Airbrush er.... beginner. (traditional) tips?

[Kishlahar]

Well, I have just purchased an airbrush, VJR paasche, and simair diaphram compressor. and I'm just getting going on it. Here are two quick 45-hour sketches done with it, as you can see I'm still quite blotchy, I don't really do much warmup the first pic was pretty much first try I just wanted to see what it was like. But I'm looking for good books to buy if anyone has any suggestions, tips etc, that would be great. I don't like pure airbrushed pictures, they just look awful, but I like the smoothness that an airbrush can get when needed, e.g skintones, especially with watercolour. I am going to mix it with brushwork, pencils, charcoals, etc, I find it gives more dynamics, and atmosphere, and generally less boring pictures. I didn't go into detail with these pics, e.g. hands cut off faces unfinshed. So enough babble from me, any advice would be great.

http://img7.photobucket.com/albums/v18/Kishlahar/Sketches/girl1.jpg

http://img7.photobucket.com/albums/v18/Kishlahar/Sketches/girl-2.jpg

[feels]

Buying a color chart or color wheel makes mixing paint easier.

Mix less water with your paint, so you don't get the blotchiness.

Make a few quick curvaceous cut-outs, so you don't spray out of the lines.

Use coloring pencil, pen, brush, or whatever for more detailed work.

[Forge]

for the firts one i like the body but fix her face ;)

[JayJee]

first off...the sketches are nice, keep up the good work.

I have been working with arirbrush for about 2 years now, and if i can give any sort of advice it would be to make sure your really patient. dont be afraid to put mulitiple layers of paint to get a realistic colour..especially with skin tones. Your absolutley right in saying that there is alot of crappy looking paintings out there that are strictly done with the gun....but it doesnt have to be that way....it the artist invests time into the work it can come out super realistic/dramatic. Try different masks, i like liquid friskit for smaller areas. lay down the base colours then build at it, layer after layer...leave the blacks and highlights to the end. It takes a while, but very satisfying when finished. There are plenty of airbrush magazines out there which give the reader step by step instructions on doing complex pieces..i learned alot from these. good luck, and keep it up!