I�ve been lurking for a while and finally decided to pull the trigger and get an airbrush. I�m using an Iwata Neo gravity feed and cheaper water based paint like folk art thinned to the consistency of about milk.
I don�t think they came out to bad for a first attempt. I need to change the color pattern but I don�t hate the way they came out. If anyone has any input or pointers I would love the advice.

Those look pretty great! I'd throw those all day long.

Those look awesome! Greenish gold back to lavender bone belly? I like a lot. I have no experience airbrush painting baits, or I'd give some constructive advice.

The only advice I could really offer on those is to keep the bait flat on it's side when painting the eyes and let them dry at least partially before using a hair dryer on them. It'll give you a cleaner pupil if you do that. Once you put some clear coat on those they will look even better. Especially if you use some D2T epoxy. It really adds depth to the colors.

cn. here are similar pattern i did. might give you some ideas. keep at it and you'll be surprised how quickly you improve. good rule of thumb is "less is more". go lightly on you colors and paint thickness and you'll get a more realistic outcome.

Very nice for your first ones, you will be suprised how quickly you will improve, keep up the good work and quit lurking and start posting more baits. That how we will all get better if we share knowledge.

Nice work Chad . Wicked Burnt Orange is a good alternative color for use on throat, gill and belly areas. Try using one of those plastic coated playing cards as a stencil. Trace a gill plate onto the card from one of the blanks with a textured finish and cut it out. Then use it to create a gill plate on the slick sided blanks. Laying it flat on the blank makes a hard edge...put a penny under it and it makes a softer edge...add pennys and the edge gets even softer...experiment around with it. Practice, practice, practice...you're off to a good start.

He'll I think they look good