Which airbrush / compressor?

[minimalist]

I am hoping to buy an airbrush and compressor for painting. I normally use brushes but would like to try something else. I have been doing some online research but it is difficult to know what I need as I cannot try them out or find a dealer local to me (Dublin).

I want a brush which will allow me to use acrylics and apply fine detailed lines. I also want it to be comfortable to use. If I could hold it like a brush/pen that would be great. It seems I will also need a compressor but again, I don't know what kind of pressure I would require so that is another mine-field.

Below are three of my paintings. Hopefully these will help you guide me.

Thanks in advance.

[Eric Mc]

Nice work.

These guys are great -

http://www.little-cars.co.uk/toolsacc.htm

[minimalist]

Thanks.

While they appear to have an extensive stock list, there is no information on their site offering advice regarding which kit to buy. I had a look at the Iwata site and it refers to various equipment being suitable for various uses.

What I am hoping for is someone with personal experience of certain products. As this is new to me, I would prefer not to spend a fortune but don't mind spending a couple of hundred on a good beginner kit.

[SlipStream77]

Give these guys a call, I've found them really helpful in the past.

http://www.everythingairbrush.com/

[Eric Mc]

minimalist said:

Thanks.

While they appear to have an extensive stock list, there is no information on their site offering advice regarding which kit to buy. I had a look at the Iwata site and it refers to various equipment being suitable for various uses.

What I am hoping for is someone with personal experience of certain products. As this is new to me, I would prefer not to spend a fortune but don't mind spending a couple of hundred on a good beginner kit.

The boys at little-cars are a bit old fashioned in that they will happilly talk to you over the phone. I've met them many times at model shows and they are very, very helpful.

[russy01]

That porker is fantastic. Want to print me a copy? One of my favourite cars, plus it was made for my home cinema (the walls are black and red!)

[minimalist]

Thanks for the links lads.

Through the links and the subsequent googling of some of the brands they sell I have concluded I need the following.

A double action brush and a compressor with an auto switch, small air tank and moisture trap.

As I cannot decide whether I need a gravity feed or siphon feed I found the Badger 360, which seems to cater to the undecided or those who need both but only want to buy one brush. I don't know much about it but have found a couple of decent reviews and it seems a way for me to avoid having to choose. http://www.badgerairbrush.com/Universal_360.asp

I still have to choose the right compressor but expect this will be an easier decision. I will probably buy a complete kit (to go with the Badger brush) so I will have a spare brush to try, starter paint to practice with and some other accessories, including hopefully an instructional booklet/dvd.

Thanks again for the links.

russy01 said:

That porker is fantastic. Want to print me a copy? One of my favourite cars, plus it was made for my home cinema (the walls are black and red!)

Thanks Russy. Prints should be available in a couple of weeks. I don't want to get a slap for advertising on here but you can have a look at my website (still under construction) via my profile.

[dr_gn]

When you said .."apply fine detailed lines", how fine do you mean - less than 1mm or 5mm for example?

[minimalist]

dr_gn said:

When you said .."apply fine detailed lines", how fine do you mean - less than 1mm or 5mm for example?

1mm would be acceptable. I would like 0.5mm but could handle it if 1mm was as fine as it could go. As you can probably see from the Porsche above and the better McQueen shot below, I do not blend or fade colours/shades. One sits beside the next but the lines have to be sharp.

[dr_gn]

minimalist said:

dr_gn said:

When you said .."apply fine detailed lines", how fine do you mean - less than 1mm or 5mm for example?

1mm would be acceptable. I would like 0.5mm but could handle it if 1mm was as fine as it could go. As you can probably see from the Porsche above and the better McQueen shot below, I do not blend or fade colours/shades. One sits beside the next but the lines have to be sharp.

This is probably a daft question, but if you're not wanting to blend or fade colours, and need sharp demarcations, then why do you want an airbrush?

[minimalist]

dr_gn said:

This is probably a daft question, but if you're not wanting to blend or fade colours, and need sharp demarcations, then why do you want an airbrush?

Probably not daft

I partially just want to try it out but in case I like it, want to buy the most suitable kit.
Also, I tend to use very small brushes (except for large areas) and coverage is quite poor which is hard to notice before the paint has dried. This means that I often end up painting the same area two or three times to achieve the printed look that I want. Hopefully an airbrush will get into the weave of the canvas better.

It probably seems counter-intuitive but I like my paintings to look (sort of) like posters and my prints to look like paintings. At an exhibition I once overheard a woman telling her friend how one of my paintings was printed. When I got chatting to her and told her is was painted, she actually argued with me, even after I told her it was my work. I was pretty happy with that reaction.

[dr_gn]

minimalist said:

dr_gn said:

This is probably a daft question, but if you're not wanting to blend or fade colours, and need sharp demarcations, then why do you want an airbrush?

Probably not daft

I partially just want to try it out but in case I like it, want to buy the most suitable kit.
Also, I tend to use very small brushes (except for large areas) and coverage is quite poor which is hard to notice before the paint has dried. This means that I often end up painting the same area two or three times to achieve the printed look that I want. Hopefully an airbrush will get into the weave of the canvas better.

It probably seems counter-intuitive but I like my paintings to look (sort of) like posters and my prints to look like paintings. At an exhibition I once overheard a woman telling her friend how one of my paintings was printed. When I got chatting to her and told her is was painted, she actually argued with me, even after I told her it was my work. I was pretty happy with that reaction.

I see. I use an ancient DeVilbiss Super 63 for modelling, and it will give a sub 1mm line on a good day. I've used a modern airbrush (Harder & Steenbeck Evolution), and the ergonomics are much better, but not necessarily the results.

Obviously you only want to buy something like this once, and you have a decent budget. I would advise you to speak to Paul at Little Cars and he will give you excellent advice, and probably the best price on quality equipment. The H&S airbrush I've used was bought by a colleague from Paul as a package with a compressor etc, and it has been an excellent investment so far.

BTW - your art is great!

[russy01]

YHM.

[Eric Mc]

I'd definitely go with a top mounted gravity feed brush (even better than a a gravity feed side mounted cup). With a top mounted cup you can spray with even lower air pressure settings. And I think the real key to airbrushing is being able to use as low a pressure setting as possible.

[Zad]

If you like sharp lines, then invest in a lot of masking frisket film, it is pretty cheap. Learning how to use it well is an art form in itself. Alternatively use liquid mask, which gives slightly different results.