AirbrushesIntroductionAirbrushesAirbrush art combines the graphic qualities of illustration with the continuoustones of photography. Although you may not have the opportunity topractice traditional airbrush techniques, you probably have an airbrush effectsoption in the graphics software of your computer. Understanding theprinciples of traditional airbrush rendering will help you maximize computer-generated airbrush options. For further study of airbrush art, review thework of contemporary super-realist Audrey Flack or the forties pin-ups ofVargas.Airbrushes are precision tools that combine liquids such as paints, inks, andwater with compressed air to create a fine mist or spray. The spray from theairbrush applies paint in soft tonal gradations ranging from the highestdiscernable tint of color to complete opacity. All airbrushes have a color cupor bottle to hold pigment, an inlet for compressed air, a nozzle through whichpaint is sprayed under pressure, and a release valve (finger lever) that enablesthe operator to use air to propel the paint and to control the amount of air andpaint that comes out of the nozzle. The three basic types of airbrush are thesingle-action, the double-action, and the oscillating airbrush. The maindifferences in airbrushes are their sensitivity and control.Figure 6-1 shows the parts of an airbrush.Figure 6-1.—Airbrush nomenclature.Continued on next page6-3
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