I am a formally trained Airbrush artist... I took several illustration classes in college including a technical illustration class and airbrush illustration... I later helped to teach that same class...

A friend and I have reciently started up a company called Dangerous Designworx... We do custom airbrush graphics mostly on Motorcycles due to work area (space) limitations...

As far as equipment goes there is much to consider, not only the quality of the equipment but what is comfortable for you... I am a Paasche guy, I mainly use a VL and H... The H is a single action brush and is great for large coverage areas the VL is Double action and is a great general use brush, I use it mainly for fine detail work using a fine needle... As much depends on how comfortable you are with the brush as the brand of the brush... I have used Iwata Brushes and they are very nice, but I am more comfortable with Paasche... I also like the Paasche because I have a few local shops that carry replacement parts and I don't have to order parts off the net when I need them in a hurry, that is not the case around here for Iwata brusches... Badger also makes some good brushes if you stay away from the lower end (Hobby) products they offer at mass retail stores...

You will also have to have some type of air supply, if you are using a compressor you will need to invest in a high quality moisture trap and a good pressure regulator... You can also use CO2 if you like, but beware CO2 is a liquid that turns to a gas as it is used, unlike compressed air the expansion of the gas will cause the CO2 to get cold and then it tends to condensate... You will need still need a good moisture trap and reg if you decide to use C02...

With paint there is much trial and error in deciding which paint is the best to use in which application... I use automotive urethanes that are compatable with the clear that is going to be used... Base/Clears are nice because you don't have to use a hardner in the color and the colors go down flat... You will need to research which paints you use as some base coats have to be cleared after a certain time or they can't be cleared at all... I know this is the case with HOK striping paints, seem like they have to be cleared over within a few hours...

Hope this gets you started in the right direction...

Dave Brisco