People often ask me how I got into airbrushing. Though I’ve been selling my artwork since I was 15, I had never picked up an airbrush. I was basically thrown into it one night when my boyfriend told me I was supposed to show up at a boat repair shop the next day to do some airbrushed drop shadows on a 40-foot race boat. I ran out that evening, bought an airbrush and compressor, and spent hours getting the feel of the airbrush. I was shaking in my boots when I showed up at the boat shop, but I actually did a good job on the freehand drop shadows! 

I made it through that test and ended up working for many months at the boat shop, but I also practiced my craft on every sort of surface at home, and learned a lot as the months went by. I also bought some wonderful airbrushing books so that I could hear from the pros the answers to my questions: how to prep surfaces properly, what airbrush is the best to use, what kind of paint do I airbrush with on t-shirts or motorcycles or wood, and a myriad of other artist questions. Soon I was airbrushing more detailed work on boats, then on motorcycles, helmets and decals. I had fallen in love with this new medium.

I’ve searched through Barnes and Noble, and found some of the best airbrushing books available. Many of these titles are on my OWN shelf in my studio, and I use them quite frequently for inspiration or a kick in the butt. I’m adding them all to a page on my site, so you won’t have to search so hard for them. Click to go to the Airbrushing Books Page.

Airbrushing is fun, but there are so many variables, I always suggest that folks do a lot of reading before just grabbing the cheapest airbrush they can find and ultimately getting frustrated. Knowledge is POWER! You will learn your craft more quickly with good information than you will by flying in the dark.

Enjoy a safe and happy Holiday season,
Eclectic Dawn