Airbrush With Fp Ink?

[MisterBoll]

The "Too Much Ink" thread got me thinking of other ways to create art, etc. with fountain pen ink so I was thinking..............has anyone has ever airbrushed with it?

 

I'm not a big fan of standard airbrush art but I'm sure there must be a way of doing some rather interesting things with it.

[amberleadavis]

Uh yes.

 

See I used these and refilled them FP inks.

 

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WW4P9332L._SX385_.jpg

[MisterBoll]

Looks like tons-o-fun.

[amberleadavis]

The kids and I loved it.

[flyingfox]

Wow, amberleadavis, the blowing airbrush thing is so cool! Is that what you used to create your gorgeous writing papers? Could you tell me who makes those? I found a few of airbrush kits on Amazon, but cannot tell which one is refillable, and which one works well... Some are getting rather mixed reviews...

[inkstainedruth]

I took a class in using airbrush my last semester in college. While I used gauche paint, I don't see any reason why you couldn't use ink. But good airbrush compressors are not cheap, and you want to do a good job of cleaning out the nozzle and paint cup between colors. I don't know if I'd use something really hard to flush, though, like an iron gall ink, but regular inks should be fine.

I do recommend using good ventilation, because of the fine droplets. A guy in my class was using lacquer paints for his class in his dorm room and ended up with a 2-day headache. I don't know if you'd have the same issue with inks, because they're water soluble, but it doesn't hurt to be rather safe than sorry.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[MisterBoll]

Thanks for the info Ruth.

[kidde]

Short answer is yes. A good airbrush,with a fine nozzle can achieve amazing fade with ink. I went through a spell of painting desert scenes backlit by full moon / sunset, and ink (I used calligraphy and fountain pen inks) gave me the effect I sought. Water colors were not providing enough control of the fade for me.

To the comment about compressors, airbrush specific ones are pricey but a small 5 gallon 1/10hp cheapy can serve well with a good regulator. Just remember, buy quality and it will last (Paasche VL airbrush, mine is 30+ years old, PorterCable compressor about 15).

 

Paul

[tmenyc]

I have used fountain pen ink in my airbrush. I am also a model car builder, and needed some additional coloring for a quick weathering wash. It worked perfectly...a little thinner than I'm used to, but fine. I pushed it out at around 15 lbs of pressure, less than I would normally use for an acrylic or lacquer-based paint, however thin.

Tim

[MisterBoll]

Thank you Paul and thank you Tim.

 

Tim - one question, if I may, when using acrylic paints is airbrush medium the best thing to use for thinning them?

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Based on a friend's experience using a high-end commercial airbrush, he found the Noodler's BP inks to be a good match.

 

I also gifted him with some Magic Color acrylic-based FP inks. He was so impressed with their performance & handling that he invited me to lunch (with his wife.)

 

Bye,

S1

[MisterBoll]

Thanks Sandy. I'll take a look at the Magic Color inks.

[amberleadavis]

Wow, amberleadavis, the blowing airbrush thing is so cool! Is that what you used to create your gorgeous writing papers? Could you tell me who makes those? I found a few of airbrush kits on Amazon, but cannot tell which one is refillable, and which one works well... Some are getting rather mixed reviews...

 

Well, see I bought them on clearance at Walgreens for $4. (We NEEDED them, really). I think they were the brand name Blo-Pen, but I don't recall. I"m sorry.

[tmenyc]

Thank you Paul and thank you Tim.

 

Tim - one question, if I may, when using acrylic paints is airbrush medium the best thing to use for thinning them?

Sorry, missed this: I think the answer is "it depends...". I use a range of acrylics, from the thicker artist kinds to hobby ones, and usually thin them with a combination of water and isopropyl alcohol. The water thins them and the alcohol helps speed drying. If it's a really thin weathering wash I'll use only alcohol so it's almost dry coming off the nozzle. I also use a very fine nozzle in an Iwata airbrush...not t-shirt stuff by any means, so it's got to be wet at the nozzle.

 

 

Sandy -- yes, the Noodlers inks should work well. Remember though that paint, even watercolor paint, is thicker than ink. Even the thinnest, almost completely thinned automotive primer that I would use as a later primer coat on a model car is a lot thicker than ink, almost like skim milk. So pushing ink through an airbrush has to happen at pretty low compression or you'll have it spattering everywhere.

Tim

Edited April 30, 2014 by tmenyc

[flyingfox]

 

Well, see I bought them on clearance at Walgreens for $4. (We NEEDED them, really). I think they were the brand name Blo-Pen, but I don't recall. I"m sorry.

 

Wow, you are so lucky, cannot beat the price! And yes, they are a absolute necessity!!! I will keep looking...

[MisterBoll]

Sorry, missed this: I think the answer is "it depends...". I use a range of acrylics, from the thicker artist kinds to hobby ones, and usually thin them with a combination of water and isopropyl alcohol. The water thins them and the alcohol helps speed drying. If it's a really thin weathering wash I'll use only alcohol so it's almost dry coming off the nozzle. I also use a very fine nozzle in an Iwata airbrush...not t-shirt stuff by any means, so it's got to be wet at the nozzle.

Tim

 

Thanks Tim! I appreciate the info.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

I was remiss not to mention that should one take a detour through the Black Light District, Noodler's Blue Ghost and other UV-reactive inks could add that bit extra. And as NBlGh is without dye, perhaps it could be used as a thinning agent.

 

Bye,

S1

[MisterBoll]

For FlyingFox -

 

Blo-Pens are now gone and the replacement is Spayza which are readily available.

 

[MisterBoll]

Hi,

 

I was remiss not to mention that should one take a detour through the Black Light District, Noodler's Blue Ghost and other UV-reactive inks could add that bit extra. And as NBlGh is without dye, perhaps it could be used as a thinning agent.

 

Bye,

S1

 

Good to know for those psychedelic days. Thanks!

[flyingfox]

For FlyingFox -

 

Blo-Pens are now gone and the replacement is Spayza which are readily available.

 

 

Yea, I was looking at that on Amazon. The price is definitely in my alley, the Deluxe kit is under $10.-, and seems like a lot of fun! Have you ever used it? I wonder if those pens are refillable with FP ink....