Airbrushing 4 Tigers for a Mud Run (need Help:-)

I have a sweet job that will pay for my airbrush system!

I have a friend face painter that is scaling down & is selling me her airbrush system for $1000(it's over $2000 worth of equipment, is an Iwata & has only been used 4 times).

I have 4 people wanted to be painted like tigers (arms & torso) for a mud run (1 guy & 3 girls). I'll need to learn how to airbrush & use ink, not paint, so it's water proof. I really hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew here.... but have played w/ the airbrush & feel I can pull it off....

My question is how much ink will I need (Orange, black & white) & how much time do you think I should quote for each person? I plan to line them up, do the white 1st, then the orange & finally the black (I'm not sure if I'll free hand or stencil the stripes).

Thank you!

Temptu? About 2 Ounces of Black, 3-4 ounces of White 4 -5 Ounces of Orange- to be safe. You will likely have much left over. Graftobian MAYBE a little more since it is so thin. EBA maybe a bit less as it is pretty thick.

I would cut some stencils for the edges/ fur so the lines are crisp... even card stock would work fine.... And since they are going to be covered in mud not like you want to make it SUPER detailed.

Note- Mud is abbrasive so.... even temptu or EBA WILL come off with water and grit- if it is rubbed. So, warn them if they want it to look best at the end, not to rub the mud off when they hose down at the end.

For best adhesion, take some alcohol soaked thin wash cloths and wipe them down. Also, suggest they clipper trim body hair if possibe- if they are guys.

Go to a Nail Salon supply place, and get a gallon of 99% alcohol for clean out. If using Iwata brushes with the drop in nozzles, get a couple extras. If a nozzle gets clogged, you can pull it, drop it in alcohol, and keep going.

Fantastic sounding job and I agree with Dean on ounces - but if you got extra you'd probably use it later (especially the black) - it might be less expensive for instance to buy a 4oz bottle instead of 3oz.... as per time, your practice runs will give you the best sense - how to cover an area so skin isn't showing, then how strong to make the black so that the orange isn't showing. It takes less than you'd think (looking close up) to make it look good from a few feet away.

One way to make sure it will stay longer is to powder liberally after application with "no colour" powder (if using Temptu for sure, not sure on EBA or Graftobian though). I did one pool party and was amazed how well designs stayed even though people were in and out of the water for hours - and roughhousing.....

Yes on powder for EBA.

Thank you! I'm pretty excited just to have this opportunity that allows me to get the system!!! I painted them last time w/ Colorini Tattoos & it held up pretty well to all the abuse of the mud run. They also are ok w/ knowing I'm in the middle of a learning curve:-)

Second question.... After seeing the system... I'm getting EBA w/ the kit, but it looks old & has separated. Is it still good or should I buy fresh ink?

EBA always sperates. BUT, to avoid headaches, test some out and get a paint strainer and strain it to make sure there are not Grainies in it.

Thank you!!! Good to know... The yellow looks bad...

Eeeee! Fantastic sounding job. Have fun!

I just did Alex Hansen's airbrush workshop. Man, it's not as easy as he makes it look. Not that I was expecting it to be, but I am not a natural with the double action gun.

Can't wait to get my own and practice though, so many beautiful effects.

Because of the pigments used... Yellow in MOST paint has a shorter shelf life. It "Curdles" for lack of a better word.