I never thought I'd want to paint a project (I love wood) but, I've got this fish that has absolutely no grain and is crying to be painted (just bit my tongue). I have an air brush but am an absolute clutz with it. What are my options with brushes, or should I just suck it up and practice with the air brush???

Well sir I am the last person that should offer advice cause I have never carved a fish or used an air brush, so of course I feel the need to chime in.

To quote someone I can't remember a carving is only as good as the finish. And the best fish carvings I have ever seen were all finished with the air brush. Good luck.

Dave

[pinefeathers]

Either method can produce excellent results - airbrush or hand brushing. You will never learn to airbrush if you don't practice, but do your trials on scrap wood or paper so as not to ruin a good carving. Good airbrush results come from many hours of trial and error.
A hand brushing technique that also works is the 'dry brush' method. Useing a short bristle brush, tap the paint onto the surface with the ends of the bristles, holding the brush perpendicular to the surface. This produces a stippling effect and the finish looks very much like an airbrushed effect. The trick is to use almost no paint in the brush and build up the intensity very slowly. Practice on paper first to get the feel of how much paint must be wiped off the brush before actual application.
Good luck.

Thanks, y'all. I'm off to the shop to practice the airbrush. Tonight when I'm watching the truck race on tv I'll work on the dry brush. I guess paintings like everything else, you gotta practice (darn it).

Captain Bandaid - If you read this, what the heck is 'drill rod?' Bought some Warrne tools, less handles, at the flea market for $5. Guy waid they were made from drill rod. Coulda told me ice cream for all I know. Made some handles for them and a few knives and they seem pretty good to me. They sure could have spent some extra time finishing them though.

[Captain_Bandaid]

Eddie, drill rod is the tool steel rod that most drill bits are made from. It is high in carbon, a little manganese, and almost nothing else. It is a good water hardening grade for thin components (like drill bits, carving knives, etc.). It is usually a W1 tool steel although I would guess that it can be bought as O1 which is a higher carbon, oil quenching grade for thicker sections.

Captain - Thanks a bunch, sounds like if that's what these chisels are made from they should be o.k. Man, they are rough looking, but sharp. I would think the company would put more effort into polishing them. But for $5 I guess I shouldn't compalin.