Airbrush painting is a unique and expressive painting method that can create delicate and gradient-rich picture effects. It is very popular whether it is drawing illustrations, coloring models or artistic creation. The following is a detailed introduction to the basic steps and key points of airbrush painting.

1. Selection of spray gun tools

It is very important to choose a spray gun that suits your needs. There are many types of spray guns, including gravity-feed and siphon-feed. Gravity-feed spray guns are highly accurate for fine painting and small-area coloring, and the paint flows naturally to the nozzle due to gravity; siphon spray guns are suitable for large-area spraying, and they use the siphon principle to move the paint to the nozzle.

The material is sucked into the spray gun. In addition, the nozzle diameter of the spray gun should also be considered. A smaller diameter (such as 0.2-0.3mm) is used for detail painting, and a larger diameter (0.8-1.2mm) can quickly cover a large area.

2. Pigment preparation

Paints suitable for spray guns are generally divided into water-based and oil-based. Water-based paints are environmentally friendly, easy to clean, and dry relatively quickly, making them suitable for beginners; oil-based paints have high color saturation and strong durability, but require special solvents for cleaning. After selecting the paint according to the purpose of the creation, the paint should be diluted to a suitable consistency. Too thick will clog the nozzle, and too thin will affect the coloring effect. Usually, it can be mixed according to the paint instructions.

3. Other auxiliary tools

Prepare an air pump, which provides stable air pressure for the spray gun. Adjusting the air pressure can control the force and range of the paint spraying. Cleaning tools, such as spray gun cleaning fluid and wiping cloth, should also be prepared. Cleaning the spray gun in time during and after painting can extend its service life. In addition, protective equipment such as masks and gloves are also necessary to avoid inhaling pigment particles and contacting the pigment with the skin.

1. Air pressure debugging

After connecting the air pump to the spray gun, turn on the air pump and adjust the air pressure to a lower value, such as 10 - 15 PSI (pounds per square inch) through the air pressure adjustment knob on the spray gun. Test spray on the test paper and observe the state of the pigment spraying. If the pigment is in large particles and the spraying is uneven, gradually increase the air pressure; if the pigment is excessively atomized and scattered everywhere, appropriately reduce the air pressure to find the appropriate air pressure for the pigment to be sprayed evenly and delicately, which is generally between 20 - 30 PSI. Different spray guns and pigments may have slight differences.

2. Spray width adjustment

Most spray guns have a spray width adjustment function. By rotating the spray width adjustment ring, the fan-shaped range of the paint spray can be changed. Hold the spray gun perpendicular to the test paper, and start adjusting from the narrowest spray width under a fixed air pressure. Observe the traces left by the paint on the paper, and gradually widen it until the desired coverage width is reached. For example, a wider spray width may be required to paint a large background, and switch to a narrow spray width when outlining details.

1. Gun holding posture

The correct gun-holding posture helps to control the spray gun accurately. Generally, hold the spray gun handle with your right hand (the opposite for left-handed people), put your index finger on the trigger, and hold the gun body naturally with the other fingers. Keep the spray gun perpendicular to the painting surface, relax your arms, and adjust the direction of the spray gun by turning your wrist flexibly, just like holding a pen to write naturally and steadily, to avoid hand shaking causing unevenness in the picture.

2. Spraying distance

The spraying distance directly affects the coloring effect. If it is too close, the paint will accumulate and flow, forming tear-like defects; if it is too far, the paint will be over-atomized, the coloring will be uneven and the color will be light. Usually, the distance is kept at 5-10 cm for fine painting, and 15-20 cm for large-area flat color. Keep a stable distance during the painting process to form muscle memory through practice.

3. Spraying sequence

Following a certain spraying sequence can make the picture more perfect. For example, when drawing a landscape illustration, start with the background, use a large spray and a lighter color to lay the foundation, spray evenly from top to bottom and from left to right to create an overall atmosphere; then gradually move forward to depict the mid-ground and near-ground objects, and use a small spray and a thick color to depict the details, such as the branches of trees and the outline of flowers, etc. By adding layers of color, the three-dimensional and layered sense of the picture is increased.

1. Instant Cleanup

After painting, be sure to clean the spray gun immediately. First pour out the remaining paint, then pour in an appropriate amount of spray gun cleaning fluid, pull the trigger, let the cleaning fluid circulate inside the spray gun to flush out the remaining paint, and then wipe the outside of the spray gun with a clean cloth, paying special attention to the nozzle area. There must not be any dried paint residue, otherwise it will affect the next use.

2. Regular maintenance

In addition to cleaning after each use, the spray gun should be deeply maintained every once in a while (such as after 5-10 uses). Disassemble the spray gun, soak each part in a special cleaning agent, gently scrub with a soft brush to remove stubborn dirt, check the seal ring, nozzle and other vulnerable parts, replace them in time if they are worn, reassemble and debug the spray gun to ensure its performance is as good as before.

In short, mastering airbrush painting requires patient practice, from becoming familiar with the tools to mastering the techniques, and by exploring step by step, you will open the door to a world of exquisite painting and create amazing works of art with an airbrush.