Here is how to airbrush. Click here to see some recommended Airbrush Equipment.

First, you must have a good double action airbrush. Double action means you control 2 actions with the trigger. Push the trigger down and you control the flow of air through the airbrush. Pull back the trigger and you control the flow of paint.

The siphon (also called bottom) feed model is a good general starter airbrush. There are many good models out there. I use the Iwata Line of airbrushs and highly recommend them. They cost a bit more than some models but I like their robustness, simplicity and ease of use. I'd recommend getting the Iwata Revolution or the Eclipse siphon feed models.. Another choice is the Eclipse side-feed model and it sprays a bit finer than the first two airbushed listed.  Airbrush Cost $50 to $125 for a good beginner airbrush depending on make and model.

Next you need a good air supply and I recommend a good general purpose air compressor. You can get an inexpensive model with about a 1/3 hp motor to get you started. If you plan on using more than one airbrush at a time because you have a friend that may paint with you than get at least a 1 horse compressor.  Compressor Cost $60 to $125 again depending on make and horsepower or Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) which is how most are rated but I'll stick with horsepower because the two are correlated and makes it less complicated for a beginning.

Finally, you need some paint and cleaner along with some tiny cleaning brushes. Cost- $25 -50.

Oh, I almost forgot that you will need a regulator and water trap. Cost- $50-$60

The secret to airbrushing could not be simpler though it takes a couple weeks to begin to get the feel of the airbrush.

In the beginning all you need to do is practice making dots. Big dots at first and than smaller until you have absolute control of your dots. BUT you must do this by first pushing the airbrush trigger down for air than pulling it back slowly for paint than back forward in one smooth motion without letting up  on the trigger so the air stays on!!!!

Secret #1 Grasshopper - Air is your friend and it must stay on while you paint!

If you let up on the trigger and stop the air before all the paint clears the airbrush than you end up with a droplet of paint left on the needle tip so when you start the air again you'll end up with immediate paint then a skip and then paint again. If you are painting dots you may not notice this but when you paint lines you'll end up painting exclamations with a dot before each line.

After, you have mastered making dots and it may take 1 to 4 weeks depending on how quick you get comfortable with the airbrush but if you practice it will eventually become an extension of your hand so DO NOT get discouraged. At times, your fingers will get tired because you are using finger muscles in a different way. If your fingers are very tired it is best to stop practice and rest your fingers.

Next you will learn to paint the tiger stroke or dagger stroke and it has a whole list of other names- BECAUSE THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS!!!

Secret #2 Grasshopper- the tiger/dagger stroke is only A DOT IN MOTION!!

Just practice starting with huge dots in motion, or hugh double or single ended dagger strokes if you prefer to call them that but they really are all the same it is just how you look at it. Tiger strokes = dots in motion-really!!

To make dagger strokes operate the airbrush just as you were making a dot but now add motion painting from left to right or vs if you are a lefty. Don't worry about size or even shape at first and slowly you'll be able to time your strokes to start and end them exactly where you want. Then start controlling the size. Keep the height of the airbrush between your belly button and armpits. Painting higher or lower will cause problems. Raise or lower your work to find the optimum height.

As you practice these strokes you will get so you can make them smaller and smaller and control their exact placement.

IF you practice till you get good at making dagger strokes then you have mastered enough techniques so you can paint one of the big cats that looks very realistic. You master two simple airbrush secrets and you are on your way to a lot of fun!!!

It really is that simple and if you practice you really will learn to airbrush!!

Now if you find that your airbrush acts like it is clogged than point it at a none work area and pull the needle back quickly and release it. Most airbrushes now have a cut away section so you don't have to take the protective back off to access the needle. That should clear any paint clumps out of it. If not you'll have to take it apart and clean it. No big deal. Just run some water through it but be careful that you don't lose the tiny nozzle parts down the sink. Put a stopper in the sink!! Take your time and remember how you took it apart if not check out the instruction manual parts list that came with it. If you lost it then just google it.

Another common problem is tip dry. Air and paint blowing over the needle tip will slowly cause paint to dry on the tip. Unscrew the tip cover and use your fingernail to scrap the dry paint off. You will have to do this periodically when painting. Again be careful because if you bend the tiny needle tip you airbrush won't shoot straight. Ok, so you goofed and bent the needle. Carefully straighten it as best as possible with you fingernail than lay it on a hard surface and slowly roll it back and forth.

I'll continue this lesson later and add more tips. Check out the airbrush equipment to get started.