Painting with Spray PaintsPainting with spray paints can be an exciting and challenging technique to add to any artist's repertoire. Spray paint is available in several formats, allowing the artist to select tight control or a spontaneous, loose flow of paint. Today's spray systems are modern advancements on an old technique. Mouth atomizers have been used for many years and the tools are still available. Technology has led this to include airbrush systems and canned spray paints. All of these tools expand the artist's ability to create a vast array of styles and techniques that brushwork could never imitate. The Lips Have ItA mouth atomizer is a simple device that uses two hinged tubes. One tube is inserted into the paint, the other into the mouth. Blowing through the tube sprays the paint onto the support. This takes a little practice, but is a very effective and economical method of applying a textureless layer of paint. It can be used with any water-based paint, such as acrylics and watercolors. With a mouth sprayer, the artist can apply paint to a surface without danger of disturbing previous layers. A light mist of color can polish the surface, slightly changing its tone, or repeated application can increase its intensity. Depending on how hard the tube is blown, the effect can be that of random splashes or a soft, uniform color gradient. Using this device, the artist can use all his water-based paints. He can mix colors specifically for his work and not rely on commercially produced spray can colors. It is also the cheapest spraying method available, as the device costs only a few dollars. Airbrush Basics Airbrush equipment comes in a wide range of price ranges, although relative… half the paper… daub the paint, adding texture to large areas. With a palette knife you can then use the sgraffito technique to create the painting. Fingers are also useful tools for mixing and manipulating paint. Further applications of the medium extend the painting time and the variety of colors in the work. This technique takes practice and will be a challenge to master, but it is a very quick way to make a complete painting. It is perfect for an artist who does outdoor exhibitions. Craft festivals and similar public events are great venues for this type of artistic demonstration, as it is quick and always draws a crowd. Spray paint has many aspects and dozens of techniques that can be used by a creative artist. Choosing just one can be difficult, with so many alternatives to try. Whichever choice the student chooses, they will find a new world of potential at their fingertips.