How to Hold an Airbrush Gun
Do you have an airbrush gun? Is it still in the box? Come on now, we have talked about this! Maybe it is my fault it is still in the box. I realized the other day I should have more tutorials that encourage you to feel confident and comfortable when you are airbrushing cookies. The way we feel confident is learning the basics forwards and backwards. Simple things like how to hold an airbrush gun can make or break your design especially when you use a stencil. Making beautiful cookies does not happen overnight. We may may a few ugly cookies before we crank out cookies that we are proud of. Do you know what we are doing when we make ugly cookies? We are learning. That’s right. We are learning what works and what doesn’t work.
Now bake, outline and flood some cookies and let’s learn how to airbrush cookies using a stencil.
How to Hold an Airbrush Gun:
When you watch the video, pay close attention to the angle of the airbrush gun. Holding the airbrush gun at a 90 degree angle is great for stenciling but it isn’t good when we want to spray the edge of the cookies to make an outline or a shadow on the cookie. We will talk about shading in a tutorial soon, but right now remember when you are stenciling a cookie, a 90 degree angle works better because it will keep the color from going under the stencil.
A 45 degree angle is used when you want to outline the edge of a cookie like these rabbit cookies or if you want to shade the edge of a cookies like these pepper cookies. If you try to hold the gun at a 90 degree angle when outlining a cookie, it will look a little odd and only spray the color on the top of the cookie. We will practice that soon. I promise.
As we learned in our last video here, it also helps when the stencil is close to the cookie. If the stencil is far away from the cookie the airbrush color can go where ever it wants and cause your pattern to be blurry.
One of the most improtant things I want you to remember is that your airbrush gun is only air so don’t be afraid of it. You are the boss so make it work for you.
I have a few more basic airbrush videos coming soon that may help answer some questions and help you troubleshoot some issues. Stay tuned!
Stenciling Cookies with an Airbrush Gun
Airbrushing Cookies- what Color do I Use
Airbrushed Chili Pepper Cookies- Know where to add the shade color
Airbrush with stencils
Bear hugs,
Hi Lisa,
That was a great tutorial. I have a question. What do you do about the overspray from the airbrush gun, that is what scares me the most!
Thanks
Laura
Hi Laura,
What do you mean “overspary?” I just want to make sure I understand the question before I answer. 😉
sorry, that is a typo, I meant “overspray”
as I find there is a fine mist of whatever colour I am using on all the surrounding surfaces.
I actually built an airbrush station to contain the spray. It is very cheap to make and you can find the tutorial here: http://thebearfootbaker.com/2012/12/brighten-you-photos-with-an-airbrush-gun-station/
I alwasy have a clean counter after airbrushing when I use the station.
Lisa, Your posts with tips on using an airbrush have been very helpful. I’m still getting the hang of it. Thank you!
Joan, my goal in life is help you become an airbrush master! 😉
Let me know if there is anything you want to know or how I can help!
Smooch!
Thanks! I realize now I have had the wrong angle!
The 90 degree angle with the stencil being close to the cookies gives me the best results. Let me know how yours turn out. 😉
I recently purchased a Easel Genie. There is virtually no underspray with it!
I will have to check that out Liz. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
Thanks for the link to the airbrush station…..I think that will be just what I need to stop the overspray!!!
Laura
I have used this since the day I got my airbrush gun and I have never had a problem with the color landing all over my kitchen. It really does work.
YEP I was holding it wrong! I was holding it at a 45 degree and not at a 90! thank you Lisa, i WILL learn how to airbrush!!
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!
i have terible trouble when using my air brush on low the spray goes every where i am whashing down my counters for a very long time it travels all over the kitchen in my hair as well when i was at the cake show this year the did not use a station for there dispklay and it did not go all over the place like mine i think i have wasted my money thanks helen
Hi Helen,
I don’t think you have waisted your money. I think your gun needs to be tweaked a little and you won’t have to wash your hair and house every time you use it! Here is a video by Mike from Karenscookies.net: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA_fAFgrT-o
If you follow his steps, I think you can adjust your gun so it will work properly. Let me know if you need anything else.
Bear hugs,
Lisa