VAE's "How to paint like the pros"

[vintage AE]

You also mention using a detail tip & needle for shading...do you happen to know what size that is? My shading skills definitely need some help.

It took some looking around on the internet, but found it eventually. When buying the different combo kits at the store, there are no sizes, but found a website that had the background knowledge to post it.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/badger-airbrush-needlenozzle-replacement-kits/

This is the finest one I use for detailing... Pro-Production Super Fine Detail Kit, 0.3 mm

This one for small areas... Pro-Production Fine Detail Kit, 0.4 mm

And this one for larger areas... Pro-Production General Purpose Kit, 0.5 mm

This is what you'd see at the store

[Coelacanth]

Thanks Anthony...my airbrush kits each come with 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm tips. I'd really like to do better drop-shadows...I find when they're done well, it gives a body's paint job some depth, accentuating the body's lines.

[OUTLAWD]

Do you know if all three of sizes fit the Patriot 105?

I see now they have an Xtreme Partriot with a 0.3mm needle, just not sure if that would be to small for general use, and the 0.5mm would be too large for shadowing, etc. I am not looking to freehand pencil width lines, just want to do some shading, shadowing and blending.

Also, do you back the water-based with anything?

Thanks!

[Coelacanth]

Also, do you back the water-based with anything?

Yes, you back it just as you normally would, but with black, silver or white water-based paint, depending on the color you're backing. If you don't back it, light will shine through the paint, and the colors won't really pop.

[EvolutionRevolution]

Nice tutorial. One comment though (bolding mine):

I use water based paints, there's not precautions needed for ventilation. I use a BBQ box with the side cut out for a painting booth.

Either paint outside where there is enough ventilation, or use an exhaust fan, no matter what. Although water based paint is less dangerous for your health than solvent based ones, your airbrush (or a spray can) still pulverises the paint into very small particles that can end up very deep in your lungs, and although the water is not toxic many color pigments used for paint are.