Airbrushes for modeling: operating principle, what types are there and how to choose the right one?

An airbrush is a pneumatic device for highly artistic painting with paints. Essentially, this is a spray gun, only miniature and with a lot of adjustments. Compared to working with a brush, this tool allows you to apply the coating more evenly and accurately. In addition, painting is much easier and faster. Generally speaking, the main characteristics include the speed of painting and the fineness of the work.

Before choosing, the modeler must decide what the airbrush will be used for. The purpose of use determines the requirements for the tool. That is, how to choose a tool for modeling, how convenient it will be to work with it, what capabilities airbrushes and accessories have, which functions will not be used at all, and which are extremely important.

Principle of operation

The main parts of an airbrush are the tool itself, a container of paint, a compressor, and hoses. Models are painted with an airbrush using a trigger adjustment. This is a lever for interacting with the needle. Double-acting devices are capable of not only opening the air flow, but also adjusting the paint flow by turning this lever.

When you press the trigger, air is pumped into the device through a hose from a compressor that is powered by an electrical network. The range of the spray pattern depends on the intensity of the air supply and the amount of paint. The design allows the artist to make such adjustments without stopping the process and to apply lines of varying thickness.

There is also such a feature as the type of spraying. When spraying externally, the paint is mixed with air not inside the device, but outside it. In this case, it is impossible to obtain a thin stream. With internal spraying, a ready-made mixture of air and pigment comes out of the nozzle, making it possible to perform “delicate” work with adjustable spray range.

The device can be supplied with paint of different colors for spraying. Without stopping the process, the artist can change the intensity of the supply of one or another pigment, as well as air, as a result of which it is convenient to create smooth flows from color to color and apply multi-colored lines of different thicknesses.

Varieties

Let's consider which airbrush to choose for models. Each manufacturer produces models with their own features and additions for specific purposes. In general, these devices are classified according to:

method of pigment supply - top, side, bottom;
type of functionality - automatic, double, single;
method of spraying (mixing) - internal, external.

A single type airbrush is the most rational purchase for a beginning modeler. Depending on your acquired skills, the tool can be upgraded with various additions. The device in its original state has only an air injection button, and the amount of paint is supplied according to the standard parameters established by the manufacturer.

But even with simple airbrushes, talented artists manage to create masterpieces of art. Below we give examples of the most optimal devices in terms of price and quality.

Paasche Talon TG3F

This is a double airbrush complete with 0.22 nozzles; 0.36; 0.66, which gives the master the opportunity to apply both detailed images and background coatings. The bottom tank has a capacity of 15 ml. The kit also includes a nozzle for fan spraying paint.

Badger Sotar 20

The twentieth model took its name from the tank capacity of 20 ml. This is a double-action device with a nozzle with a diameter of 0.25 mm. The steel body is covered with black chrome. There is a cut on the back of the case for visual control of the needle position.

Harder Steenbeck-Ultra (dual water)

This is a German brand. The model is equipped with a self-centering, self-sealing nozzle, two tanks for 5; 2 ml and two needles with diameters 0.4; 0.2 mm. This is a device with many capabilities, but its cost is somewhat higher.

Harder Steenbeck-Infinity (two-wheel)

The device class is called Hi-End. The kit includes a self-centering nozzle for fine work with a hole diameter of 0.15 mm and a nozzle for coarse work with a hole diameter of 0.4 mm, two corresponding needles, two reservoirs of 5 and 2 ml. The needle stroke regulator has a millimeter scale. This model is convenient for creating arbitrary images.

JAS 1117

This is a double airbrush made in China. It has an internal mixing method and is intended for fine detailing, but not for serious artistic work. Top paint container - 9 ml. Threaded type nozzle - 0.32 mm.

GSI Creos Procon Boy PS274

Manufactured in Japan. At the factory, the tool is equipped with a 0.32 mm threaded nozzle and a key for it, a 12 ml capacity and hoses. The design has a needle and valve stroke force regulator. This is a sensitive setting with a noticeable effect from turning the screw just 1°. The device is easy to clean.

Review of popular airbrush models from well-known manufacturers

In order to make your choice, we offer a rating of airbrushes for modeling from well-known manufacturers.

The company Harder & Steenbeck (Germany) has been on the painting equipment market for almost a hundred years. The devices are characterized by durability, reliability, and accuracy.

The most famous models of the manufacturer Harder & Steenbeck:

Infinity - innovative adjustable lever mechanism, there is a safety lock for the needle;
Colani - an airbrush of high quality, a variety of functions, suitable for professionals and amateurs of modeling techniques;
Grafo – is distinguished by high precision in applying paint to canvas or other material;
Ultra – affordable cost and ease of use, suitable for beginners.

Criterias of choice

The design features of airbrushes are so diverse that it is impossible to focus on any criterion that applies to all devices. To understand how to use the tool, you need to be guided by your needs and abilities. Pay attention to additional tool features that will make use more convenient. These include:

Needle stroke regulator in the form of a knob at the rear. When twisting, the paint supply decreases and vice versa. This functionality is convenient for “fine” work at minimal heights from the surface with the image. For greater accuracy, in order to remember the spray force, some regulators have linear divisions.
Adjustable trigger. Many models are equipped with this addition. The adjuster is located in front of the needle clamp screw at the rear. The more you loosen it, the easier the trigger will be to pull. The artist’s task is to find the optimal option so that the work is as easy as possible, and the trigger has no play.
The air regulator is located under the tank and regulates the air supply like a water valve. This addition is also intended for “delicate” work. It is better to purchase such a regulator separately and use it if necessary. It is screwed in instead of the supplied air valve. Air regulators sometimes cost up to $50.
Paint supply button. It turns the needle stopper on and off. This function is convenient to use when washing the structure for speedy actions in the process. When flushing, the limiter is turned on; during operation, it is turned off.

Choosing an airbrush model: purpose and brand

The essence of the device has not changed over many decades, while technically the airbrush for modeling is becoming an increasingly accurate and convenient tool. When choosing a model, pay attention to the following points:

The brand is the recognized leader in the production of airbrushes Iwata, H&S, Hansa. Many instruments are several times cheaper, yet look like high-quality Japanese or German instruments. Inexpensive airbrushes are manufactured under license, but the quality of materials and workmanship is far from the best. Among them are Inked and Fengda, which are of better quality than Jas and Sumake. An intermediate position between amateur and professional devices is occupied by the Taiwanese airbrush for the Sparmax and AeroPro models
The availability of a repair kit is a very important selection criterion; you need to find out about the availability of available spare parts in advance
The goal is to have a clear understanding of what types of work the airbrush will be used for.

“Before purchasing, be sure to hold the airbrush in your hands - the list of potential purchases will immediately be significantly reduced”

Among the high-quality double-action airbrushes, we can recommend Iwata HP-Q or 381, Hansa Aero, Chameleon with the ability to mix colors and the presence of additional paint containers. The Badger single action airbrush is suitable for painting large areas and for beginning modelers.

Nozzles

Wide nozzles (from 0.2 mm) are good on spatial surfaces, but are not suitable for fine lines. But narrow ones get clogged quickly. When working with narrow nozzles, the type of paint and its preparation are important; Enamels have smaller pigments, acrylics have larger pigments.

Nozzles of medium hole diameter (0.2-0.3 mm) are most often found, since with various additions they can be used to cover large surface areas and apply small images (in such cases, masks help with delicate work with large nozzles ). There are quick-release types with clamping or threaded caps.

What paints can be used in an airbrush?

It is best to start using an airbrush with water-soluble paints. They can be used at home as they are non-toxic.

Types of paints used in airbrushes for modeling:

watercolor – easy to use, suitable for beginners, diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio;
liquid ink - most dissolve in water, but there are also paints for use with alcohol, suitable for applying a matte or brightly shiny image;
ink – can be liquid, dry or concentrated; drawings made in ink do not fade over time;
gouache - to use it you need to choose a device with a large nozzle, since a small one will become clogged;
acrylic - these paints are the most popular among artists; they can have low viscosity (diluted only with water) and high density (diluted with water and a special solution).

If acrylic paints are used in an airbrush, then after each pigment you should thoroughly wash the device and use a nozzle with a diameter of at least 0.5 mm. Among the most well-known manufacturers of acrylic paints are the following brands: Decola (Russia), Murabu (Germany) and Jaquard (USA).

Spray torch

The intensity and range of spray depends not only on the nozzle, but also on the artist’s technique with the airbrush. The spray effect is influenced by the consistency of the paint, the distance to the applied pattern, the pressure of the supplied air, the quality of the parts and assembly of the device structure. The wider the spray geometry, the faster large surfaces can be covered.

When choosing, an important criterion is the availability of spare parts for this particular brand and model of the device. This is the main disadvantage of expensive brands, for which it is often difficult to “get” any spare parts. But, if you use tools with different parameters, but from the same company, then the parts in the repair kits are interchangeable.

Choice depending on budget

Airbrushes are among the most expensive tools for painting, so the financial side of the issue is not the least important. For starters, you can buy something cheaper: Sumake, Fengda or Inked. In this case, it is recommended to choose devices with conical nozzles. Choose a cheap model, similar to some expensive brand, this will help in the future to modernize the tool, and which airbrush is better to choose is a matter for the master.

The middle price segment includes airbrushes with good quality. Therefore, it is better to stop at them. As you can see, choosing is not an easy matter, and we hope that our recommendations will help make the right choice, especially for novice modelers.