Why my FAVORITE AIRBRUSH REDUCER is free...sort of

[@Iskelderon]

Thank you for going into the technical details so people can actually undersstand why those ingredients do what they do.

[@ste022]

Great information here. As a modeller I found the paint to be too fragile when thinned with water, I mainly work with Vallejo acrylics and use a homemade reducer which I personally find to be better than the manufacturers. My recipe is as follows: 30% IPA, 70% water, 5% Galleria flow improver and 5% Galleria Fluid retarder (I know that makes 110%), the IPA doesn't hurt the paint if it's diluted. As a side note for UK painters Distilled water isn't easy to find here but if you go to any store that sells car accessories you'll find de-ionised water for sale in 5l bottles.

[@theartworkshop]

useful info- Thank you for sharing!

[@Bunyip_Studios]

Steven, I get my Distilled water, IPA, Meths etc from APC Pure, they have a set shipping charge so I usually wait and order everything at once 👍

[@Happy-le4qk]

😮o

[@gazsto]

Similar ratio to what I use and had no problems, also just used distilled water with great results, so depends on application and I paint metals with the above formula 2-1 ratio (water/IPA) @ 200ml and 10ml flow improver and 1ml retarder and for use on wood, paper etc with just distilled water mix is perfect.

[@Shadowdncer]

There's a huge difference between a plastic substrate and paper/canvas/whatever. The latter will always transport liquid out the back and guarantee that the paint dries all the way through. Now I don't know the mechanism, but I would not rule out that on an impermeable substrate, you can end up with the tiniest bit of water trapped behind or inside the paint breaking up the mesh or keeping it from sticking in tiny spots; adding alcohol to the mix would make it a lot easier to flash off before the paint polymerises.

[@insidemyshop]

As a beginner learning airbrush techniques I fond your video very helpful. The cost of paint is one thing but when I started spending money on reducer I began to wonder if I wanted to continue using a airbrush and go back to regular brushes for my hobbies. Distilled water seems to work well for me. Thanks!

[@alexfaktor136]

Excellent advice here and great explanation on how acrylic paints work. I agree with you completely about the 401X reducer. Even with ample ventilation that stuff stinks and makes my eyes burn. Better to use distilled water and not mess with any harsh chemicals. Nice recommendation on the RODI system. If I were buying a filtration system today that would be the one I would probably choose. I've watched your other landscape painting videos dozens of times. I'm super excited to see your next one!

[@theartworkshop]

Yeah I agree, that reducer is rough. I still use it to clean my airbrushes though. Next week's video is going to be the first real landscape lesson for this channel. That other one was kind of like an intro/stater one. Glad it was helpful though!!

[@Mehmet02mg]

Kafamda lambalar patladı resmen bu bilgi hayat kurtarıcı bir bilgi teşekkürler.

[@AlerrandroVegas]

Thanks!! i have both createx airbrush colors and wicked colors, with only destiled water works very well with both, i made another test with destiled water and a drop of glycerin and help a lot with tip dry.

[@rogeliozarate8837]

Thank you this helps a lot on how I should thin my paints. I kept wondering why my white paint kept clogging and because of this video i know why. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@theartworkshop]

glad it was helpful! White is always the most difficult color to spray.

[@TonyMount-sq3hi]

Yh all good getting better and better thanx to the likes of yourself Ok understood I think then before I was adding too much distilled water I’ll do the mix you do thanx for reply and look forward to your KZbin as always stay safe my friend 🙏🏼

[@AirArtStudiosOfficial]

Agreed, been using water for a few years.

[@swdw973]

Thanks for the info. BTW, you do amazing work!

[@josephorozco7628]

Great video. I had my doubts with using distilled water as I'm a huge fan of the now discontinued 4012 reducer. Well, you are right. It works great for art work!! Thanks for all the videos and great information.

[@duanemarshall9486]

Great video! I also found just regular distilled water works best for the illustration line. I also use allot of the wicked line ( tanks and helmets ) and mix my own cleaner reducer for them. For cleaning I use a 25% 75% mix of fantastic/ distilled water and for reducing I use my cleaning mix in a 1 litter bottle and add 3/4 cup of 91% alcohol and 5 drops vegetable glycerin. However, In the hot dry summer months I tend to just use my cleaner mix with a little glycerin to help combat tip dry.

[@theartworkshop]

fantastic! You've got those mixtures down perfectly. The glycerin trick works pretty well during the hot months, I agree. I love the wicked line as well. It's a great permanent paint.

[@duanemarshall9486]

@@theartworkshop BTW I'm definitely not only enjoying your painting tutorials but learning a completely different style (when time allows). I just started using the illustration line and painting more hang on the wall art about a year or so ago and find your teaching style excellent.

[@theartworkshop]

@@duanemarshall9486 love to hear it. Thanks man!

[@madarairgen9181]

Great info ..thank you so much

[@Waterratt4344]

Great video! I will say that while your video focuses on Createx paint, as a model maker, I do use Tamiya Acrylic paints which does require you to use an alcohol to thin the jarred paint, but this type of paint is an exception.

[@theartworkshop]

very interesting! thanks for sharing this. I've never used tamiya acrylics, but heard good things about it.

[@joshdeards5001]

Fantastic knowledge share!! This helped a lot. Thank you very much.

[@johncollado1151]

All the years that I have been painting I've just used tap water from my well. I've never really noticed any difference in my paintings, but will consider changing over to distilled water after seeing your review. I do use denatured alcohol to clean my brushes between colors and when finished. What do you use? I use Golden acrylic paints and other watercolor paints. I've never sealed any of my paintings as you have mentioned here, probably something to consider in the future. Though I frame most all of my originals under glass. Thanks for another informative video.

[@mikedegrazia]

Awesome video, thanks for your thorough review...

[@johnsteidl293]

Fun and useful! Now that you've invested in RO DI filtration, you're all set to start tropical fish as a parallel hobby! (Watching an aquarium is very therapeutic - in the same realm as painting.)

[@theartworkshop]

haha 100% agree! I used to have a reef tank with corals and a few fish. Seeing corals grow and watching the fish was beyond therapeutic. I loved it so much.

[@jon-from-tx]

If you're looking for a quicker drying vehicle, you can use lower percentage isopropyl alcohol (like 70%) and it won't have the same clumping properties that higher concentrations have.

[@mwebb-01]

I have found Growing weed uses the same tools for art.. lol. I have the same RO filters. Ive also used my 6 in fan system from my tent. Good video well thought out and very easy for a noob to understand.

[@jasonjaffray4025]

AWSOME BROTHER!!! This was the Highlight of my week, you share so freely your Mastery... You deserve the best I hope you are VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY... I AM WISHING YOU LONG LIFE AND HEALTH.... PLEASE KEEP POSTING... Greetings from Port Elizabeth South Africa!!!

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks so much man. Very nice of you! I wish you all the best.

[@db6035]

Thanks:) worked like a charm!

[@w.rustylane5650]

I just watched another video about thinning acrylic paint and the guy looked up the MSDS sheets on the chemicals in commercial paint thinner and it contained harsh chemicals. All the thinner needs to do is reduce the surface tension on the surface and he does this by putting in some dish washing final rinse (Rinse Clean), about 8 drops/qt of distilled water with about 7 drops of organic glycerin. The Rinse Clean is a surface de-tensioner which allows the paint to form bonds. We have a water distiller and make our own distilled water. Cheers from eastern TN

[@theartworkshop]

nothing better than your own water distiller!! I need one! Thanks for the suggestions and I 100% agree with the surface tension.

[@jamesg2382]

Thank you, very well explained. Much appreciated

[@thecomedian5933]

I mainly paint models and I use alcohol all the time, but only a couple drops just to dry the paint faster. I also did some tests and found that flatter paints (like Molotow) doesnt have any issues with alcohol, while more semi gloss/gloss paints tend to clump up. Not sure why this is, but thats what I have found.

[@UK-English-Lifestyle]

Thanks. Very useful for beginners like me

[@TimothyJohnLukeSmithPSA]

I love this video. You are speaking the truth and that is so admirable!

[@theartworkshop]

thank you!

[@armanrezaei5518]

That’s amazing 🤩

[@GogebicYooper]

Nicely done. Thank you.

[@gregzeszotarski9927]

I totally agree with you, I have found that distilled water is the best reducer for Createx water based paint. I have tried the Createx reducer and homemade reducer and went back to distilled water. All these reducers have a tendency to dry the paint in the paint cup and on the needle making cleanup difficult. I also have been using a coat of thinned Liquitex or Golden gloss acrylic gel sprayed on the canvas as a sealer with a top coat of Solavar varnish. Thus, if the artwork ever requires a deep cleaning,the varnish can be removed with a solvent without harming the painting protected by the acrylic sealer.

[@theartworkshop]

100% agree with everything you said. I too like to add a removable solvent based varnish after the clear coat or permanent varnish.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

I have seen a 70/30 of water alcohol a few drops of glycerin and Windex or windshield cleaner the person I seen it from says it's good to use, idk but I thought just using distilled water wouldn't allow paint to stick, the varnish gloss idea works well, and so does minwax polycyclic added but only seen it on paint pours. I was hoping to find a good varnish that doesn't stick after it cures. Thanks for the video

[@robmartin5414]

The only thing with this demonstration is that you didn’t have a test spray with over reduced 4011 and then do the erase test and atomization comparison would have a more equal testing. Very informative video

[@theartworkshop]

I should've included that too. I find that over reduced with 4011/4012 dries way too fast for me.

[@franciscojesuscortes]

Thank you for your video. For a Createx paint bottle that seems to be old and its paint seems to be a little bit dry, would you add distiled water till achieve again the optimun liquid paint? or better to forget that paint bottle suposing that the acrylic polimers are together and no good way to get them separate again?

[@mitya_ka]

I absolutely agree with you. I do the same. I can also tell you how to get airbrush paint 10 times cheaper. You buy regular acrylic paint for painting. You mix it with distilled water and propylene glycol (retarder) to the right consistency and that's it! Also if you need transparency or high adhesion add a varnish or liquid acrylic polymer.

[@theartworkshop]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@FilmFactry]

Is propylene glycol the same as Glycerin?

[@mitya_ka]

@@FilmFactry You can replace it, but it's a little different

[@jasonjaffray4025]

@@FilmFactry no it's the synthetic version used by ecigarette smokers... I use it as a slow dry for acrylic. Brush painting

[@mitya_ka]

@@jasonjaffray4025 That's right.

[@francescotufoairbrushstudi2085]

thanks for this video my friend.

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks man!

[@erichehir9672]

That so so helpful, I’m a beginner and , I just got schooled👍🏻💯

[@musoseven8218]

Really interesting video - thank you✌️👍😊💜 We have both RO water (with some minerals added but no TDS reading) and demineralised water here - I've found that tap water doesn't mix well with acrylics, I have a TDS meter too, but hadn't gotten around to testing the water (although I suspected that TDS were a factor). I'm trying to reduce chemical exposure - it's one of the reasons why I switched to WB acrylics as I'd become intolerant to solvents after health issues and years of working with them. I've used our RO water with a tiny spot of washing up liquid as a wash or base coat, bristle brush painted on to plastic models and it worked well. I wonder if airbrushing it would work as well as bristle brush painting 🤔 Please excuse my ignorance, what is the eraser (pencil?) that you are using (or can a piece of wood be used) please? Thanks👍🤞✌️😊💜

[@markwakeley3835]

A lot of very good information. I've read a lot about homemade reducers consisting of 2 parts distilled water, 1 part isopropyl alcohol and a few drops (1 drop per 50ml) of glycerin as a flow enhancer. A lot of modelers swear by it but it seems to me that the glycerin is used to counteract the faster drying effect of the alcohol. Have you ever used a flow enhancer/reducer?

[@markwakeley3835]

Should have read the other comments first. LOL

[@mil3k]

Fun fact, glycerin is an alkohol as well. :)

[@usernamedkjahstill5003]

He sounds like Michael Rapaport possessed by the spirit of Bob Ross! And I am absolutely here for it! Thumbs up and Subscribed!

[@theartworkshop]

hahahahh..... oh man that's mean, but made me burst of laughing. One of the funniest comments i've gotten. But thank you and welcome!

[@the250mikec]

You're AWESOME!!!!!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@SUMOCAT86]

I use Holbein Acrylic Ink which is reduced with distilled water. Very simple and easy, no smell or harmful solvents. I think Holbein has the best colors and no quality issues.

[@urbannpa]

I do Pen and Ink art and used a Fixative when the work is completed...will this work for airbrush art?

[@HPCthulhu2011]

I'm not sure why Liquitex made the Acrylic Ink because it dries permanent and you need Isopropyl Alcohol instead of water to clean it off of brushes. The thing though is now Liquitex has a new product which isn't the pouring paint but it is called "Fluid" acrylic paint which is water soluble and it is perfect for airbrushing. It won't clog the airbrush.

[@RyanJobbagyFineArt]

Awesome video! I’ve tried both the 4011 and distilled water with the Createx illustration colours and haven’t noticed too much of a difference when it comes to erasing. Probably because I have a tendency to over reduce. You have explained the science behind it all very nicely, as usual. Very much appreciated. Would you recommend using a mixture of both for those looking for a slightly faster drying time?

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks man. Nothing wrong with over reducing. It gives you a weaker paint, but I do it all the time. Yes, mixing reducer and distilled water works great! Like you said, it'll help the paint dry much faster. I used to do this too, but then realized that pure distilled water works better for me.

[@RyanJobbagyFineArt]

Awesome! Can’t wait for the next landscape video!

[@hedsy]

I'm new to airbrush painting and I'm cheap. I used a $2.00 ultisurface Decoart craft paint that I got from Micheals arts and crafts and thinned it with distilled water then proceeded to paint my rc truck with it. I'm blown away by the great result I got. I'm not interested in paying mega amounts of cash for over the counter reducers after finding out out well distilled water worked. Nor am I interested in the possible long term health conditions from adding chemicals even though I wear a respirator anyways. Save your pennies people.

[@mikebalis9963]

Does this method work for airbrushing plastic models?

[@mrgaviria4822]

Deer Park water it is Mark! Thanks 👍 😊

[@moneywasher3139]

I use rainwater (for the airbrush and the car battery) that I collect directly in a plastic bowl in the garden. So I can be 100% sure that it really is absolutely pure distilled water and costs zero! ;-)

[@jj-icejoe6642]

pure distilled water? And what about the pollution in the air, the particles and dust that are carried away with the raindrops?

[@moneywasher3139]

@@jj-icejoe6642 What should that do inside the water, nothing of course. It's clean, it cost zero and works perfect for me. Nothing else.

[@jj-icejoe6642]

@@moneywasher3139 Yes, but contrary to what you claim, it's certainly not pure distilled water !

[@willm59]

Great video. Well-earned sub!!

[@TonyMount-sq3hi]

Hi m if I’m using 1 drop of illustration colour in my micron takumi how many drops of distilled water shud I add please ?? I work in small amounts as I do a small bit at a time kind regards Tony

[@theartworkshop]

Hey T- how are your paintings going my friend? A lot of times if it's just a drop or 2, I'll just use illustration colors right out of the bottle with no reducer/water. I found that they spray very well without it. But for detail work I mix them in a separate bottle or 1 oz cup of about 10 drops paint to 1 to 2 drops distilled water. That way my paint is already pre reduced. Hope this helps!

[@RCrawlerLeon]

I have just started using Createx Color paints, I have just painted an ABS body of a remote control car, after watching or investing many hours seeing how it is diluted, how it is applied etc etc, I found your video very illustrative, I want to On the other hand, I'm painting beaches and I'm worried about having to use a gas mask and a paint spray extractor system because simply the components of the paint reducers and conditioners are toxic. Do you think Createx Colors paint can be used? With distilled or purified water, just like you use it to paint shirts?

[@knightsljx]

chemist here: deionised water will never be as pure as distilled water. distilled water is pure H2O as it is condensed from steam. deionised water may be ion-exchange based which means it just exchanges the ions for H+. deionisation also does not remove non-dissolved inorganics or organic impurities

[@theartworkshop]

awesome! That makes sense- thank you!

[@danyechry]

I use Createx Illustration Color. Despite using 10 drops of color and 3 drops of distilled water, the color won't come out of my Takumi Micron 0.18... it clogs and sputters. My compressor pressure is at 23 psi... what am I doing wrong???

[@FilmFactry]

Maybe a video idea. I like Liquitex Gloss medium as well. I find that Golden doesn't dry as hard (brushed on at least), and I have had pieces stick together even after weeks of drying. Do you have any tips on spraying a varnish? Dilution. How many coats. I have a Harbor Freight small HVLP but never used it with varnish. Also, what nozzle size and pressure do you use. I actually got this sprayer to spray 2mm tip for scratch coat for mold making. Have you ever sprayed Minwax Polycrylic Satin varnish.Its really great stuff. The artist Shepard Fairey uses it on all his work. But I have only ever brushed it on. Thanks!

[@theartworkshop]

I've never sprayed minwax just because most of their products are solvent based. I'll check this one out though. I actually made a video on my varnishing technique back in December. Check that one out!

[@FilmFactry]

@@theartworkshop I'll check it out. I'm relatively new to your channel so haven't explored everything. I do not like the solvent based Minwax. The blue label POLYCRYLIC has been great for me. I do large format canvas printing, and the SATIN, allows me to sneak up on a gloss level I like. 2-3 coats near matte, more and you get a very nice silky surface.

[@theartworkshop]

@@FilmFactry How interesting! I think minwax makes some really good stuff so I need to check this out. Thanks so much for sharing this man. I'm always on the lookout for new techniques to try. I'll be picking it up!

[@ganapatikitty]

What brands of paint do you recommend using for your micron with just distilled water? I have to say using this method excites me. Also .. I have a bunch of heavy body paints since I am a fine art painter. Can I also use these just fine just mix Golden or Liquitex airbrush thinner with them for the Micron Takumi?

[@theartworkshop]

heavy body paints are difficult to use with an airbrush, but I've used them with some success over the years. The binders in heavy body paints aren't ideal for spraying with an airbrush. I'd recommend going with an airbrush paint like golden high flow or createx (illustration or wicked line). Golden recommends using water to thin their paints in their detailed product description on their website.

[@ganapatikitty]

⁠@@theartworkshopthank you ! That’s what I was nervous about, I’ll experiment but if I fail I’ll just get some nice createx wicked or golden high flow 🎉

[@theartworkshop]

absolutely- experiment away! There is no better way to find out what works for you than by experimenting with techniques & mediums. Best of luck to you!@@ganapatikitty

[@jelly.1899]

What kind of mask are you using in your studio?

[@perrymenos2283]

Thanks again for another excellent video. Your teaching style is unmatched. As a newbie, I am wondering if you might do any future videos on basic airbrush exercises to improve technique. For example, I have heard it said that mastery of the “dagger stroke” is essential. I wonder how true that is for your type of fine art or is that method more related to t-shirt type painting? I’m sure that it has to do with paint consistency, type of airbrush, pressure used, and the scale of what is being attempted. As I understand it, one should always depress the air on, during, and after each pull for paint and then the button should be snapped forward after the paint is delivered. Is that how you paint?

[@theartworkshop]

Thanks man. In all honesty, I've never used a dagger stroke in my life. I can paint them easily, but they are also useless for what I do. Yes, it's best to always keep the air going while you paint.

[@themadhater9003]

My reverse osmosis system has alkalinity and remineralization final stage so i guess thats out.

[@chronesrt2925]

Do you think it would be wise to learn how to draw with pencil/Charcoal and study structure and all that jazz before attempting to airbrush?.

[@theartworkshop]

I think that's such a great question. I'd recommend starting with whichever tool makes you most excited about getting into art. Draw with a pencil because you want to, not to improve with an airbrush. Remember that these are all painting and drawing tools (pencil, oils, airbrush, acrylics, pastels, digital, tablets, watercolors etc.) and the fun part in art is that you get to choose which tool you think is best for you. Best of luck to you!

[@freddysoto1166]

Can I use this method to reduce leather paint like angelus paint for sneaker and createx for fabrics

[@theartworkshop]

I have no idea about those paints. sorry man.

[@freddysoto1166]

Thanks

[@mikegibson6431]

I tried a few different things for angel shoe painting. The best thing I found was their reducer , It just does not flow, right if you use another reducer

[@normandothegreat]

😊👍

[@mitya_ka]

Do you guys know how to replace flow improvers like Flow implover from Winsor Newton or flow aid from Liquitex?

[@BennyCFD]

If your paint is not flowing in your airbrush then it's not thinned enough for your tip size and or pressure...Many different types of paint. You have to experiment to see what works for you.

[@mitya_ka]

@@BennyCFD The question is different!

[@saracenkyan]

reduce = airbrush THINNER?

[@AirbrushDownandDirtyTricks]

Dionized water would work even better since thats what the reducer is actually made with not distilled.

[@donfather4632]

How do you deal with toxic pigments in some of the paints? Do you wearing a mask?

[@theartworkshop]

I ONLY airbrush with non-toxic paints. I would never use a dangerous pigment in an airbrush. No one should.

[@donfather4632]

@@theartworkshop Okay, thank you! You recommended Golden High Flow paints and a lot of them have questionable pigments in it. I will go through all pigments one by one.

[@donfather4632]

@@theartworkshop Perhaps this would be a nice topic for a new video. You could show your "non toxic color palette"?!

[@ColinRichardson]

I hate to tell you, distilled water is a chemical.. But yes, I know when you say Chemical, you mean toxic chemicals..

[@theartworkshop]

Very true! I should have phrased it better as toxic chemicals or chemicals hazardous to health.

[@ColinRichardson]

@@theartworkshop Don't worry, everyone else knew exactly what you mean.. My friends have gotten me many t-shirts over the years with a theme of being "pedantic".

[@theartworkshop]

@@ColinRichardson hahah I love that!

[@grantmoon624]

“Because it doesn’t have any chemicals in it” Water is a chemical. Why distilled over tap water?

[@cringealert9320]

Tap water has hard scale and minerals which is bad for your gear.

[@OMGwhydoihavethischannelstill]

l only needed one minute and 34 seconds to stop this video. Look, this is a biased review. 1st Createx does not recommend using the 4012. The 4012 is garbage reducer. They recommend using the 4011. okay thats it. I'm done. I couldn't do the rest. Thanks for the video I'm done trolling

[@mikegibson6431]

Ouch, maybe you should’ve watched the rest of it

[@OMGwhydoihavethischannelstill]

@@mikegibson6431 I'm sorry about that. I think i was projecting some serious negative vibes. Holy smokes, I really don't know what my problem was, I'm not normally an a-hole. I want to apologize, I was a jerk.

[@mikegibson6431]

It's done and local bandit over I think anybody that is a member with this gentleman says thank you and respect that you said that