AIR BRUSH

The greatest part of  air-brush painting is the ease in which the paint is applied and how beautifully it spreads and blends on your canvas or support. The trick is pushing down on the button while pulling back at the same time. This little technique requires paitence and dexterity to spread just the right amount of paint with just the perfect flow of air pressure so your paint is applied evenly without splatters.  I confess I have used some of my splatters as part of a not-previously-planned design. The brushes come in various sizes and due to the expense required to purchase several, along with necessary air tubes, various attachments and joints, as well as an air compressor, each of these tools require real respect and maintenance. The 'brush' is usually the first surprise for the novice because it bears absolutely no resemblance to an ordinary paintbrush. It looks like a metal fountain pen.

The downside of air-brushing, for me, is the thorough cleaning of the metal air-brushes. They have a half dozen parts and each brush must be totally dissasembled piece by piece and cleaned thoroughly with solution cleaner (Simple Green and water mix work wel) and a Q-tip.  I find it best when cleaning the brushes--- to lay each piece on the table from left to right as I take the brush apart. When I do this very methodically, I have less trouble trying to remember which part goes on first.  The most frustrating is gettng the rocker-switch back in its designated place just right so it both rocks and the needle can go through it.  Once I've cleaned all the parts and re-inserted the clean needle, I do not screw the back side on all the way to allow the needle some'breathing' room. Befoe using the air-brush the next time, I mustrememberto tighten the back end so the needle goes back into the point.