Airbrushing styles are similar to graffiti art.
Airbrushing uses a gun that looks similar to a pencil and has a cup attached to add the paint. The paint sprays through the tip of the airbrushing gun when the trigger is pulled. Airbrushing designs are often seen on cars, t-shirts, hats, license plates or even on walls. There are various design techniques that can be used to create different looks and styles of airbrushing.
Stencils
Airbrushing with stencils allows you to make small shapes and sharp lines that can not be done freehand. Lay the stencil flat on your working surface, holding it in place as you pull back the trigger on the airbrush and the paint only covers the open area of the stencil. Common stencil shapes used for airbrushing are stars, hearts, circles and even odd shapes. Stencils are often used to create tiny designs on acrylic nails in salons. There are stencils available that are used for creating wavy edges for flames. Flames are often an airbrushed design done on classic cars around the hood and fenders.
Freehand
Airbrushing freehand is how many professionals create their own artwork. This is done similar to graffiti style art. Pulling the trigger on the airbrush gun and using sweeping motions as you would if you were using a spray can covers a wide area with color. Spraying the airbrush very close to a surface creates a darker, sharper image. Holding the airbrush further away from the surface creates a more fuzzy look to the design. Colors can be blended together using freehand methods. Blending colors by spraying them together will create a third color in between. This technique works well for tie dye effects.
Lettering
Possibilities are endless with lettering. You can airbrush any type of lettering font. Block letters are usually bigger and are then filled in with color. Large block letters or graffiti style letters work well using the color blending design. Large enough lettering can have designs airbrushed inside the letters using freehand or stencil designs. Script lettering is done by using freehand cursive style writing. This is single stroke lettering where the letters are airbrushed quickly and have thinner to thicker lines in each of the letters. Stencils can also be used to create sharp looking letters.
Highlights
Highlights done with airbrushing gives depth and shape to your airbrushed designs. Simple spots of white added to script style lettering make it look rounded and shiny as if a light source was shining on it. Using a gray or purple color to create a shadow behind lettering gives it depth and makes it stand out. Highlights are also used to make your airbrush design look realistic and make the image seem to pop out. This makes your design look more 3D instead of flat.
