The FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT airbrush skill you should learn.

This video will go over the MOST important airbrush skill you need to learn to have less troubles during your airbrushing journey! If you have been airbrushing for a little while you may find a tip in here that is helpful, if you are just getting ready to start START HERE!
If you are airbrushing art, airbrushing models, or gunpla this video is for you!
The Airspace is dedicated to all things atomized! Teaching airbrushing for beginners as well as more advanced artists along with airbrush reviews tips and tricks!
My amazon storefront!
www.amazon.com/shop/theairspace
Try Amazon Prime FREE Trial!
amzn.to/3sv16rB
This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate and a member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small compensation from qualifying purchases. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Find me on facebook!
/ theairspacestudio
See me on Insta!
/ theairspacestudio

[@mattsallows5896]

ill admit im a dry tip villian but as a newbie im trying. for this it deserves a sub.

[@mikemcelveen2973]

Well,im a beginner so i subscribed. I dont want to start off with bad habits thinking I'm doing it the right way. 👍✊️

[@TheAIRspace]

if you click playlists I have a few videos devoted to starting out. Thanks!

[@oliversmith1981]

noice. im trying to learn to airbrush! i hate developing bad habbits before i even start, i prefer to learn the good ones from the beginning.

[@visualserge]

Thank you, I learned from it

[@danacarey4918]

Thanks for your informative videos.

[@blackcatpaintsandtwists]

This was what I was doing wrong. Thank you for sharing

[@stevestammet1616]

My new kit comes tomorrow, am so excited! Watching vids first bc I've never airbrushed before. I do acrylic pour painting and want to integrate some airbrush techniques. I subbed bc your vid is juicy! Great tip! I will have to diligently be aware of this technique as I teach myself. Thank you, Sir! Looking forward to watching and learning more from you!

[@bjs001001]

Great info!

[@pittbull123xxxx]

Thanks for explaining these tips in detail.

[@TheAIRspace]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-ud5xw8ox8g]

Nube to airbrush but I can tell this was a valuable tip indeed. Thanks for posting.

[@marshallartistry]

Always on point Bill! Thanks

[@TheAIRspace]

My pleasure!!

[@sandrabeckers6302]

Thank you for the beginner tutorials! I really need this! I’m just starting out

[@TheAIRspace]

Thank you! Im incredibly busy but hoping to get more of this playlist updated soon. I do have some beginner stuff buried in old videos, but i learned a little about making better videos since then. I hope I tend to ramble less now as well :)

[@brad5316]

This is a great video for beginners (myself included) if they had simply watched your video series it would correct one of the reasons why they are ready to give up on their airbrushing abilities!! I'm ready for you to lead me back into battle with my mysterious airbrush! Thank you!

[@WHITERAVENandWitchsLair]

Great tips! You got a new sub!

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks for the sub!

[@iqbasilbasil4689]

keep up good work

[@Lets_Fish_It]

huge info!!!! HUGE

[@TheAIRspace]

i have done a little in person instruction, as well as been around hundreds of artists at events. And by far poor form in air control has been the biggest hindrance I have seen in people who repeatedly have trouble with an airbrush. Thanks I really hope people take this to heart. I got pulled away but im about to start this morning on control videos with my own twist.. trying to keep these videos short and easy to digest :) Thanks!

[@brianpayne4312]

just started learning to airbrush and this is me 100%. even though i know i shouldn't, i feel that nervousness and let go in both directions every time. i'll watch this vid before every painting session until i get it. thanks!!

[@TheAIRspace]

As long as you may a decision to correct it, and spend a little time on it it will become second nature pretty quickly. Best adventures on this journey!

[@The88katana600]

great tips

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks!

[@bravensbull4405]

Always great info Bill! Between your teachings and a few others, my learning curve has been nearly frustration free due to learning good techniques from the start so thank you for all your help so far! One thing I have noticed a lot of since starting to do some lures the last few months is an awful lot of excellent lure artists on here absolutely do not practice correct dual action. I mean like full on air and paint just letting go, slamming the trigger back to off. Always gets me rattled watching and listening to that chaos.

[@TheAIRspace]

generally it takes little "art" technique to basecoat and use craw stencils and so on. And that's not to belittle the actual skill in that type of painting. I know a lot of artists who could not manage a good scale model, and I certainly know very little about lures. Learning to blend and shade with an airbrush is one of the easier skills to master. I have definitely seen a lot of really bad airbrush advice from people who use an airbrush to do other things. Unfortunately some may never realize it could reduce issues they have. On that note however, my next video, is going to show a way to gain control over an airbrush with an unorthodox method, while gaining other skills in the process of gaining control. Gonna be a good two for one tip in there. The next few videos are all going to be primer videos. But I believe I have come up with some much better ways that I wish someone had shown me when I started :)

[@bravensbull4405]

@@TheAIRspace Looking forward to all your upcoming stuff and appreciate the quick reply!

[@TheAIRspace]

@@bravensbull4405your welcome! I try to get to coments.. i check them about twice a day usually :)

[@3Y3ECE]

Just got the final component to my airbrushing foray, the airbrush. I have a husky compressor from a job site that is way too much compressor, but dials down to 5 psi and up to 180 or somesuch nonsense I will never use it on... But, this video is one of those 'trick of the trades' videos, and I like how you presented it. I subbed. I liked. I commented. Looking forward to shredding up your videos, and figuring out this airbrushing for my nerdy little hobbies. Thanks bruh.

[@TheAIRspace]

Best to you on your new journey! Thanks!

[@coolkids2064]

Air always on..nails long..🤘🏽👍🏽👊🏽thanks for this great tip...something I'd didn't know before you tube and all social media. Nice 👍🏽

[@TheAIRspace]

air ALWAYS ON! and hold through is a good habit to get into :)

[@coolkids2064]

@@TheAIRspace bruh spams / scams on the comments below..

[@coolkids2064]

Just reported them...maybe they will quit showing...don't even make sense in spanish

[@TheAIRspace]

@@coolkids2064 yeah unfortunately those come much more frequent of late ;/

[@karlbecker8775]

Spitting truth, as always. Great video, Bill!

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks Karl! Its jumped out with a fair amount of views quickly and i can only HOPE people will take it to heart. I couldn't possibly stress how good double actioning can make soooo many issues less! If I can HOPEFULLY catch a lot of people early enough in their journey they wont have to go through near as much pain as I did :)

[@chubbyjaydraws]

Definitely the first thing I learned a few months ago when I started…now if I could only do a dagger stroke,I hear those are a big deal too 😳 Mike and the Skull Squad sent me 👍🏻

[@TheAIRspace]

The dagger stroke takes work, start slow as a dot build the dot up then draw move away with the taper.. it will naturally progress. The thin to thick E's are a bit less frustrating while building skills. Thanks for coming! Mikes a good guy :)

[@RobertChambers1522]

That one you did at 2:18 where it's a few solid blotches, is there a way to do that on purpose? Like if I wanted to make freckles or some kind of texture?

[@TheAIRspace]

yes and i do textures like that a lot. just pull back with no air.. let paint build up put back to no paint and push down. Its a bit uncontrolled.. so you eiher need masking or shields to protect areas.. possibly. Or i often just put my other hand over things.

[@RobertChambers1522]

@@TheAIRspace I'll give it a try.

[@markbarton4344]

Good tip sir, a lot of us need more practice! And time.

[@TheAIRspace]

The right kind of practice.. and thats about to be the next topic.

[@SthrnShutterbug]

Thanks for the content geared toward us newbies! I do have a request? I purchased a Neo TRN1, and almost Every video i watch on KZbin, especially tutorial type videos, utilize a traditional airbrush with the trigger on top. Now, its easy to apply the lessons to the TRN1 Trigger, so thats not a problem, but it is making me start to wonder if there is something bad about the trigger type of the TRN1 and if i made a mistake with my choice ... can you address that maybe at some point?

[@TheAIRspace]

Well that topic is s ure to bring up a few people who get their feelings hurt. :) But to break down the downsides of airbrushes like the TRN. While also recognizing they have some advantages. A traditional brush will naturally have your "pointer" finger in the direction of where you want to aim. The extension of your hand is closer to the point of the brush, The mobility of a traditional brush is better due to hand positioning. And lastly selection. A traiditonal airbrush opens up a HUGE path of different airbrushes. From high end / mid range and cheap brushes. you can find every nozzle size you can imagine. And all of the detail airbrushes are ONLY made in a traditional double action style.

[@SthrnShutterbug]

@@TheAIRspace all very good points, and ones i will keep in mind as i decide whether to change up... if im going to change id like to do it before i get used to this style, so its not a whole relearning process.. i wonder if there is any resale value to the TRN.. id hate to have completely wasted that money if i do change ... i dont suppose you'd have a recommendation on a brush for a beginner, .. i dont want to spend a lot, but dont want trash either.. $150 range? maybe? focus would be motorcycle and helmet design.

[@TheAIRspace]

this is the video you need to see then :)

[@zbow1974]

or just use a single stage gun?

[@bobwilliams6752]

How much difference does it make if you have the cap on the end of the airbrush or not.

[@TheAIRspace]

Depending on the brush and your goals a lot or a little. Very little for wide coverage. But when getting in close being able to see the tip of the needle and getting in very tight is a lot of difference. Since ill often switch up from far and close I just keep them off all the time. However im very confident i wont hit the needle... It happens still but not often. Most experienced guys will keep them off.

[@jimbrumm6197]

hey there Bill how you doing?? missed your downloads. Hope your doing okay.

[@TheAIRspace]

doing ok buddy.. just once again trying to get back on track with this youtube thing.. just droppped a video today :)

[@user-is4uk5ef4m]

Hello my name is Susan. I am new to airbrushing and and wanted to know what to start with when you haven't done or version before it was given to me as a gift

[@TheAIRspace]

Dots lines and just doodling until you get a hang of it. Just pick it up thin some paint down and go after it on some paper towels and have fun at first :)

[@richiek6379]

Thank you my brother. I just started to look for videos like yours. I'll take in all the advice I can find before I buy a compressor and brush. What would you recommend for a beginner like me? On a limited budget. Badger Patriot 105 would be my limit for a brush. I do think a compressor with a tank is the way to go. love the work you do.

[@TheAIRspace]

If you dig around I go over multiple types of brushes in older videos. And one of my most popular videos ever, is about compressors. However i would before I make a recommendation, want to know what kind of airbrushing you plan on doing.

[@richiek6379]

@@TheAIRspace Thanks for the fast reply. I will search your video inventory of course. Well back in the day I was a frustrated artist. Used my limited talents on engineering and technical type work. Built a few bikes and cars. I retired and built a couple of barns and had an indoor arena built for my wife and daughter. There went my $ for bikes and cars. anyway I have a back problem and made the mistake of having surgery. Needless to say it went wrong with bad aftercare. So now it's tough to get around so I started to delve back into art. Took some classes and liked the wet on wet with oils. Then tried acrylics. It was fun. Then I went back to my old favorite Model car kits. That's the main reason I wanted to get into air brushing. Looking around on KZbin I found you and many others. You opened my eyes to the usefulness and practicality of using an air brush for it all. With all that said, I want to focus on models first then play with canvas. So your recommendations would be appreciated. Sorry for rambling on. Love your work! Richie

[@TheAIRspace]

@@richiek6379 Best to ya I know ALL about back and spine issues.. c5-7 t1&2 and L3 i believe it is are my troubled ones ;

[@richiek6379]

@@TheAIRspace Yeah you know about pain Bill, I believe that. I had a Laminectomy of all the L's, spelled wrong I'm sure. Lost all feeling in my right leg and foot, left foot and leg are bad so I'm walking with a cane. Can't drive which really sucks. But you still didn't give me some recommendations brother. Please give me your thoughts.

[@kokomon5]

For what it's worth, I have the same back issues, was looking for something I could do, I started painting fishing lures, as far as compressors, I got the one gallon harbor freight Ultra Quiet , love it, super quiet, great reviews on you tube, got it on sale for 129.00

[@kokomon5]

I think I stumbled onto something, after polishing needle, I put 303 graphene auto wax on needle, it almost completely stopped dry tip, I tried ceramic wax first, it worked, but not as well, I use mostly createx acrylics, water based, the 303 is very hydrophobic,so paint doesn't stick, try it ,see what you think, if you like it, do a vid,and get this tip out there

[@TheAIRspace]

a lot of people have expirimented with coatings. And There is even a special coated needle available for microns. Honestly with good trigger control (which is necessary regardless) Tip dry is very minimal if I use good technique with my paint. You do have to be careful with any waxes which could contaminate even minutely paint you intend to clear. It is a possibility it could cause a small fisheye. Cannot say how much a microscopic coating would leave. A polished needle can help as well. Although many are suprised I do not polish all my needles. I plan on doing a few basic vidoes this week, then move to some intermediate to advanced techniques. And should be updating things very regularly. I will take a look at the wax and give it a whirl but it might take a while. I am still dealing with my grandbaby about to get her bone marrow transplant, and we had a house remodel happen, so i have been pretty hit and miss a while. I cant promise I wont get erratic on uploads again, but I should mostly be on point for a while :)

[@kokomon5]

@@TheAIRspace give it a try, but main thing is taking care of your family, good luck, God bless

[@TheAIRspace]

@@kokomon5 it certainly cant hurt :)

[@markoharoldoronearmedpoohb7816]

I also polish my needle, it helps to, less surface area on the needle, the less paint will stick, getting in the habit of air on after paint, is not easy!

[@TheAIRspace]

well polishing a needle is another subject altogether (one I have also covered) Air on, its the simplest thing, yet its actually something many struggle with. And if that foundations not solid everything behind it will struggle along unfortunately. Thanks!

[@jamiehall246]

what are the exercises???!!!! Thats the most important part..

[@RJ-rs6rf]

Gorithm🤙🏼

[@TheAIRspace]

Thanks!

[@terrycee8357]

I don't get WHAT S THE SOLUTION?

[@johncater7861]

I surmise that when you've stopped spraying paint, you immediately press on air to clear the needle. And you keep doing that: on with air/paint, then off with paint but keep the air going.

[@shafiekasaid1047]

What paint to use?

[@johncater7861]

@@shafiekasaid1047 it depends upon what you are painting and the effects you want. Just remember that the airbrush can very easily become clogged and so the paint+thinner must be quite runny.

[@Gynra]

Genuine question: why not use a single action airbrush?

[@TheAIRspace]

A double action airbrush affords a much greater degree of control over volume of paint.

[@chuckhepler4157]

A single action airbrush is the same as using a rattle can. No control on amount of paint flowing

[@Gynra]

@@chuckhepler4157 Thank you, Chuck. I thought the amount of paint flow is determined by how much one pulls back on the trigger, hence my question. I imagine a double action brush gives one control over the airflow for finer work, but I'm somewhat of a newbie. I'm scared of my airbrush.

[@chuckhepler4157]

@@Gynra It’s intimidating at first. Do the exercises like he shows where you get air first, then paint. When I started out any time I was even close to the surface, I had air on, then moved the trigger back and forth to regulate pant flow. If you stop the air and paint at the same time you get paint build up as he shows, then it spits when you start up and also get tip dry. I’d suggest making sure your paint is rather thin to start. IMO you are better off having the paint too thin rather than too thick. Use reducer, not water if you are doing hard surfaces like metal or plastic. Reduces tip dry and spider webbing. There are also flow improvers like Createx 4050 UVLS that really improve paint performance. The basic Createx colors are thick (think gravy) and more difficult to shoot compared to their Wicked line or illustration colors Get some old plastic to practice on. Plastic spoons and milk jugs are a good place to start.

[@Gynra]

@@chuckhepler4157 Thank you Chuck, that is very helpful advice. I just happen to have 500 plastic spoons lying around. I recently bought the 2024 H&S Ultra airgun, which has a handy dial to control how far back one can pull the trigger. I'm determined to get at least competent this time around.

[@imagereader_9]

Lemme see if I got this stroke cycle straight.... air-on.... paint on ... paint off.... air off air-on.... paint on ... paint off.... air off air-on.... paint on ... paint off.... air off etc etc

[@TheAIRspace]

except it might be more like air-on paint on paint off paint on paint off paint on paint off air-off But essentially yes :)

[@imagereader_9]

@@TheAIRspace reminds me of Karate Kid where Miyagi tells the kid "Miyagi say wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off.... " 😀 I think I got it 'figgered out'. No matter how many paint passes you make, the exit strategy is to bring the paint back to the 'start' position THEN release the air to halt altogether. DON'T just release the button with both air and paint flow 'active'

[@cbaesemanai]

#1 skill, cleaning your airbrush