If you have ever wondered about how airbrushing techniques are magically achieved, then you wil be interested to know that an airbrush (or a “spray gun”) is a device that by means of compressed air, sprays paint, ink, or dye. This tool is widely used is modern art. The airbrushing techniques have undergone many modifications since the airbrush was first patented by Francis Edgar Stanley in 1876. Now it looks like a pen and is user-friendly. In this article we will touch upon the airbrushing techniques mechanisms.
Airbrushing techniques
Airbrushes are classified by three main features: paint trigger action, paint filling mechanism, and the paint-air mix level.
The airbrush spreads the paint very delicately over a surface. When operating it, you can control paint flow by the variable trigger and the tapered needle. The device enables you to create a very light blending of several colors, and to subtly turn one color into another.This creates that beautiful graduated shading that we all love.
When operating without stencils and friskets, i.e. freehand, images acquire a floating quality, and edges between the main and foreground-background colors are scarcely discernible. Experienced artists are able to create a strikingly realistic painting much resembling a photograph. In order to achieve this result, you should use different supplementary devices (masks, friskets) and make scrupulous planning.
Airbrush pressures vary from small 20 psi (1.38 bar) to medium 30-35 psi (2-2.4 bar) and large 100 psi (6.8 bar) and more. The large ones spray thicker painting (with less solvent) on large surfaces and do it quickly. For example the High-Volume Low-Pressure (HVLP) airbrush sprays high volumes of paint at general pressures.
All airbrushing techniques are based on : a freehand device manipulation, paint, air pressure, and distance to the operated surface.
In order to achieve a particular shape or image, stencils or shields are used.
Single or double action airbrushing techniques
Still airbrushing techniques differ by airbrush type, i.e. is it a single or double action. When working with the double-action airbrushing techniques, you have to depress the trigger to release the air, and then slowly draw it back up to the paint-release threshold. The main point here is to begin and end with air only. If you follow these dynamics promptly, the necessary volume of paint and line quality will be achieved.
When working with the single-action airbrushing techniques you will see that it much resembles a dagger stroke. The single action strokes are wide in the beginning, and gradually diminish by the end. In this technique one action equals one operation. A fixed ratio of paint to air is released by depressing the trigger. In order to get variations of line-widths you should either change the combination of the tip and nozzle, or adjust the spray volume manually. The basic condition of this technique is to move the hand, before the trigger is depressed, and after it is released. This enables it to prevent the “bar bell” line.
Airbrushes are used in illustrations, photo retouching, and murals painting. Special airbrushing techniques are required when working in makeup, tattoos, tanning, finger-nail art, clothing and automobile decoration.
It is also important to know which paint is appropriate for a particular surface. Usually water colors, oil paints, acrylics, sign paints, and gouache are preferred.
When getting down to working with airbrushing techniqhes, you should beware of inhaling the dispersed solvents and paint, as their component chemicals can create health problems. It is always better for your health to wear a mask, and in some cases, eyewear, when performing airbrushing techniques.