The following explanations deal specifically with the airbrush colors and serve as an airbrush colors guide for you, so to speak, to select the required but also correct colors as a beginner. It is also clarified which are particularly suitable for the airbrush gun to work well and effectively.
What are airbrush colors?
If the airbrush paint manufacturers have already titled them so themselves, any airbrush paints are specifically suitable for the airbrush guns. They fall under the category of acrylic paints, where the pigment size is matched to the airbrush guns.
That’s why you’ll usually find the following note in specialized stores like this or in a similar way: Acrylic paint for painting or acrylic paint suitable as an airbrush.
Otherwise, there would be a risk that the consistency would be too low or too thick to clog the fine nozzles. However, this can still happen even with the advertised airbrush colors. Then you should dilute them accordingly, which is described in more detail elsewhere.
The second danger is that unsuitable paint could be harmful to health by inhaling the paint mist.
Which colors are suitable for airbrushing?
The specially designated airbrush paints are suitable. You will usually find them in transparent or opaque form.
Opaque colors are more opaque and do not need a primer in white, as transparent colors usually do.
In any case, the declared airbrush colors are essential. Nevertheless, this is often not immediately a light color, but you have to add distilled water, thinner or regular water.
Distilled water is not necessary if you don’t have any on hand. Usually, no cold residue is deposited on the nozzle or needle, even with calciferous water. If this does happen, you can generally get rid of it with an airbrush cleaner.
Where and which airbrush paint to buy?
For example, on the Internet and on Amazon, you will find a wide selection of colors and manufacturers of airbrush paints. Timbertech, Createx, Revell, and Schmincke are well-known manufacturers of acrylic paints for the airbrush technique.
In principle, you should opt for the small airbrush paint sets at the beginning, which have the actual colors. Such are the primary colors and black and white.
Meanwhile, there are cheap yet high-quality airbrush colors on the market, so you will quickly find them related to professional airbrush colors.
For beginners
Timbertech Acrylic Colors Airbrush Colors 12
As an airbrush beginner, you need a small spectrum but still the right airbrush colors so you can get started right away. The right colors are therefore in the airbrush set Timbertech Acrylfarben Airbrush Farben 12 zusehen. You can mix the different colors that you will need later with them. They are also suitable for many purposes, so you get the all-rounder “Auto-Air Colors.”
Just in trend
Createx Colors 5802-00 AB Airbrush Set, fluorescent
Just in trend are the neon colors from Createx. They stand as helpful colors at your side, for example, to make elaborate and poppy 3D print models eye-catching.
But also in the nail studio, more intense neon colors are currently finding their way. With the classic and practical openings, you can also sparingly remove only the individual drops.
Our recommendation
Schmincke AeroColor Airbrush Paint Acrylic Ink Economy Set 16 x 28ml + Accessories in Case
If you are sure that you will remain a long-time friend of the airbrush technique and really want to spray everything, the lockable containers in the practical and mobile case from Schmincke are recommended to you.
It also has room to allow for additional purchases and has clear containers right there to mix new water-based colors for subsequent use.
The high-quality SchminckeAero Color Professional line vials come with an integrated pipette and therefore ensure easy handling and drip-accurate removal so that even the small amounts do not dry up at the usual openings.
FAQ
Do airbrush colors differ depending on the area of application?
In principle, there are two suitable airbrush colors: Opaque colors, also called opaque colors, and transparent colors, which create more of a translucent veil of color. Those who already prefer an unclear effect without any primer at the beginning should resort to these. For example, some nail art artists or in the custom painting area prefer this. Otherwise, you should prepare the substrate with white paint as a primer. But even the transparent colors are suitable for the other types of airbrushes. This works with the same result, for example, if you prime a smooth surface or spray with white paint from the manufacturer before opaque. This then depends on the painting’s surface.
Does the nozzle size of an airbrush gun need to be changed depending on the color?
In principle, you would not have to change the nozzle size. The various colors with the extra-fine pigments already have a good base. The question, of course, is aimed at whether the nozzle could clog. Even the highest quality inks could provoke a clogging of the nozzle in concentrated form. To prevent this, you should pay attention to the mixing of paint, set a higher pressure, or increase the nozzle size if the first two interventions are not sufficient.
What effect does the color have on the working pressure of the airbrush gun?
The airbrush colors used generally have little effect on the working pressure. On the other hand, it can be more coarse-grained in too high a concentration or even clog the nozzle in the long term. The small nozzles of 0.15mm to 0.2mm are particularly susceptible to this. Therefore, you should increase the air pressure on the compressor or further dilute the paint used. With thinner paint, on the other hand, you can even reduce the stress a little so that it does not run on the substrate due to an intensive airflow. Also, keep in mind that paint for airbrushing diluted with a lot of water always takes a little longer to dry. On the other hand, pure airbrush paint dries very quickly.
Can you use watercolor paint in an airbrush?
Yes, you can use watercolor paint in an airbrush, but it’s not ideal.
Watercolor paints are designed to be used with a brush, and they tend to be thin and runny. This makes them difficult to control when using an airbrush. Additionally, the paint can easily dry out in the airbrush, which can cause clogging and other problems.
For these reasons, it’s usually best to use acrylic or oil paint in an airbrush. However, if you’re determined to use watercolor paint, then experiment with different brands and types until you find one that works well. And be sure to keep your airbrush clean and well-maintained so that it functions optimally.