This was an A3 sized portrait where I incorporated an airbrushed background with my colour pencils. I used Frisket tape to protect the area where the dogs are and the two large stones they are sat on. I started off with my background and then when that was in peeled off the tape to then start the coloured pencil section.
This is really improtant doing it in this order because the pencils are wax and oil based and the paints are water based. You cannot put a water based medium over the top of oil and wax as it will peel off and not bond with the paper. Like oil in a cup of water – it just sits on the top. They are not compatible that way. You can put the airbrush paint first and then colour pencils on top. Doing it this way does NOT effect the archival properties of your artwork.
The airbrush is a must have tool for me and my material list. I couldn’t be without it now. Saying that, it inst a necessity and you can create beautiful artwork without it. I just personally love the effect it can create and I use it with pretty much all of my acrylic paintings.