How To Airbrush - Start Airbrushing Right (Airbrush Tutorials)

Start Airbrushing Right – How To Airbrush Lessons

If you follow these guidelines and practice the basic how to airbrush lessons, you’ll know everything you need to start airbrushing right. [Read our in depth guide on choosing the right airbrush ]

I developed these guidelines while I worked the technical support lines at Iwata-Medea. Every day people needed help choosing or dealing with equipment that wasn’t right for their needs. I wanted to know for certain that when I recommended something, my recommendation was exactly what they needed. In short, I helped people start airbrushing right. I hope to do the same for you too.

I have divided these guidelines in two sections. First section is about choosing the right equipment and second section is about airbrush lessons (basic as well as advanced.)

How to choose the right Equipment

Here is a short list of equipment you will need

  • Something to paint
  • Paint (get an airbrush ready paint–trust me, it’s for your own good)
  • Airbrush
  • Airhose
  • Airbrush Compressor

Here are in-detail guides for buying the right equipment for your airbrushing.

how to choose the right airbrush

Now we’ll dive into the differences between airbrushes and spray guns How much detail do you want? How much coverage do you want?

Read more about choosing the right Airbrush…

how to choose the right air compressor

Many people think of buying a compressor first, then an airbrush, then try and figure out what paint they need to try. Don’t. Compressors are only one of your airsource options. There are strengths and weaknesses to them all.

Read more about choosing the right air compressor…

how to choose the right paint

Paint sticks to specific kinds of surfaces. The wrong paint might actually still work for application, but it won’t work as well as it could, or it might even peel off when dry.

Read more about choosing the right paint to spray…

How to airbrush - basic and advanced tutorials

Are you ready to start airbrushing yet? You’ve got the information you need to choose your tools and setup. Once you’ve got the tools and when you’re all set up, it will be time to learn how to airbrush.

airbrushing - beginner lessons

Airbrushing - advanced tutorials

Apart from equipment guides and tutorials, here are some of the interesting articles  you need to know before starting your airbrushing journey.

Airbrush Basics

Let’s explore the basic underlying concepts of spraying with an airbrush. Once you know what’s happening and why, you’ll be able to bend or even break the normal rules to create stunning effects and techniques.. Read more about Airbrush Basics

What do you want to do?

This is the most basic question.  What exactly are you going to spray?  Why do you want to spray?  Is this a hobby ( like cake decoration) or a job (like professional spray tanning) ?

Read more about choosing what to do

Where Are You Going To Do It?

Location, location, location--oh wait, that's real estate. Some people want mobile operations, or semi mobile booths, or they have a dedicated place to spray and work.
Read more about setting up your own work-space

How can you do all of this safely?

Safety and painters haven’t always gotten along. Many people think the safety precautions are for ‘wussies’ or people who don’t know what they’re doing. Safety is for people who really do know what they're doing, and who know what happens if they don't heed the warnings.

What kind of accessories do you need?

Accessories are things that solve particular problems. Does your airbrush spit water when you've only pressed down for air? Maybe you need a moisture trap.

Where can you go for more training?

Excellent question. None of us know all the answers. In fact, I know I don’t know all the answers. That’s why there are instructors and classes all over the country.

Here are two resources that will help you understand airbrushing.

Airbrush FAQs

The Airbrush FAQ focuses on frequently asked questions about airbrushes and spray equipment in general.

Airbrush Dictionary

Every industry has it’s own slang. Airbrushing is no exception. Knowing the slang or jargon allows you to talk to other people in the industry.