COPIC Airbrush Mania - Part 2

So we have the airbrush system put together now what? Hit the trigger girls, hit the trigger :D

I have received numerous questions regarding which set of colors works best for airbrushing. Is it the lightest colors that are in the set 12A? or the darkest colors that are in 12D? or is it the ones in the middle?

My answer to that question is not definitive at all - LOL! It depends on the look your are going for. What I tried to do in this example is share with you how wide a range you can achieve when airbrushing. When I airbrush I like to start by holding my airbrush approximately 8" away from my work surface and not aim directly on to my piece of work. I actually will aim to the right of my piece of artwork for the initial trigger pull and then move my airbrush back and forth over the area that I am spraying. To achieve darker/or denser spray patterns move your airbrush slowly closer to your work surface as you continue to move back and forth. To achieve a wider spray pattern hold your airbrush further away.

Pictured above I selected all four Blue-Violet colors that I carry in my store. I began with the darkest color tone on the left and worked my way to the lightest tone on the right. With each spray pattern I tried to achieve a darker tone on the left side of the color allowing it to become lighter on the right side. I then elected to color a strip of the marker at the very bottom edge so that you would be able to see for yourself the difference in color value range that you can achieve with just one marker.

So back to the question - which color range works best? My answer to that question is - do you want a soft misty background? If so select the lightest colors. Do you want a more dramatic look? Then chose the darker colors. You can airbrush with all of the colors, you will just achieve different looks.

OK, so what else should I try?

Sketch markers come with two different tips - one is the chisel tip, the other is the brush. When you utilize the chisel tip you will achieve a very fine, more dense spray pattern. Again the closer you hold the tip to the surface the stronger the color becomes. To keep a smooth and even color slowly move your airbrush back and forth across your work surface.

Next you have the brush tip. Not only does the brush tip allow you to work in very tight spaces when coloring, but it can be utilized with the airbrush system as well :D. See me bouncing :D The Original Copic markers really only have one end, the chisel tip, that works well in the air brush. The fine bullet tip just doesn't give much of a spray pattern, if any. Whereas the brush tip on the Sketch marker gives a very cool splatter (or should I have said spatter?) type of spray pattern. Options, options, options - a girl just needs those :D. That's why I love the Sketch marker.

Well as you can see I've made quite a mess. What do I do to protect my work surface? I do one of two things - either I just use some old paper that I have had underneath my project - this works great because it absorbs the extra spray that goes over the edges. The other option I have elected to use with my alcohol products is this fabulous mat. So where did I get this awesome idea you might wonder - well I got it from "da man", Tim Holtz. Tim is so incredibly innovative and THE product that was on his workstation was a ROLL of this stuff, not one little piece, but, like a whole tablecloth size :D. Boy, do I wish I could spend more time with Tim. Someday I will share my little summer CHA story with you, but now is not the time (OK - am I big tease or what?!?)

So here it is - all messy!

and yes - that is cheap (or should I say inexpensive :D) rubbing alcohol that can be purchased a myriad of places across this planet. Dampen a paper towel and wipe. VOILA!

Beautimous!

OK - so we have sprayed - fine patterns, splatter patterns, different color values. We have paper towels, we have alcohol, we have alcohol inks, we have colorless blender solution. We are airbrushing, we are coloring - oh yes, there is more - SO much more!!! This is only the beginning. Come on back to see what else I've been up to. Yes, these toys are addictive! They are fun! They truly allow you to be over the top creative and experimentational. Gotta love it :D

Comments

[Colleen Randal]

I have always wanted to try airbrushing - I want to reread your site when I have more time. I am really interested in this.

[Juanita]

Let me tell you how much this tutorial meant to me...I've ordered my mat, LOL. This is such priceless information, I can't say that enough.
THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU, THANK-YOU!!!

[K Ostvig]

cute thanks for posting this.

[Rose Ann]

Thanks for more wonderful tips, Ellen! This Airbrush will be on my next order (once those Copic wallets are in your store). ;)

[Joan B]

I wonder if the rubbing alcohol can be used like a color lifter on top of the marker or would it ruin the paper? Hmm. Really want this air brush thingy. Really. Please send my husband an email!! LOL

[Beth]

This is definitely on my wish list but may have to wait for Christmas. My goal now is to get the other 24 Copics because I got my first 24 on MONDAY!!! Thank you so much for all the time you put forth in getting these out to us!!! I am ashamed to say that life keeps getting in the way and they have not seen the light outside there wallet. Hoping for some stamp time tonight!

[Michelle Wooderson]

Well, ya learn something new every day! I hadn't tried the brush tip yet for the splattered effect. So cool Ellen!!!!!

[CatherineH (kiko)]

Wow, Ellen! I ordered the airbrush system Monday night and got an email that it shipped next day! Thanks so much for all the work you are putting into the articles on how to use this very cool toy!

[Tammy]

Thank you for the explanations!