Can someone never having painted before, just pick up a Airbrush "freehand" away?

[Justadad]

I could just answer this question myself....... but I'm interested in what others think?

Once again... can a person who has never painted before nor has been a artist in other medias, never had a lesson of any kind, just pick up an Airbrush and "freehand" away? Have most of you been doing work in other medias prior to beginning to use an Airbrush? Any here that just picked one up and went on?

I guess it boils down to.. "do you have to be an Artist 1st?"

Thanks Boys & Girls

Have a good day.

 

[Immortal Concepts]

To an extent yes.formal art instruction is very helpful in grasping the concept.control of airbrush can't really be tought. I was able to pick up an airbrush and paint right away, but I can also draw, sculpt, paint,spray can tag and was a tattoo artist prior so that all helped.

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[matty171]

Hi
I painted with hairy brushes and acrylics before airbrushing, i wasnt that good but i done it as it cleared my head, this has helped me a bit with airbrushing, knowing about colors and shades and stuff but i was no expert at any of that. Ive been airbrushin approx 4 months or so now and im still not to great with freehanding, some peeps are born with a natural artistic steak n some arnt, i wasnt. But with anything in life if u put the time and effort in youll see big improvments in it, dont know if this helped or not but youll get afew answers on here As its a friendly bunch of peeps



Ride the storm

 

[donec]

I think you can just pickup an airbrush or any other kind of media, start using it and possibly produce art. However if you art trying to produce a given image then you are going to need some skill to be developed. Example: If you want to put your feelings to canvas then you don't need to use the special strokes associated with using an airbrush or other media the final product could be very artistic. On the other hand if you have a photo of something and want to paint the same image or one similar to it then you will need to teach yourself some stroke control. Even if you have all the training and skills at making the tools you have do your bidding it doesn't make you an artist even if you can make some good images. An artist puts something special into their work.

 

[shadow2462]

The short answer is yes you can pick up an airbrush without any formal training but the real answer is the more knowledge you have and or can learn with basic drawing, shapes, shadows, light, ect. ect. ect. When I started I had absolutely no training, I have been at it for aprox. 8 months but have not produced anything lately due to life's pot holes. The best advise I can give is first figure out what you want to paint, t-shirts, portraits, bikes/cars, once you decide this then the next step would be find paints that will meet your needs and find out where you will need to buy them. Then when you have a brush, compressor, paint, and a surface to put it on you are ready to learn how to control your brush because that is the key. No matter how much knowledge you have it doesn't mean spit if you can't use the brush right. Start practicing the TUTOR's practice sheets and you will learn control, then next step is find something simple to paint, break it down in you head what comes first( background or maybe another part would come first and go from there). Once you start painting pictures you will see more easily each time how and where to start and finish. Everyone here is always willing to share their knowledge and try to help in any way but remember there are some things that can't be taught and are "learn by trial & error". Hope this helps get you on your way.

 

[Patch]

It's like tools, once you figure where to plug it in and know the basics on how it works then you're ready to see what it does

 

[WhiteKnight]

You do not need formal art training to pick up an airbrush and sling paint, you will need to know the basics of how your airbrush works and have paint that will not be too thick to go through the airbrush at the air pressure you are using.

Now if you want to do portraits or photo realism some art training would help speed the learning, but it can still be learned after you have learned how to proficiently use your airbrush.

 

[RebelAir]

My thoughts are yes and no..It depends solely on the person and their desire to learn, natural ability etc etc..But as the guys say above, some kind of artistic background or ability likely will shortcut a lot of lessons you also use in airbrushing..A general rule that I've seen and no it doesn't apply to all but those with a good drawing or painting background can at times be painting amazing pieces within a mnth or two of their first play with the airbrush..Others with the same background may struggle..

 

[Nada]

I have no art training, I cant draw for spit and been at it two months. I am not an airbrush artist by any means but I see improvements regularly. I am about to start a new WIP showcasing my lack of talents very shortly. This by far has been a fun little journey, perhaps a year or two down the road I will learn enough to be doing nice art. I think it can be done, otherwise I would not be trying... a saying goes "people who practice believe they can accomplish what it is they practice"

 

[MeeshellMP]

I always doodled as a kid, could draw really good in my teens, started painted with oils, acrylics, chalk works. Then, quit in my party years, airbrushed a little 17yrs ago, got divorced, quit. Started airbrushing almost 2 years ago, never had an art class, and today, I cant draw for excrement , at least not like I could. Watched more vids on you tube, and basically, just figured things out on my own. Then found this here forum, which is now my family, and they pushed me to become better!!♥♥

 

[HCP-draggin]

Not to repeat too much, but "yes and no" is the best answer I can think of.

"No" because airbrushing really isn't that simple or easy to do well. H.R. Giger (the artist whose work inspired the "Alien" and "Predator" movies, among other accolades) once famously told an aspiring artist to "Stay away from the airbrush. You'll never master it, hardly anyone ever has." And he uses the airbrush quite a bit in his own work. . (the rest of list "to do" list for the aspiring artist can be found here The official WebSite of H.R.Giger - Sculptures. The list is near the bottom of the page)

Giger aside, learning to operate an airbrush so that the results are actually what you intend can be a long, tricky process. Would it be possible in theary to pick up an airbrush an randomly make "art"? Sure, I guess. But, at least imo, it's not really "art" unless it's intended. Random paint dribbling doesn't cut it for me.

That said, I don't think any previous art training (or any formal training at all) is absolutely required to make good airbrush (or any other) art. BUT (and it's a large BUT), education will make the road a lot easier and smoother. Learning the fundamentals of light, color, perspective, and other factors that remain true in any medium will definitely make it much easier to get the results you want. Further, airbrush-specific training (like taking a class at Dru Blair's) lets you skip a TON of trial and error, and use the expirience of other artists to advance you own work.

Do you NEED it? No. It's just a really nice advantage to have. The more tools you put in your toolbox, but easier it gets.

 

[ad fez]

never been arty but always wanted to be, messed around with pencils but quickly gave up when i realised i couldn't draw. picked up an airbrush, watched videos, got on the forum, done my research and here i am now, i believe if you want anything enough , so long as you put the work in then you can do whatever you like

 

[m3ntalo]

I didnt do any kind of art before the airbrush. Now I feel like I can use the airbrush quite okay and produce some good stuff aswell. Airbrushing for sure is a good training for the eyes i. e structures, blendings etc.
As for beeing an "Artist" I still struggle with the composing of pictures and getting ideas "on the road". Personally things like that are in my oppinion the difference between an artist and me at the Moment. The rest is gradually techniques, training and Talent ofc.

René

 

[Squishy]

I could draw a bit, enough to entertain my kids anyway, but apart from that have no background in art whatsoever. So I think anyone can airbrush, however having that underpinning knowledge makes life easier. But it's not essential. Sometimes guys here go all technical and start going into colour theory etc, etc, and it's way over my head. But I manage to paint stuff that makes me happy, even if the quality isn't as great as some. Trial and error, experimentation, instinct, and pure luck eventually stick in the brain, it just takes a bit longer.

But can you just pick up an airbrush and go without any previous art experience? It's possible, with natural talent (oh how jealous I get LOL LOL LOL), and an instinctive understanding of how to control an airbrush, and manage paint/air ratios etc, etc, does happen. But I would say that usually most people, need to learn how to use the airbrush, get consistant smooth paint flow, and learn the basic strokes and blends first. (which I didn't do and made life much harder for myself, and had to unlearn lots of bad habits, and made the whole process twice as long, Doh!) Then have a basic understanding of light source, shadows and perspective. I muddled through on my own, learning from my many, many, oh so many, mistakes, and started to progress - determination, and willingness to put in some time is just as important as anything else I think. Then I grew a brain and looked online, and started to come on in leaps and bounds, especially with this awesome bunch in support!

With all the help and advice here, anyone can learn to airbrush, but usually it just takes time. I've been ABing now for close to 3 years, and still have a long way to go, but people are different, and some could get to where I am in weeks.

Learning to airbrush, and being an "artist" however, are not the same thing, not to me anyway. Being able to produce something original, and come up with your own ideas and designs, and develop your own style, is what make an artist, something I am trying, not very successfully, to do :witless:. But whether you are a natural, or just plain bull headed like me, you can do it.

 

[CALz AyrWKz]

I have been into art ever since I could hold a crayon but I have never had any formal art training. Although, looking back, I wish I followed my heart and went to art school. Instead I went the academic route and studied accounting and law. BORING! Anyway, I can draw.. but do to the lack of actually doing it, I'm a bit rusty at it. Like anything, you need to practice. So, what I'm getting to is.. you may think you're not artistic, but everyone can create art. Just pick up whatever media you want to learn and practice. Learn about color theory, perception and light. Its all out there for you, you just have to Google it. LOL So, IMO yes, anyone can create art with an airbrush, you just have to want it and practice. Learn as much about it as you can. As said before, formal training will make the road shorter. But, just do it! You'll amaze yourself as to what you can accomplish with some real effort.

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[Immortal Concepts]

Art school is very overrated. you pay all that money to relearn the fundamentals that's all. Nothing is really gained except the push to keep going because you are out of a lot of money. I've had friends that did this and say they deeply regret it.

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[Justadad]

I sure do appreciate and enjoy everyone's feedback and advice. lot of love being shared there. As far as what my AB interests are, they vary depending on what "material" I want to paint on. I like "unusual" canvas's EX: Vinyl floor tiles.. I have about 4 cases of 12 X 12 white tiles so those become my canvas, then I make "handmade" custom folk art walking canes & sticks so want to incorporate AB'ing into that.

So as you can see... not your conventional use for an Airbrush. What really makes things fun & interesting.... is that I have Glaucoma and am visually impaired. The wife says that I have some of the darnedest hobbies considering my vision LOL. But I figure that before I'm blind all the way then it's time to learn and get busy LOL.

But DON'T STOP ANSWERING!! I'm learning a lot here.......Thanks Kidsirate:

 

[paulorocha]

Firstly, I'm using google translator, so forgive possible errors.
I never had any art class, but I did develop a certain skill at drawing just by reading the book "Drawing on the right side of the brain" by writer Betty Edwards. Maybe a good starting point for you too.
A hug.

 

[afterdark]

Yes! I have given lessons to people who have had no artistic talent and they have produced interesting results right from the start.
Anyway I've been airbrushing for 15 years and still go by the motto "Spray N Pray".

 

[createinspain]

As long as you are prepared to put in effort, I believe anyone can make SOMETHING they like. It may or may not be art. It is necessary to get reasonable control of the airbrush of course. Some people are better at understanding the physics of that than others.
What many people forget, is that for those painting from life or photos and trying to make recognisable pictures, one of the most important aspects is LOOKING AND SEEING what is there, not what you think is there. For perspective and accuracy, using a grid reference takes a lot of bother out of things. There are people who say they can't even draw a straight line. My take on it is that is what rulers are for. I have had art sessions with friends who said that they couldn't paint. They could, they just needed to learn how to see.