Getting Started in Airbrushing: A Little Patience Goes A Long Way!

I know these feelings very well .... and I am here to drop the bomb on you ... they never go away!

The one that really gets me though is ...

"I'll never be as good as [insert famous airbrush artist name]"

I know this one gets said because you see some amazing artists work and you aspire to be just like them ... and that's great ... but don't think for a moment that they were awesome airbrush artists the first time they picked up a gun.

I guarantee they struggled as much as you may be.

I admit that I had these expectations for myself ... and while wanting to paint as well as a famous artist can be motivating it can also send you into a spiral of self doubt and loathing that may cause you to throw down you airbrush and quit....

Now, because I don't want you to give up I am going to show you some of my paintings from a long time ago....

Now, I am no pro and certainly not the best airbrush artist out there ... I never claimed to be nor will I ...

...however, I think that those of you just getting started in airbrushing may appreciate seeing the flops, frustrations, and progress that comes with learning this artform...

FLOP

This photo is a coloring book page that I attempted to fill in with airbrush paint when I was just getting started in airbrushing. It was one of my first kicks at the can ... and I can tell you that I spent HOURS creating this masterpiece!

FRUSTRATION

This photo is of another attempt - but this one went horribly wrong... I was furious with myself for not being able to stay in the lines.... as evidenced by the "GRRR" across the page and the unloading of the paint gun in one big dripping blob!

You know what is funny though - I posted this in anger on a airbrush forum and a member said it was too bad the horse didn't work out, but the blue rose was pretty good!

I guess he saw a beautiful blot image in all that mess :)

PROGRESS

This photo is the "sun shining through the clouds" for me ... I had done it. I had completed a coloring book page and I was pretty darn happy with how it turned out. I showed anyone who would look at it... seems crazy today ... but conquering that kids coloring book page was a pivotal moment.

The Moral of the Story

There are no failures in art - there is only learning.

You learn skills, techniques, patience, trust and so on. So, if you are new, and you are struggling, relax give yourself a break.

And trust me ....when you do get "good" you'll want to get better, and when you get "better" you'll want to try something new.... that is the beauty of this art form. There is always more to learn!

Another Quick Tip

Regardless of where you are in the learning curve, or if you are just getting started in airbrushing, keep a scrapbook of all your work - even the really "bad" stuff. It can be the actual art, or digital photos, or scans, but keep it. In a few years you will be able to look back and see how far you have come.

Best of luck