The Ultimate Beginner Airbrush Tip | River Road - Vlog #97

Would you like to improve your Airbrush skills practically overnight? This interim episode demonstrates how to master the Airbrush with one simple practice grid. If you practice this exercise once a week you will increase your skills rapidly. I still use it! Almost every element you see on River Road is touched by the Airbrush,
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DISCLAIMER: I pay for all the products and materials I use in this video content, unless otherwise stated. I do not receive any affiliate sponsorship, fees, funds, support, or gifts from company products, and/or any other companies, (unless stated otherwise). I only endorse products for the benefit of the community and my own personal use.

[@mikemccrea6183]

Thanks!

[@boomerdiorama]

You are awesome! Thank you! Cheers ~ Boomer

[@mikeflack555]

A true master gives all their skills freely.

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)

[@michaelimpey1407]

Boomer, great tips on practicing with an airbrush. When I first got mine (years ago), I went to a local artist who ran classes, mainly for military modellers, but that grid is exactly how he taught us to paint, and to practice on paper, I still have some paper out, to make sure the paint is working and flowing, and the colour is what I expect. Thank you for sharing, cheers, and stay safe, Michael

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!

[@1BCamden]

Boomer !! Love it, best tutorial on airbrushing skill I’ve seen in a while

[@boomerdiorama]

Thank you!😁

[@KenN.OXN.805]

Thanks for revealing more tricks and tips. I had to view a couple times. Something that surprises me. When you paint within the boxes with rapid changes in direction, you are able to stop paint delivery at each end that quickly? Just muscle memory? Outstanding! Got to get out my almost never used, 30 year old airbrush and start practicing. Just hope the old compressor and tank work...

[@boomerdiorama]

Yes. You can minimize the paint build up at each end, when in close, if you keep moving. Make sure you thin the paint down lot's!

[@usssaratogacv3lefevre978]

Good lesson!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks! 😃

[@luke_atthat]

Great tip ! Thank you

[@boomerdiorama]

No problem!

[@Panzermeister36]

Great idea! I remember using similar grids in art class to practice shading and textures with pencils etc.

[@boomerdiorama]

Same fundamental. An airbrush, in theory, is a "dynamic" colorized pencil. ;-)

[@harystone]

Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

😁You are welcome!

[@RB55able]

Great lesson. The deck looks amazing btw!

[@boomerdiorama]

Thanks Ralph😁

[@edwardconway5955]

Thanks! Good concept that I will try.

[@boomerdiorama]

I learn more practicing on paper. It's a great warm exercise as well for when you move onto your prized model. ;-)

[@carljohanrydell5799]

Perfect timing for me. I just got my first airbrush and compressor 😊.

[@boomerdiorama]

Perfect!

[@ericp6612]

I was just watching your airbrush painting 101 last night and then this shows up today! Started painting my m scale track with the airbrush on thin tamiya paints using your techniques and I really like how it is turning out!

[@boomerdiorama]

That is awesome!

[@LeeK-31]

Thank you Dr. Boomer! Very informative. I still need to break out the entry level Iwata I got for Christmas…

[@boomerdiorama]

You can do it!

[@frankhellman6879]

Excellent instruction. I have to get back to the airbrush. I've spent the last week & 1/2 building benchwork as time permitted. Just got it leveled. Most of my limited airbrushing time has been coats from 6-8 inches. Now I can begin practicing close work.

[@boomerdiorama]

Great to hear!

[@schadowolf]

Boomer, I have enjoyed every one of your videos and learned so much from them. I have a ton of notes/links to go back to, but I must say this might be my favorite! An absolutely brilliant tutorial on airbrushing. Was so excited, fired up my new compressor and airbrush to practice (thanks to your recommendations). I'm no expert for sure, but your video helped me immensely, thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

No one has to be an expert at the airbrush. Just practice when you can and enjoy the experience.😁

[@donsunden5906]

I just got a airbrush thanks for the training exercise ill do it

[@boomerdiorama]

Have fun! I learn more practicing on paper than I do on a model!

[@vincenthuying98]

Cool 😎 vid Boomer, definitely gonna up my airbrush practice with this exercise!

[@boomerdiorama]

Have fun!

[@vincenthuying98]

@@boomerdiorama i will, I will!!

[@allenlandis4504]

thank`s four the tips. Makes me want to get a air brush.

[@boomerdiorama]

You should!

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Good show as we airbrush

[@boomerdiorama]

Sounds great!

[@chabsyt4367]

Thank you for another great video! Please allow me to share one quick tip with those that are just starting out. Something that helped me a lot with needle tip drying: when you want to stop the flow of paint you don't want to completely release the trigger and stop the flow of air as well. Just push the trigger forward but don't let go of it. If you stop the flow of air all too often then paint will soon build up on the top of the needle and you'll have to clean it multiple times during your paint session. I appreciate that keeping the air flowing may be a bit too fiddly at first and something that you will have to consciously pay attention to but with time and practice it will come from muscle memory. Tip drying may not be too big an issue with thin paint but I just thought I might share this quick tip in case it helps some. :)

[@boomerdiorama]

Good point. I keep air flowing when in close. Thanks for sharing. ;-)

[@PeterTillman3]

Great exercise- thanks Boomer

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure!

[@dave160377]

First off, Huge Appreciation for all the amazing content you are putting online! Secondly a question, I am attempting to weather my n scale track and I am having issues with the paint adhering to the track sides. I am using acrylics that are from tubes and thinned with water, IPA causes issues with this paint. The track has been wiped with IPA so there should be no residue on the track. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what is causing this issue. Again, I really appreciate your work, it has gotten me back into the hobby.

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheap tube acrylic paint won't adhere to metals well - if at all. You need to use Tamiya through an airbrush, or by hand (traditional paint brush) with Vallejo acrylics.

[@carljohanrydell5799]

Tack!

[@boomerdiorama]

Super! You are awesome! Thank You ~ Boomer.

[@boomerdiorama]

Check out this review of my Compressor and Airbrush - (# Hashtag - No Sponsor) - aircompressorsusa.com/makita-mac-700-review/ Airbrush - (# Hashtag - No Sponsor) - usaairbrushsupply.com/products/omni-5000-gravity-feed-airbrush

[@tohso31]

Yet another inspiring video...thanks for motivating me to do more with my airbrush! Based on your previous posts, I assume you're using Tamiya paint with IPA but what pressure are you painting at? Does tip size factor into the result? Thanks again for your awesome videos.

[@boomerdiorama]

Tamiya Paint with IPA. 40 PSI. Standard tip size. It's the added pressure and thin paint which transforms the airbrush.

[@tohso31]

@@boomerdiorama Thank you, sir!

[@kents.2866]

I have a single action Badger 200, guess I should add a double action. What do people think of Iwatas?

[@boomerdiorama]

Personally I am not an Iwata fan. Just had bad luck with them and I find that they are over engineered. I just bought another dual action airbrush from Paasche (Made in U.S.A.). It's the TG Talon Gravity Feed. I used it yesterday and it works excellent. 😁

[@randysrockandrollrailroad8207]

😊

[@boomerdiorama]

Cheers Randy!

[@jstockton303]

Great hints, I need to start doing this on a routine basis. Do you need a dual mode airbrush, I only have a single action airbrush, do I need to upgrade?

[@boomerdiorama]

;-)

[@boomerdiorama]

A single action will work except you can't clear the tip and control paint on the fly. The air pressure is the same on both models when regulated from the compressor.

[@luisaraujo4708]

Beginner question; what’s this IPA you mix with the paint? Thank you.

[@boomerdiorama]

Isopropyl Alcohol: 50-99% will work fine.

[@8.6BLK338LM]

Great Great Video . . . Thanks Boomer

[@boomerdiorama]

No problem. ;-)

[@spankyfuentes3502]

Do you have a Pateron page that I may donate? Best regards Spanky

[@boomerdiorama]

On the KZbin platform below the video look for "Thanks" - you can donate there. Thank you!😁

[@bnrailfannz8262]

I'm not going to be able to paint alot with 7 psi am I? :-/

[@boomerdiorama]

Tough to do I'm afraid.

[@garymartz7587]

Thanks' Boomer!!

[@boomerdiorama]

My pleasure.😁

[@dougkathydavies3024]

So, I guess my 30-year-old Badger 200 isn't going to get me very far, eh?

[@boomerdiorama]

Check out this review of my Compressor and Airbrush - (# Hashtag - No Sponsor) - aircompressorsusa.com/makita-mac-700-review/ Airbrush - (# Hashtag - No Sponsor) - usaairbrushsupply.com/products/omni-5000-gravity-feed-airbrush

[@railfan1956]

Boomer, did I remember in one of your tutorials that 30 psi is good for airbrushing?

[@boomerdiorama]

I use 30 PSI all the time. Rarely less. Of course you can only use higher PSI if you have the compressor like a small contractor with tank. Higher PSI allows you to get in close with minimal "trigger" for small amount of paint.😁

[@railfan1956]

@@boomerdiorama I have one of those small compressors from Walmart. I want you to know that I feel stupid. I have had an airbrush for 20 years sitting on the shelf. I thought it would be hard to learn and so i just did not. I practiced for about 10 to 15 minutes and then airbrushed some trees and sisal rope plants I made. Piece of cake. What was I thinking all this time?

[@boomerdiorama]

@@railfan1956 You just described what holds back most people with an airbrush - "Passive Fear." Nothing to be afraid of really. Just make sure you start out with thin paint. If it's too thin add more paint. Simple really.

[@railfan1956]

@@boomerdiorama I followed your lead in thinning out the paint and it worked well. Thanks. I need to practice starting the air before adding the paint. I am painting like the trigger is that of a rattle can.

[@boomerdiorama]

@@railfan1956 Press down for full air always and then pull back on the trigger for paint. The trigger doesn't control air pressure, only paint volume.

[@buster349100]

Thank you!

[@boomerdiorama]

You're welcome!