airbrush beginner

in article snipped-for-privacy@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, earthy at snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote on 1/30/07 10:42 PM:

What exactly is nail art? Art on fingernails? Art on 3-penny nails? What are your specific airbrush needs for this activity? Tell us more.

Don't reject the idea of a compressor. You can get a perfectly adequate one for less than $80, and you'll end up spending more on canned air over the long haul. Pip Moss

Yes it is for fingernails. I will need an airbrush with really fine nozzle as I will be drawing on my own nails. If I need to get a compressor what brand do I need to get?

I went to Iwata website and search airbrushe that is suitable for nail art: the two below use compressor HP-AH HP-BH the ones below doesnt use compressor HP A Plus HP B Plus

the problem is I dont even know what brand to get. Iwata website is one of the most helpful ones that help me to understand about airbrushing. I am sorry to get you confused. All I am looking is that an airbrush for me so that I am able to draw fines lines and something that is easy to clean.

thanks

They all require compressed air to operate which is what a compressor will give you.Never seen an airbrush work with out it.

I took a quick look at DixieArt. They are airbrush specialists. Take a look at this, the second one from the top of the page:

You will need compressed air (or other gas) is some form; without it no airbrush will work. Financially, a compressor is an efficient way to do this, but there might be other considerations. Compressors are typically large, heavy, and noisy while operating (but note that better quality compressors have an air tank, which means the compressor itself isn't necessarily running while you paint). If you intend to do your painting away from home, you'll have to look into a different air supply for that.

In general, any airbrush can be hooked up to either a compressor or a can, its just a matter of getting the right attachments for it. A canned air attachment is typically available from wherever you get the airbrush, and should you choose to buy a compressor, the required attachments tend to be available where you buy that. Just take the airbrush along and tell them you need to hook it up to a compressor.

More important in your case would be the size of the nozzle and needle on the airbrush. By the sound of it, you need the smallest size you can find. The way the airbrush is controlled will also be very important. You'll certainly need a so called double action airbrush, but which one works best in this respect is very personal; the feel of the airbrush needs to match your fingers. If at all possible, go to a place where there are lots of airbrushes, and try a few to get the feel. Even without actually shooting paint out of the brush you can get some idea.

All that aside, is there anyone you could call on for a demonstration of airbrushing in general, and nailpainting in particular? We can all type our fingers off here, and still not give you as good an idea of just what's involved in airbrushing as an hour's worth of looking over someone shoulder will. Maybe an artists store could provide a demonstration, or maybe a local modelling club.

Rob

Unfortunately, a compressor is pretty much a requirement. While some brushes will operate on cans of gas, there is no way to hold or regulate the pressure coming from these cans. As you use them for more than a second or two, they chill rapidly, lowering the pressure. A constant, particular pressure is needed for good airbrushing. There are compressors available for under a hundred bucks. Figure the cost of an airbrush is the cost of the brush AND a compressor. Sometimes the cheapest compressors do not include a way to change the pressure. An outboard pressure regulator is required on these- they can be obtained for as little as ten bucks at some hardware surplus places.

The other big thing about an airbrush- you have to learn how to use them. It is like the directions to Carnagie hall- practice, practice, practices. Do not use them on a good model project for getting started- practice on scrap plastic or a poor kit.

Iwata's are very nice air brushes but they are high end and pricey. If you are looking for something affordable then Iwata is probably not the brand to get.

The type of airbrush you want is a double action airbrush with gravity feed. This will allow you the control you need, and also the feed mechanism won't get in the way. Actually I wouldn't worry about being able to get a fine line right now. You will most likely be using stencils starting out. It takes a lot of practice to be able to brush very fine lines.

At the bottom of this page are some airbrush items for nail art.

Another source for compressors is automotive parts stores. They will have compressors with an air tank for under $100. The main drawback is that these compressors are rather loud.

Woody

earthy wrote:

I'd suggest Iwata. Sure its more expensive, but then sometimes you just have to bite the bullet if you want something that will last. Make sure you check around for prices. My first Iwata was less than the Aztec. I only spent about $75 at a discount art supply store, and the Aztec had been around $100. I've got an Aztec, and a Badger in addition to 2 Iwatas. I only use the Iwatas.

A compressor is a must. The air cans are a real waste of money. I've got a Craftsman compressor, with a 30 gallon tank on it. Yeah, its loud when it first starts, but with the tank size, it might only start up again for

Bob

Hello Woody,

No, guys, a compressor is NOT a 'must', and air cans are NOT the only alternative. Certainly not for the amount of air that this poster will likely be using. For years, I used an air tank with a regulator screwed on it. ISTR it was about $20 at a local store and another $15 for the regulator (which I still use on my airbrush compressor). I also used it for autocross tire pressure adjustments since I could toss it in the trunk and take it anywhere. I'd use either a local gas station that had free air or, after I got one, a cheap noisy air compressor to fill it outside in the garage or somewhere else where noise wasn't an issue.

In fact, given that this will probably be in a manicure shop environment, I wouldn't even want the noise of an airbrush compressor, making a 5- to 10-gallon tank possibly the best solution for air pressure.

As for the airbrush itself, I can't believe everyone has so little regard for (or at least has managed to ignore or overlook) the widely available Paasche products. An H model single action brush was my first one and it is still my favorite.

-- C.R. Krieger (Been there; done that)