Painting and weathering your costumes can be done efficiently with an airbrush and give clean results. But if you’re wondering “what do I need to start airbrushing cosplays” then you’ve come to the right place. Everything from what you need for a spray booth or space to the necessary tools will be shared here in this blog post.
What Set Up Do I Need to Start Airbrushing
The first thing you want to think about is where you’ll airbrush. People like Svetlana and Benni have created an awesome spray booth set up from a cabinet that’s a great option. Or I used some foam poster board, super glue and adhesive caulk to build my own small contained space. It’s a little more portable than a cabinet so I can set it up anywhere. However, if you have a permanent space to work in, the cabinet is a great option. Or you can always purchase a spray booth too.
You want to ensure the area you’re airbrushing in has good ventilation or a window you can open for any fumes. You’ll also need to be near an outlet to plug in the compressor.
What Are The Tools Needed for Airbrush Painting
Now there’s a few vital tools you need to start airbrushing cosplays.
Necessary Supplies
- Compressor & hose – In order for an airbrush to work, it requires a compressor and hose connection. You don’t have to get a full size compressor though and could opt for a smaller hand-held model if you’re just getting started. A compressor will give you more power though.
- Airbrush – The paint is dispensed out via the airbrush. It’s important to get a nice one and even consider exploring additional nozzle options so it paints the way you need it too.
- Cleaner – Keeping your airbrush clean is vital. Otherwise the nozzles could clog or your colors will get mixed and impact your results. Be sure to clean your airbrush after each use.
- Paints – You can get airbrush paints or you can explore other options and use mix-ins to make it work for your airbrush such as acrylics and a thinner.
Optional Supples
- Spray out pot – To make clean up easier, it’s nice to have a spray out pot so you can spray your residual paint and cleaner out of the airbrush pot.
- Airbrush thinner – If you’re looking to use acrylics or other paints in your airbrush, the mix-ins are vital to make sure it isn’t too thick or thin for the airbrush.
- Painters tape – To paint different sections different colors, painters tape will help protect lines and edges.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: there may be a few links in this post that are affiliate links. Clicking these links or making purchases through these links can help support myself and this blog.