44Flavours experiments with an old airbrush machine in its latest works

We first featured design duo 44flavours last year when we were in awe of their technicoloured work and playful aesthetic. Berlin-based Sebastian Bagge and Julio Rölle have been incredibly busy since, and it’s their latest airbrush works that have caught our eye.

Catalogued on their Intstagram, the pieces have a wonderful freedom and character about them as soft lines collude into various shapes and designs, in a haze of different colours. “The first pieces were very experimental and improvised without any sketches,” explains Julio. After the pair decided to do a project together for their exhibition Rosa Elefant, Rosa Elegant using the airbrush, the pieces began to have more concrete beginnings, but despite this planning the works still feel impulsive.

“We were talking with our friends Alex and Clemens about creating some fun airbrush sessions,” explains Julio. “Clemens finally bought a cheap machine and we did our first session together with Alex and Nural. I instantly fell in love and painted a couple of try-out pieces on paper… I took one to the birthday party of our studio mate Marc as a present, where I met his friend Bart, who told me that he had an old machine, that he would give to me for a couple of Euros.”

Julio feels the airbrush allows him to work in the way he’s most comfortable. “I like to work with some space and for me [airbrushing] is similar to using a spray can in terms of looks,” he says. “And you don’t need to refill it like you do with a brush and ink, you have unlimited strokes that never end. But the even better thing about an airbrush is that you can fill it up with acrylic paint which is less aggressive… For me it’s the best tool I’ve used for a while, and something I’ve been missing over the years. I like to be spontaneous and fast, and this is a tool that allows me to do that kind of work.”