Abstract Question

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Hey everybody, anybody I have an abstract question. Actually I’ve wanted to ask it for some time but have not. When I airbrush the paint and the airbrush don’t seem to be as one. When I was in the vehicle painting business everything was simple when painting. I didn’t have to pay attention to where the paint gun was going. I could just watch the paint flow on the surface and know it was right. Question: Does this eventually happen airbrushing you know like second nature? When airbrushing it seems when the paint is spraying right I can see the paint flowing on the piece. But more often than not it seems still a mystery and the paint or the airbrush or me is not behaving its self! Any suggestions! I know what kind of paint am I using! What air pressure, what airbrush, and so on! I don’t believe that is it. I spent to many years reducing paint, changing air pressure, moving the gun slower or faster, keeping the gun the right distance from the object, and tinting paint for color match. Do I just expect too much?

[sharonsstudio]

Robert.. It will become second nature.. once you get the feel of your gun and acustomed to it it will be easier.. Hope this answers your ? not sure what you were looking for..

[work it]

Once you reach a level where you become one with the airbrush, paint, surface, and surroundings you'll experience a level of euphoria called Zen. Only then will you become lighter than air and all is revealed. ;-)

[ABD]

Robert...Hard one to answer...I know you already know what yer doing..Cleaning and aipressure..blah blah.

All I can relate it to is and old Hot Rod:)

Constantly fiddling with it...Cleaning, protecting fixing things that break...The right oil the best gas..Still cursing it when it dies at the stop light..Even though you know it has a new battery..LOL....Ya sink oodles of money in it trying to keep the history alive..Praying the day all things will run perfectly.

All the blood sweat and tears are for those days when everything is in sink and ya drive off in (or paint) the sunset!

Hahahaaaa!...Boat load of cheese in that analogy aye!!..Just how I roll my friend..Weeeee!

[JimmyG]

"experience a level of euphoria called Zen".....Hehee...I do LUV it when that happens....

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Robert...Hard one to answer...I know you already know what yer doing..Cleaning and aipressure..blah blah.

All I can relate it to is and old Hot Rod:)

Constantly fiddling with it...Cleaning, protecting fixing things that break...The right oil the best gas..Still cursing it when it dies at the stop light..Even though you know it has a new battery..LOL....Ya sink oodles of money in it trying to keep the history alive..Praying the day all things will run perfectly.

All the blood sweat and tears are for those days when everything is in sink and ya drive off in (or paint) the sunset!

Hahahaaaa!...Boat load of cheese in that analogy aye!!..Just how I roll my friend..Weeeee!

Dell ya forgot blue dots in the tail lights!
Work-It JimmyG I already need to be reeled in!

[fontgeek]

Robert, it can come eventually. This is one of those things where the "Practice, Practice, Practice" comes in.
Much to the anoyance of a lot of people, having the practice time in on your brush is what gets you and your variables in tune with each other, Like Jimmy said, the Zen mode is magical once you can reach it, but it does take the time and work to get to that point.

[redanner]

Robert, it can come eventually. This is one of those things where the "Practice, Practice, Practice" comes in.
Much to the anoyance of a lot of people, having the practice time in on your brush is what gets you and your variables in tune with each other, Like Jimmy said, the Zen mode is magical once you can reach it, but it does take the time and work to get to that point.


Thanks everybody thats pretty much what I wanted to hear!

The reason I even ask this question was because I was planning on retiring and doing airbrushing. In 2002 when I found out my shoulders were shot and needed new ones the thought of airbrushing when I retired was what pushed me to the point of having both shoulders replaced. Little did I know I was headed down the path to disability! I'm getting an early start on retirement and wanted to make sure if I kept at the painting that it would be better and worth the pain and discomfort that I inflict on myself!

Thanks again for reassuring me! :wheelchair:

[Jeroen - CDM]

Mayby you are....hard to tell. The other dayi was busy on that portrait. But my paint was'nt proparly mixed. So i ruined it. I expected i could do it with that bad paint. You have you're paint correct, reading you're story...but for expecting too much... They say ya gotta be one with the gun. When i have a good day, thats exactly how it feels. Just gotta take the time....and then it really becomes second nature. When the paint is 'not behaving' itself... well, really sounds like a bad mixture... Mayby ya just had a bad day..like when i ruined my piece whehehehe

[draggin81]

all it takes to get the "oneness" you're talking about is practice, practice, practice. And I don't mean dots and daggers. I think of every painting I do as practice for the next one, which will hopefully be better than the last.
I think I can safely say that we all have days where the paint just flows, and the airbrush seems hardwired into your brain, and it seems like with no effort, you could paint the Sistene Chapel (and yes, I know thats spelled wrong) on the head of a pin.
Then, there are those other days. The days where the paint fights you, your airbrush isn't cooperating, and nothing seems to work. You get frustrated, pissed, maybe mumble a few choice words.
Oddly enough, those are the days that I think my best work comes out of. At least to my eye, those paintings have the blood, sweat, and tears that authenticate it.

Basically, just keep at it, and it all comes eventually. The only real big difference between that and re-finish type painting is the position your hand is in, and your brain will adjust pretty quickly.
BTW- be careful with those shoulders. Tell you're Doc about the physical mechanics of airbrushing, and get his ok, just to be on the safe side. He might even have some excersizes you can do or different techniques to reduce the pain (other than Vicoden, which is fun, I admit, but fleeting). Second and third opinions never hurt, either. Hell, while you're at it, ask a nurse. They're the ones who actually know shit from shinola anyway ;-)

[flyer615]

At the risk of repeating what the other guys are saying about practice, I would like to tell you what someone told me about learning to fly (I'm a private pilot). They said that any new thing you do takes a little time. You can compare it to someone learning to drive. When they start driving, they are looking as close to the nose of the vehicle as possible. As experience comes, they begin to look farther and farther ahead. Soon, driving adjustments are smoother and the big picture comes into view. :smiley_dog_car:

I'm probably at about the same place or behind you in the airbrush category. I'm hoping the smooth landings will hurry up and get here.:smiley_bliss:

Ken

[draggin81]

My sisters fiance is a pilot, so I asked him. Yup, the landings get smoother, so you're in luck. lol.
He's a maniac, though. That guy will fly in any weather.
oh yeah, he also said to watch out for those cross winds. They can get a little tricky ;-)

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My sisters fiance is a pilot, so I asked him. Yup, the landings get smoother, so you're in luck. lol.
He's a maniac, though. That guy will fly in any weather.
oh yeah, he also said to watch out for those cross winds. They can get a little tricky ;-)

Thanks Lenny! I remember when I was an idiot and use to fly high in any weather! But those memories have kind of faded since it took place back in the 60s & 70s! ~(;-})> Was that a fly I just ate?