For the new folks

[aixguy]

If you are new to airbrushing and want to dodge some of the frustration I would highly recomend a subscription to airbrush artist online magazine. I don't want to sound like a commercial but feel very strongly about this.
I have been airbrushing for 1 year now, and would have NEVER done it with out this magazine, this site and the people that hang out here. I had no previous art experiance and still can not draw a stick person correctly! The subscription price gets you almost 3 years of how-to articals that you can accessed anytime! This includes video on breaking down and cleaning your brush and how to paint dagger strokes! This is the hardest thing to learn in the beginning. I was given a begginer airbrush video for chrismas that cost $35 There was nothing in that video that was not in the magazine subscription! I have never watched it again, but visit the magazine every month to read what's new. As you progress you will remember things you read when first starting out, and can qickly revisit to refresh your memory.. a big deal for us old guys! Anway if you don't belive me, take a look at my gallery and realize I can not draw and was raised in an ART free home.. If I can do this ANYONE CAN!!!!!
I start a drawing class in Jan at a local CC.. we shall see if it is possible to learn that mistifying art or not..
http://www.airbrushtechnique.com/pho...00&ppuser=2093

[AirTodd]

Doug,
You are rite about not knowing how to do stick figures.But you other stuff is great.

[aixguy]

Thanks Todd! I have a looong way to go, but it is proof that left brained people can learned to paint!

[redneck]

Originally Posted by aixguy

Thanks Todd! I have a looong way to go, but it is proof that left brained people can learned to paint!

forget me for this comment,if the left side of brain control right hand-right side control left hand, which side of the brian [a before i] control the mouth?????????

I am afraid to use my name on this one

[aixguy]

I think it is the left.. the right is creative and left is logic.. or so it is said by the scientist ... maybe with lefties it is the other way around..

This is kind of cool!
http://www.blogthings.com/rightorleftbrainedquiz/
http://brain.web-us.com/brain/LRBrain.html

[j4e]

You know bray, after enough paint fumes anything makes sense. Aixguy, love the ART free home comment.

By the way aixguy, thanks for the advice, I now have pictures in the gallery, I just hope they don't post to many of them alongside your pictures. I don't want to look too bad.

j4e

[gtech]

After reading stuff from the second link, I found out that both sides of my brain are ...half developped

I am half technical and half artistic.

But the first link says I'm 25% left brain, 75% right brain.

Close enough for me.

Gilles

[redneck]

If you think paint fumes are bad ,then donnot inhale the fumes that I inhale in the past,some fumes will stop the body... your brain and eyes ,lungs will be the only thing that works until the fumes is exhale Am I right when I say that most artists and people that invents thing are ---southpaws

sandstone Ray

[AirTodd]

Im left handed and your stuff is better.I try to hard I guess.I can draw a better stick figure.

[aixguy]

This is not about being better.. is about doing what you think you Can't!! Just paint, it will all be good!!!!
Doug

[redneck]

I am 45% left brain & 55% right brain, does that make me extra smart or extra stupid or average ?

[Force fed flesh]

I ordered my subscription a week ago.....can't wait to get my first issue.......I'm sure it will be extremly helpful........are there also any other kinds of airbrushing mags anywhere else that are worth subscribing to?


And btw my first AB gun arrived monday,(iwata hp c) along with a 12pk of golden paints....I messed around a little, and was AMAZED at how difficult airbrushing can be.......any kind of resource mags,lessons, ect I can totally use ......

Anyone know how long it takes for my first issue to arrive?......and are any back issues available......thanx


FFF

[aixguy]

FFF did you order Airbrush Technique or Airbrush Artist???
AA is online and you have access to it as soon as you get confimation of payment.. and it is all there.
If you were wanting to order the mag I was touting up top, (AA) and you ordered AT (printed and mailed mag) by acident, email Don at Airheadairbrush@aol.com and explain the situation.
If you ordered AT then the other mag you want is Airbrush artists.

The free lessons are here http://www.howtoairbrush.com/
Doug

[markbentley]

Originally Posted by aixguy

If you are new to airbrushing and want to dodge some of the frustration I would highly recomend a subscription to airbrush artist online magazine. I don't want to sound like a commercial but feel very strongly about this.
I have been airbrushing for 1 year now, and would have NEVER done it with out this magazine, this site and the people that hang out here. I had no previous art experiance and still can not draw a stick person correctly! The subscription price gets you almost 3 years of how-to articals that you can accessed anytime! This includes video on breaking down and cleaning your brush and how to paint dagger strokes! This is the hardest thing to learn in the beginning. I was given a begginer airbrush video for chrismas that cost $35 There was nothing in that video that was not in the magazine subscription! I have never watched it again, but visit the magazine every month to read what's new. As you progress you will remember things you read when first starting out, and can qickly revisit to refresh your memory.. a big deal for us old guys! Anway if you don't belive me, take a look at my gallery and realize I can not draw and was raised in an ART free home.. If I can do this ANYONE CAN!!!!!
I start a drawing class in Jan at a local CC.. we shall see if it is possible to learn that mistifying art or not..
http://www.airbrushtechnique.com/pho...00&ppuser=2093

thank you so much for what you said about only doing this for a year. i am new to the forum and new to airbrushing and though i have mastered the pencil i am absolutely horrible with the $200 airbrush investment i just made. i was about to give it up after 3 or 4 one hour attempts but i have seen your work and i am astonished.
i will think of you while im chipping a way at these crapy pictures i keep making and strive to attempt even half the ability you have acheived. thanks again!

[barshark]

There's no such thing as "crappy pictures". They are either works in progress or practice pieces.At least that's the way I look at it. Even those of us that have been doing this for a while (I've been ABing off and on for 18+years now) find it very useful to be able to go back to basics every now and then. I don't know about everybody else but I find that, within the past few months that I've been a member of this forum and website, I've checked out of few of the practice pages when I've been stuck on a piece and have actually re-learned some things I had not particularly forgotten, but just have gotten a little slack in application.

This is a great site site and the folks on this forum are great. I've learned a good many things myself.

[aixguy]

Mark, I know how you feel, I am taking Drawing 101 at a local CC and I am doing awfull! I can't find the dang trigger on the pencil! The air brush is a bit different, you don't have the feed back from the pencil against the paper, you have to use your eye and tirgger finger rather than your feeling of presure against the surface to adjust the value of the color. Anyway, do the practice lessons on howtoairbrush.com, you have a bit to learn about working the tool (airbrush) before you can apply it to creating art as you do with a pencil.
Please don't give up, once you master the mechanics of the tool, it will come much eaiser and faster!

[mayhem]

practice is an amazing thing I have only been ABing for 3 months and am nowhere near the skill level some of these guys "and gals" are but with their help,constructive critasism,the online mag,and practice I have seen improvement in my own work, I cant wait to be as good as some of the artist here !!!! this forum and the mag was the best choice I have made in a long time !!!!

[spiritwind]

I agree with Mayhem . It is one of the most helpful publications I've read and I love our forum.AA is a great scource of how too newbies Don't worry about "crappy" pictures we all have closets full. If you want to get good at this...practice and Listen to our wonderful Texas Forum expert DARLA . She is the one who loves to take us newbies under her wing and make us GOOD...Like her. She can be a task master but life wouldn't be right on the forum without her

( Thanks Darla. I've been sitting in the weeds just reading posts and it's wonderful how many people you help. ) The best part is No B.S. She will tell you the truth and feed it to you with a little bit of sugar just so it doesn't taste bad

Don is the man who made all this happen so we MUST give credit where it's DUE. Thanks for all the hard work Don.

[markbentley]

thank you guys for responding to what i said. i have a question for you all.
i am a 33 year old auto mechanic father of 6 children. "yes i said 6" .
taking up airbrushing is becoming more expensive and most importantly it has become somewhat of a sacrifice of time with my family. 1. is it worth it? and 2. is there any money to be made at this for someone in my situation or is this just going to be time munching hobbie?
p. s. this forum is unusual. most people on the net take pride in slamming
each other, and people with knowledge do not share it with newbies . very impressive!

[aixguy]

Mark, I can't really answer the first question but I can comment on where I was in 1995. I had been working as a full time automechanic for over 10+ years of my life, recently mairred with a firstime small (old) home that we could just about afford. No kids, so you have much more responsibility than I did. I was sick of the heat/cold/wet/dirt and pain of 6 days a week standing on concreet. I was very lucky that an aqaintence of the wife helped me find my way to a new career in computer programming (that was 11 years ago). When I finaly found a job (14 month search) I took a big pay cut, but after a year I was well over what I had been making as an Auto Mechanic.
All that said, you are 33 years old in a young mans business, there is money to be made doing custom painting, whether that money is in your area of the country I can't say. Is it worth it? Finding skills that can produce income without physical activity is very worth while as you get older.
I know this wasn't the answer you were looking for, but we have more than a few people here making a living at this hobby. I am sure they will give you more meaningfull insite into the pros and cons of making a living with an airbrush.

Mark,
I started airbrushing when I got out of highschool in the mid eighties. I made some good pocket money after practicing and passing out business cards, but then the family came. Two boys later and I needed benifits and a steady paycheck, Don's right, family comes first. But now that my boys are older I got back into it 6 months ago and already I getting some new jobs.

I wouldn't quit your day job just yet. practice well and as often as you can (I know about interuptions, and I hope your wife is a really understanding and supportive woman. I'd hate to see you quit before you get started.) Good Luck
Lou (cowboy)

[mayhem]

if it wasnt for my supporting wife I wouldnt have to worry about family time....cause it would be just me lol.....she knows my dreams and is VERY patient ...

[markbentley]

thank you guys for your wisdom. my wife is very supportive also and who knows, including my kids in this could become a family business someday.
aixguy is right, im still young enough to try new things that could some day
lead to something.
ive been doing pencil portraits and cars for years dreaming of doing stuff in color. i tried painting with a brush and it just didnt feel right. when i picked up the air brush it felt like the pencil of the future. like my fathers description of sitting around the radio as a kid listening to the lone ranger and then getting that first tv.
this forum has got me off the fence and opened up a whole new world. i am eternaly greatful for this forum. being new to this exciting new world of a.b. i was previously unable to find people that shared my interest. i hope you all will raise me as your child untill i can fly on my own?
sorry for rambling

[mayhem]

well welcome to the forum mark !!!!!! there is alot of great artists here who will help you spread your wings and a lot of newbies learning along with you "I'm one of them" as for your kids ABing with you all I can say is my 2 girls "and I have 4 kids" paint with me off and on and what they create is just heart warming and its a way for me to combine Ab time with family time so thats a win win situation

[HOLIDAYNATION]

Mark, welcome

As usualy I am behind the 8ball. But for what its worth....I am both new to airbrushing and this forum (forums in general). It is a long tail of how I came to doing battle with the airbrush, but thankfully in my search I came across this forum. I have no time for BS, and thus have settled in quite comfortably here amonst the great talents. I work full time, shift work 48 hours a week, I also have another Job, but that usually only takes up my time May through September (Resort). I am expecting my first child in March, and of course I am trying to ready myself and the home for her. This doesn't leave alot of time, which makes me wonder what I was thinking while trying to take up a new hobby. I had taken up oil paiting a while ago, and enjoy that immensely, but somehow still managed to talk myself in to another new learning experience. Now, and here in lies what I have learned. Although, I suspect my earning potential is and will be limited, is it worth the expense? Most certainly....Although the initial start up seem dear, I don't need to spend hordes of cash to keep it up, if it is just a hobby. It is there when I need it. And, even though my spare time is limited, and I can't spend as much time as I would like in this learning curve, I can not lay it down. As I have said, this may/probably not ever pay my bills, but the stress relief and enjoyment that I am getting out of the whole process, (this site and mag especially) makes going to the grind seem that much easier. I find that if I am in the studio, I am at least at home, and frequently discuss what I am doing with my girlfriend over a cup of tea, and will hopefully be able to use my new skills for decorating the new "nursery" Family first? most certainly, but the soul needs soothing too.

So...in short, play on Mcduff and damn be he who first cries hold.

Now whos rambling?
Eric