Do you want to know how to make impressive, cool, and professional drawings with an airbrush on your motorcycle tank and even fairings? It is very simple and easy, keep reading and you will learn everything you need to become a great artist.
The technique to paint on a Motorcycle or Nails is not the same as on the skin, but in the end, it is to learn the technique and know-how to execute it well.
Learning to paint with an airbrush is an art, but it is simple, the result of a drawing painted with this instrument is impressive and the results are exceptional.
Before starting to use the airbrush we have to take a series of measures to perform a quality job.
Although you can practice this skill on other things aside from motorcycles, it is really better to do it directly on your bike to see the immediate result. If you don’t want to practice on your new bike (of course), you can always get some used but great condition bikes at ZeCycles.com.
Get ready to airbrush painting?
Before we start learning how to draw with airbrushes and then find out which brushes are the best for the job you want to do, we have to take a series of precautions so that everything goes well.
Prepare the work area
It is a very important aspect, to prepare all the materials you need clean and operational, and in a clear area so that you do not stain other objects while you paint. Dress in clothes that you can stain.
Group these materials on your table or work area:
- A single or double action airbrush, with which we will do all the work
- Container with water for cleaning while we work.
- A compressed air compressor is connected to the airbrush to expel the ink.
- Ink or paints of different models, later we have a section of different types of paint.
- Assorted rags to be able to clean everything and if you also want kitchen paper to dry the water and inks.
- If you want a pressing plate to dry the paint
- A pencil and paper to paint the prototype before we get down to work.
- If you are going to cut the pieces instead then you will need a utility knife, if you paint directly on a canvas you will not need it.
- A bottle of Fixer, with it you fix the paint on the surface.
We have not yet explained which airbrushes are the best for the type of work you want to do, but you can see it on our main page, where we have put a detailed breakdown of all the types and models out there,
Prepare your painting.
Choose the type of paint to use based on your work surface. The brands produce different paints so that it adapts well to the work to be done. The ideal would be to buy one that is already diluted to work directly on the airbrush, but if not, you will have to dilute it following the instructions on the bottle.
Perform preliminary tests
It is always recommended before acting on the surface to be painted, that we do some tests on some paper or cardboard.
With these tests, we see if the color is correct, the paint is fine and everything works correctly.
Put your finger on the lever and begin to practice using the lever and piston of the airbrush. Get some practice zooming in and out of the airbrush on the test board. It is the best way to begin to understand how to use them.
We are going to start learning to paint
- First, make a sketch of what you are going to paint. In the end, check what you have in mind. It is important to make the sketch also put the types of colors that go in each part.
- Create multiple sheets if you are painting something large like a vehicle or wall. If you are going to make a large drawing, it is best to make the sketches on different sheets, to be able to handle them better and draw by work areas.
- As we have already put the paint to do the preliminary tests, what we do first is to adjust the cap of the needle on the airbrush so that it does not touch the cap. You have to leave enough gap for air to escape.
- We begin to paint by choosing the lightest colors first, and then the dark ones. Even if you clean the airbrush well after using each color, it is best in this order.
- While you paint, if you are looking for a softer effect, you must move away from the destination point, and if you want a very fine line, bring it as close as possible, you can even draw letters and numbers as if it were a pencil.
- If you find that the drawing or illustration needs a lot of detail, then it is better to try a thinner, low-viscosity needle. Over time you will learn the different types of needles for each special detail you need.
- The movements of the hand have to be smooth, following the line of the drawing, experimenting with distances and paintings. You will see that over time this movement will come in handy.
- While doing your work try to start from the bottom layer up. Start with the larger areas first, then go into the details.
- Finish the details using the fine needle.
- Apply the paint fixer twice. Let the first one dry and repeat the process again.
- Don’t forget to clean the airbrush right after using it.
Types of paint
At this point, it is time for you to learn about the types of paint an airbrush can work with.
The type of paint and viscosity will affect the atomization of the colors and the drawing. It is good that you try different types and consistencies to find the desired effect in your drawing.
Why should it be so? Because not everyone works. In addition, knowing them will help you choose the best ones for your work, and will allow you to achieve your artistic or professional goals.
Inks. The inks are transparent and have very vibrant colors. One of the main advantages they present is that they come ready to work.
There is a form of food dye, which should not be confused with ink, and it is used in food.
You can also use special inks for tattoos, makeup, or nails.
Watercolors: These paints are soluble in water, they greatly facilitate cleaning the airbrush. One of their most prominent advantages is that they can create layers of colors due to their transparency.
Acrylic paints: These paints dry very quickly. They come already prepared.
However, they have a weak point, and that is that their use is complicated, so they are designed more for experts.
They are ideal for models, if they are already diluted you do not have to do it, so you save a lot of work time.
They are also used for nails and other jobs.
Cleaning tips from professionals
- To clean the airbrush to paint again you must follow the following steps:
- It is important to clean the airbrush as soon as possible because there are some types of paint, if it takes a long time, traces that are difficult to remove can remain.
- If the paint is going to be similar, you can do it easily, without disassembling it, using solvent instead of paint, and using it in the test area. Also, do the test by pressing the needle against a cloth. It is not a total cleaning, but effective to continue working with similar colors.
- Clean the appliance in bowls and put the pieces separately and the airbrush in a larger one. You can use water or a solvent.
- Move closer to the airbrush tube and blow air to remove the paint.
- Some professionals use an electric guitar string, you can find them anywhere, they are cheap and the smallest ones fit perfectly in the hole of the mouthpiece.
Choose a Single or a Double
It is good to know what type of airbrush is the most ideal.
The double-action device gives the painter greater control over the work, since it regulates both the paint and the air intake, it is more difficult to control, it is not recommended for beginners, but once controlled it gives the best results.
Painting with a simple action is simpler, and easier to use, also having fewer parts is easier to clean and reassemble.
What kind of needles to choose for painting
It is important to choose the type of needle you want to use for painting.
If you want to paint in great detail, very cool drawings, the finer the better, but if you are going to paint cars or walls, use the thickest ones.
But if you are going to use thin, be careful with the paint, it must be very well diluted, otherwise, the large pigments will clog the outlet duct and the drawings will not come out well.
A good size for almost all types of drawings is 0.4. You can look for smaller sizes 0.3 or 0.2 for the details.
Final summary
We hope that you have already become passionate about airbrushes, from now on learning to paint with an airbrush is just a matter of practice and a lot of practice, but surely you will achieve it in a short time.
Look at this artist who already has a lot of practice, you will surely motivate yourself, and by practicing you can reach that level.