Airbrush

Quick Tips

The Genesis of the Airbrush — Many people are surprised to learn that the airbrush was invented as long ago as 1878 by Abner Peeler of Webster City, IA.  Peeler was a professional inventor who held over 100 patents on different items, including the screw machine and the typewriter.  The first airbrush was called a paint distributor, similar to today’s external mix oscillating airbrush but made of wood and metal parts. At this time airbrushes sold at a relatively high price of $10. It is known that S. M. Thomas was the first person to purchase one, and the first painting completed with the paint distributor was a self-portrait of Peeler done on an enlarged photograph.

Holiday Gift Considerations – If you are interested in purchasing an airbrush as a gift or have one on your own “wish list,” consider the following beforehand. 

The age of the person—child, adolescent or adult—may determine the sophistication of the airbrush purchased.  A dual action airbrush is appropriate for an adult, whereas a single action is suitable for a child.  This also holds true for the degree of artistic experience.  A beginning or novice painter might find a dual action brush too complicated, whereas an experienced painter who is comfortable with techniques will find one suitable.

Application should also be considered.  What will the person do with the airbrush?  For example, if working on T-shirts, he or she may want a brush that is adaptable to a jar that holds larger quantities of paint, has a large tip size so that it won’t clog too quickly with fabric paint and is dual action for sophistication of spray.  On the other hand, a person painting very small and tight illustrations/paintings, wood carvings, or miniature models, for example, might prefer a gravity feed airbrush for achieving fineness of line. 

And how much do you wish to spend?  A basic single action airbrush can cost as little as $50, while Iwata’s Custom Micron, designed for the elite professional, can cost over $600. 

Consider these points when purchasing an airbrush as a gift.  And be sure to consult the knowledgeable personnel in the airbrush department of your art supply/craft retail store.