Start by creating a dot approximatly 1/8" in diameter. Maintain a stright line and try to space the Dots 1" (one inch)  apart. To do this, hold the airbrush approximately 1" from the surface. Depress the trigger only about 1/4 down releasing only air. Now gradually pull the trigger back until you see a  dot develop. Steady you hand by placing you "pinky" finger on the surface as a guide. Place the palm of your opposite hand under the hand using the airbrush to help steady the airbrush.

This is a continuation of the "Dot" exercise featured here at Airbrushtech. Practicing the "Dots" is one of the best ways to develop Airbrush control. By doing variations of dot sizes it teaches paint and air mixture through trigger control. Practicing multiple dot sizes also helps develop control of the spray pattern size by combining the distance from the surface that the airbrush is with the paint and air mixture determined by the trigger.

Start a new set of dots. This time do pin point size dots and space them apart this time about 1/2". You want to concentrate on keeping  consistent with the dot size and the distance they are spaced apart. Hold the airbrush close to the surface and apply very little air pressure. Gradually pull back the trigger until the desired dot appears.

Staying with the same line of dots, close up your spacing to a 1/16" apart. Try to maintain the consistent dot size and at the same time work on keeping them in a straight line as you move across the paper.

Continue creating dots in a straight line. This time move the airbrush further away from the surface and increase the size of the dots by adding more paint and air mixture with the trigger. The dots will generally increase in size just by moving the airbrush further away but more paint needs to be delivered to make a solid dot.

Here is what you should have at this point. Practice them over and over. Once you can do this exercise with easy you are on your way to having control over the airbrush and another step closer to doing detailed illustrations.

Go back to what was practices in the previous Airbrushtech "Dot" exercise and continue doing small to large dots. This time repeat the process in a straight line across the paper.

This is what your progression of dots should look like. 

Click on this photo and it will take you to a downloadable version of this exclusive "Airbrushing Dot Worksheet" provided by Airbrushtech. To make it easier to learn this exercise print this worksheet on 8 1/2" x 11" paper and practice painting directly over each dot.

Back To Basics

Exercise #2 - Making Dots

Airbrush "Dot" Worksheet

Click on this picture to go to download page.

Learning Airbrush Control

Written By Steven Craig

 Copyright 2007 Airbrushtech

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ARTIST PROFILE

STEVEN CRAIG

TECHNICAL

DATA

Steven Craig is the owner and head painter of SKC CUSTOMZ in Lake Havasu City, AZ. In the past Steven has won the House of Kolor Prestigeous Painter Award and was a 1st Place winner of Dupont's Hot Hues Awards. He most  recently was awarded the Matrix System's FX Grand Prize Award. Steve paints a wide range
of jobs from guitars to large off shore boats. Visit  his web site at

Airbrush : Iwata HP-BH, Custom Micron B
Spray Guns: Iwata LPH400 and Iwata LPH300
Paint Media: PPG, Xotic Colours, Dupont and Matrix Systems
Surface Media: Everything I can get paint to stick to.
Masking : R-Tape and 3M Masking Tapes
Projector: Artograph
Lighting : Natural and Florescent. Spray-Line and Spray King Paint Booths