I’ve never used an airbrush so I’m sure when I do I’ll try and airbrush everything on the model. When do you know to stop using the airbrush? I ask because I’ve read some threads on here about airbrushing fine details. I always thought of an airbrush being only used on the “big” parts of a model, like the body of a model, but never any fine details. Can you really use an airbrush for details? What kind of brush do you have to have for that? Is it different and a “regular” airbrush? Thank you.
An airbrush was first and foremost a tool for illustrators and artists, and is capable of incredible detail in trained hands. Airbrushes can be used for “flood” coats, and pencil thin lines. Since the function of an airbrush is to atomize paint into fine particles, it can apply paint in such thin coats that you can apply shadow and shade without blocking out the layer below.
However, as with all tools they can have limitations. For instance it is difficult, though not impossible, for a modeler to use an airbrush for painting eye details on figures. A brush is a far simpler tool to use in those cases. I use a brush for touching up color or when I don’t want to go through the ritual of setting the airbrush up, and cleaning it up after for a five minute paint job. Detail work like dry brushing, applying washes or dot filtering can only be done with a paintbrush.
In short I use my airbrush for the majority of my painting and use the brushes for detail work.
The consensus is that a dual action gravity fed airbrush such as the Thayer & Chandler Omni 400, Badger 100LG, Paasche Talon or Iwata HP-CS to be the best choice for both broad coverage and fine detail work.
I use an airbrush for everything except throttle knobs, instrument guages, wiring, and really small stuff thats not practical to mask, or something I just don’t feel like masking. Some people airbrush this stuff, but I would find it personally aggrivating (I loathe masking).
I use:
5|0 and 15|0 paint brushes for small details and I have airbrushes for small jobs (ie wheels, canopies, subassemblies) and large jobs (exterior paint coats, clear coats).
Also, gravity fed airbrushes are capable of finer detail because they do not require as much air pressure to use, they also use less paint. Which is ideal for mottling, doing touch ups, etc.
Would you start with the fine, medium, or large for starting out? For example, the badger has all three sizes. I can only afford one at the moment. I’m guessing medium is all around.
Medium nozzle and tip is perfect for hobby paint and all you will ever need. The fine equipment is more for inks.