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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.
As you begin to learn "How To" airbrush
its best to use a paint made specifically for airbrushing. A few good ones are
DR PH Martins, Golden Airbrush Colors. The pigments in these colors are ground
finer than those in craft paints allowing for easy use in an airbrush. Craft,
textile paints are fine to use after you learn the basics but when first
learning to airbrush using an airbrush ready paint will make the learning
process much more enjoyable believe me.
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.
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
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example water based airbrush
illustration paint
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example water based airbrush paint
for metal, hard surfaces
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example water based airbrush
illustration paint
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example water based airbrush
textile ink
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example water colors used in
airbrush |
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I
hope you found this article helpful.
Two more great resources to learn more
about airbrushing, kustom painting are my airbrush, kustom painting magazines.
Check them out via the links below. Until next time "It's just paint" have
fun.
Airbrush
Technique Magazine
Airbrush Artist Magazine
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