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Hi! I'm trying to gauge if I need to stop doing tutorials on my blog for the Copic Airbrush.
I recently attended the Copic Ceritification course at Flourishes in Tallahassee. While I learned several marker blending techniques, I didn't have much success with the Copic Airbrush during the class.
I found one, really cheap on the net, purchased it, and played with it for about 7 minutes when it arrived. But, I didn't get good results. I was REALLY disappointed.
After a conversation with my BIL, (an artist), I decided I needed a compressor. I bought it, for $50 at Harbor Freight. WOW...What a DIFFERENCE! And, it's the same one, (40psi), that the Copic Dealers sell!
After less than 10 minutes, I could control color flow, output and "depth" of color.
Has anyone else had success/failures with these products?
No, I'm not a Copic dealer, or rep. I just LOVE the product!
I have the airbrush system but unfortunately the classes do not extend to my part of the world :( Anyone want to come to Australia LOL!
I have seen your tutorials on your blog Faith and I think go for it if you have the time. I think it is good for people to see the different things you can airbrush and even if they know how to use it ... it is still more inspiration ... and there are tons out there that don't and will find this a useful resource when they finally do purchase one.
I just bought the airbrush kit from Ellen Hutson's store. I haven't practiced much with it yet. I'm not certified but I will try for that when there is a class nearby and I'm home.
I just got the airbrush, I did not know you were doing tutorials, I will hop on over and check it out. I need all the help I can get! Are you saying that we really need the compressor?
I just got the airbrush, I did not know you were doing tutorials, I will hop on over and check it out. I need all the help I can get! Are you saying that we really need the compressor?
I think if you are going to use it a lot the compressor is a help ... because otherwise you have to keep purchasing cans .... I haven't used cans so I can't comment if one is better then the other control wise
I will have to check out that compressor- my can of air '80' ran out after 1 1/2 projects........ A compressor does not 'run out' correct?
Oh- I love all of the tutorials- don't stop!
Shelly
the compressor will not run out LOL ... much cheaper option then cans in the long run. Cans are probably good if you want to take it somewhere where it is hard to take a compressor.
I will have to check out that compressor- my can of air '80' ran out after 1 1/2 projects........ A compressor does not 'run out' correct?
Oh- I love all of the tutorials- don't stop!
Shelly
Shelly, the compressor is a heavy duty tool. It plugs into an electrical outlet and works with the ABS-1 set up. I had BIG TIME problems with the cans "freezing" up on me. I had the 180 and it just FROZE up after 15 seconds of continuous spraying...I love the fact that I can just spray and not have to stop!
Frances, the compressor I have is 4 pounds and VERY small! I love it! It will fit in my Vera Bradley tote....Actually, you can fit 2 of them in my Vera Bradley tote! LOL!
Frances, the compressor I have is 6 pounds and VERY small! I love it! It will fit in my Vera Bradley tote....Actually, you can fit 2 of them in my Vera Bradley tote! LOL!
yeah mine is pretty small too and if I wanted I could put in a tote and take with me ... not that I go too many places to warrant that.
However I know I have read somewhere probably copic blog or something that if you were flying or something and wanted to take your airbrush system then the cans were a good option rather than the compressor. I doubt I will need to worry about either personally ... I did get a can when I got my system but it will probably sit there forever ... I love my compressor
yeah mine is pretty small too and if I wanted I could put in a tote and take with me ... not that I go too many places to warrant that.
However I know I have read somewhere probably copic blog or something that if you were flying or something and wanted to take your airbrush system then the cans were a good option rather than the compressor. I doubt I will need to worry about either personally ... I did get a can when I got my system but it will probably sit there forever ... I love my compressor
Frances, since you are self taught, (I consider myself self-taught, too), have you found the lighter colors run out faster? I use a LOT more of the lighter colors because I want an even coverage. I haven't had to refill any, but I am just wonderfing...
Frances, since you are self taught, (I consider myself self-taught, too), have you found the lighter colors run out faster? I use a LOT more of the lighter colors because I want an even coverage. I haven't had to refill any, but I am just wonderfing...
I have mostly ciao's but I have had to get reinkers ... even before the airbrush system ... I use two pieces of foam tape (found that somewhere too) to hold them in place. The colors that have run out I use all the time. I do have trouble getting some of my lighter colors to work with the airbrush .... not sure if that is cause they are ciao's or what .... I do have a few sketch markers, but not many of them are light ...
Shelly, the compressor is a heavy duty tool. It plugs into an electrical outlet and works with the ABS-1 set up. I had BIG TIME problems with the cans "freezing" up on me. I had the 180 and it just FROZE up after 15 seconds of continuous spraying...I love the fact that I can just spray and not have to stop!
I bought the can also and had the same problem with it freezing up and I couldn't finish the card; also, I could hardly see the color. I am so disappointed in the can but can't justify the compressor unless, of course, I found it for $50.00 too!
Saundra
Frances, the compressor I have is 4 pounds and VERY small! I love it! It will fit in my Vera Bradley tote....Actually, you can fit 2 of them in my Vera Bradley tote! LOL!
I am so frustrated with the air cans, have been tempted to look into a compressor. I had no idea you could get them this small! Ok, I've searched through Harbor Freights website and now am thoroughly confused - lol. Any chance you could post a link to the compressor you purchased and are getting good results with?
Frances, the compressor I have is 4 pounds and VERY small! I love it! It will fit in my Vera Bradley tote....Actually, you can fit 2 of them in my Vera Bradley tote! LOL!
I am so frustrated with the air cans, have been tempted to look into a compressor. I had no idea you could get them this small! Ok, I've searched through Harbor Freights website and now am thoroughly confused - lol. Any chance you could post a link to the compressor you purchased and are getting good results with?
Markie's Mom, can I ask you what you bought from Copic when you changed from the cans to the compressor? I have the cans because I don't use the ABS very often, but DH has a small compressor that he said I could have, but I've not taken him up on the offer. Your post has me thinking that maybe I should reconsider! ;) TIA!
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After a conversation with my BIL, (an artist), I decided I needed a compressor. I bought it, for $50 at Harbor Freight. WOW...What a DIFFERENCE! And, it's the same one, (40psi), that the Copic Dealers sell!
Hi
Is your air compressor a max of 40 psi? I looked on the harbor freight site but only see one with a max of 40 psi and the one on the copic site is a max of 80 psi and preset on at 40 and off at 60? Just trying to figure it all out..LOL
Is your air compressor a max of 40 psi? I looked on the harbor freight site but only see one with a max of 40 psi and the one on the copic site is a max of 80 psi and preset on at 40 and off at 60? Just trying to figure it all out..LOL
Thanks
I CHOSE 40PSI...This is the SAFEST with the Copic Markers, I have found. And, it is SMALLER than the 80. I did a LOT of research on this product. It is the BEST for the $$$. The 40 makes just a hum while on. I can speak in a normal voice and be heard over it. I can also hear Markie in the other room while it is on. The only thing I can't hear is my cell phone.
"Between" means that it can go up to 60 psi. The Copic markers have a tip that the air is FORCED over. This causes the ink to "spray" onto the paper. If you spray at a higher psi, it is more difficult to "control" the stream.
Ok thanks! Just wanted to make sure..LOL So basically the 80 one is just a more powerful machine but you really dont need it for the copics I gather ;) Since thats all I am going to be using it for..dont need anything bigger!
"Between" means that it can go up to 60 psi. The Copic markers have a tip that the air is FORCED over. This causes the ink to "spray" onto the paper. If you spray at a higher psi, it is more difficult to "control" the stream.
Now I really get it!! As long as 40 works thats all I need to know :mrgreen:
Frances, the compressor I have is 4 pounds and VERY small! I love it! It will fit in my Vera Bradley tote....Actually, you can fit 2 of them in my Vera Bradley tote! LOL!
so you could pack two of them in your VB tote and tote them on over to my house and show me in person then?
*kidding... unless you WANT to do that... heheh*
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
I think I would really enjoy the airbrush system but have not tried it. I would want the compressor and then I have to ask myself how much am I REALLY willing to spend for another coloring tool?
Also I just signed up for an ultra cool retreat and so I'm broke! haha ;)
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
Oh Faith, Scrap and Stamp on Atlantic refills any copic markers for $1.50 if you need some refilled and don't have refills yourself yet. I just got a pile of mine refilled.
The whole reason I want the airbrush and compressor is blue skies. I tear through my blue marker coloring in the whole sky. Then it still doesn't look quite as awesome as the airbrushed skies.
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
If you have the ABS-1 Copic Airbrush kit, YOU ARE SET!
GUESS WHAT! I called the Harbor Freight store here in town yesterday and they had 3 in stock the price in the store is 79.99 but they price match online with a print out. I decided to go today to buy one and had my print out all ready but they were having a spring sale going on and it was only 57.99!!!!!! WOOHOOO! I am sooo excited. I am just waiting on my copic airbrush kit now to get here to play :mrgreen: Happy Anniversary to me!!!!
Oh Faith, Scrap and Stamp on Atlantic refills any copic markers for $1.50 if you need some refilled and don't have refills yourself yet. I just got a pile of mine refilled.
The whole reason I want the airbrush and compressor is blue skies. I tear through my blue marker coloring in the whole sky. Then it still doesn't look quite as awesome as the airbrushed skies.
I got it to color skies, too! It's funny, I haven't had to refill any yet...;)
I think that you should keep doing them Faith. I've personally watched all of them and have learned a lot. I haven't gotten around to getting an airbrush yet but do plan on doing so because of the great results that you've achieved. Once I get my airbrush, I'll definitely be back for a few more rounds of tutorials to watch while I'm learning.
BTW, I finally got around to CASEing the dinosaur card for FS100 that you used with Sweet 'n Sassy stamps and bought that set so I could case that card specifically. Sad, huh? But it shows that you're definitely doing your job as a DT member! There was only one other time I did that and that was with Cindy's (Mothermark) H&M Stamps A Lil' Behind about the bear butt.
First, thanks for the tip on exactly which air compressor to purchase at such a great price. My DH has received his official Mother's day assignment! Thanks also for clarifying that all I needed was the ABS-3 kit to be up and running (as I was wondering if there was anything else).
Finally, I love your airbrush tutorials and hope you keep them up. I follow about 90 blogs and I'm not aware of anyone else covering this topic. So, keep leading the way for me Faith! I appreciate you.
Yep! I ordered mine too. Not only that....I actually got my ABS-1 out and played around with it for the 1st time LOL. OMG I am a spraying fool! I even used the overspray paper for a background on a card. I'm addicted and I don't even have the compressor yet.
Oh yeah! I forgot there was a question... yes I say keep doing them. I like them and the more things besides how to color a sky I learn the more likely I am to bite the bullet and buy one.
"bite the bullet" sounds awfully graphic...
__________________ My BlogMy GalleryAll dog's feet smell like Fritos. I know you don't believe me, go check... See, I told you so.
Are you Copic Certified? Do you have an Airbrush?
