Marker Airbrush Jumpstart: Preclass
Welcome to class! This lesson will talk about supplies to get yourself ready, swatching your colors – and troubleshooting. Which might seem early to squeeze that in here, but also, remember it’s here so later if you run into an issue, you’ll have an idea how to tackle it!
Note that this is the same preclass lesson for both part I and part II as well as the full course, so pay attention to supplies not needed for the section you might be taking.
Before we start…a little housekeeping
I retain the copyright to the content you are learning in class. That means…
- Do not sell or give away the concepts from my classes – you may not re-teach my instruction contained or created within these lessons.
- Do not post a video tutorial or step by step photo tutorial of your own redraw of class content.
- Do not repost any handouts you receive in class.
However…I love to see students making strides and taking this teaching and personalizing it with your own skills.
- DO make your own designs and develop your own style! I love that!
- DO gift your creations made with these techniques, of course!
At the bottom of each lesson you’ll see some ways to share your homework and ask questions, so that’ll be handy for you.
Video 1: Supplies
Supplies
Markers: This class can be taken in any brand of markers, though your pens need to fit in the marker “gun”; I was able to make things work with Copic of course, but several lessons include Ohuhu Honolulu and OLO markers.
- Copic colors: Y04, Y19, YR16, R14, RV04, R46, B24, B37, YG03, G19, BV11, 100 BLICK / JACKSONS ART
- OLO colors: Y1.2, YO O.4, O.4, R0.4 RV0.4 R1.5. B2.4, B4.6, YG3.4, G1.7, BV2.3, K OLO MARKER
- Ohuhu Honolulu colors: Y19, Y111, YR111, R012, RV39, R016, BV58, B315, YG07, G310, BV26, 120 AMAZON
TIP: If you can purchase your Airbrush unit from a place you can return it, then get one to try out with your brand of pens. Open carefully in case you need to return it.
Airbrush: I’m using the Copic ABS3 system (BLICK / AMAZON ) attached to a compressor, connected by a cord. There may be other marker airbrushes from the past, or new ones that come on the market; aside from basic operation of your tool, this course is applicable to any other marker airbrushes, as the first 5 lessons are all about color, and the last five are masking. See the video below for more on airbrush compressors.
Paper: You can airbrush on pretty much anything! If you plan to draw on the paper as well (ie putting a foreground image into the background scenes we’ll create) then your favorite marker paper will be great. The demos will be done in a 9×12 Copic Sketchbook that has marker paper in it. (BLICK / AMAZON )
Miscellany:
- Scrap paper for tearing – both cardstock and computer paper
- Postit notes – the larger 3-1/2″ kind, not the teensy ones
- Tape – whatever kind will work on the paper you use for class. 1/4″ and 1/2″ widths.
- Tsquare if you’ll be drawing boxes into your own sketchbook. These are cheap! BLICK / AMAZON
- Pencil, any kind
- White pen Copic Acrea Paint Marker works really well on top of airbrush BLICK / AMAZON
For part II only:
-
-
- Post it tape – the tape I used is no longer on sale, but you can get 2″ post it tape, or 5″x7″ sheets . Check stamping stores for other types but be sure it’s the post-it temporary kind.
- Circle punches or dies, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″
- Stamps, if desired (demos will use two very old and out of production stamps, but that will be unimportant – one from Impression Obsession which has closed, and one from Colorado Craft Company who retired the set.)
- OPTIONAL: Wait til you see demos if you want, you can still do the lessons with post it tape:
-
Video 2: Compressor, plus marker comparisons
This was on YouTube and shows the compressor used during the filming of this course. I’d recommend getting one at your local hardware store. Tell them it’s for airbrush, and you want a PSI between 50-60. You may need to get a cord that’ll connect the two.
Video 3: Troubleshooting
Watch this now before class, and you’ll know to refer back to this if needed as class marches on. You may discover changes in your pens as you go, and some of this may help. If you come up with solitions, email me and I’ll write up student input here, too!
DOWNLOAD PAGE
There’s no need to color this sheet, but if you’d like to keep it as a reference, have at it!
Troubleshoot the compressor by checking the PSI; lift the (usually black) cap and turn it. Do so while the compressor is plugged in and on so you can watch the PSI change. Set at about 55.
Troubleshoot markers: overinked pens and brush nibs will cause more spattering–sometimes more bothersome than others. Even Copics do it sometimes, it’s the nature of blowing air across a pen nib.
BAG TRICK: Remove nib and place in a plastic bag with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol. Knead it into the nib to help loosen pores. Remove and let the alcohol evaporate before restoring to the pen.
Marker positioning can be adjusted – sometimes twisting a slight bit can make a difference, pulling a chisel nib out just 1/64th of an inch can get it going. Other times change the nib, and reink.
Video 4: Make a color chart
Create a color chart for the 12 pens you’ll be using, masking with stickynotes.
DOWNLOAD PAGE
Share homework & ask questions
Artventure Community
Join our active art community of thousands of artists on the Mighty Networks app or on the web. You can get quick feedback, help, and answers, as well as getting to know other artists near you and around the globe! Free to join.
Monthly Open Studio
Sign in for one of our Zoom calls – “office hour” as a community! Submit work for critiques, questions about techniques, get to know fellow students! See the calendar at Artventure for upcoming dates. Replays available free for 1 week.
Discover more from Art Classes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.