StarMax MAX-3 - Tips & Exercises; Basic Tips for Airbrushing; Simple Airbrushing Exercises

To Previous Page

Detailed_MAX-3_manual_20220829

Basic tips for airbrushing:

1. Always start and end with air only. Adjust the pressure if necessary.

2. With air on, start moving your airbrush, then pull back the push button for color. End by

reversing the process, returning the push button to its starting position, but keep air on and

continue moving your airbrush.

3. Move the airbrush closer to the surface for thinner/smaller, more concentrated lines/dots, and

further away for broader, less deﬁned lines.

4. Between airbrushing breaks, leave the air on to maintain consistent pressure.

Simple airbrushing exercises:

Lines

Use the other hand to hold and stabilize the airbrushing hand. Press for air only, then slowly and

steadily move across the paper with your wrist locked. Finish oﬀ with air only.

Practice drawing thinner and broader lines by varying the distance between the airbrush and the

paper.

Dots

Hold the airbrush perpendicular to the paper, press for air only, then pull back the push button a

bit and return to its starting position right away with the air still on. Repeat and make dots across

the paper. Try connecting the dots with lines.

Shades

Hold airbrush a few inches from the paper, start moving the airbrush with air only, and gently pull

back the push button for color from the left of the paper across to the right with constant speed to

create even tone, ending with air only.

Repeat and try to ﬁll up the paper with even tone throughout, not seeing the start and end.

Dagger Strokes

The goal is to go from wide to a thin point smoothly and gradually.

Hold the airbrush away from the paper and start moving with air only, pull back for paint, then

simultaneously reduce paint by slowly moving the push button towards its starting position, and

move the airbrush gradually towards the paper. This involves moving the arm but not the wrist.

Repeat and practice in diﬀerent directions horizontally, and vertically downwards.

TIPS & EXERCISES