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The Neo allows you to achieve fine atomization with the smallest air compressors, making it ideal for first time airbrushes who don’t want to break the bank.
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The NEO CN Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush has a detachable 0.24 ounce/7 milliliter fluid cup with a large lid for color mixing and an additional 0.10 ounce/3 milliliter color cup that is ideal when using small amounts of spray medium.
Iwata is well known in the art industry for its high performing Iwata airbrushes, air compressors, and paints. Since 1982, the company’s ethos has been to “Create a Great Experience for the makers and creators of the world.” However, the emergence of many cheap airbrush tools and pens on the market means beginners often go for these lesser or no name brands over Iwata. So, this is where the Neo comes in. As its name suggests, it’s aimed at airbrush beginners.
Iwata Neo Review: An Honest Look at Features, Value & Quality By Rich in Airbrushing
The Neo airbrush is made for Iwata in China, and overall, this is a good entry level airbrush that is affordable and effective. The brush is pretty versatile and can be used for numerous applications types.
Iwata describes the brush as delivering “soft, effortless coverage at low air pressures,” which they say makes it ideal for many types of spray applications.
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 3 Who the NEO Is For As the name suggests, the Neo is best suited to entry level air brushers. It’s ideal for anyone who wants medium range detail and coverage area and is a beginner in airbrushing or has some experience/knowledge of the art. It’s great for anyone who wants to achieve atomization at low air pressures and offers a range of feature and model options. Iwata recommends using the NEO for applications requiring between 5 and 35 psi and smaller air compressors that produce a maximum of 20 psi.
Iwata Neo Check Price on Amazon Spray Type Iwata categorizes its airbrushes in five different ways. They design each airbrush with a specific spray performance and spray scale in mind. When airbrushes atomize the liquid, they produce either tiny droplets for making distinct lines or a fine mist. So, whether or not the Neo is for you largely depends on what type of spray you hope to achieve. Iwata’s “five ways to spray” consist of the following: Absolute precision. Total control.
First Impressions
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 4 All star versatility. Effortless coverage. Full finish. The Neo fits into the “effortless coverage” range, providing a medium level spray and coverage that is soft and easy to apply even at low air pressures. This is what makes it great for beginners as it doesn’t require expert precision or control. That said, it is still good for detailed applications, particularly on models. The brush has a slow flow of paint, and the 0.35 millimeter tip makes it capable of spraying fine lines. If you’re looking for an airbrush that can provide extreme detail, however, you may be better off looking at Iwata’s custom micron series instead.
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The Neo airbrush has a good, heavy feel with the weight being slightly nose heavy before you’ve installed the hose (this isn’t supplied, by the way). The airbrush comes with a 0.35 needle and large 1/3 ounce cup (with lid) installed, a small 1/16 ounce spare cup (without lid), and a spanner for removal of the air nozzle. The large cup is an ideal size for most jobs; however, a slight drawback is that there is no lid for the smaller cup, but this isn’t surprising considering the low price of this airbrush.
Overall the airbrush has a quality feel despite the low price. The nozzle and needle are protected by a tough looking crown. However, this will possibly make re chucking the needle a little trickier as you will have to rely on touch rather than touch and sight. The air cap is large, with its surface designed to aid removal. A layer of grease on the thread helps prevent air leaks. However, I did notice that there’s no additional air seal for added protection against spillages. The small size of the paint nozzle shouldn’t be underestimated, and if you have larger hands, this can be a little tricky to handle without dropping or damaging. The diamond pattern on the needle chucking nut helps aid grip, and while there isn’t a trigger tension nut, the barrel can be wound out to adjust the tension if you wish.
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There are some disparities between the reviews of the Neo, with some users loving it, and others claiming to have nothing but issues with the airbrush. However, apparently Iwata is happy to help if you do find you get a “bad” Neo. Finding replacement parts for the Neo can also be a little tricky, but hopefully, this will improve in the future. One thing to bear in mind is how delicate the Neo airbrush is, which I guess could be a benefit and a drawback all at once. For absolute beginners though, they might find the Neo to be a little too fragile. The fine 0.35 millimeter needle and the tiny, delicate nozzle with the O ring can make it difficult to handle for those not used to airbrushing. Another feature I’d like to highlight is the narrow gap between the nozzle and the nozzle cap. This means that if a user presses too hard when installing the needle or should the needle slam forward when the trigger is released, the nozzle could flare. Of course, this can happen with any airbrush. However with the Neo, there is very little space for airflow to begin with, so your spray pattern could be affected if this happens. Bang for Your Buck Overall, the Neo provides great bang for your buck, and in terms of value for money, it’s probably one of the best on the market. Iwata designed the Neo to compete with some of the cheaper Chinese made airbrushes on the market, and while Neo is not manufactured by Iwata but assembled in China, it still has a quality feel to it without breaking the bank. It’s also frequently on sale or promoted online, so you may be able to get it for an even lower price than usual. Likes: Great bang for your buck.
Drawbacks
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 5 Thankfully, the little “tongue” that presses against the trigger back is secured to the tensioner, so you need not worry about losing it, and a small copper colored spring provides the tension.
Final Verdict
AIRBRUSH DOJO MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 6 0.35 tip for fine application. Two cup sizes included. Ideal for first time air brushers. Perfect for painting models. Works well with low air pressure. Dislikes: No lid with small 1/16 ounce spare cup. The delicate tip and body of the airbrush may not be ideal for beginners.
The Iwata Neo Cn Gravity Feed Dual Action Airbrush overall meets my expectations. This is an affordable, good quality airbrush that is well suited for those who want a medium spray level with the ability to apply detail, making it ideal for those who are spraying models and features. Because the brush isn’t manufactured by Iwata themselves but in China, it’s of lesser quality compared with other Iwata brushes.
Our Mission Statement for Airbrush Dojo is to create multimedia platform documenting and defining the cutting edge of the Airbrushing culture in digital formats and a bimonthly print magazine. Embracing the fluidity of identity, genre and boundaries that Gen-Z want, whilst exploring and investigating topics and dialectics spanning the broad spectrum of the modern cultural and socio-political landscape; We are striving to create a platform for the contemporary, eclectic, and discerning individual. The individual who chooses to critically engage with the most urgent and of the moment content across art, fashion, beauty, wellness, diversity, culture and humanities, expressing themselves through words, photos, arts and videos. For more info contact us at Mywww.airbrushdojo.orgmissionistochange the way people view airbrushing. We are more than just t-shirts and commercial art. We are here create, improve, Inspiring the generation of artist. We will critic and offer solutions on improving our skills as artist, business and entrepreneurs. My mission is to change the art industry views on airbrush we are fine artist, portrait artist, naturalist yet we are the least respected in the art industry.
AIRBRUSH DOJO MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 7 AIRBRUSH DOJO MAGAZINE MISSION STATEMENT
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Airbrushing was one of the most popular forms of art during the early to mid 20th century. First pioneered during the late 1890s, airbrushing took off in the 1940s after the ingenious Walt Disney began to implement the technique into his animated creations. By using an airbrush to create backgrounds for his animated movies, Disney could create a whole host of illumination techniques that added an extra sense of realism to his extraordinary Soonfilms.after, airbrushing became the chosen technique for the ad men of Madison Avenue, and was adopted by the ensuing hippy generation. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, airbrushed images were everywhere, from the posters of rock bands to surfboards to panel vans. As the century progressed, airbrushing fell out of fashion, despite a brief resurgence during the mid-90s when it was used to customize cars and motorcycles. However, following the release of books like “Overspray: Riding High with the Kings of Airbrush Art” by Norman Hathaway, which took an in-depth look at the rise of airbrush art in the 1970s, and the “bright and glossy LA culture alongside which it came to prominence,” this deceptively arduous technique is in fashion once again. In celebration of this era, here are some of the airbrush artists that you need to know.
AIRBRUSH ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW: PAT GAINES Pat Gaines, internationally recognized airbrush artist and businessman, founded My Airbrush Shop as a premier source for
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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 9 anything airbrushed. Pat obtained his formal art education at Design and began his airbrushing career as one of the first artists plying the trade along the North Florida Panhandle in Panama City Beach. He subsequently launched West Coast Airbrush. Under that brand name, over the course of a 30 year period, Pat and his associates opened and operated 30 stores in shopping malls in five Midwestern states and Arizona. The Company has also simultaneously operated seasonal and special event kiosks in Sam's Wholesale Clubs and at other Hevenues.issought after for his training and consultation. His video training seminars have been purchased and put into practice by thousands of airbrush artists across America and abroad. At the same time, leading publications for the imprinted sportswear industry, including Airbrush Action magazine, Impressions, The Press and Shirts Illustrated, and Pin striping and Kustom Graphics magazines have published more than 60 of his articles about the business of airbrushing and the art form itself, making him among the most widely published airbrush artists in the world from 1985 to present day. He has most recently been recognized as a 2017 New York Times 10 Best book cover artist for "Made for Love" by Alissa Nutting. The cover was also chosen as one of 2017's best by the book review, Literary Hub, who said "This cover, to me, is ultimate book design success. I love when designers find new ways to apply an already existing art form to their covers— and I think for this book the content and execution were a perfect match. Looking at it and imagining it being made fill me with joy. It’s been a rough year, we DESERVE more airbrush art." Recognizing that it is our artists who drive our success, the independent artists contracted by MyAirbrushShop.com are all hand picked by Pat, ensuring our customers of unmatched quality and service. With a reputation for excellence, our artists are committed to their chosen profession, constantly hone their skills, and take pride in exceeding the expectations of their customers.
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AIRBRUSH DOJO MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 10 GRAYGOLDBROWNBLUEBLACKBEIGEspacer GREEN PINKORANGEIVORY REDPURPLEspacer ROSE YELLOWWHITEVIOLETTURQUOISESILVER
There are three reasons for this.
Here are top 10 airbrush paints from well known manufacturers
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Best Airbrush Paints
3. Airbrushes want pigments of a certain size or smaller. The pigments need to be very, very finely ground up. Pigment is simply dirt of the same color. The dirt likes to form clods in your paint. The finer the grind the less likely the globs will stick together. And also the more likely the pigment globs will break up while being sprayed. Once you’ve mastered the airbrush, if you still feel like mixing your own paint, by all means, knock yourself out. Until you HAVE mastered it, stick with the more expensive, airbrush ready paint.
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1. Your own sanity Airbrushing is hard enough even with airbrush ready paint to make you want to pull your hair out a crush innocent, cute eyed puppies beneath your boot clad foot in a fit of rage. Why add the extra paint hassles when you don’t have to? For experienced people who have mastered the airbrush, you can play with creating your own paint. You’ve put in the time, you have a good idea of the kind of pigments to use and the kind of runniness and stickiness you need out of your paint for it to spray well. Beginners should take heed of my warning. It really is for your own2.good.Airbrushes want paint of a certain consistency or thinner. This means the binder, the glue portion of the paint, has to be reduced enough to flow and spray easily without being over reduced so much that it doesn’t stick.
Choose the Right Airbrush Paint
Paint is paint is paint right? Wrong!
Paint is formulated for specific purposes. For instance painting the side of your house, or painting metal, or paper. The glue needs to stick to the substrate (the surface to be painted). Use a paint that meets your specific purpose if at all possible. Otherwise, you get to do like my instructor taught me. Buy a small bottle and test it out on a piece that doesn’t matter, or in a place no one will see. Then see what happens!
Beginners Should Stick to “Airbrush Ready” Paints
AIRBRUSH DOJO MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 12 1. Golden High Flow Acrylic, Assorted 10 Color Set Ready to use airbrush paint 2. Createx Airbrush Colors vibrant transparent, opaque, pearlized and iridescent 3. Badger Spectra Tex Airbrush Paint 4. E’TAC Private Stock Series 5. Iwata Medea Com Art Transparent and opaque color 6. Auto AIR Colors from Createx Candy Pigment Colors 7. House of Kolor Airbrush ready paint 8. Wicked Colors from Createx Primary airbrush set 9. Vallejo Model Air Color set for painting models and miniatures 10. Golden Airbrush Medium Excellent airbrush paint thinner Types of Paints Water Colors As the name states these are water based colors well suited for use in an airbrush. Available in pre reduced form, airbrush ready or in tubes. Water colors can be reduced in most cases with distilled water and are very transparent type paint. Gouache Also sells under the name Tempera is water based but with a white pigment added to make it more opaque. Because of the white pigment added, you might find it a little harder to use in an airbrush than water colors. Gouache, like water colors, can be reduced with distilled water. Acrylics Colors These come in both opaque and transparent colors. There are many manufactures but you will find it much easier to use these if you stick with a brand made for use in an airbrush. Usually can be thinned with water or if the manufacture makes a reducer that should be used. Acrylics can be cleaned up with water or a cleaning agent. Long lasting on just about any surface, be sure to read the manufactures tech sheet on surface prep, best uses before you use them. Do not allow these too dry in your airbrush, clean right after use. One category of Acrylic paints is textile paints made for use of course on textile products like T Shirts, jackets, and sweat shirts. Most require heat setting to be permanent again please read the manufactures tech sheet as to use for best results.
You’ll still have to play with it. Just because it says airbrush ready doesn’t mean you can use it out of the bottle. Your darker colors like violet and blue can probably be used out of the bottle, while lighter colors like yellow and white will probably need to be thinned down. Legality Hobbyists can generally ignore this section, however, professionals MUST consider the legal ramifications of the coatings they spray. The problem is that I can only give you directions to think about since every state, county, and city has different issues.
Be very careful using these products, use in a well ventilated area, wear a mask. Again a solvent based product. There are other manufactures of these products. Care should be taken with these products to follow the manufactures tech sheets.
A solvent based paint can be thinned with turpentine, minerals spirits and cleaned up with same products. Oils can be either opaque or transparent depending on how much you thin them. Oil paints have a very slow drying time.
Sign Paints
Purpose
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So Which Paint Should I Choose?
Acrylics can be used for most porous surfaces, though you might want to clear the work afterward if it’s in a high traffic or weather exposed area. Makeup can be used for the body, though body paint might not be legally acceptable for airbrush makeup When spraying plastic you’ll probably want a lacquer or an acrylic. Use Airbrush Paint
The paint should be tailored to your purpose, or at the very least very close to your intended Forpurpose.instance,
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Automotive paint can be used for anything that has hard, non porous surface. Sign paint can be used similarly to automotive paint, since they’re both made to stand up under harsh weather conditions.
Do you need to be licensed to spray that? This actually covers far more than I thought it would. For instance Lead Paint is illegal for everyone to use…except the government while painting the road. Urethane paints are getting phased out because of environmental impact in favor of acrylic paints. Spray tanners in Oregon must be licensed beauticians. Most beauty professionals must be licensed in the state they work in.
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1. For best results, wash item first to remove sizing and mill finishes.
2. Airbrush the design onto fabric avoiding thick buildup of paint and excessive paint layering. 3. Allow colors to dry, or a heat gun may be used to accelerate drying time. Drying time varies depending on application.
Are there environmental restrictions? Hobbyists in California can spray up to a gallon of urethane based paint without worry. Go over that amount and if caught you’ll face hefty fines with the possibility of prison.
Airbrush Paint terms – what they mean Opaque is impervious to the passage of light. To enhance airbrush colors use white first as it’s very opaque, like when airbrushing on any dark surface, black t shirt. For example Transparent will transmit light so that the colors beneath can be seen. Combined with opaque’s will create beautiful pastels. Fluorescent colors will fully cover any white or light colored surface. Gives you that neon look or hot look. Pearlescent covers both dark and light colored surfaces, creates satin like sheen and shimmer. Metallic covers both light and dark colored surfaces, creates metallic like sheen, reflective properties. Iridescent is permanent, light fast capable of producing an array of rainbow colors, covers dark surfaces without base coating white first. Chameleon magically changes color with reflected light for maximum effects use it on dark surfaces. Using Createx Colors Surface Preparation Fabric Including 100% cotton, 50/50 blends, denim, sweatshirts, and most natural fibers.
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4. Heat set fabric for permanence by one of the following methods: a) Iron for 2 minutes at 300º F use a protective cloth, keep iron moving. b) Turn item inside out and put in clothes dryer for 40 minutes at highest heat. Leather 1. Clean leather by wiping with mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. 2. For best results, lightly spray mist a base coat of Opaque White on areas to be sprayed. 3. Apply color, avoiding over saturation and excessive paint layering. 4. Allow colors to dry thoroughly before heat setting. 5) Iron for 30 seconds at 225°using a protective cloth, or use a hot air gun at highest level for five minutes. 5. Heat Press 300 degress for 10 to 15 seconds Paper and Canvas 1. Apply Color, avoiding thick buildup. 2. When using high tack frisket, dilute colors 25% with water. Colors are permanent when dry. Wood 1. Prepare surface by lightly sanding, wipe clean. 2. Apply color, avoiding thick buildup of paint. Allow colors to dry for 24 hours before applying clear finish. Ceramics and Clay 1. Apply color in thin even coats, avoid thick buildup. 2. Do not exceed temperatures of 300°F when baking. Colors are permanent for example water 3. Based airbrush paint for crafts, textile paint handling after 24 hrs.
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https://www.facebook.com/Paul Macdonald Paintings
ThisAboutfriend of mine who has recently shown he has a natural talent for air brushing photo realistic PaulAdditionalpictures.informationhasalwaysenjoyed
painting and drawing and airbrushing was something he had never tried before. At the beginning of the year he gave it a go and discovered he has a natural talent for airbrushing photo realistic pictures. His work has been so good this year that I could not resist in setting up his own Facebook Page. This is a hobby of Pauls and I would like to share his work so that people can enjoy it. I am trying to promote his work so I will add new pictures once completed and update any new relevant information.