What is an airbrush?

An airbrush is a tool, often in the shape of a gun, for painting by spraying paint using an airbrush compressor or simply a bottle of compressed air. They are made of stainless steel and allow you to color large areas in a very precise way in less time, offering a result similar to that of a spray.

In this way, a perfect result is achieved without marks or brush marks as well as sharp and realistic finishes. In addition, it is perfect for painting any type of material, which makes it a fundamental ally for our figures and miniatures.

Where to buy airbrushes for miniatures? 

At Green Stuff World we are lovers of miniatures, modeling and wargame figures, so we want to help you get all the accessories you need for your hobby at the best price and with the best quality. And we were not going to be less with a fundamental piece for the design and decoration of your figures, such as the airbrush. In our online store, you will find airbrushes with different thicknesses of paint, compressors, and all the paint, stencils, and more you need to use them.

In addition, thanks to our incredible logistics system, we can take your orders to more than 70 countries around the world.

What types of airbrushes are there?

There are basically 2 types of airbrushes on the market, single-action airbrushes, and double-action airbrushes.
The simple ones, usually in the shape of a pistol, have a trigger with a single movement that controls the flow of air and paint in the same pulsation.

Double action airbrushes also have a single trigger, but with two possible movements at the same time, where the pressure movement opens or closes the airflow, and a back-and-forth movement controls the amount of paint that comes out.

There is also a second differentiation of airbrushes according to the way in which it is fed with paint, which has evolved year after year starting with lower feeding, lateral feeding to upper feeding. The lower one is usually indicated for painting large surfaces, such as your own room walls, and its application in modeling is limited. The other 2 types of lateral and upper feeding are the most suitable, with the upper feeding being the one that works best and the most modern.

What kind of paint is used for airbrush painting?

Through an airbrush, you can use any type of liquid that can be projected with it, not necessarily paint. That being said, all paints on the market can be used with an airbrush, it's just a matter of using the proper dilution.

Normally you work with acrylic paints, watercolors, or acrylic inks due to their low toxicity and ease of cleaning. These paints can either come pre-diluted or be regular brush paints that need to be thinned with an airbrush thinner or paint medium.

How to clean an airbrush

Airbrushing work requires a high level of cleanliness and hygiene. Most of the problems that arise when painting with airbrushes is always due to not having them properly cleaned or not using the right cleaner for each type of paint.

Acrylic paints can use distilled water, alcohol, or specific acrylic cleaners, but solvent-based paints need acetone or other more specific cleaners that can be very toxic, so we recommend using acrylic paints whenever possible.

Both expensive airbrushes and cheap airbrushes require proper care and maintenance so that they can greatly increase their lifespan. For this, it is important to clean it right after each use and at the end of the painting session. In this sense, there are 2 types of cleaning, the quick one between color and color, and the deep or final cleaning at the end. Deeper cleaning requires cleaners compatible with each paint and often cleaning brushes or cleaning needles, and even ultrasonic cleaners, although the latter is too specific.

What needle to use in an airbrush?

Airbrush needles and nozzles must always be related and used in parallel, ie a 0.2 nozzle should always be used with a 0.2 needle, a 0.3 nozzle with a 0.3 needle, and so on.

Depending on the brand of airbrush, the bodies of these can be standard and interchangeable, or be fixed and unique for needle size. Green Stuff World airbrushes have all the common bodies so simply changing the nozzle and needle will allow you to work with the same body.

• The 0.5mm ones are recommended for more inexperienced users who do not master the correct dilutions of the paints enough or simply indicated to paint larger elements such as pieces of scenery.
• The 0.3mm ones are the market standards, and they are the best-selling airbrushes on the market.
• Those of 0.2mm or even smaller are perfect for the finest details and at the same time are the most difficult to use. If the dilution is not correct it could clog very easily.

How to paint with an airbrush?

If you are just starting out in the world of miniatures and wargame figures, we want to give you some tips to get started with airbrush painting. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Once you have your figure completely assembled on the base, you need to give a primer coat, usually pure white or black, and sometimes with overhead lighting that combines these 2 colors, which you can also do with the airbrush in a simple, clean and quick.
2. We will then start by airbrushing the deeper colors of the figure, which will usually be the skin or face of the figure. Continue the process of painting from the inside out, covering the areas that we have already finished with masking tape or masking putty, avoiding damaging the already painted parts.
3. Choose a pure white color or a mixture of your last light + white to highlight the parts of the figure that interest you. Don't worry, the airbrush is very precise and you will be able to do this perfectly and easily.
4. Painting with an airbrush is usually alternated with painting with a brush according to the shape and size of the figure.
5. When all the areas are painted, we will use the airbrush again to give a layer of protection or varnish protecting your work.

What do you need to buy to paint with an airbrush?

There are different accessories and accessories that are needed to paint with an airbrush. Therefore, having a handy list of what you will need for your miniatures will come in handy. Here you have it:

- An airbrush indicated for small figures that would be those of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5mm. The best airbrushes for modeling will always be the double-action ones.
- A compressor with or without an air tank (or boiler) that will give the necessary force to your airbrush.
- Airbrush hose with or without a tap to be able to connect your airbrush to the compressor.
- If you live in an area with high humidity, it is highly recommended to put humidity filters in both the airbrush and the hose.
- Paints, are better if they are acrylic due to their low or no toxicity. If you plan to have many figures, get a good assortment of paints, brushes, and solvents that cover all the needs of your figures.
- An airbrush holder where you can leave it while you are not using it.
- Silicone mat to protect the surface you paint on.
- Templates or airbrushing stencils. You can find them self-adhesive or reusable plastic.

In our store, you can stock up on everything you need to paint your miniatures with an airbrush professionally. Take a look at what you need and we'll bring it to your home in record time and for less than you imagine.