Brand new to airbrushing

[earthtomel]

I would love to get started in airbrushing.
My drawing skills are very good, but I don't have a clue about how to airbrush.
Does everyone freehand their art entirely or do you sketch it off first like I do on my drawings?
And is there a good magazine that would give me step by step instructions?
Thanks!!
Mel

[VALKETEER]

http://www.airbrushartistmagazine.com/

http://www.howtoairbrush.com

http://www.airbrushtechniquemagazine.com/

Earth, did you come to the right place. soak it up, ask Q's and we'll try to give you A's.

[barshark]

Welcome to the board. If there's an answer to be had, someone probably has it in here. There are some talented and friendly people roaming around here. Can't wait to see some of your work.

Andreas
www.kolordawgs.net

[mayhem]

welcome my friend !!!! have questions dont be afraid to ask ..valketeer gave you great links !!!! I personally get an image first wether I sketch it or stencil it out... have fun and dont forget to post some pics

[earthtomel]

I have some drawings I have done that I can post.
I have not done any airbrushing at all yet.
I am trying to do some research on it first before I dive into it.
It looks like a lot of fun!
Melanie

[gab1972]

You really have come to the right place, but no one has answered any of your questions yet...so, I'll do my best.

No. Not everyone freehands their art. It depends on many different factors. What you're doing, what you're working on, how big the surface is, etc., etc. Personally, I sketch on paper what I want, then I decide if I can freehand it or not. Normally, freehand will not give you crisp lines (there is SOME over spray). Some will use frisket paper, sketch out the drawing, then remove the sections to be sprayed. Then go to town. The hot item, tru flames, is done freehand. Some use circle templates and some use sporatic shapes exclusively.

The above mentioned magazines in the previous posts are good. Do a google search. www.airbrushtalk.com is a good one. Also, www.airbrush.com has a LOT of tutorials (How-to-guides). Airbrush Action magazine is a good one. All in all, if you type in a general question into google or other search engine you'll find what you're looking for. Also, one of the best, click "search" at the top of the page and type in your question. For example, say you want to know something about your Iwata HP-C. Click search, then type in "Iwata HP-C" and you'll get a return of all the forums where HP-C was mentioned or discussed. Then, if you can't find what you're looking for, ask a more specific question.

Post your work and we can critique it.

Hope this helps!

[brushbyair]

Welcome aboard earthtomel, there are some very talented airbrush artists in this site that are very willing to share ideas and help you with gaining your skills with an airbrush. I too do pencil drawings, airbrushing is like nothing I have ever done in the world of art, it requires skills not used in any other type of art. The best thing you can do to start with an airbrush is to read and practice the links mentioned in the above posts, cannont emphasis how important the DOTS, DAGGERS and lines skills are to airbrushing. Once you have them down you can really get a feel for airbrushing, so PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Most importantly have FUN, don't get discouraged, it will come. Post your practice, like I said everyone here is willing to help you gain your skills.

[gtech]

I think that you will have to find how you like to work.

Some guys here like to use stencils, some prefer to work freehand, and some others use both methods.

I began to use stencils at first to learn how to work with an airbrush, then began to learn how to work freehand. Sometimes I do a sketch first on a t-shirt or paper, sometimes I use a stencil to begin with.

When I work freehand, I also like to use freehand stencils to make sure I don't have any overspray where I don't want it.

Gilles