange, how people strive to be accepted by others as a 'master', especially if they feel they have to try and give themselves the 'title'!

Surely as artists, all we want is for people to look at pieces we produce and like them, and, if they are paying you to produce them, be pleased (at the very least) with them! Or is that just me?

There are lots of artists that I admire for the work they produce, and really couldn't give a toss if they used other media, items, or techniques to produce the finished product. Not one of them is mentioned here, though a couple have posted!

I am always happy if my last piece improves on the previous one.

Maybe I'm just simple!!

[69Frenchie]

stencils can be usefull even to the "best" freehand artists...
especially helps a lot for textures or for sizing regularity when doing series...
good time saver and money maker...
I usually do it all freehand but you make me think I should use more stencils, because I want to be a true master in the art of making $$$

[CDNRatFink]

In the first post,the Truth Hurts.lol,The truth of the matter is any skilled airbrush artist ,being freehand or not could be an exceptional aibrush artist ,master ,or simply a great airbrush artist.Id bet dollars to donuts any airbrush artists such as Steve Driscoll ,could outshine any self proclaimed "freehand " only airbrush artist anytime ,anyday.I'd bet money on it .End of story. It's actually a stupid inference to label an artist by what style or techniques they may use.If they are good they will shine no matter what .Anything less is a self proclaimed rant and a detriment to airbrushing and nothing but a degrading post to some great artists.

[SteveNunez]

If I may chime in, here are my thoughts on the matter on the technical side.
We all know what the word "airbrush" and "artist" mean- so the key variable here is the word "master"- of which the dictionary defines as, "one who is skilled and has complete control over" and "one who is a skilled practitioner and has complete dominance".......accepting those defines as truth, any airbrush artist who can control their airbrush with skill and control is in fact exhibiting "mastery" of his/her craft and can be defined as an "airbrush master." I think the key variable that lends itself to varied opinions is the debate, is using making by it's nature, lending credibility to the fact that masking is used to "control" overspray or "define" edges and is lack of having this control freehanded an admission of "lesser skill?" If we take that as law- then only a "freehand airbrush artist" can attain "airbrush master" status! This is the technical aspect of using such titles and the various opinions expressed or implied.
My personal take on the matter is, if an airbrush artist can use an airbrush and exhibit complete control over it and achieve the look their after to near perfection- in my book that constitutes an airbrush master......wether or not they use masks, shields, tape etc isn't relevant as long as the person can execute their piece to proficiency.
I myself as a rule keep masking to as little as humanly possible because I personally don't like cutting masks and feel the airbrush is capable of producing fine enough lines to make "most" masking unnecessary. I do use masks when I feel it will yield the best possible result- but I am by default a freehand airbrush artist who prefers little to no masking....having said that I don't think that means those who do employ lots of masking is any less of an airbrush artist, their style, technique and proficiency has led them to the technique of masking of which they use.
Sorry for being so technical minded, I just think this particular subject needed some defining of the terms used as this thread speaks to a "title" which may or may not be "over-used" as the original poster has suggested.
Have fun guys- cheers!

[dragonsfire]

just my opinion here, but if someone creates a piece I like, I don't really acre how they did it. If I find out it was all freehand, no under-drawing, no reference pics, and still looks incredible, I'll be impressed by their physical mastry of the mechanics of using an airbrush, but it doesn't make the piece any more or less impressive. That has to stand on it's own.

If the same image was made using frisket, sheilds, scratching or erasing, etc, I'll think "good for them, they can make the most of the tools around them". But again, it doesn't change how I am impacted by the piece.

Now, if I see something that looks impressive, and find out the artist just used "Skull master series #28" or whatever they're up to now, I will look at it in a lower light, since they basically just painted by numbers. Although even those pre-cut, commercial stencils can have a useful place.

If an airbrusher CAN'T create an image with the pre-cut stencil, then yes, I will think they are a "lesser" airbrush user. Then again, I say the same thing about people who actually use needle backstops.

If being a "master airbrusher" is that important to you, fine, define it and use whatever your want. I'd rather be a "good artist" than a "good airbrush artist", so I'll use whatever tools get the job done best. If that precludes me from ever being a "master airbrush artist" in anyones eyes, so be it. I'm not going to compromise the end result just for the sake of my own ego.

[Bossman]

I love a good discussion. Esp. if we can keep our cool.

What I'm seeing is a mystery straw airbrusher having been invented in this discussion.
This straw airbrusher or even group of airbrushers are so prevalent in their use of the word "master" before their introduction, that nobody has pointed out one single instance. Who are these people? Show us some posts or proof they exist. I've never seen anyone refer to themselves as a "master". There are quite a few I consider masters.. some have even posted in this thread.

I think someone got confused reading a post where a guy was wondering why his "master" airbrush wasn't working right.
Or some poor guy saying "yeah I picked up a Master airbrush..."

To say frisket use is cheating is completely insane, and a dis-qualifier to the legitimacy of the artists work is nuts. I guess erasers are out, too.

Cisco, are you saying publicly you have never used any sort of frisket, tape, masking of any kind on ANY of your work? So all the old hot rod flames and lettering you have done on hard surfaces has been ALL freehand?

[magus1]

i disagree wholeheartedly...putting any kind of limitations on art is irrelevant and small minded, as the final product is all that matters in our world. cisco, your art is fantastic, but you have many of the tips and tricks of airbrush artists the world over in mind, and to put a limit on any tool in your toolbelt would be dismissed quickly, would it not? unfortunately, your statements come off as egotistical and hurtful to the airbrush artists that may use things like freehand shields to produce their art, and we all know that pleasing our customers is key. i personally, do not use shields or stencils to produce my art, but know that an artist with a high volume business would need such things to produce art quickly. procuring customers is our game, and any business will use whatever tools necessary to finish said product in a quick, efficient way. i am pleased you brought this up, as i felt the same way for many years, but found in my own minds eye that presenting limitations on other peoples art is a hinderance and not a celebration of our art form. we must cherish the things we produce, whether they be a t-shirt design or a masterpiece, as they are representatives of our own hands. with all the celebrated digital "art" that comes out these days, i take comfort in my "brethren of the brush", for we are the gods to which they aspire. i hope this letter finds you well, and helps you in your journey to be the true "master" you wish to become.

[Patrick Eubanks]

I have read this post with interest since the beginning. I find many of the comments ammusing. An airbrush can be used for many things. Not once has anyone mentioned scale or surface. I use an airbrush daily and have for many years. Not once have I painted on a flat surface. Every surface on which I paint is either convex or concave. You can thin the paint and lower the pressure all you want, but in many cases, without masking or stencils the desired result in small, tunnelled areas can not be achieded without some overspray.
To assume, with such a broad reaching statement that one is not a master if he or she uses masking or stencils is a sign of a very narrow minded artist that values only his or her particular media with complete dissregard to the talented minds of others.
Take that airbrush of yours and paint something on the inside wall of a thimble without masking and see how well that works for ya.
With that said, I enjoy everyone's work posted here and am grateful for them sharing thier gifts.

This is the dumbest thread ever. First of all the number one rule in art is there are no rules! Secondly would you consider Norman Rockwell a master at his art? Well as it happens Norman couldn't draw very well so he used photos and a projector to do his layout work. A master of anything should know how to get results. A master airbrush artist knows that a stencil is a tool in his arsenal. They also know when to use one and when not to. My first job airbrushing was doing photo retouching for the newspapers before photoshop existed. If I didn't use stencils my work would have been rejected for sure. The idea that your not a master if you use a tool available to you is the immature ego of a self righteous individual that has no business giving opinions to others on their work. Secondly going onto someones site and telling them their work stinks is the mark of a very childish and again egocentric bully that again doesn't belong talking about anyone else's work. I mean seriously who do you think you are ? Grow up and get off your high horse! You know at the end of the day when you take it all account if some one wants to buy his work maybe they are buying it because they like the guy or they like his style. They might look at your work and say god that sucks who knows? To have such a huge ego as i see coming through from your statements as an artist is pretty lame. The reality is your work my work and every other artists work is really a bunch of paint on a canvas. It has no real value the value is strictly in the eye of the beholder! Maybe you should remember that. Any way if this guys work wasn't all that good and he is still selling it he probably has a way more personality than you do! If you wanted to offer constructive instruction you could have done that without insulting the person but it speaks volumes about your own insecurities that that was the path you chose, real classy dude I mean really!

[Midnight Magus]

Originally Posted by magus1

i disagree wholeheartedly...putting any kind of limitations on art is irrelevant and small minded, as the final product is all that matters in our world.... ...presenting limitations on other peoples art is a hinderance and not a celebration of our art form. we must cherish the things we produce, whether they be a t-shirt design or a masterpiece, as they are representatives of our own hands. with all the celebrated digital "art" that comes out these days, i take comfort in my "brethren of the brush", for we are the gods to which they aspire. i hope this letter finds you well, and helps you in your journey to be the true "master" you wish to become.

Wow, another Magus, and one I can appearently agree with!

And, all around I see pretty good insights from a lot of board members. Cool!'

[#5E610B]

Originally Posted by MIG17

Take a look at these-

This was done by a friend of mine- the airbrush he uses is one of those plastic craft hobby airbrushes, you know the ones I mean, single action, plastic everything. I was stunned when he showed it to me. Pretty humbling! He wouldn't consider himself a "master airbrush" kinda guy, and neither would I, although he is really amazing.





Steve

Your friend has done a marvelous job of this little piece, Steve...proof that it's not what you've got, but what you do with it that counts.

[jumpforjoy61]

Originally Posted by Cisco

I posted this on a blog. i am posting this one here to hear what people have to say

"Master" Airbrush artist
"I have been reading a few mags lately and noticed that a lot of people throw around the words Master Airbrush Artist. And when i see the work it's stenciled! Now i know there is a few people who would highly disagree about what I'm going to say but OH WELL! If you stencil your work you are NOT a "Master" Airbrush Artist!!!!!! I don't care who you name or who you are and how you try to justify the fact that it is necessary to do it at times. If you are a "master" you don't need to stencil. This term has been thrown out so much that it does not even have any merit anymore. Now don't get me wrong i dig ALL good art work stenciled or not (i even have a couple of artist work i collect that stencil) but that term should not be used on you if you use ANYTHING other than a airbrush to paint with. Does a Samurai study for decades how to use a sword then pull out a 9mm to say he is a master samurai swordsman?! HELL NO!
Freehand airbrush takes YEARS to master and very few can truly say they are one!"


I got a really good comment about this from a engraver but i dont know if i can post it without his permission so i wont. but i am sure this might start some heated discussions but that's what this forum handles too correct?

hhm interesting viewpoint ,based on what exactly ? is there an official body that has some authority on the subject or do you purport to be such yourself ?

the inventor of the airbrush Charles Burbick sufered from this same pomposity when he first displayed his work ,airbrushed work itelf wasnt viewed as art back then and sometimes still struggles nowadays

you sound like one of those self apointed wine tasters or art critique

whilst it is the critiques job to educate to public it is the artists job to educate the critique


your argument can and often has been aplied to many aspects of human endevour ,ie "he cheated becous he used so and so " more often said by his peers who cant produce anything worthwhile even when "cheating"
i recale all of this from primary school ,didnt matter how good your work was you must have cheated to have been better than your accuser who in latter life turned out to be the insecure little bedwetter of the class and never got further than the factory floor in life ,one often see them in public houses making the same critiques of the famous and succesfull in life or on forums such as this LOL

most often these arguments are not made by the true masters but the mediocre how just wish to put down anyone who has achieved something superior to themselves in order to invalidate the "competition"
this sounds like a disgruntled buck who lost the rut and is now trying to atract a mate by acusing the winning male of cheating

personaly i feel the argument is impotant unless of course your antlers are far bigger than those you acuse of "cheating" and if they where im sure you would be confident enough to take your mating rites without any need to reinforce just how wonderfull a master you where,surely that would just be rubbing salt in the wound !

art often loses something when you start to anylise it or pretend to understand it and just like a fine wine you either like the taste or you dont

i think your argument is pretentious to say the least and backed by nothing other than self opinion ,what exactly makes someone a master on the subject of masters then ?

you make some very arogant statements as highlighted in red ,,you proclaim your opinion as the truth ,again based on what qualification exactly ?? hopefully your thicker skinned than those whome you imply may not be



Paul

[dragonsfire]

I can't think of a single airbrush artist I would consider a "Master" artist who paints completely freehand. Their results speak for themselves. I've also never heard anyone I'd consider a true master artist refer to themselves as such.

In pretty much every painting I do, freehand airbrushing plays a role, but so does frisket, loose shields, scratching, erasing, rewetting, and usually a few different drafts of an underdrawing before I'm satisfied enough with the composition to even start the painting phase. Sometimes I draw freehand, sometimes I'll use a projector, and (gasp) occasionally even my computer and plotter.

If one has to paint only freehand to be a "master" airbrush artist, count me out. I'll just stick to using whatever method gets the job done best, and leave the freehanding to those who feel compelled to use it, for whatever reason.

[Keith Russell]

I think "mastery" of anything involves knowing how to use all the tools at one's disposal to achieve whatever results one desires.

Now, I'm not claiming to be a "master", but I'm working on a painting right now (24 x 36 inches, oils on honeycombed aluminum panel), and I did a bit of airbrushing (in oils!) on it this afternoon.

Becuase I did not want to risk getting any overspray onto the (completed) background, I cut a frisket stencil to keep the background clear.

Stencils, masking, etc., are just tools. They certainly have their uses.

[jumpforjoy61]

if being an artist or my art was judged soley on my mastery of the tool then i would give up art