new to airbrush specs - what to look for?

[Darshel]

Stumbled upon this forum via fb and have to say it looks excellent!
Ive been using a basic airbrush for a bit now, mainly for custom portraits onto cakes.
I would like to take this to a higher level and with more conventional media.

My question is, how do i know what my airbrush set up is compared to the pro artist guns and compressors, and what should i actually be looking for when the time comes to upgrade? And in particular, what do i need to create animal and fine detailed portraits?

 

[jagardn]

To start, what airbrush and compressor are you currently using? Are you planning on Photorealism? What size paintings do you plan on doing?

 

[Darshel]

To be honest the set up i have could only be described as basic/entry level. sufficient for the cakes, with the finer details being hand brushed onto the portraits.

My main gun is a gravity fed 0.4-0.5mm nozzel, with a compressor capable of 15-28psi working pressure only.
I am defintily aiming for photorealism, and working on paintings most likely up to about 1m square in size (i wouldnt think i would have a need go any larger than this).

Ive just had a quick look through the files on guns and compressors, and i am thinking that i should look at a 0.2mm gun (brand?) and perhaps the iwata power jet lite. But i really need some guidance here.

 

[jagardn]

I asked the size question because it depends on how small of a painting you plan on doing.
On a 1M painting, detail could be achieved with most airbrushes. I usually do 8x10 or smaller, so I have a few detail brushes.
A .2mm would be concidered a detail gun. I'd recommend an name brand like Iwata, Harder & Steenbeck, or Badger.

 

[Darshel]

Thanks jeff.
So for example on a painting the size of an 6x8 or 8x10 (which would be the main size im expecting to use - sorry i misunderstood when you asked sizing and assumed you were asking maximum), what would be your main gun sizes?

 

[markjthomson]

Get the best airbrush you can afford - there are a lot of good ones and they have their pro's and cons. Read here and don't be afraid to ask. Iwata is a good all round brush, the Eclipse HP-CS is a great work horse. Worst thing you can do is buy a cheap brush - don't go there... The brush is about 1/2 the cost. And don'rt be afraid to ask (yes that was a repeat!) Check out the videos on the airbrushtutor site. Look forward to seeing how you go!

 

[matty171]

Welcome from Belfast Darshel

 

[jagardn]

Thanks jeff.
So for example on a painting the size of an 6x8 or 8x10 (which would be the main size im expecting to use - sorry i misunderstood when you asked sizing and assumed you were asking maximum), what would be your main gun sizes?

My preference is toward Iwata and H&S. For all smaller paintings, I'd definitely use a detail gun. I like All of my detail brushes, they all just behave slightly different.

Iwata Custom Micron-
Most expensive and consistent, it is still the best detail brush I've used. Parts are also expensive. I normally shy new uses against it because in the learning curve of airbrushing, you will likely damage a few needles and nozzles. If you have tons of cash and can afford it, by all means get one.

H&S Infinity and Evolution-
Parts are reasonable in price. These can take anywhere from a .15mm nozzle up to a .6mm. They are the easiest to swap out needles, nozzles and are the easiest to break down and clean in my opinion.

Iwata HP-CH- very good quality brush, reliable and consistent. It does have a .3mm nozzle, but is capable of fine detail. The HP-BS and HP-SB have a .2mm if you are looking for a smaller nozzle.

Mojo III- built by Mike Learn. I have the Size 0 head in mine which is .12mm. It is a great brush for fine detail, but is a bit finicky. You have to manually dial in the spray pattern on the head assembly. Once you figure it out, it's very nice, but I wouldn't suggest it for a beginner. I
The size 0 head also sprays very low volumes of paint, so if you wanted to do a background on a somewhat larger painting. It would be completely impractical.

EDIT:
One brush to look into even though it's not really categorized as a detail brush is the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS. It has a .35mm nozzle, parts are reasonable, easy to maintain, reliable, and is capable of decent detail.

 

[Darshel]

Welcome from Belfast Darshel

Thanks Matty!

 

[Darshel]

My preference is toward Iwata and H&S. For all smaller paintings, I'd definitely use a detail gun. I like All of my detail brushes, they all just behave slightly different.

Iwata Custom Micron-
Most expensive and consistent, it is still the best detail brush I've used. Parts are also expensive. I normally shy new uses against it because in the learning curve of airbrushing, you will likely damage a few needles and nozzles. If you have tons of cash and can afford it, by all means get one.

H&S Infinity and Evolution-
Parts are reasonable in price. These can take anywhere from a .15mm nozzle up to a .6mm. They are the easiest to swap out needles, nozzles and are the easiest to break down and clean in my opinion.

Iwata HP-CH- very good quality brush, reliable and consistent. It does have a .3mm nozzle, but is capable of fine detail. The HP-BS and HP-SB have a .2mm if you are looking for a smaller nozzle.

Mojo III- built by Mike Learn. I have the Size 0 head in mine which is .12mm. It is a great brush for fine detail, but is a bit finicky. You have to manually dial in the spray pattern on the head assembly. Once you figure it out, it's very nice, but I wouldn't suggest it for a beginner. I
The size 0 head also sprays very low volumes of paint, so if you wanted to do a background on a somewhat larger painting. It would be completely impractical.

EDIT:
One brush to look into even though it's not really categorized as a detail brush is the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS. It has a .35mm nozzle, parts are reasonable, easy to maintain, reliable, and is capable of decent detail.

 

[Darshel]

Thanks so much Jeff! Ive only just logged back in now so sorry for the delay in replying.
I think Ive narrowed down my next compressor choice so your advice will go a long way in helping me to settle on a selection of better brushes.
Really appreciate your time!