How to Use Double-Action Airbrushes

Airbrushing allows you to paint very realistic images.

Airbrushes have been used by artists and craftsmen for decades. There are two main types: single action and double action. A single-action airbrush has a push-button trigger that delivers air and paint at the same time. Their usefulness is limited to fine control while painting. A double-action airbrush, however, can deliver air and paint independently of each other. This allows much greater control over your artwork.

Things You'll Need

• Air source
• Hose
• Paint
• Painting surface
• Cleaning supplies (water, paper towels, etc.)

Instructions

1. Connect the airbrush to an air source (such as a compressor or an air tank) with a hose.

2. Add paint to the airbrush, either by pouring it directly into the paint reservoir on top of the airbrush (gravity-feed airbrushes) or by attaching a bottle of paint to the underside (bottom-feed airbrushes).

3. Turn on the air supply.

4. Press down on the airbrush's trigger. This will make the airbrush begin to spray air. The specific air pressure is controlled by a regulator on the air source. The exact pressure will depend on your air source and airbrush, but in general the pressure should be higher for large surfaces such as backgrounds and lower for fine detail.

5. Slowly pull the trigger back while still holding it down. This will begin to deliver paint into the air, atomizing it and spraying it out as a mist of tiny droplets. The farther back you pull the trigger, the more paint will be delivered.

6. Release the trigger when you are done painting.

Tips & Warnings

• Some double-action airbrushes have an adjustment screw, holding the paint open at a certain level and turning the airbrush into a single action. This is useful when you have too many identical lines without wanting to worry about how much paint you are using.

• If you are airbrushing multiple colors, consider using several airbrushes so that you do not have to clean a single airbrush every time you change colors.

• Always clean your airbrush when you are finished using it. Paint allowed to dry within the airbrush can prevent it from working properly.

References

• How to Airbrush: Airbrushes
• Integrated Publishing: Using a Double-Action Airbrush