What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

I can't seem to spray a straight line without my hand wavering a bit. I'm talking about 6" or longer lines. Is there a special technique that pro's use to keep their hand steady?

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

hi kmot,
there is no special technique to keep hands steady. just relax, take a deep breath and
practise the movement over and over with air and no pull on the paint.
try on scrap first, if you need, get the other hand to support the movement.
exercise the passes on and on until you get a feel for it.
slightly pull on the paint, pass by pass, move more paint if you get it better.
you can also use a ruler or rail to spray along with one finger (pinky) touching the rail.
also try to do dots, faded lines, connecting lines and geometric figures.
i've done that for hours to get the hang of my vega 2000.
after all it's fun fun fun.
pat

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Take this tip from Mr. Shaky himself: Set up the model so you can use a tabletop, or other straightedge to rest your hand on, then slide along it to spray. Works like magic.

Too bad this technique won't work for stick welding, I had to give that up years ago!

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Cuervo Gold works for me !!

tommy s

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

i used to do a lot of target shooting and this works for that-get nice and relaxed and comfortable,nice slow breathing and then breath in and hold your breath,then do your line,oh and by the way-don't forget to start breathing again!!!!

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Thanks guys! Some good tips, I will try them. :)

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Beta Blocker works for me. Lowers blood pressure too. And my hands REALLY shake, always have, always will [:@]

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Tommy, Dude I was thinking Canadian Club myself. :):)

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Yeah , doesn't make you paint any better , you just don't care as much.

tommy s

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

HA! [sm=bananahead.gif] Is that why they look like flames and seascapes in the morning?

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Back in my sign painting days, I used a maul stick, which is a fancy wand from the art supply store with a leather ball at the end, which was intended to be more or less slip-free when resting on any surface. These days I just take a stout dowel, maybe 3/8", prop it against something handy and then rest the heel of my hand on it for short strokes. For longer strokes you need to stabilize maybe mid-way down your forearm.

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

The alcohol suggestions sound like jokes, but they're not....some people experience something called "intentional tremor" or "familial tremor", which is shaking when you try to do something precise. A little bit of alcohol, about one beer for me, calms everything down. Really, lol

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

LIGHTWEGHT:D

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

You guys are cracking me up.

Thinking of how Russian military pilots got "relaxed"...

You could strain some glow fuel through a piece of bread...


NEVERMIND- IT'S A JOKE! <waiting for moderator to slap me>

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

Strat2003: interesting! I did a google on those terms and read up on the medical definitions. I do not have either of those but there is something similar to what I have. It seems that I get these tiny electrical 'bumps' or something that makes my hand waver ever so slightly when trying to draw a precise, straight line.

RE: What can I do to keep my hand steady while airbrushing?
 

I've had a transplant and take immunosuppressant medications that cause tremors. I can tell when my drug level is too high by the increase in the tremors. I do like Larry Renger and take a beta blocker-that helps a lot. The neurologist we consulted said, "Beer, Valium or beta blockers." I voted fot the first two, but lost......