COPIC Airbrush Mania - Part 1

OK - I'll admit it - I am totally diggin' this airbrushing stuff. I'm not certain why that is, but all I can say is that it is completely and totally addictive. I am having such a ball just learning how to finesse this tool. Nothing much to show for my work yet at this point, but I am learning and it has been SO much fun!

Tonight's post is more of an educational post. I have had many of you ask me about the ease of use, what color value range works the best, etc. and so I am hoping to help answer some of those questions with this post and future ones.

It all begins with this - the tools:

I have selected to carry the ABS-1 system in my store being that I believe that when you purchase something you want it to do the best job it can and again be able to be stored in a realistic manner. I also want to have everything that is necessary to do the job when I set forth to try something new. The other products offered by COPIC are all well made, but in my opinion this is the best set to start with. The system comes with everything above, except the larger air can. I must say that the small air can it comes with is really only a "starter" can. The Air Can 80 that it comes with supplies about 15-20 minutes of air to work with. The Air Can 180 lasts for about 40-45 minutes. You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of projects you can create with this amount of air. When you air brush you typically use just short little bursts of air using only seconds at a time. You can not spray for long periods of time with this type of system being that the air can gets too cold and will not work after a while. This means you can't just sit there and air brush for long lengths of time. So I have found that my air can is lasting well. I will also admit that I am such an addict that I am looking in to purchasing an air compressor being that I believe that this is going to be a life-time addiction for me :D

I am going to share some pictures of how easily this system goes together. It comes with complete instructions and I HIGHLY recommend reading these before beginning to do anything with your new toy. There are precautions listed and advice that will really improve the quality of your work. Following are the basics.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture before I attached the air adaptor (the can in the picture above) to the air grip (the little trigger mechanism). It easily screws together - sorry I missed this piece, but I didn't want to waste any of my precious air by pulling it apart again - LOL!

At the other end of the hose is a valve that houses the air regulator. The regulator does just what you think it will - it regulates the amount of air that is released from the can. The little screw at the top of the system is how you release the air.

I find it easier to attach this valve by holding it firmly in my left hand and turning my air can on to the valve/regulator by rotating it counterclockwise.

Be certain that your valve is opened as shown above before attaching, otherwise you will hear a "psst" as the air starts going out and it might startle you. If your hose is attached at the air adaptor/air grip it will stop you from loosing air, but I still recommend that the screw is in the position shown above. You will also want to be certain that you don't open that screw too far because guess what it comes COMPLETELY OFF. At that point the air just goes escaping in to the air. Guess how I found that out?!? LOL. So play with all the parts before you start putting your gadget together to familiarize yourself with all the little twisty parts before attaching it to your air can.

As soon as you have your pieces attached it is best to place the air can in to the foam grip stand that is provided in the kit.

Please note that you must NOT shake the air can or lay the air can on it's side while operating. The liquid within the can becomes so cold that it can cause frostbite. Now that's cold! Somehow this liquid can escape if the air can is on it's side, so be certain to place it in the foam grip whenever you are using your air brush. Fortunately I can tell you that I have not experienced this little dilemna (yet) - which actually surprises me being that I am apparently accident prone - LOL!

So with that you are ready to snap your marker in place and start creating magic. COPIC has put together some information on their website that is also helpful. This is only the beginning of the Airbrush Mania series I am putting together. I believe that as it becomes more common place we will see some incredibly innovative ways of using it. Hmm - what about temporary tattoos, or streaked hair, or ... OK - that may be a little much, but it is so fun to think about. I hope to share some of my innovations with you being that I am just having fun with it right now. I like to try spraying everything, including my fingers (but that is purely by accident :D)

OOPS - I forgot to add - the markers came in and went right out to their respective homes. Guess what - I am now completely sold out of some of the sets yet again. More are on order, many more - but patience is a virtue and I refuse to put them back up as a preorder item until I know what the correct ship dates are going to be. I am so sorry we continue to sell out of them at lightning speed, but please know that I am doing my best to get an inventory in stock that will not keep you waiting. So once again I am doing my utmost to be patient. Thank you all again for your continued support and I hope that I receive some magical news from my COPIC representative when I call tomorrow. I'll be updating on all items again once I receive updates. THANK YOU!

Comments

[Beth]

I was hoping that was what the "shipping" e-mail was talking about. I didn't think I had anything else order (except Nestabilities) but I had looked at the new Lockhart stamps the other evening and couldn't honestly remembered if I had placed an order or decided to wait a bit (that's pretty bad isn't)!

[Teresa]

I'm looking forward to further info on air brushing! It is sooo much fun. I have even started doing more masking as I love the background look.

[CatherineH (kiko)]

OK... I just couldn't take it anymore! The temptation was just too great and I am too weak to resist (sigh). Tonight I ordered the airbrush system and a dozen markers that I think will be great colors for soft airbrushed backgrounds. Definitely looking forward to future E(llen)-Grams on how to be an airbrush wizard!

[JUANITA]

OUTSTANDING tutorial!! TFS.