GD Airbrushing

It seems like wherever you turn today, the airbrush is being used--whether on television, on the Internet or in print. The airbrush has become a tool that many people have a desire to learn to use.
On the Food Channel bakers use the airbrush for decorating pastries, chocolates and cakes. And there are very popular programs on the Discovery Channel, such as "American Chopper," where the airbrush plays a prominent role in custom automotive painting. On the Learning Channel, artists and crafters use the airbrush in many different applications. Simplistic battery-operated "airbrushes" are seen in kits in department stores and drugstores to airbrush temporary tattoos, while professional airbrushes are used for T-shirt and baseball cap decoration in malls and on boardwalks. Beauty and nail salons feature airbrushed designs. Videos abound in art supply/craft stores for various airbrush applications. And on the "Little Einsteins" Web site, children can choose to paint with an airbrush. This e-tool resembles a bottom-feed airbrush and is manipulated with the mouse--as recently demonstrated by a three-year-old toddler! (See http://disney.go.com/disneychannel/playhouse/littleeinsteins/activities/paint.html.)
With airbrushing and its many applications so visible to the public, more and more people are interested in learning airbrush technique. ARTtalk constantly receives e-mails from individuals seeking good, solid airbrush workshops to attend. Following are some recommended classes:
--Airbrush Action magazine has for many years offered both basic and advanced classes in different cities throughout the U.S. Coming up in 2006 are classes in Las Vegas, NV, (Feb. 7-10) and Charlotte, NC (June 8-11). These highly recommended classes are taught by a faculty of airbrush professionals such as Craig Fraser, Deborah Mahan, Michael Cacy and Terry Hill, among others. One- to four-day classes are offered that include basic introduction, a Kustom Master's Series, commercial illustration, pin-up and canvas airbrushing as well as other applications. A full listing can be found in Airbrush Action or on their website at http://www.airbrushaction.com/.
--For those who are interested in the art of airbrushing miniatures, we recommend Alex Castro's classes in East Stroudsburg, PA. These are offered to beginner, intermediate and advanced students and are personalized workshops held in the artist's studio. For more information, Email alexdoriscastro@msn.com or call 570-421-2012. http://alexcastro.com/
--ARTtalk.com (www.arttalk.com/workshop/workshop.htm) offers basic airbrush technique workshops throughout the year in Beacon, NY, 65 miles north of Manhattan and just off Interstate 84. These one-day workshops have been offered for many years and are successful in taking the novice through the fundamentals of airbrush technique to a point where he/she is competent enough to take more advanced classes. Also offered throughARTtalk are an advanced special effects workshop and a custom automotive workshop taught by Pamela Shanteau, both two-days long. Her classes can also be found at the Learning & Product Expo: ART that is held in Burbank, CA, each October and now in Maryland in June. This highly successful show, which has classes in all types of art applications, plus a trade show floor with products being demonstrated and sold, will be held for the first time on the East Coast on June 1. For more info go to http://www.learningproductexpo.com/.
--For those who wish to learn airbrush technique on their own, there is a 12-part informational booklet, "The Beginner's Guide to Airbrushing," available at www.airbrushtalk.com. Thanks Arttalk.com