Airbrushing - what are the perks?

[teblin]

Hey all, I've been playing and painting since last Summer, and I feel as though I'm missing out by not having an airbrush in my inventory.

 

Is it worth buying one?

 

Can I manage more impressive and eye-catching colours, shades, blends etc. (will minis look better in short) with an airbrush?

 

Is the paint use economic? i.e. does an airbrush eat up all your paint quickly?

 

Do you need specialist equipment to prevent inhaling the paint?

 

Thanks.

[PensacolaWarhammer]

For starters, think of an airbrush as any other tool you would use. If you use a brush or an airbrush all the time, then you will become an expert in that tool and be able to do great things with.

On to your questions. It is worth buying even if you are simply putting a base color down. As you get more proficient with it, that saving will increase. I've started doing zenith and in the time it would take me to do half a guy I was able to complete a model. As for shading, blending, and better looking models, I point to my first sentence. You can achieve all these with a standard brush, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and skill. An airbrush can achieve these goals relatively easily, but it will still take time, effort, and skill. Just not as much.

Paint consumption is relative and depends on what you’re doing, and what kind of airbrush you are using. A gravity feed airbrush will use less paint than a siphon feed airbrush. Naturally, you’re going to go through more paint the larger the project is. Ideally, the amount of paint you use should actually come out to be the same.

 

To prevent inhaling paint, just follow the rule of thumb of using any spray or aerosol paint product. It’s best to use them in a well-ventilated area like the garage. With the small amount of paint coming out and the relatively low air pressure you should be working at, using the airbrush in the garage should be all you need to do.

[teblin]

Great reply, much appreciated.

[PensacolaWarhammer]

No problem. I've been airbrushing for about two years, but only putting down base coats. However, in the last month or so I've decided to start doing zenith painting, which I'll be posting my lastest results soon. The learning curve of an airbrush is not as high as it is with a standard brush. It'll only take maybe a handful of models to really figure out and learn how to use one, and the results look good.

 

Again, I want to stess that it is a tool like any other. It's not a magic wand. The more you use one and practise with it. The better you'll become at it.

[DarkMark]

Also you need to be patient as you'll need to clean the airbrush after every use. Needles are delicate things so the clumsy and heavy handed need not apply!

 

Personally I think those that learn the old fashioned way and then start AB'ing are stronger artists. If you look at military modellers they will often be great at painting vehicles, with an AB, but quite poor when it comes to brush painting their infantry. 

 

Consider space and noise too.

 

Masks are fairly cheap.