Many who are new to the world of airbrush commonly struggle when it comes to paint selection. I can personally say, the learning curve was excessively steep when I began my quest to learn everything I could about the different paint options available for an airbrush….
Not to mention the learning curve associated when beginning to learn the nuances of a new paint line or brand. As each paint line commonly acts different in the airbrush to the other…
This is usually because different paint manufacturers use different sources when sourcing materials for their paints, and use different methods for making each individual paint line.
This difference is only one of the common pitfalls that aspiring airbrush artists find themselves in… Granted that is a discussion for another time. Today I want to discuss the paint options you have available to you…
largely, one of the biggest questions on my mind when I entered the world of airbrushing was: “What Paint do I use?”, “Will any kind of paint work?”, “Do I need a specific type of paint?”… And given you are here reading this I’m assuming these questions, and similar ones have you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with airbrushing, as I was…
Well if this is the case for you, let me help ease the frustration.
Truly, Any kind of paint can work with an airbrush, it’s just a matter of whether or not the paint can be thinned to the consistency needed without becoming over reduced to the point it loses its ability to adhere properly. But commonly, Airbrush ready acrylic paint is optimal for airbrushing.
Yes, paint can become over reduced to the point the binder (Resin) in the paint is no longer able to do its job… That being hold the pigment
Granted there are a few other considerations to be had, such as paint quality… Which commonly refers to the amount of color pigment that is in the paint (The more pigment, the more vibrant and full the color will appear). As well as, how well those pigments have been ground up. The finer the pigment the better it is going to flow through the airbrush.
Simply put: less clogging…
That being said, specific paints do have specific applications behind their development, and it’s Ideal to match the paint to the application being painted.
Simply speaking, the kind of paint you choose to airbrush with should align with the application you intend on painting. Don’t worry though, for the most part paint companies will disclose the intended use / application of the paint somewhere on the bottle.
If your just getting involved in airbrushing then I highly recommend you stick with Airbrush Ready acrylic paints at the start. As they are designed specifically for airbrush use. A few great airbrush ready acrylics will be listed shortly.
Paint Types Commonly Used With An Airbrush
The below list of paints are some of the most commonly used with an airbrush. It’s ideal that you stick with the options listed below, as it will make your airbrush career much easier in the long run.
Acrylics
Acrylic paints are usually “Water-based” but can sometimes be “Water-borne” (Water-borne is essentially a middle point between water-based and solvent-based)
Acrylic paint is commonly the go to paint for most airbrush artist who are going to be doing any sort of artwork on paper, canvas, plastic, t-shirts / clothing and so forth. Simply speaking acrylic paint is one of the most commonly used paint types in the airbrush industry.
Even the automotive industry utilizes acrylics to a degree. Ever heard of Auto-Air by createx? Well the Auto Air line of paints is essentially an automotive developed, water-based paint that is a hybrid between acrylic and urethane.
Ideal For Beginners:
Airbrush ready acrylic paint is the ideal starting point for most beginners. This is because Acrylics are much more forgiving when mistakes are made then the majority of paint types available. But that’s not to say, Acrylics are only for beginners. As the majority of the airbrush industry utilizes acrylics.
As they are:
- Easier to clean up both before and after the paint has dried
- Not as harmful to both the user, along with the environment.
- Most airbrush ready paints are Acrylic which means less tinkering with the paint, as it is ready to be used in the airbrush.
- Doesn’t commonly require any chemicals for clean up.
- Simpler to understand.
I personally can say, when I started learning how to airbrush I wanted to test all sorts of different paints in my airbrush. But I quickly found just how difficult it was to learn the ways to which each paint type worked. As not all paints operate and function the same in the airbrush…
I soon found myself resorting to the airbrush ready acrylic paints and it made everything so much easier! I personally went for the Createx Airbrush Colors paint line up and didn’t look back… This paint line is very affordable, and given how widely used it is it’s easy to get any questions your likely to have answered!
Plus Createx is one of the largest companies in the industry when it comes to airbrush paint.
Common Acrylics Designed For Airbrush Use:
- Airbrush Colors (Found On Amazon)- By: Createx Colors
- Wicked Colors (Found On Amazon)- By: Createx Colors
- Auto-Air Colors (Found On Amazon)- By: Createx Colors (Considered An Acrylic Hybrid)
- Model Air (Found On Amazon)- By: Vallejo
- High Flow (Found On Amazon)- By: Golden
Of Course there are many more options out there in terms of airbrush ready acrylics. But above are a few of the most widely used.
Watercolors
Water colors can be used in an airbrush as they can easily be reduced using water. However they do tend to be on the transparent side when it comes to coverage, simply because they aren’t commonly pigment rich.
Though water colors aren’t typically made with the intent of being used in an airbrush. Because their main intended use is to be used with a paint brush, the color pigment in water colors are typically not ground down as well as would be in a paint that was designed for use in an airbrush.
This can result in more frequent clogging of the airbrush. But the biggest factor for an airbrush clogging is commonly due to too thick of paint. For more on how to deal with a clogged airbrush check out my latest post on the topic: Why your airbrush keeps clogging & How to fix it.
I personally have never used watercolors to airbrush and likely never will. I’d much rather opt for a paint that is more designed to handle the thinning requirements demanded by an airbrush. But that’s not to say Water Colors isn’t a good fit for you… As you can do some pretty cool effects with water colors given how transparent they become when reduced down for an airbrush.
Inks / Dyes
You likely know that the majority of paints on the market get their color via finely ground up particles of color, otherwise known as pigments. Well Inks take a different approach when it comes to color. Inks, simply put, utilize dyes to make up the color rather than pigments.
This means inks will utilize a chemical reaction to achieve color. This chemical reaction is actually the dye dissolving into the carrier (or base). Where as common pigmented paints, utilize a carrier for doing just that, carrying the pigments. The final product consists of a dry, hardened film with pigment inside via the usual method for producing paint.
Whereas with Inks, the dye and carrier essentially become one.
Inks are a great way to go when it comes to the airbrush!
They are very thin, basically the consistency of water, which is great to airbrush with. But they are quite transparent for the most part. Which can be a pitfall for those who require opacity.
Inks can be used for variety of different tasks, and on a variety of different surfaces.
Typically inks are used to help compliment paints, but can be used stand alone. Sometimes you’ll see inks being used on clothing, plastic, wood, paper, canvas, metal and so forth.
I have even heard of some reducing their paint using Inks, as it helps maintain the color opacity in the paint rather then using common clear reducer.
A Few Commonly Used Airbrush Inks:
- Daler Rowney Acrylic Inks (Found on Amazon)
- Winsor & Newton Inks (Found on Amazon)
- Jacquard Pinata Inks (Found on Amazon)
- Liquitex Acrylic Inks (Found on Amazon)
Enamels
Enamels are typically “Oil-based / Solvent-based” but can be “Water-based”. They are ideal if your going for a durable / Tough finish. Though enamels aren’t typically used to achieve fine detail.
Rather enamels are commonly used for paint coverage. Such as you would expect when painting model cars and such.
However, when using enamel in an airbrush, it is vital you clean the airbrush thoroughly once finished painting. If you let the enamel dry in the airbrush it’s going to be very difficult to clean out. As it is with the majority of paints your likely to put in your airbrush, but enamels are designed for durability.
Which makes removing dried enamels nearly impossible…
Commonly Used Enamel Paints:
- Testors Enamel Paints (Found on Amazon)
Urethanes
Commonly considered an advance paint type as there are so many different options, and steps to be had. Urethane paints require extra safety precautions to be used, but can produce an incredible finish.
Urethane paint is commonly used for automotive applications. As it is very durable, and formulated to hold up against the harsh elements a vehicle is commonly exposed to. But it can be used in different industries as needed.
Urethane can be a great option to airbrush with if you are going to be doing any automotive related airbrush work.
However, due to the environmental impact of urethanes. Urethanes are beginning to be phased out by Water-borne paints.
Commonly Used Urethane Paints:
- House Of Kolor (Found on Amazon)
- Xotic
Makeup
I know makeup isn’t exactly paint in the usual sense. But I figure i’ll mention it as makeup is commonly put on using an airbrush.
Makeup can be put through an airbrush. However, you’ll need an airbrush specific makeup, if you intend on doing any airbrushing of makeup. As common makeup is much to thick, or solid (for that matter) to operate properly in an airbrush.
Though its most common for one with intentions of airbrushing makeup to go with an airbrush that has a needle size of 0.5mm or something close to it.
For context: Airbrush needle sizes come in many different sizes. Commonly from 0.2mm to 0.5mm. O.5mm being the larger of the majority of options.
This is because in order to airbrush makeup you should be using lower air pressure to ensure not to harm the skin. The larger needle and nozzle size allows the makeup to flow better, and allows for larger coverage.
Common Paint Effects & What They Mean:
When it comes to choosing paint to airbrush with, it’s not as simple as saying, “I want blue”, or “green”, or whatever color/s your looking to paint with. You see, when it comes to paints they commonly come in a variety of different sheens or finishes. Simply put, the finish of the paint essentially creates a specific appearance dependent on the desired finish you are trying to achieve.
For example, say I’m going to paint something on a car and I want it to look as if the paint is sparkling when the light hits it. Well, in order to achieve a finished appearance like such, I would want to opt for a metallic paint.
Simply speaking, paints commonly come in a greater variety of choices then simply just color. I want to go over a few of the common options available so you understand what they mean when you see them…
Opaque:
Definition: “Not able to be seen through; not transparent.”
Opaque paint simply does not allow light to go through it. Meaning you are unable to see the color under it.
Opaque paints are commonly used as a base, to then layer other paints on top of such as transparent to create a depth of feel.
Semi-Opaque:
Definition: “Not fully clear or transparent.”
Semi-opaque is essentially a median between Opaque, and Transparent. Typically you would use an opaque paint for your base, then a transparent to build on the realism of the art work. But semi-opaque provides you an added layer to be had between opaque and transparent.
Allowing for a greater depth of feel.
Transparent:
Definition: “Allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.”
Transparents simply allow the color behind it to be seen through it. Think of it like a colored sheet of glass on top of an opaque surface.
Transparent paints are great for layering on top of opaque or semi-opaque paints to create more depth of feel in the art work.
Flat / Matte:
Definition: “dull and flat; without a shine.”
Simply put, matte is very dull. It is essentially like taking a glossy (shiny) surface and sanding it with some sand paper. The surface will then become very dull and non reflective. This is commonly known as Matte or Flat.
Glossy:
Definition: “Shiny and smooth.”
Glossy is basically the opposite of Matte. It is very shiny and reflects light.
Fluorescent:
Definition: “Vividly colorful.”
Very bright and vibrant. Almost as if the color itself creates a light source. Like would be seen when looking at a neon sign.
Iridescent:
Definition: “Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.”
“The phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear to gradually change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes.” -wikipedia
Pearlized / Pearl:
“Pearlescence is a related effect to Iridescent, where some or all of the reflected light is white, where iridescent effects produce only other colors. The term pearlescent is used to describe certain paint finishes, usually in the automotive industry, which actually produce iridescent effects” -wikipedia
Chameleon / Color Shift:
Chameleon does like a literal chameleon does and changes colors. But based on the angle to which the light source is to the surface. Though chameleon isn’t commonly used when it comes to airbrushing detail. But If you spend some time researching paints your likely to run into it.
Candy:
Candy is a very transparent tinted clear that is put over a contrasting base to give the illusion of depth.
Metallic:
Metallics are essentially paints that have the added ingredient of metallic flakes to which produce a glimmering effect.
Though they aren’t commonly Ideal to be used in an airbrush as the small flakes found in metallic paints can cause clogging of the airbrush.
Common Paint Terms To Be Aware Of
You likely noticed above, I specified some of the paints as either “Water-based”, “Water-borne”, Or “Oil / Solvent Based”. Well this simply refers to one of the major components that make up paint. That being the liquid in the paint that helps it to flow. This liquid is what dries / cures when given time. It can be made up using a few different methods, and materials. They are as follows…
Water-Based
Simply refers to the carrier (Liquid in the paint) being a majority of the part water. Most commonly found acrylic paints are water based. Water based paints are easy to clean up, and can be more forgiving then the others if left to dry inside an airbrush, or in places you’d rather it not be.
Not to mention, Water-based paints are cleaner for the environment and to your health, as they don’t give off harsh chemical smells as do Water-Borne, and Solvent Based paints. To which can not only be harmful to the environment, but you as well if proper precautions aren’t taken into account.
Water-Borne
Water-Borne paint (The median between Water-Based and Solvent-Based)
With water-borne the end product is near to the same as solvent based. However water-borne paints utilize solvents to a lesser degree than strictly solvent based paints. The main idea behind water-borne paints is to reduce the impact on the environment. As well as the impact to the users health.
Water-borne paints are commonly made up of synthetic resins and pigments that are dispensed in water by surfactants. Water-borne paints contain a minimal amount of coalescing solvent. Hence why its a hybrid between water-based paint and solvent based paint.
Oil / Solvent Based Paints
It’s likely you will hear some specify a paint as either “Oil-based” or “Solvent-base”. But these essentially mean the same thing. Both refers to the carrier (liquid) in the paint that carries the pigment, binder, and other additives in the paint.
These carriers (liquids) in Oil / Solvent based paints are either made up of “Alkyd” (Synthetic) Or “Linseed” (Natural) Oils.
What’s The Difference?
The major differences between each is a factor of the finished product. Typically Oil / Solvent based paints will dry / cure more resilient and durable than that of water based-paints. However, given the advancements in paint technology over the years. Water-borne is essentially looking to take the positives from both water-based, and solvent-based without any of the negatives that come with each…
Conclusion
At the end of the day, my suggestion would be to opt for a paint that is going to fulfil the majority of your needs and stick to that paint (paint brand and all) until you feel the need or desire to level up to the next kind of paint on your list. This is because learning the workings behind a specific paint line can take time, along with a lot of trial and error.
If you do like I did in the beginning and jump from one paint line to another, your likely going to be quite frustrated due to the paint not doing as you expected… Simply because you havent given your self enough time to learn the workings behind the paint, and how to use it.
Now you should have a better understanding of the paint types available to you for airbrush use. Though you can essentially airbrush with anything that can be thinned out to the consistency necessary for airbrush, it’s not exactly ideal. My recommendation would be to stick with paints that are commonly used by the airbrush community, and said to work well. To which are listed above.
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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