If you are new to the airbrush seen, odds are, you’ve wondered if you need drawing skills in order to do well with an airbrush.
I know this because, when I started airbrushing, I too wondered if I needed high level drawing abilities in order to do good with my airbrush.
But I personally found that this depends heavily on what you intend on doing with your airbrush… we will discuss more on this later, but…
Given that there are so many different methods to which an airbrush can be used, it is difficult to say exactly if you’ll need any sort of background in drawing in order to do well with an airbrush.
For example, airbrushing a photo realistic image of a girl on the side of a car is going to require more airbrush control, artistic ability, and artistic knowledge then would be required to paint a model car red.
Now, don’t take this the wrong way, as I do believe nearly every skill out there can be learned with time and practice, even airbrushing a photo realistic image of a girl on the side of a car.
Now of course, there are a few within the airbrush realm that will benefit from having a background in drawing (Such as the example above). Simply because drawing is a way to sketch out ideas, then morph those ideas into an image you like, all before using the airbrush…
Plus drawing is essentially the base of airbrushing assuming you were to do it all freehanded (without the use of stencils or masking).
But then again, an airbrush is only a tool, just like a pencil is only a tool…
That being said, do you need to know how to draw well in order to airbrush?
Well, based on my experience, as well as the experience of those pulled for this article, You’ll do better with an airbrush knowing how to draw if you intend on airbrushing photo realistic art. But airbrushing miniatures / models don’t require much drawing capability as they are commonly done using gradients.
That being said, control over your airbrush is the most important factor in the beginning. Even those who know how to draw well would struggle significantly with an airbrush not knowing how to control it…
When A Background In Drawing Isn’t Necessary
If you intend to use an airbrush for the sole purpose of creating gradients and or coverage then you likely will not need any sort of background in drawing.
Could it be beneficial?
Probably, however it’s likely that some understanding of artistic design is going to prove more valuable then drawing abilities no matter what you intend to be doing with your airbrush.
Now you may be wondering, “what do you mean by creating gradients and or coverage?”
For example, there are some aspects of airbrushing that do not require in-depth detail (Meaning fine lines and so forth…). For instance if you intend to be doing any airbrushing of,
- Models / miniatures
- Rc car bodies
- Makeup
Really anything that doesn’t include extensive detail work… and / or fine lines. Then a background in drawing isn’t likely going to provide you much benefit. Rather the understanding of artistic design and how light works will prove more beneficial.
Nonetheless, if your intention of using an airbrush is the opposite (to create high detailed art such as portraits and landscapes), yet you struggle with drawing you can always use stencils & masking to aid you where necessary.
Masking & Stencils Can Help
Some consider stencils to be cheating when it comes to airbrushing. However, there are times when it just makes much more sense to use a stencil than it does to do it free hand.
For example, if you surf YouTube (on the topic of airbrushing) you’re likely to run into a video demonstrating the use of a stencil.
Now a stencil can be purchased in a kit, or it can be made up yourself using an image that you pre-cut out.
The whole idea behind a stencil is to basically lay out all the different lines of the image to what you intend to create. This is done by laying the stencil over the surface to be painted, then spraying a light coat of paint over the entire stencil.
Once you pull away the stencil you’ll have a base layout of the shapes behind the painting you intend to create. At this point you will simply go in and add details (shading, gradient, texture, highlights…etc)
Using a stencil basically eliminates the need to have to draw in the base of the image. simply because, the stencil provides the base-layout to go by when beginning a painting. You can learn more about using stencils Here.
Related to stencils, you have masking. Which is basically the same idea however, masking is more a way to control overspray when forming hard-lines.
When A Background In Drawing Can Be Beneficial
Usually when it comes to painting portraits, landscapes, and so forth. Many airbrush artist will being by drawing out the image they intend to paint on the surface as a guide for when they begin painting. This way they get the proportions how they want it beforehand. Its similar to sketching the image out first then coming back to add detail in order to bring the image to life…
However, there are a few methods to get around this initial sketch out.
- Many will use graphite paper (otherwise known as transfer paper) to transfer an image by simply tracing the image on the graphite paper which is on the surface you intend to paint on.
- Many will also use a cheap projector to project the image onto the surface to be painted, which will then be traced as the projector displays the image.
I’m sure there are a few other methods for transferring images but those two are the most common aside from drawing the image out free handed.
But the biggest benefit of knowing how to draw is commonly before you even begin to use your airbrush, simply because you can sketch out ideas to really narrow down the look your going for. Then once you’ve decided on a design you like you can take it to your canvas using one of the methods listed above. Or of course you could free hand it on.
For example, say you wanted to airbrush an aggressive skull that is of your own design. Well, it would be best to begin by sketching out Ideas on a piece of paper using a pencil. Because it’s simple, quick, and portions can be erased if needed.
Conclusion
Depending on what you intend on using your airbrush for, a background in drawing may or may not be much of a benefit to you.
If you intend on airbrushing photorealistic images, odds are a background in drawing will help when it comes to design layout & structure. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start learning to draw now…
On the other side of that coin, if you intend on airbrushing for the purpose of creating gradients and shadows on miniatures / models? Odds are you won’t need much of a background in drawing, if any…
One of the biggest factors when using an airbrush is control. You need to be able to control it first, then the study of artistic design will benefit a lot and progress your skills with an airbrush.
But really for the most part, when using an airbrush it’s more about filling in the shapes within the artwork using (gradients, highlights, and so forth) then it is about drawing out shapes, as done when drawing.
Anyway, I hope you were able to find some value here! If you have any further questions regarding the airbrush do be sure to take a look around the website. Airbrush Insider is dedicated to helping all in the airbrush community!
This is Colt signing off!
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