Airbrush Help For Beginners
Confused about Choosing an Airbrush that is Right for You?
I think it is fairly obvious that choosing an airbrush is essential to your success as an airbrush artist – and, it is also the hardest item to buy.
Let’s discuss the reasons why…
PRICE
Airbrushes range in price drastically – from $30 to $3000 – and with airbrushes the pricing rule is simple, you get what you pay for.
Airbrushes are precision tools with dozens of little tiny parts that have to be carefully machined to fit perfectly together. The greater the precision, the greater the price.
Think of an airbrush like a car… do you want a lemon or a lexus? Do you need a lexus? Probably not. But it would be nice to learn to “drive” with a tool that wasn’t constantly breaking down and causing you problems, right?
Do yourself a favor and spend some money when choosing an airbrush. Having a tool that works well is well worth the upfront cost. I recommend something in the $100 (US) range.
If the $100 price tag made you flinch, remember this:
- if you spend money now, you won’t have to upgrade later
- your airbrush is an investment – if you take care of it, it will last for years and years and years – consider the cost over 5 years, is $20/yr really that much money?
- if you decide you don’t like airbrushing, you can always sell it on ebay
AVAILABILITY
Do NOT… I repeat… DO NOT buy your airbrush from your local craft store!!!
I have nothing against craft stores, but these folks know nothing about choosing an airbrush that is going to work for you. Don’t believe me? Go in and ask them how many they sell in a year. Or ask one of the sales associates to explain to you how it works or what other supplies you’ll need to go with it. Their answers will be poor at best.
You are looking for a professional – someone who knows there stuff when it comes to airbrush equipment – and that professional is the internet!
Yes. The best place to buy an airbrush is on the internet. There are many internet businesses that focus only on airbrush equipment one of my favorites is Coast Airbrush…
…Going to a professional who has multiple suppliers of airbrushes and all sorts of airbrush equipment in stock will help you make the best decision possible.
UNCERTAINTY
I know, I know… “but which one do I buy!?!?”
Airbrushes come in all sorts of configurations and styles and knowing which one is going to work for you before you even picked one up is … well… impossible. How are you supposed to know?
Here is what I recommend for beginners…
- a DUAL ACTION, GRAVITY FEED airbrush; and
- stick with one of the “heavy hitters” in the industry like IWATA or PAASCHE.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
For me, choosing an airbrush was a, well, humbling experience.
My first airbrush was the cheapest hunk of junk I could find. I actually bought it at a car parts store, if you can believe it! After being frustrated with that brush I went to the craft store and bought the only airbrush they had (which will remain nameless because it was SO bad) and ended up being frustrated with that too.
Then I gave in and went to an art supply store and bought an IWATA HPC – it was miraculous compared to what I had been using and was a great brush to learn with. I used it with no problems for several years.
Later I upgraded to an IWATA CS-SB, not because I was disappointed with my HPC, but because it was on SALE!! The new brush offers a little more precision and is a little sleeker.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Shani on February 11, 2011 at 11:22 pm, and is filed under Airbrush Equipment. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 1 year ago
Best is to ask peaple who have and use them. I have 5 that I got from a national tool store for $15 (duol act .35tip) and thay work as good as a $100 ones. I have gotten 4 (D.A .2tip) from another store for $40. If was not for my past knowlage I would have returned them for my money back.
So it is best to have a good idea of what you are getting. If you go cheep, plan on replaceing it later.
about 11 months ago
I’m a beginner and I have an Iwata Eclipse HP CS. I got it as a kit…it came with a compressor, a book, a couple dvd’s and some Com-Art paints ( I LOVE com-art paints..they are so easy to use!!! But you can’t find them in Canada!!
So I use createx now but have to reduce it since my nozzle size is 0.35mm )
I have NO issue’s spending money on airbrushes and supplies…I will save my money for the best quality stuff!
Are there any other airbrushes that would be better for a beginner? (Not that the CS is bad cause it’s great!) Well basically I’d like to test out other types of them eventually but I have no idea which one to choose next!
about 11 months ago
Hi Kim … I think the airbrush you have is perfect for a beginner and while I know that you are super eager to try out other equipment I think that you should continue using your eclipse for a bit longer. Once you get that baby under control when you move up to a brush with a finer needle you will be in extreme control of it because of all your practice with the eclipse. It’s kind of like learning to drive a clunker, and then when you get into the sports car you really appreciate it.
As for the paints … there are two paint that are easy to find in Canada that I recommend to beginners – the first is actually an ink called FW Ink and it can be found by the calligraphy supplies at most art stores (it is AWESOME) and the second is Golden Airbrush Colors which are available at most art stores. Personally I would steer away from createx as it is not a very beginner friendly paint. If you don’t have issues with buying on the internet – Holbien Aeroflash are my VERY favorite… buy the transparent kit and you’ll be set.