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Classic Airbrush Techniques Book Review

Link to this book has been in my sidebar for as long as this website is on but I never evenmentioned this book to my audience, not even once. I’ve been planing to make a review of this bookfor a long time and I think now is the right time.

Why does this book need a review, how do I plan to review it and what’s the point? When you clickon that banner you are taken to a sales page. This page is short and straight to the point but you willnot find many testimonials (only one), readers feedbacks or any proof that this book is worth yourtime and money. This is why I decided to write my subjective review. I want to inform my readersinterested in airbrushing if they can earn anything from Classic Airbrush Techniques book.

Will this be another book on your shelf covered in dust?

Firstly – you won’t find any information about the book on the sales page saying it’s actuallyrepaired and digitally remastered copy of the original book from 1953. That why it’s called “Classic”.The original title of the book was “Airbrush Techniques For Commercial Art” (Authors: John B.Musachia, Henri A. Fludare, Melvin J. Grainger). This book was so successful that its secondedition was published in 1961.

It is very difficult to get to the original, printed, hard covered book, even though I’ve seen some onamazon. Digital form is probably better way to store the book on your computer or your e-reader.

When you buy this book you will get 4 PDF files (4 chapters) of the actual book plus one bonus (Idescribe it later). The quality of PDF files of this copy is very good. The authors of digital version arenot saying the facts that these pages are from old book but readability is above the norm anyway,no matter if you zoom it in or out it’s still very good quality.

Classic airbrush techniques is book intended more for beginners than for advanced airbrushists.

The first chapter contains the real airbrush basics. Information about the equipment you need forairbrushing from airbrush gun itself, through compressor, regulators up to even a chair and table.You have to take into count the period when the book was published as all the equipment is typicalfor that time. Honestly, almost nothing has changed in almost 60 years!!

Also in the first chapter you will get helpful hints where you learn how to properly hold airbrush, howto fill it and clean it. All about masks and friskets. Even detailed schema of airbrush gun and how itworks. All described very easy and understandable.

Also as the authors of the PDF version of the book Airbrush-Ebooks.com state they have addedfew pages for practice purpose which you can print out as many time as you want and paint directlyon them. This is actually a good feature for many airbrush beginners.

I was thinking about the easy way to describe to my readers how to make certain effects by writingsome practical example and didn’t know that actually it is possible without making a video. Wellauthors of this book have opened my eyes. They assigned symbols to different types ofcontrol methods and strokes of airbrush and when you practice you will have a reference withsymbols so you will know how to control airbrush to get required effect.

All the control methods are also described and have images.

Also big part of the first chapter is dedicated to common errors and what is causing them.

Second chapter takes you directly to practice. All with detailed descriptions, reference images andyour practice page ready to print. It has 7 lessons starting from a square and ending up withrendering a machine nut. Here you will learn to paint basic shapes and create special effects likeshading of 3D objects and lightning.

In the third chapter you should step on a higher level. It takes you directly into CommercialIllustration. The lessons continue from 8 up to 13 and here you will have to render much moredifficult objects taking you almost into reality. Also all the lessons are described very well.

If you ever accomplish the third chapter and will not have problem to render any object Iwould say you can call yourself a master. But wait there is fourth chapter too. Here you will diveinto textures and photo retouching. Unfortunately you will find only basics about this topics as Ithink you will need to get a whole new book just for textures, so getting all of that into one chapter isalmost impossible.

What do I think about this book?In my vision if we’ve ever had to go to airbrush school (not just course but actual school) if that everexisted I would say this book is a must have to every student of the first grade. It gives you thebasics of airbrush techniques in a format of a school book (and I mean it). I can actually see thatauthors of this book were trying to make it as simple as it gets and at the same time give readersas much as possible information. I think they have done a great job.

The BonusThis is not actually a book but 11 pages of advices from Dave Hahn for everyone who wants to startbusiness in Airbrush Tattoo.

Airbrush Tattoo – Business Startup Guide

Here you’ll will find all about equipment and materials for temporary tattoos, best stencils materialsfor this kind of airbrushing and how to work with them, how to prepare skin and how to take care ofthe tattoo. Also how to maintain the equipment and of course all about marketing opportunities.

I can’t tell you if this bonus will benefit you as I have no experience with temporary tattoo, especiallyhow to do business with this kind of airbrushing. It is well written guide and maybe if you areinterested in airbrush tattoos you will be happy to get it.

ConclusionAs mentioned earlier this is my subjective review. I don’t regret the money I’ve spent as there isactual value in this book. Every beginner starting to learn airbrush techniques should have a copy ofthis book among any other literature. If I’ve convinced you that you need this then go & grab youcopy here.