Thread: Airbrushing Props

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I have a dual action air brush and though I have been practicing the basics, it gets kind of boring painting lines on paper. I wanted the airbrush to do makeup and to paint props for my haunt. Can someone post something like that? Thanks.

I will add some more AB stuff for you soon, here is one I previously posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGoAvssooQs

Thanks, Allen. I will watch it again (I think I've watched your videos 2-3 times each lol) it is a great video and one of the reasons I wanted an airbrush

Just a quick question about paint. Can I buy the cheap acrylic paints from Walmart craft section (about $10 for a package) and dilute with water for airbrushing practice?

Hey there. This will be geared more to makeup... but ... just my two cents. Yes you can use cheap craft paint, but I don't think you should use the cheap craft paints. It's not that they are bad, just that (IN MY EXPERIENCE) they don't work well in an airbrush. You can thin them enough and get them to spray, but they tend to gum up the tip really fast, or little bits of gritty pigment make the tip spit, and they are more frustrating than is worth the trouble. I have not tried using another type of thinner than water, so that might make a difference. I'm not sure if the cheaper type airbrushes that mix paint on the outside might work better for that, or at least be quickly wiped clean and painting continues. Now, since you are willing to practice and experiment, you can try the paint, practice with it etc. It won't hurt your brush, you'll just get to clean it out. But if you are doing an actual project, use the right paint for the job. It's amazing what the right paint will do.

As far as make-up, I've been doing haunt makeup for several years (including airbrush), and this last year was lucky enough to do the make-up at a large, successful local haunt that's run for 20+ years. This was their first year with airbrush, we had three make-up persons, and applied makeup each night for about three hours (21 days I think plus rehearsals). The following is in my experience and my opinions. I'm sure there are others out there.
I've used three basic types, water-based thinned and water-based brush ready, alcohol based, silicone based. I think in general, the waterbased are most economical, versatile, and most common used. I know of some who use liquitex airbrush paint, thinned a bit. It works very well, BUT it isn't approved for use on skin so I'm not recommending it. I have not seen any adverse reactions or outcomes, as a matter of fact it was much like the water-based make-up but lasted a bit better, I couldn't find any information indicating that there was anything in it bad or different than the make-up labeled for skin, it's just not approved for use on skin.

For haunts I recommend Water-based airbrush paints and powder-set grease paints: I have used the waterbased alone, and along with grease paint (typical make-up applied with sponge then powder set), and it works fine over or under. It has good stay power especially if your actors are not sweating. If they are sweaty, if they don't touch the paint, it still stays fine. It works great over gel and latex fx, it's easy to remove (water, soap and water, baby wipes), I've never seen an adverse reaction, only minor skin staining with reds on face. More economical than other options. Brushes, spills and everything cleans easily, I prefer a thinned solution of window cleaner sprayed through brushes each night with some left in, then thorough disassembled cleaned every few days (especially if there will be a day off and brushes sit extra time.)
I have not used the other paints for the haunts, but test them on myself HA! I also test on my family. especially my very indulgent oldest son.
The alcohol based is great. It lasts a long time, depending on application and care it can last for days, and these are commonly the types of paints used on temporary tattoos. Nice results, But they need to be removed with 90% alcohol, or baby oil. Some types will sting if used on face. And if removing with alcohol, that stings since you need the higher percentage alcohol. Great colors, some of the best fx make up done is with alcohol based. Can buy alcohol activated colors that match. Can be used on masks. Generally a great "paint" but more pricey and some might not enjoy the sting. I wouldn't choose to use at the haunt, mostly because of actors... dealing with that many individuals is, umm, well, it requires patience and time, and there isn't enough of that in the rush of haunt prep. Otherwise, this is great stuff, and often what you see when you see movie makeup.
Silicone is my favorite (for now). BUT, I wouldn't use it at the haunt unless the owner would pay for it. It's pricey. However, it's smooth, mixes and blends easily, small amount goes a long way, colors build up great, and it has real staying power without looking like it's sitting on the skin. This type of high quality isn't needed in a haunt for the most part. If I did my son's make up special for a halloween party, this is what I would choose. When it's going to really be seen, close up, worn for hours and needing to last this is what I would choose. I plan to use some on a couple actors next year, who get seen close up, who I know will appreciate it and will remove it properly, and since I'm buying it myself, a couple actors wont' cost me that much.

Ok, that was long-winded. I hope it helped.

Great info and a different perspective than mine- well done.
I use Harbor freights airbrushes and have no clog issues at all- More expensive airbrushes seem to = more clogs. I have an eclipse, a few vJL's from pashay (will never remember that spelling), a 4 grex genesis, and the $20 Harbor freight airbrush is my go to airbrush. Cheap is king at most haunts. Im not a fan of atomizing the alcohol paints but the FX palletes are awesome with a brush and do last forever like Neeliz said.
Im doing some airbrushing tomorrow at the workshop so I will tape what I can.

Awesome info, thanks. I think for my haunt I will start out by airbrushing props. I have a few paper mache masks I have made and I think airbrushing will work best for the faces. After I get good enough on those I will try to airbrush makeup on people's faces. Can't wait to see the video, Allen.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-5-hp-...kit-95630.html Is this system any good to start with?

Yeah, thats a good kit. I also really like the $10 quick change single action AB they have.

The place I did make-up at last season bought one of them. Although we didn't use it, it looked good and I plugged it in and checked it out. The fact that it has a regulator is (I believe) important. The brush seemed decent enough.
We didn't use it because it was bought as a back-up and was apparently similarly inexpensive. There are better set-ups but for a starter brush/compressor at that price I think it's worth it. The little compressor is a little noisy, but that's common with them. But they are portable and that's nice. They also bought a six-brush station that we hooked up to a big tank/compressor, and that's what we used.