What Kind Of Paint To Use In Airbrush

Many who are new to the globe of airbrush unremarkably struggle when it comes to paint option. I can personally say, the learning bend was excessively steep when I began my quest to larn everything I could about the different paint options available for an airbrush….

Non to mention the learning curve associated when beginning to acquire the nuances of a new paint line or make. As each paint line commonly acts different in the airbrush to the other…

This is usually because different paint manufacturers employ different sources when sourcing materials for their paints, and employ dissimilar methods for making each individual paint line.

This difference is only 1 of the common pitfalls that aspiring airbrush artists notice themselves in… Granted that is a give-and-take for another fourth dimension. Today I want to discuss the paint options y'all take available to you…

largely, one of the biggest questions on my mind when I entered the world of airbrushing was: "What Pigment exercise I utilise?", "Will whatsoever kind of paint piece of work?", "Do I need a specific type of pigment?"… And given you are here reading this I'm assuming these questions, and similar ones have you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with airbrushing, as I was…

Well if this is the case for yous, let me help ease the frustration.

Truly, Whatever kind of paint can piece of work with an airbrush, it'southward just a matter of whether or not the paint tin can be thinned to the consistency needed without becoming over reduced to the point it loses its power to adhere properly. Merely commonly, Airbrush ready acrylic paint is optimal for airbrushing.

Yes, paint can become over reduced to the point the binder (Resin) in the pigment is no longer able to practice its job… That being agree the pigment particles together.

Granted there are a few other considerations to be had, such as pigment quality… Which normally refers to the amount of color paint that is in the paint (The more than pigment, the more vibrant and full the colour will announced). As well every bit, how well those pigments have been ground upwardly. The finer the paint the better it is going to flow through the airbrush.

Merely put: less clogging…

That being said, specific paints do take specific applications behind their development, and it's Platonic to lucifer the paint to the application existence painted.

Simply speaking, the kind of paint you lot choose to airbrush with should align with the application you intend on painting. Don't worry though, for the most part pigment companies will disclose the intended use / application of the pigment somewhere on the canteen.

If your just getting involved in airbrushing then I highly recommend you lot stick with Airbrush Gear up acrylic paints at the offset. As they are designed specifically for airbrush apply. A few great airbrush ready acrylics will be listed shortly.

Paint Types Unremarkably Used With An Airbrush

The below list of paints are some of the most ordinarily used with an airbrush. Information technology'due south ideal that y'all stick with the options listed beneath, every bit information technology will make your airbrush career much easier in the long run.

Acrylics

Acrylic paints are usually "H2o-based" just tin can sometimes be "H2o-borne" (H2o-borne is essentially a middle signal between h2o-based and solvent-based)

Acrylic pigment is normally the get to paint for almost airbrush artist who are going to exist doing whatever sort of artwork on newspaper, canvas, plastic, t-shirts / clothing and so along. Simply speaking acrylic paint is ane of the most commonly used paint types in the airbrush industry.

Even the automotive manufacture utilizes acrylics to a degree. Ever heard of Machine-Air past createx? Well the Auto Air line of paints is essentially an automotive developed, water-based paint that is a hybrid between acrylic and urethane.

Ideal For Beginners:

Airbrush prepare acrylic paint is the platonic starting point for most beginners. This is because Acrylics are much more forgiving when mistakes are made then the majority of paint types available. Only that's not to say, Acrylics are merely for beginners. As the bulk of the airbrush manufacture utilizes acrylics.

As they are:

Easier to clean up both before and later on the paint has dried
Not as harmful to both the user, along with the environment.
Virtually airbrush ready paints are Acrylic which means less tinkering with the paint, as it is set up to be used in the airbrush.
Doesn't commonly require any chemicals for clean upward.
Simpler to understand.

I personally can say, when I started learning how to airbrush I wanted to test all sorts of dissimilar paints in my airbrush. But I apace found just how difficult information technology was to learn the ways to which each paint type worked. Every bit not all paints operate and function the same in the airbrush…

I presently found myself resorting to the airbrush ready acrylic paints and it made everything and so much easier! I personally went for the Createx Airbrush Colors paint line up and didn't wait back… This paint line is very affordable, and given how widely used it is it's easy to get whatever questions your likely to have answered!

Plus Createx is 1 of the largest companies in the industry when it comes to airbrush paint.

Common Acrylics Designed For Airbrush Use:

Airbrush Colors (Found On Amazon)- Past: Createx Colors
Wicked Colors (Found On Amazon)- By: Createx Colors
Auto-Air Colors (Found On Amazon)- By: Createx Colors (Considered An Acrylic Hybrid)
Model Air (Constitute On Amazon)- By: Vallejo
Loftier Flow (Found On Amazon)- By: Gilded

Of Class there are many more options out there in terms of airbrush ready acrylics. Only to a higher place are a few of the almost widely used.

Watercolors

Water colors can be used in an airbrush as they can easily be reduced using water. However they do tend to be on the transparent side when it comes to coverage, merely considering they aren't commonly paint rich.

Though water colors aren't typically made with the intent of being used in an airbrush. Because their chief intended use is to be used with a paint brush, the color pigment in water colors are typically non ground down every bit well as would exist in a paint that was designed for utilise in an airbrush.

This can consequence in more frequent clogging of the airbrush. Simply the biggest factor for an airbrush clogging is commonly due to also thick of paint. For more on how to bargain with a chock-full airbrush bank check out my latest mail on the topic: Why your airbrush keeps clogging & How to ready information technology.

I personally have never used watercolors to airbrush and probable never will. I'd much rather opt for a paint that is more designed to handle the thinning requirements demanded by an airbrush. But that'south not to say Water Colors isn't a proficient fit for you lot… As you can do some pretty cool effects with h2o colors given how transparent they get when reduced down for an airbrush.

Inks / Dyes

You lot likely know that the majority of paints on the market go their color via finely ground up particles of color, otherwise known as pigments. Well Inks take a different arroyo when it comes to color. Inks, simply put, utilize dyes to brand up the color rather than pigments.

This means inks will apply a chemic reaction to accomplish colour. This chemical reaction is actually the dye dissolving into the carrier (or base). Where as mutual pigmented paints, utilize a carrier for doing just that, carrying the pigments. The concluding production consists of a dry, hardened film with pigment inside via the usual method for producing pigment.

Whereas with Inks, the dye and carrier essentially get ane.

Inks are a great way to go when information technology comes to the airbrush!

They are very thin, basically the consistency of water, which is great to airbrush with. But they are quite transparent for the most function. Which tin exist a pitfall for those who crave opacity.

Inks tin can be used for diverseness of different tasks, and on a variety of different surfaces.

Typically inks are used to help compliment paints, but can exist used stand alone. Sometimes you lot'll encounter inks being used on article of clothing, plastic, wood, paper, sheet, metal and so forth.

I have even heard of some reducing their paint using Inks, equally it helps maintain the color opacity in the paint rather so using common articulate reducer.

A Few Ordinarily Used Airbrush Inks:

Daler Rowney Acrylic Inks (Found on Amazon)
Winsor & Newton Inks (Found on Amazon)
Jacquard Pinata Inks (Found on Amazon)
Liquitex Acrylic Inks (Plant on Amazon)

Enamels

Enamels are typically "Oil-based / Solvent-based" but can exist "Water-based". They are platonic if your going for a durable / Tough terminate. Though enamels aren't typically used to accomplish fine detail.

Rather enamels are commonly used for paint coverage. Such as you would expect when painting model cars and such.

However, when using enamel in an airbrush, it is vital y'all clean the airbrush thoroughly in one case finished painting. If you permit the enamel dry out in the airbrush information technology's going to be very hard to clean out. As it is with the majority of paints your probable to put in your airbrush, simply enamels are designed for immovability.

Which makes removing dried enamels nearly impossible…

Commonly Used Enamel Paints:

Testors Enamel Paints (Found on Amazon)

Urethanes

Commonly considered an advance paint type as there are so many different options, and steps to be had. Urethane paints crave actress safety precautions to be used, but can produce an incredible cease.

Urethane paint is unremarkably used for automotive applications. As it is very durable, and formulated to agree up against the harsh elements a vehicle is commonly exposed to. But information technology tin exist used in different industries as needed.

Urethane tin can be a peachy choice to airbrush with if you are going to be doing whatsoever automotive related airbrush work.

However, due to the environmental impact of urethanes. Urethanes are beginning to exist phased out by Water-borne paints.

Commonly Used Urethane Paints:

Business firm Of Kolor (Found on Amazon)
Xotic

Makeup

I know makeup isn't exactly paint in the usual sense. Simply I figure i'll mention it as makeup is commonly put on using an airbrush.

Makeup can be put through an airbrush. Nonetheless, you'll need an airbrush specific makeup, if y'all intend on doing any airbrushing of makeup. As common makeup is much to thick, or solid (for that matter) to operate properly in an airbrush.

Though its most common for one with intentions of airbrushing makeup to go with an airbrush that has a needle size of 0.5mm or something close to it.

For context: Airbrush needle sizes come in many different sizes. Ordinarily from 0.2mm to 0.5mm. O.5mm being the larger of the majority of options.

This is because in order to airbrush makeup you should be using lower air pressure to ensure not to harm the skin. The larger needle and nozzle size allows the makeup to flow ameliorate, and allows for larger coverage.

Common Pigment Furnishings & What They Mean:

When information technology comes to choosing paint to airbrush with, information technology'southward not as simple as maxim, "I want blue", or "green", or whatsoever colour/s your looking to paint with. Y'all see, when it comes to paints they commonly come in a diverseness of dissimilar sheens or finishes. Simply put, the cease of the paint substantially creates a specific appearance dependent on the desired finish you are trying to accomplish.

For example, say I'm going to paint something on a car and I want information technology to await as if the paint is sparkling when the lite hits it. Well, in order to achieve a finished appearance like such, I would want to opt for a metallic paint.

Only speaking, paints commonly come up in a greater variety of choices and so merely just color. I desire to go over a few of the mutual options bachelor and then you lot understand what they hateful when y'all run across them…

Opaque:

Definition: "Not able to be seen through; not transparent."

Opaque paint but does not allow light to get through it. Meaning you lot are unable to see the colour under it.

Opaque paints are unremarkably used as a base, to and then layer other paints on top of such as transparent to create a depth of feel.

Semi-Opaque:

Definition: "Not fully clear or transparent."

Semi-opaque is essentially a median between Opaque, and Transparent. Typically you would utilize an opaque paint for your base, then a transparent to build on the realism of the art work. But semi-opaque provides you an added layer to be had between opaque and transparent.

Allowing for a greater depth of experience.

Transparent:

Definition: "Allowing low-cal to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen."

Transparents simply permit the colour behind information technology to be seen through it. Think of it similar a colored sheet of glass on elevation of an opaque surface.

Transparent paints are groovy for layering on top of opaque or semi-opaque paints to create more than depth of feel in the fine art piece of work.

Flat / Matte:

Definition: "dull and apartment; without a polish."

Merely put, matte is very slow. It is substantially similar taking a glossy (shiny) surface and sanding information technology with some sand paper. The surface will so become very dull and non reflective. This is commonly known as Matte or Apartment.

Glossy:

Definition: "Shiny and smooth."

Glossy is basically the opposite of Matte. Information technology is very shiny and reflects light.

Fluorescent:

Definition: "Vividly colorful."

Very bright and vibrant. Almost as if the colour itself creates a lite source. Like would be seen when looking at a neon sign.

Iridescent:

Definition: "Showing luminous colors that seem to alter when seen from different angles."

"The phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear to gradually change color every bit the bending of view or the angle of illumination changes." -wikipedia

Pearlized / Pearl:

"Pearlescence is a related issue to Iridescent, where some or all of the reflected calorie-free is white, where iridescent furnishings produce but other colors. The term pearlescent is used to describe certain paint finishes, unremarkably in the automotive industry, which actually produce iridescent furnishings" -wikipedia

Chameleon / Color Shift:

Chameleon does like a literal chameleon does and changes colors. Only based on the bending to which the calorie-free source is to the surface. Though chameleon isn't unremarkably used when it comes to airbrushing detail. Only If y'all spend some time researching paints your likely to run across it.

Candy:

Candy is a very transparent tinted clear that is put over a contrasting base of operations to give the illusion of depth.

Metal:

Metallics are substantially paints that have the added ingredient of metallic flakes to which produce a glimmering consequence.

Though they aren't unremarkably Ideal to be used in an airbrush every bit the small flakes found in metallic paints can cause clogging of the airbrush.

Mutual Paint Terms To Be Enlightened Of

You likely noticed above, I specified some of the paints every bit either "H2o-based", "Water-borne", Or "Oil / Solvent Based". Well this simply refers to ane of the major components that make up paint. That existence the liquid in the paint that helps it to menstruum. This liquid is what dries / cures when given fourth dimension. It tin exist fabricated upwards using a few different methods, and materials. They are as follows…

Water-Based

But refers to the carrier (Liquid in the paint) being a bulk of the part water. About commonly found acrylic paints are h2o based. Water based paints are easy to clean upward, and tin can be more than forgiving so the others if left to dry out inside an airbrush, or in places you'd rather information technology not be.

Not to mention, H2o-based paints are cleaner for the environment and to your wellness, as they don't give off harsh chemical smells as do Water-Borne, and Solvent Based paints. To which can not only be harmful to the environment, merely y'all also if proper precautions aren't taken into account.

Water-Borne

Water-Borne paint (The median between Water-Based and Solvent-Based)

With h2o-borne the cease product is near to the aforementioned as solvent based. However water-borne paints utilize solvents to a lesser degree than strictly solvent based paints. The main thought behind water-borne paints is to reduce the impact on the environment. As well equally the impact to the users wellness.

Water-borne paints are commonly made upwards of constructed resins and pigments that are dispensed in water past surfactants. H2o-borne paints contain a minimal amount of coalescing solvent. Hence why its a hybrid betwixt water-based pigment and solvent based paint.

Oil / Solvent Based Paints

It'southward probable y'all will hear some specify a pigment every bit either "Oil-based" or "Solvent-base". But these essentially mean the same thing. Both refers to the carrier (liquid) in the paint that carries the pigment, binder, and other additives in the paint.

These carriers (liquids) in Oil / Solvent based paints are either made upwards of "Alkyd" (Synthetic) Or "Linseed" (Natural) Oils.

What's The Difference?

The major differences between each is a cistron of the finished product. Typically Oil / Solvent based paints will dry / cure more resilient and durable than that of water based-paints. However, given the advancements in paint technology over the years. H2o-borne is essentially looking to take the positives from both h2o-based, and solvent-based without any of the negatives that come with each…

Conclusion

At the end of the 24-hour interval, my proposition would be to opt for a pigment that is going to fulfil the majority of your needs and stick to that paint (paint brand and all) until y'all feel the demand or want to level up to the next kind of paint on your list. This is because learning the workings behind a specific paint line can accept time, along with a lot of trial and error.

If you do similar I did in the starting time and jump from one pigment line to another, your likely going to be quite frustrated due to the paint not doing as y'all expected… Just because yous havent given your cocky enough fourth dimension to acquire the workings behind the paint, and how to apply it.

Now you should take a amend understanding of the paint types available to y'all for airbrush utilize. Though you can essentially airbrush with anything that can be thinned out to the consistency necessary for airbrush, it's not exactly platonic. My recommendation would exist to stick with paints that are usually used by the airbrush customs, and said to piece of work well. To which are listed in a higher place.

Anyway, I hope yous were able to find some value hither! If yous take whatever further questions regarding the airbrush practise be sure to take a look around the website. Airbrush Insider is defended to helping all in the airbrush community!

This is Filly signing off!

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