How to use Daler-Rowney inks with an airbrush

Follow Carleen’s step-by-step guide on how to use inks with an airbrush.

When choosing the transparency of your colours, Daler-Rowney offers different inks ranging from Aquafine (transparent watercolour ink) to FW Ink (semi-transparent ink) to System3 Ink (opaque ink).

Carleen’s Tips:

1. Test the sprays on paper first, and decide on the motive you want to paint.

2. Make sure to clean your airbrush head with every new colour you use to guarantee colour brilliance and good airflow.

Airbrushing opens up a world of creative possibilities, from smooth gradients and delicate washes to bold layers of colour. In this tutorial, London-based artist Carleen De Sözer shares her expertise on how to use Daler-Rowney inks effectively with an airbrush. Known for her work as a muralist and airbrush specialist, Carleen highlights both the versatility of the inks and the importance of careful technique.

Choosing the Right Ink

Daler-Rowney inks behave differently depending on their formulation, so choosing the right one is key:

Aquafine Watercolour Ink – highly transparent and ideal for soft, layered washes.
FW Acrylic Ink – semi-transparent, offering strong pigmentation while still allowing underlying layers to show through.
System3 Acrylic Ink – opaque, bold, and perfect when you need solid, punchy areas of colour.

This variety means you can experiment with subtle glazing effects or achieve powerful, graphic marks, all within the same toolkit.

Essential Materials and Setup

Before beginning, ensure your airbrush is clean and fully operational. Carleen recommends always testing your spray pattern on scrap paper first, adjusting airflow and paint flow until you find the right balance. Keep a selection of papers or boards on hand to compare how different surfaces interact with the inks.

Carleen’s Key Tips

Test sprays on paper before working on your artwork – this helps establish your intended composition and ensures that the ink is flowing correctly.
Clean the airbrush head thoroughly between colour changes – this prevents muddying of tones and keeps the colours bright and true.
Adjust ink choice to the effect you want – transparent inks work well for smooth gradients, semi-transparent inks provide layered vibrancy, and opaque inks create striking focal points.
Work in light layers – building colour gradually provides better control and avoids oversaturation or runs.

Why This Guide Matters

Airbrushing with Daler-Rowney inks combines the immediacy of aerosol art with the precision of fine art materials. Whether you are experimenting with Aquafine for watercolour-like effects, FW for luminous layers, or System3 for bold opacity, these inks offer reliability, strong pigmentation, and versatility. Carleen’s practical advice makes the process accessible, ensuring beginners can start confidently while giving experienced artists the chance to refine their technique.

This tutorial is a reminder that careful preparation, clean working methods, and thoughtful ink selection can transform airbrushing into a fluid, expressive, and professional art form.