As a 20-year-old young man, I found the courage and desire to get into airbrushing—this was before the internet or YouTube, but luckily, I had access to a good library and a local hobby shop that sold Badger airbrushes. I also ordered a couple of inspirational booklets from Badger in the US, which were a great help as a beginner.
The Badger Model 150 became my workhorse mostly tank art, for five years. However, due to issues with solvents and the impact on health, I eventually chose to go down a different path.
After 40 years ++ in other careers, I retired—and the urge to return to airbrushing came back. This time, with water-based paints and easy access to knowledge online, it felt much more accessible.
Now, with far too many expensive paints and airbrushes/tools that I’ve tried and used, I paint on and off with great joy and passion. This time on multiple surfaces, and with no stress—just pure enjoyment as a hobbyist with no deadlines or demands. It's simply a relaxing and fulfilling pastime.
Also, I love adding texture to my paintings—it's one of my favorite parts of the process. By layering in details, highlights, and tactile elements, the finished piece looks much more professional and complete. This step takes time, but the effort is always worth it.