Practice using the airflow before adding paint to an airbrush.
Painting with airbrushes allows for the drawing of fine lines or the painting of large areas. Using a double-action function airbrush makes the paint transparent or opaque. With a good action airbrush, the power can be either gravity-fed or bottom-fed and the power source can either be a compressor or a CO2 tank. Set up your easel or tape your airbrush paper to a pad of newspaper and then lean it against a protected wall. It is easier to airbrush when your paper is upright or when it is leaning against something.
Instructions
Practice
1. Keep the airbrush hose out of the way by draping it over your forearm.
2. Hold the airbrush in a relaxed way with your index finger. Push down gently on the trigger to practice airbrushing. Always leave the airbrush on between strokes and when applying paint.
3. Practice regulating the flow of the air, which is regulated by the movement of the trigger. When the trigger is pulled back, air flows; the further back the trigger is pulled, the more air is released. Practice with the flow of the air by moving the trigger back and forth before adding paint if you are a beginner.
4. Add paint to the airbrush per the manufacturer's directions. Begin by practicing by drawing a thin, straight line. Avoid wet paint because it can ruin your line by dripping and do not pull the trigger far back. Practice airbrushing larger areas once you are satisfied with your line.
5. Practice airbrushing in a large area by verifying the color on the paper is all the same color. This is not as easy as it seems because if you add too much air, some areas may turn out darker and other areas may turn out lighter.
6. Create shadows by using black paint. Create light areas by using less paint. You can use less paint by adding water to dilute your paint. Add highlights by using white paint in addition to your paint.
Paint
7. Draw a circle on a fresh piece of paper and mask it off with masking film. This gives your picture sharp edges. Cut along the circle very carefully so you don't cut the paper. Remove the masking film from the circle.
8. Add paint to your airbrush per the manufacturer's directions. Follow the directions for filling in large areas by making sure the paint is applied evenly and the color is the same. It helps to airbrush over it a few times so it isn't too dark.
9. Add shadows and highlights to your circle by using black paint and white paint.
