Have you ever wondered if airbrush paint will work for common paintbrush use?
If so, you’re not the only one.
I too have found myself curious as to whether or not airbrush paint will suffice when used with a paintbrush. But further then that, I’m determined to come up with any benefits of using airbrush paint for brush applications? As the obvious answer to this question is Yes… I mean, why wouldn’t airbrush paint work with a paint brush???
So I did some research,
The short answer is:
Yes, airbrush paint will work with a paint brush, as the only real difference between acrylic airbrush paint and common acrylic paint is the fact that airbrush paint has been reduced so that it can flow through the airbrush better.
That being said, airbrush paint can prove to be a benefit when brush painting. Especially if you need a very liquid paint. But it can also prove to be cumbersome if you need thickness in your paint layers.
As airbrush paint, given its consistency, tends to apply thinner then the usual acrylic paint. But this totally makes sense because airbrush paint has to be thinned down, so that it doesn’t clog the airbrush.
Nonetheless, this reduction in paint viscosity allows you to simply skip the usual hassle of having to thin down your paints when painting with a brush. As with airbrush paint it’s already thinned down.
Granted, it’s more difficult to go the other direction and thicken airbrush paints. For this reason, I’d suggest you use airbrush paint when you desire a paint that is less viscous. And a common acrylic when you desire something that is more viscous.
The Difference Between Airbrush Paint & Common Acrylic Paint
Really, the only major difference between acrylic airbrush paint and common acrylic paint is the fact that airbrush paint has been reduced down to a greater extent, so that it flows well through the airbrush.
This difference in paint viscosity can prove to be an advantage, or a disadvantage depending on your needs. I personally like to brush paint using airbrush paint as it spreads very easily.
The only major difference you may find when brush painting with airbrush paint, is that you might need to add an extra layer or two to your artwork when using transparent airbrush paints.
Simply because airbrush paint is reduced down. Meaning there is less pigment concentration per layer of paint. So the color may not seem as full. But I doubt this will pose much of an issue, as the purpose of transparent paints are to allow light to pass through them in order to create more depth in the piece.
Now, Opaque airbrush paints do have great coverage. Assuming you go with a quality airbrush paint.
So, what does this all mean for you if your going to be using airbrush paint with a paint brush?
Literally nothing negative. That is, unless you require a paint that is thicker. But for the most part airbrush paint works great for brush work. I personally think it works better with a paint brush then a majority of the other paints out there because it spreads so nicely.
That being said, I don’t specifically purchase airbrush paint to use with a paintbrush as I am more on the airbrush side, meaning most of my work is done with an airbrush. But when I do need to paint something using a brush I just pick up one of my bottles of airbrush paint.
And to be honest, I’ve actually found airbrush paint to work much better for my desired applications then common acrylic paint.
So, if you want my personal opinion on the question, I say airbrush paint is better than the majority of other acrylic paint out there, especially when it comes to painting with a brush. Simply because airbrush paint spreads much easier then the other options out there, and you don’t get those pultruding brush strokes left behind on your work.
Conclusion
In final, airbrush paint can be used when painting with a brush. The only difference between acrylic airbrush paint, and common acrylic paint is that airbrush paint has been reduced down more then that of common acrylic paints.
Based on my personal experience, I think you may find airbrush paint works better then most common acrylic paint when it comes to ease of coverage. Assuming you got a quality airbrush paint.
But For the most part airbrush paint can prove to be a great option to brush paint with, even if your intentions were not to paint with airbrush paint specifically (Accidentally purchased airbrush paint). Who knows, maybe you will find you prefer to paint using acrylic airbrush paint more then common acrylic paints…
As I personally find airbrush paint easier to use with a paint brush then most other acrylic paints out there.
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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