Expert: Ellen Choate - 4/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am starting with airbrush and looking for information what is the best paint to receive the smoothest flow and how is dosage between paint and reducer in your opinion ?

ANSWER: Can you give me more information, please?  I especially need to know what surface you're painting on and what type airbrush you're using (single action, double action, what brand).  I'll get right back to you.
Thanks,
Ellen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes sorry for delay.
I using gun IWATA Eclipse HP-BCS and Iwata HP-BH
Surface ?  I using regular black bristol and canvas fabric primed with acrylic base. What surface is the best for fine art . How to thin acrylic base paints because createx is no so good or maybe i doing something wrong.

Answer
I'm very sorry for the delay in answering you; I did not receive notice of this question until today.
If you are painting on paper or cloth, an acrylic paint is good, but you cannot use acrylic paints from tubes or jars without thinning them to be like thick cream.  Sometimes you must strain them through pantyhose. They are not ground as finely and are not really made for airbrushing. I have not tried oil paints, but I have heard they are very hard to clean out of an airbrush and most artists do not recommend them for this.

For a nice smooth flow, you must also have sufficient air pressure, probably 45-60 psi.  You can reduce this to about 35-40 if you are doing closer, finer work or on a hard surface.
If you are painting on black, you must either use opaque paints or paint the design area white first, otherwise your colors will not show up.  

I would use acrylic, thinned and strained properly or gouache for fine art.  Consider painting on a white ground, then adding in your black background.  This will keep your colors brighter.
Thank you; I hope this helps!
Ellen