Airbrush means something like „air brush“ and means a small spray gun, which is only slightly larger than a conventional pen. Also with one airbrush created works are sometimes easy airbrush called. Painting with the airbrush gun is used in various areas. On the one hand succeed with the airbrush very fine color gradients and surfaces can be executed very evenly. That makes that airbrush interesting for certain styles such as photorealism in painting. On the other hand, he finds airbrush Application in model making, but also in bodypainting and nail design. Make-up artists also work with the airbrush. In the broadest sense, airbrushing began as early as the Stone Age with the well-known cave paintings in the famous Grotte de Pech Merle, near the French city of Cahors. Of course, that had nothing to do with today’s airbrush guns.

Historic airbrushes

Airbrush guns were used as retouchers in the United States as early as the mid-19th century. A certain Francis Edgar Stanley patented an airbrush gun, called Stenley’s Atomizer, in 1876. At the end of the 19th century, silver bromide enlargements and the associated surface retouching increased more and more. Airbrush guns as retouchers were now also used in Germany. Parallel to this, work has already begun on the invention of a compressed air spray gun. The actual invention of a spray gun goes back to the American doctor Allen De Vilbiss. His invention was intended to nebulize drugs in the throat. Tom de Vilbiss, the doctor’s son, developed the technique further and invented a paint sprayer in 1907. This created the basis for industrial painting in the car industry. In 1902, the German Albert Krautzberger patented a paint device operated by compressed air. The Krautzberger GmbH produces compressed air spray guns up to the present time.

Function of an airbrush

An airbrush works on the principle of a pump. The pumping action is generated here by a so-called driving medium in exchange with a second suction medium. The blowing agent in the airbrush is compressed air, while the suction medium is the liquid paint with fine pigmentation. For the airbrush technique are watercolors, Acrylics, diluted oil paints and special textile dyes. Depending on the application, there are different types of airbrush guns. In contrast to the painting technique, the airbrush does not wet the paint but applies it as a kind of fine color dust. Typically, the paint needs to be applied in multiple layers to cover. With the airbrush you can work very detailed and accurate. Airbrushed surfaces do not shine, but can be repainted depending on the application, for example in model making. An airbrush gun works very sparingly in terms of color consumption. The nozzle size determines the type of color and the size of the pigments. The specialist retailers now sell very different colors for areas such as textiles, plastics, food, glass, porcelain or leather. Solvent-based paints should only be handled outdoors with respiratory protection. For body painting there are special colors that have been dermatologically tested.

Airbrushes in comparison

For the creative work with airbrush one needs beside the airbrush pistol and the color also a hose together with compressor, Airbrush guns are sold individually and as a set together with a compressor. During the airbrush comparison and comparison 12 airbrushes with and without compressor were tested. The AT-Airbrush Pistol Kit by Agora-Tec, the Airbrush Pistol Compressor Set by Timbertech and the airbrush pistols from the manufacturer Lumi were tested very well. All other tested airbrushes received good ratings. Recommended and noted for their value for money are the airbrush colors of Americolor Corp. Other airbrushes with good ratings come from the manufacturers Revell, Agora Tec, Amur, Golden Tulip and Wiltec. The Orbis Power Studio Airbrush Set was a special airbrush for children on the test bench and was convincing. The airbrush products from Harder & Steenbeck are also recommended, a company that has been active in airbrush technology for over 60 years. Ultimately, the choice of a suitable airbrush also depends on what you intend to do with the device.