Some artists use bristle, sable, or synthetic brushes, while others use airbrushes. In simple terms, an airbrush artist is a painter who uses a precision paint sprayer powered compressed air. Airbrush artists create a wide range of artistic works on T-shirts, motorcycle and hockey helmets, canvas, and a variety of other surfaces with their air-powered brushes. They can be used in watercolor and other paints, dyes and inks, and even foundation makeup. Stencils may be used beginners in certain professional fields, but many masters in the field prefer to paint freehand.
An airbrush artist may paint for personal enjoyment or as a profession. Airbrush artists work in a wide range of industries. They might make a living adorning people’s bodies. They airbrush temporary tattoos and body art on children and adults at children’s birthday parties and other events. Some have airbrush tattoo parlors where customers come to get their work done.
Airbrushing is a technique used professional makeup artists in film, television, modeling, and other high-profile fields to make actors and models more appealing to cameras. Airbrush fingernail artists use stencils to create patterns and designs on clients’ fingernails at nail salons and spas. Airbrush designs are also applied to false fingernails.
Commercial airbrush artists work on cars and trucks, painting pictures on boats, and designing motorcycles and other vehicles. Other airbrush artists create murals or paintings on canvases. Some use their airbrushing skills as graphic designers in advertising, magazines, and other places. They make ad art and retouch photos and negatives for magazines. Some airbrush artists work for themselves, while others work for others.
Airbrush artists’ working lives will differ depending on the industry in which they work. For an airbrush artist applying tattoos at parties and events, for example, weekends and evenings may be typical working hours. He or she will arrive at the client’s event with a selection of tattoo stencils from which the client can choose. The tattoo artist may spend hours airbrushing tattoos on dozens of people using special body inks.
An airbrush artist who creates commissioned or original artwork may prefer a more solitary day. He or she will frequently work from a home or other studio that is equipped with the necessary airbrushing supplies. A typical day might also include tasks such as adding new pieces for sale to an online store and speaking with art studios and retailers about carrying his or her work. Meeting with clients who want to commission pieces may also be part of this type of airbrush artist’s daily routine.