Before one can begin to experiment with popular motifs, one has to learn basic airbrush techniques. It's important to master the ins-and-outs of blending textures, as well as how to properly operate airbrush equipment. There are a wide variety of instructional DVDs , books , and videocassettes available. Many artists prefer to start with a "basics" DVD. "Pro Airbrush and Paintbrush Techniques " is a best-selling DVD that attempts to cover all the basics of this style of art.

For those trying to master realistic airbrushing, the first technique to learn is trigger control. The objective is to pull the trigger slightly, so that air comes out with no paint. Then, prepare to stroke, and introduce the paint to the airstream at the appropriate time. It's a complex process--many have related it to learning to operate a manual transmission. Once the basics of airbrush equipment have been mastered, the artist can move on to advanced airbrush techniques.

Anyone who wants to expand their airbrush gallery must resolve to learn new airbrush techniques. That's because airbrush designs are so detailed that each new motif requires a host of complicated techniques. Take the skull, for instance; not only must the artist master sharp lines and blended texture, but also human anatomy. All of these elements require learning highly skilled airbrush techniques.

Many airbrush artists choose to subscribe to a magazine to stay abreast of the latest techniques in the airbrushing industry. This can be a great way to keep up on modern trends, and to present the customer with a cutting-edge design that won't be available in every shop. However the process is achieved, constant learning is a cornerstone of most airbrushing careers.

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An airbrush portrait can look as life-like as a photograph. Naturally, there is a great deal of technique and mastery involved in this process, whether one merely wants to re-touch a photograph or create an entire life-like rendering from scratch. However, once skill in this field is obtained, artists may find a lucrative career path in the magazine or design industry.

Most people who employ airbrush portrait techniques use a double, or dual action, airbrush. To master this, the artist must first practice squeezing the trigger gently, so that only air comes out, then easing the trigger back to allow paint into the airstream. This allows for optimal consistency, which is the key to making sure airbrush portraits look truly natural.

Airbrushing out minor imperfections is a key part of the modeling industry. Nearly all mainstream magazines contain many photos that have been airbrushed to remove minor imperfections, such as moles and scars. The artists who touch up these photos receive relatively high pay for their work, and most reliable airbrush artists find that their services are frequently in demand. For the artists looking to sharpen his or her skills, renowned airbrush artists such as Steve Driscoll often create books or DVDs that give helpful tips for accurately painting difficult objects such as teeth, eyes, or glasses.

Companies such as Fredrix Canvas specialize in assisting the artist devoted to realism. The right tools are always necessary--and often, the accessories needed to airbrush portraits are the most expensive because of the high degree of precision required. This cost is usually offset by the high revenue generated by the host magazines . Often, larger magazines will have their own in-house art departments, complete with a variety of airbrushing tools.

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In the airbrush industry, following the trends can be a make-or-break issue for most businesses. The demand for different styles changes quickly with pop culture trends, leaving little ramp-up time. The styles that were popular in the ‘70s certainly wouldn't sell to today's bikers and custom detail enthusiasts. Many airbrush magazines realize this, and devote most of their pages to keeping readers abreast of the latest trends in the airbrush industry.

Airbrush magazines have been around for decades. As long as there is an industry for the art of airbrushing, airbrush magazines will find a strong consumer base. Many artists find it easy and enjoyable to pick up new tricks and techniques from a magazine--hands-on training isn't always necessary or available in this industry.

Whether airbrushing the cover of "Cosmo," or detailing the Hells Angels fleet, all airbrush artists strive to keep up with advancements in their field. Quality airbrush magazines will take care to give tips on detailing, touching up photos, and even painting giant murals. Learning to airbrush is a detailed, dynamic science, which is why there is such a clamor for new information.

Even for the amateurs and hobbyists, an airbrush magazine is a great way to stay up-to-date. These magazines' step-by-step projects will please many at-home airbrush artists. For those who have home studios, airbrush magazines frequently devote entire sections to making the leap from a hobby to a career in airbrushing.

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In the art industry, there's nothing cooler than the expressive pieces placed on the bodies of vintage hot-rods. Airbrush artists often choose this field as both their passion and their career. Naturally, learning to airbrush cars is a process with a steep learning curve. That's why there are many best-selling DVDs and books on the subject of auto airbrushing, including "Automotive Airbrush Cheap Tricks & Special F/X " by Craig Fraser.

When airbrush artists decide to move into the field of automotive design, they usually start by finding a line of products that fits comfortably with their needs as an artist. House of Kolor is one of the many automotive airbrush paint suppliers that specialize in artistic detail. It's important to try out several different kinds of paint before applying any to a customer's cherished whip.

Auto airbrushing and illustration are the two highest-paying airbrush jobs. Learning to airbrush cars first requires that one learn how to prepare the surface. A host of chores must be done before the car is ready to paint: stripping, filling, priming, etc. Airbrushing cars requires that the artist know a great deal about the automotive paint industry, in addition to the world of art.

For those who have a quality gallery of automotive art, building a client base can be a surprisingly simple process. The most popular types of car airbrush art are clowns, skulls, and eight-balls. Of course, most hot-rod owners don't want a picture--they just want a design. From flames to pinstripes, the right airbrushed design can give any vintage car extra flair.

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Motorcycles are the most popular vehicle used to showcase airbrushed art. Motorcycle airbrushing is quite a lucrative art form; many artists have created best-selling DVDs to show others how to detail bikes, including the "Vincent Goodeve Complete Video Guide to Motorcycle Murals" Whether as a hobby or a career, motorcycle airbrushing has been in high demand for over four decades.

Almost every biker wants a killer airbrush design on his or her motorcycle tanks. That's why up-and-coming motorcycle airbrush artists should focus on the chopper's tank. Companies such as Sata Spray devote an entire line of products to creating airbrush designs on bike tanks. It's important for artists to test out different brushes to find the ones with which they are the most comfortable, as well as the ones they can use for intricate detailing.

When bikers request motorcycle airbrushing, they usually have a wide variety of designs in mind. Although most of these designs involve fire, there are plenty of disparate elements the fire motif can tie together. This is why aspiring motorcycle airbrush artists must learn a variety of different styles: clowns, skulls, women, etc. Each style possesses its own detailed intricacies, and requires a unique set of airbrushing skills.

Practice makes flawless when it comes to motorcycle airbrushing. Many students of the art obtain old motorcycle tanks from a junkyard, and practice on those. Many describe airbrushing motorcycles as a three-step process: prime, then paint, then lacquer. Extensive damage from rocks and weather must be anticipated. A good motorcycle airbrush artist will always make sure his work is protected with a strong finish. It's all about making a clear, crisp design that holds up on the road at 65 miles per hour.

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Over the past three decades, vehicle safety laws have increased in their strictness (as well as their severity of punishments). As a result, the airbrush helmet industry has seen a considerable boom. After all, imagine the sight of a big, bearded biker driving a fat hog while wearing a bright orange helmet. The need for a customized airbrush helmet is obvious--which is why an entire industry has sprung out of this form of airbrush art.

Whether for their own use or as a commercial enterprise, airbrush helmet artists have a variety of styles from which to choose. Flames are the most popular style, but artists have begun to get more creative. For instance, some airbrush artists will take the opportunity to transform the entire helmet into an enormous skull. It's all the better if that skull has flames leaping out of it, too. Finding a niche is the key to selling custom airbrushed helmets. Authoritative industry resources such as Airbrush Action Magazine can be helpful sources of ideas, product reviews, and airbrush artist conventions that can help developing artists choose and refine their niche.

Naturally, the first step when designing a helmet pattern is to consider the hog. The artist doesn't want to spend hours creating a killer design, only to find out that it completely clashes with a number of popular motorcycle models currently on the road. As a ground rule, most motorcycles are black or passion-colored chrome. Dark colors go best with these designs; however, a talented airbrush artist can make almost any color work.

Generally, the design on a motorcycle helmet should feature symmetry that goes from back-to-front, not side-to-side. Motorcyclists want to imagine themselves flying down the roadway, and back-to-front images convey an impression of speed. Muted tones and colors are also quite popular, as most bikers don't want to attract attention to their helmets; rather, they want the helmet to complement the cycle itself. The artist who airbrushes helmets will need to understand the thrill of the open road and the reasons bikers can't get enough of their custom hogs.

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For those who airbrush designs onto cars and bikes, learning how to airbrush skulls is a must. Next to flames, skulls are the most requested type of airbrush design. They require attention to detail--painting any portion of the human body has long been one of the most difficult forms of art. It is often recommended that those wishing to airbrush skulls study a book on human anatomy, or at least a plastic skull.

The combination of the relatively high difficulty level and the widespread popularity of airbrush skulls has led to a wealth of instructional materials. Popular skull artists include Robert Benedict and Cross-Eyed, both of whom have instructional DVDs on how to create life-like skulls. Skulls require a blend of crisp lines and smooth textures. Often, artists will complete a skull design in layers, allowing them to devote each layer entirely to one style of painting.

Other than the female figure, no other design stymies artists more than the skull. Frequently, artists find it impossible to airbrush skulls without an extensive diagram. In addition to the curves and textures, an airbrush artist must also pay attention to shadows and lighting. Painting realistic shadows can make the difference between a "ho-hum" skull and one that stands out as realistic and unique.

Those who master skulls should also master fire. A large percentage of customers who want a skull on their vehicle or helmet also want flames to accompany the primary image. Naturally, the back of the skull is the most popular place for flames, but many artists choose to express themselves differently. Flames that seem to shoot out of a skull's ears can create a surreal, angry effect. Many artists choose to experiment with several combinations and include multiple looks in their airbrush galleries.

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Many artists are in search of their vision of artistic perfection. Due to the lure of simulated realism, almost every artist considers airbrushing at one point in his or her career. With the airbrush, it's possible to render an image with photographic-quality detail. Airbrushing is also the flagship artistic discipline behind the auto - and motorcycle -detailing industries . Building a gallery of airbrushed art is a great way for an artist to turn any encounter into a sales opportunity.

Airbrushing, however, isn't easy; artists must devote themselves to learning the necessary skills. Companies such as Coast Airbrush make a variety of airbrushes for beginners and professionals . It's important to find quality equipment and good instruction--an airbrushing DVD is a great place to start learning the intricacies of the art of airbrushing. Best-selling DVD stars include Craig Fraser, who teaches basic fire in his spot, "Realistic Flames the Craig Fraser Way".

The learning curve for airbrushing usually starts with equipment, and "ends" with individual designs. There's really no true end to the learning curve of airbrushing, as each new design requires a world of subtle intricacy. But, for beginners, merely using the trigger properly is a trick that takes hours to master. For those who can operate their equipment smoothly, learning individual designs is a popular way to build a gallery of art designs.

Airbrushing has many commercial uses, the two most lucrative being photograph touch-ups and automotive painting. For the artist devoted to conveying reality, the photographic realism of an airbrushed portrait holds a great deal of artistic allure. For the artist who prefers to delve into the world of fantasy, painting flaming killer clowns on hot rods can be the perfect release.

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