Different Kinds of Airbrushes

You can use airbrushing equipment for applying makeup.

Whether airbrushing makeup, tanning fluid or paint for a craft project, you will find numerous types of airbrushes in art stores. Before you purchase airbrushing equipment, consider your budget, the area you plan to cover and the length of use. Some airbrushes offer more flexibility with controlling the air flow and fluid amount, while others work best for covering large areas.

Internal Mix

Internal-mix airbrushes combine the airflow and paint inside the airbrush's head. This type of airbrush is more difficult to clean than an external-mix airbrush. The fluid sprays a micro circular pattern. Usually professional makeup artists typically use internal-mix airbrushes.

External Mix

External-mix airbrushes mix the air and paint outside the airbrush as the air flows over the tip of the airbrush. A knob controls the quantity of paint coming out of the airbrush. It makes fine lines, since it releases a large circular pattern.

Dual Action

A dual-action or double-action airbrush has a trigger that operates the paint fluid and air. Press the button upward for air and downward for paint fluids. Professionals have more control of changing the line width and amount of paint from this type of airbrush.

Single Action

The airflow clicks on and a pre-determined amount of paint fluid sprays from a single-action airbrush when pushing the control. Artists manage the quantity of paint fluid by rotating a cone on an external-mix airbrush or a needle- or pin-like device on an internal-mix airbrush.

Bottom Feed

A bottom-feed airbrush features bottles or cups plugged into the lower portion of the airbrush unit. Professionals opt for bottom-feed airbrushes when a project requires a larger amount of paint. It is also used when professional must change paint colors fast. Some people may refer to bottom-feed airbrushes as suction airbrushes.

Side Feed

Side-feed airbrushes also work well on makeup projects that require quick changes of color or use various amount of paints. Unlike a bottom-feed airbrush that plugs into a paint source at the bottom of the unit, a side-feed airbrush plugs into bottles or cups along the side of the airbrush. This type of airbrush produces fine detail work.

References

• RC Airplane Advisor
• Air Brushes: Choosing your Airbrush