The Ultimate Airbrush Handbook (Crafts Highlights) [Paperback]

Pamela Shateau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002 | Series: Crafts Highlights

While airbrush is the medium of choice for creating advertising and fantasy illustrations, it’s also popular for decorating T-shirts, cars, and motorcycles with high-gloss, hyper-realistic imagery; creating dramatic body and fingernail art; and even embellishing decorative objects, fabrics, and interiors.

Now a nationally known airbrush artist and instructor covers the essentials of all these airbrush applications in one indispensable handbook. Readers will discover practical guidance and expert advice on equipment and mediums, airbrush operation, studio setup, and more. They’ll also learn no-fail techniques for developing original source material, as well as tips for operating a successful airbrush business. What’s more, everything is presented in a clear, non-technical, and easy-to-understand format.

Whether the reader is a veteran artist or a novice wishing to increase his or her airbrush skills, this one-stop sourcebook provides a treasury of professional tips, tricks, and techniques.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Surprisingly, airbrushing goes back to prehistoric caves in the south of France,where erstwhile artists blew pigments through hollow bones onto cave walls. This terrific book on the subject is not only imaginative but just plain fun. Nationally known airbrush artist Pamela Shanteau takes us into the realms of fantasy illustration, advertising, decorative T-shirts, cars, and motorcycles, producing high-gloss, hyper-realistic imagery with input from fine artists, craftspeople, illustrators, and sign makers. Her comprehensive volume is a slightly larger and more creative manual than Jose M. Parramon and Miguel Ferron's The Big Book of Airbrush Basic Techniques and Materials. Whether you are airbrushing a 1957 Chevy or doing freehand body art, the results will turn heads. Recommended for popular collections.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

The work of Pamela Shanteau includes fantasy and science fiction art, commercial illustration, automotive embellishment, and body art. She teaches workshops throughout the US and is a member of the advisory board of the American Airbrush Association. She lives in Swanton, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823055744
• ISBN-13: 978-0823055746
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ultimate Airbrush Handbook, December 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Airbrush Handbook (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

If I had to chose one book to learn about airbrushing, this is it! Every major aspect about airbrushing is explained clearly, from the most basic elements to very advanced techniques. Essential information concerning airbrush care and maintenance is included along with paint and accessory explanations. The step by step exercises to teach airbrush control were easy to follow and I had great results painting the beginner "Apple" project. Almost every chapter has a step by step how-to project.Pam Shanteau shares the spotlight with other great artists who are tops in their fields. It was neat to see how these pros paint. The fine art section was out of this world and the automotve airbrushing was some of the best work I have ever seen. Someday I want to paint that good!

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, April 21, 2005

By 

William Stanley (u.s.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ultimate Airbrush Handbook (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

I've read other "how to airbrush" books, but this one is the best.

There is something for everyone from beginner (me) to advanced airbrushers.

From masking to freehand airbrushing.

Easy and simple to understand.

Once I received it and started reading it,I couldn't put it down.

So many things I thought I knew, but the book set me straight.

Other people on web forums had recommended this book, wish I had done it sooner.

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Air Brush discovered, July 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Airbrush Handbook (Crafts Highlights) (Paperback)

I bought an air brush to paint diecast models. I soon realized it could do much more than spray gray paint on toy tractors and also that I needed intruction if I was going use this tool effctively. I choose Ms. Shanteau's "Ultimate Airbrush Handbook" - a wise choice. Very clearly written, excellent illustrations and meaningful exercises. Many aspects of airbrush work covered in detail. This is an excellent instruction book.