[HOLIDAYNATION]

My Lady,

Being new to all of this, and the airbrush, I can assure you, doing your research here rather than at a store will serve you very well. Everyone on this sites appears to be very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. I too am in my first few months of airbrushing, and have had the same questions run through my mind as you. I did a lot of reading, and questioning, and thankfully came across this site whilst doing so. This is my first post and no doubt somewhat behind the times as usual, but thought I would show my support. Although I have not tried the Aztec I have read tons on the web etc. and can not suggest it. I can however offer this. I have bought, several airbrushes of various makes and.....the elclipse bcs is a brilliant siphon feed brush...although many would suggest gravity feed, I would suggest a first brush and if using only one brush, get a eclipse bcs siphon feed. This is why, One feature I love about this brush is the fact I can change paint so easily. (This is an aside, but I also have a Campbell hausfeld (which is basically a badger 150) kit that was given to me, it came with a little metal colour cup). I have since purchased more of these cups as they are brilliant. You can line up your colours, and one bottle with cleaning solution, and have at er'. Although I have other airbrushes, I tend to always have the siphon feed in the line up, it feels great, easy to use, easy to clean, and can do most of what I need, inclusing painting on material which requires more paint due to soaking in. I have a C plus for fine lines, but have had a terrible time learning with this, and although I do use it, it has taken much practice to learn to control it, versus the BCS. For the budget minded, there is also a site for "BOSSTOOLS" that sells a neiko USA kit that looks identical to the badger 150. It is under 40 bucks Canadian, and I use mine quite frequently, with it's small needle it does good with fine lines, and whilst not your grand brush like the Iwata's, for the money is a great tool to learn with and have in your arsenal. I am also in the process of trying out the vega 1000 and 2000 which come in around the 100 dollar mark Canadian, they have interchangable needles and are light, and appear good, but alas I have not had much time with it yet. As for the compressor, I use a 3 gallon Campbell Hausfeld that I bought brand new for 80 bucks, it isn't really quiet, but doesn't disturb the other folks in my house while I am painting and has more than enough power. With the storage tank it kicks of and on keeping it at presure, and I admit at first when it would kick on it would make me jump, but rarely causes me concern now. Compared to the price of others it is good. I am investigating the co2 thingy as suggested to me by a brusher I bumped into in the store, but can't believe the tank/co2 lasts that long. Anyway, Just my 2cents as a new AB'er in support of another new AB artist, I have been painting oils off and on as a hobby for years and accidentally came upon airbrushing, and absolutely love the feel and new found joy of art this has brought me. Happy painting.

Eric