Airbrush Paint
Airbrush paint is generally available in art stores, craft stores and similar shops. Some paints, especially those for large applications such as customizing automobiles and larger surfaces, can only be purchased from automotive suppliers. One of the key factors to keep in mind when purchasing airbrush paint is this: how finely ground is the pigment? Airbrush paint should be processed differently so that it will work efficiently with your quality equipment.
Two major categories of airbrush paint are transparent and opaque. The choice between these two will be more important for the experienced airbrush artist but it can be crucial to producing just the right image. Among the key categories of airbrush paint are: water color; gouache; acrylics; and oil-based.
Water colors work well in a few applications and are quite transparent. Gouache paints have a pigment added that makes them more opaque. They can be used efficiently in an airbrush though they may need to be reduced. Acrylic paints should only be purchased if they are manufactured for airbrush use. It might be wise to use the manufacturer’s reducer/thinner rather than experimenting with water or another thinner.
One type of acrylic paint is designed for airbrushing clothing, such as T-shirts and jackets. Oil paints dry slowly and often have to be thinned with mineral spirits or turpentine. Clean up should be done with the same items. Some manufacturers supply their airbrush paint pre-thinned/reduced. Be sure you know what you are buying and be sure to follow directions carefully when preparing your paint.
If you decide you want to thin/reduce your own airbrush paint here are a few key items to know about: acrylic colors should be reduced with water until they flow like milk when it is poured; only reduce paint if necessary for your airbrush equipment and for the surface you are working with; know the nozzle size and which airbrush paint consistency works best; study the background information from the supplier to get the thinning process correct.
Most paints used in airbrushing should be cleaned up immediately after use. Experienced artists might leave airbrush paint in their equipment for a short time but less-experienced artists should clean their equipment when they finish their work. Two key elements of successful airbrush artistry are surface preparation and safety issues. Surfaces should be clean before any airbrush paint is applied. Be sure to use paint that is designed for the application. Some paints are great for fabric and canvas but don’t work well on metal or slick wood surfaces, for example.
