Quick over view of airbrush paint by Don Johnson

 

AIRBRUSH PAINT OVERVIEW

by Don Johnson

Airbrush Technique Magazine

Airbrush Artist Magazine

Airbrush Work Shop

Paint: A liquid mixture, usually of a solid pigment in a liquid vehicle (binder), used as a decorative or protective coating. 

 Water Based Paint: paint in which water is used as the vehicle.  

Solvent Based Paint: paint in which solvent is used as the vehicle. 

After fifteen years involved in the airbrush industry, helping others learn how to airbrush I think I can safely say the number one reason most beginners fine learning to airbrush frustrating is they are using the wrong paint.  

For those learning the basic’s of airbrushing no matter the goal is (airbrushing T shirts, motorcycles, auto art, fine art, etc) using good quality airbrush paint will cut the frustration factor greatly.  

Airbrush paint?

Paint made specifically for use in an airbrush. 

 Why?

Because the pigments are ground finer in paint made for airbrushing than your typical craft, artist type paint.

 My recommendations: Comart, Golden Airbrush Colors, Doc PH Martins rank highest on the list for ease of use.

Which color: Black for learning it's very unforgiving.

The short of it is you can spend your time fighting paint that is hard to use in an airbrush, frustrating or you can use one of the three paints I recommend and spend your time becoming comfortable with using your airbrush. It will take less time to master the basic’s of airbrushing using my recommended paint and you’ll be on your way to creating the artwork you envision on any given surface much quicker. After you have mastered the airbrush basic’s, become comfortable using your airbrush than it’s time to use any paint you want.

 If you must use solvent based paint like House of Kolor than over reduce it up to 50%.

Here is a brief run down on the different types of paints most commonly used in an airbrush. Most of the following can be purchased in most art stores, craft shops. A few of the paints listed must be purchase at specialty shops like automotive paint suppliers.

A great source of information about these products and what other airbrush artists have to say about their use is my Consumer Airbrush Product Review check it out for further detailed info.

Most of these paints fall into two categories either Transparent or Opaque. For learning purposes it really does not matter which you use, although because transparent colors are generally thinner than opaque colors you might find them easier to use.

Opaque - is defined as "not transmitting light" or "impenetrable to sight ". In simple terms spraying an opaque color other another color the second color applied will cover the first color, not blend well. Opaque colors generally have more pigments in them than transparent colors making them more likely to clog up your airbrush and dry on the tip of the needle.

Transparent - is defined as "allowing light to pass through so that bodies can be distinctly seen" or "easily seen through" Transparent colors blend much easier to produce a new color. Yellow over red should give you an orange color for example.

AIRBRUSH PAINT LIST

WATER COLORS - As the name states these are water based colors well suited for use in an airbrush. Available in pre reduced form airbrush ready or in tubes. Water colors best reduced in most cases with distilled water and are very transparent type paint.

GOUACHE - All so sells under the name Tempera is also water based but with a white pigment added to make it more opaque. Because of the white pigment added you might find it a little harder to use in an airbrush than water colors. Gouache like water colors can be reduced with distilled water.

ACRYLICS - These come in both opaque and transparent colors. There are many manufactures but you will find it much easier to use these if you stick with a brand made for use in an airbrush. Usually can be thinned with water or if the manufacture makes a reducer that should be used. Acrylics can be cleaned up with water or a cleaning agent if the paint manufacture makes one. Long lasting on just about any surface, be sure to read the manufactures tech sheet on surface prep, best uses before you use them. As with the above Gouache do not allow these to dry in your airbrush, clean right after use. One category of Acrylic paints is textile paints made for use of course on textile products like T Shirts, jackets, sweat shirts. Most require heat setting to be permanent again please read the manufactures tech sheet as to use for best results.

OIL PAINTS - A solvent based paint can be thinned with turpentine, minerals spirits and cleaned up with same products. Oils can be either opaque or transparent depending on how much you thin them. Oil paints have a very slow drying time.

SIGN PAINTS - One Shot is one such product. Be very careful using these products, use in a well ventilated area, wear a mask. Again a solvent based product. There are other manufactures of these products. Care should be taken with these products to follow the manufactures tech sheets.

Below is my short video covering basic info relating to airbrush paint.

 

USING CRATEX COLORS

SURFACE PREPARATION
Fabric- Including 100% cotton, 50/50 blends, denim, sweatshirts, and most natural fibers.
1) For best results, wash item first to remove sizing and mill finishes.
2) Airbrush the design onto fabric avoiding thick buildup of paint and excessive paint layering.
3) Allow colors to dry, or a heat gun may be used to accelerate drying time. Drying time varies depending on application.
4) Heatset fabric for permanence by one of the following methods: a) Iron for 2 minutes at 300º F use a protective cloth, keep iron moving. b) Turn item inside out and put in clothes dryer for 40 minutes at highest heat.
Leather
1) Clean leather by wiping with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol.
2) For best results, lightly spray mist a base coat of Opaque White on areas to be sprayed.
3) Apply color, avoiding over saturation and excessive paint layering.
4) Allow colors to dry thoroughly before heat setting. 5) Iron for 30 seconds at 225°using a protective cloth, or use a hot air gun at highest level for five minutes.
Paper and Canvas
1) Apply Color, avoiding thick buildup.
2) When using high tack frisket, dilute colors 25% with water. Colors are permanent when dry.
Wood
1) Prepare surface by lightly sanding, wipe clean.
2) Apply color, avoiding thick buildup of paint. Allow colors to dry for 24 hours before applying clear finish.
Ceramics and Clay
1) Apply color in thin even coats, avoid thick buildup.
2) Do not exceed temperatures of 300°F when baking. Colors are permanent for handling after 24 hrs.

For infomation on Automotive lacquers, enamels, and urethanes please check out my "How To Custom Paint" web site which deals with using these products.

example water based airbrush paint for crafts, textile paint

example water based airbrush illustration paint

example water based airbrush paint for metal, hard surfaces

example water based airbrush illustration paint

example water based airbrush textile ink

example water colors used in airbrush Please check the other web sites where I publish FREE airbrush, custom painting lessons, articles: howtoairbrush.com , howtocustompaint.com

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