Airbrush
Safety
The airbrush is a relatively safe machine, it does contain a few hazards to be aware of.
There is a long, very sharp needle that runs through the length of the airbrush. The point is surrounded by a protective metal part called a "needle cap", but it is good to be aware of.
Acetone and other chemicals are commonly used to clean airbrush parts, and these chemicals are hazardous to inhale in great quantities. Please use caution when cleaning the airbrush and use these chemicals in the proper manner.
Rules
You must clean the airbrush and the work area after you use it.
The air in the compressor must be released after the compressor is shut off.
Only staff may disassemble the airbrush. If you think you have a clog, report it to a staff member for troubleshooting.
You must turn on the air filter when spraying in the airbrush booth.
Your object must be able to fit inside the airbrush booth (14in width x 10in depth x 10in height)
Only use the provided airbrush paint in the airbrush. If bringing your own paints, they must be approved by the staff before you can use them.
How do I get access to the airbrush?
The airbrush requires that you have passed a quiz to use. Once you have access to the space, by filling out the agreement form, you may reference this page and painting basics to pass the canvas quiz and try painting. You may enroll in the canvas course here.
material costs
There is currently no pricing policies for the airbrush.
Always refer to the Material Store page for the most updated pricing.
How does it work?
The airbrush uses an air compressor to blow high pressure air through a small space. When this air is combined with paint, it blows the paint out from the nozzle in a widespread and soft stream of paint molecules, creating the soft "airbrush" look that the machine is known for.
There are two types of airbrushes: single action and dual action.
Here at the DCI Lab, we have a dual action airbrush. This means that we can control the amount of paint that is released into the airstream and the air flow at the same time, by pushing down for air and pulling back for paint.
More resources
Learn how to use the airbrush by painting one simple colour!