Expert: Ellen Choate - 8/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: I'm new to airbrushing. I just purchased the Paashe Talon Airbrush TG3 and Golden acrylic ready to use airbrush paints. Do you have to use a reducer with this paint?
What is the best paint to use with my new airbrush?


ANSWER: Hi, Tracie.  
I'll need a little more information before I can fully answer your question, but here are a few things to start with.  
No, you shouldn't have to use a reducer with Golden colors.  They're just acrylic, which means water soluble.  They do sell retarder, to increase drying time, and airbrush medium which I suspect is the same thing.  If it decreases tip dry and reduces clogging, then it probably thins the paint and increases drying time.  Water will do just fine as a thinner if you need to thin.  The paint should be the consistency of cream.  
I need to know the surfaces you're planning to paint on before I can advise you on the best paint to use.  Let me know and we'll go from there.
Thanks,
Ellen

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

QUESTION: Ellen,
I want to start practicing on "Canson" illustration board and eventually airbrush on glass. That is the main reason I bought the airbrush.  I'm a stained glass artist and I have alot of bullseye/spectrum glass.  I don't see alot of people airbrushing on glass, so I was wondering if  this is possible. If so, what kind of primer do I need to buy if I'm using the "Golden Paints"?

Thanks
Tracie

Answer
You don't need any kind of primer to paint on illustration board.  It's already nice and smooth and doesn't need to be gessoed like canvas. Acrylic, gouache or watercolor will all work well on illustration board. Prepare to practice to be able to get the nice smooth affects it sounds like you're looking for.  Check online tutorials; there are a ton on YouTube, Airbrush Action and other sites.

I have airbrushed on glass, with acrylics and without primer.  It'll work fine as long as the piece isn't subjected to weather, a lot of handling, washing, etc.  I did a window for a beauty salon over 10 years ago and it still looks great.  It's more of a room divider; that is, it's not an exterior window.  I sprayed a few thin coats of clear Krylon on it when I was done, but that's all.  Make sure your glass is very clean before you start.  Use window cleaner first, then rubbing alcohol or vinegar to remove every bit of oils and dirt.  Plaid makes a paint for glass, but I don't know how airbrushable it is. You will probably want to spray at a lower pressure, 30-40 psi, on glass to reduce overspray, and remember to keep the airbrush moving so you don't get splotches.  

This sounds like something you'll have to do some experimenting with once you're comfortable using the airbrush, but that's the fun of art, isn't it?  Let me know if this answers your question satisfactorily.  
Thanks!
Ellen