Is there any paint out there I can use to get the hang of airbrushing? I don't want to waste money on hobby paints just to practice with (its amazing how fast the stuff goes... the paint i mean )

Blank, in my experience every single paint behaves in a different way from the other when you need to airbrush it. Enamels are more consistent, but with acryls can be a problem considering the variety of densities and how fine is the pigment. The airbrushing "gurus" say to thin it until the paint reaches the milk density, but in my view it's not that easy to reach
it. When I use enamels I thin them usually at 50% with lacquer thinner. For acryls it depends on the brand the way it can be thinned. I suggest to make some attempts with the paint you're going to use for your models and work on the air pressure from the compressor and on the paint controls on the airbrush. This helps getting consistent results. With 1.5cc of paint thinned with 1.5cc of thinner I usually manage to paint an 1/35 medium tank...
Ciao

I am not an airbrusher but I am with Fabio - use the paint you are going to use on your models.

Experience is the thing that you need to handle any modelling material. You only get that experience from handling the material, not from handling something that may or may not be similar.

I brush paint with Humbrol enamels. Have done for decades. So when I open a can of Humbrol I know how it will go on, how it will dry, how much to thin it etc, etc. I do sometimes try different brands and types, but then I have to learn how they behave.

You will find it cheaper in the long run, because even if you waste a whole pot of paint learning, you will then be able to paint your model with confidence. If you practice with a diferent paint you are going to have to re-learn how your model paint will behave.

Good luck.

Regards Dave

Apple Barrel Acrylics are about $0.99 for 2oz bottle

Try those poster colors or textile paints (used by artists on airbrushing t-shirts).

Everything Scoccia said about paints differing is true. Mixing them to the correct consistencies only comes from hands on experience.
But, if you want to just practice using the AB, I would suggest using some acrylic house paint. Gallon for gallon, it is by far less expensive than any "hobby" paints. You can practice spraying patterns and techniques till your hands fall off without spending more than maybe ten bucks.

Howdy blank,

Hope that's just your moniker.

If I heard you correctly, you were asking for help finding an inexpensive medium to shoot through your airbrush...correct? I can only assume from your question that you are also trying to (at this point) practice your airbrush abilities as well. Based upon that assumption, I will focus my answer on that.
Both scoccia and Kiwi make very valid points! All paints DO NOT really act the same way. But, I think I'm hearing in your question, that if you don't first know how to use the airbrush properly, the very best paints in the world will not help your cause! Makes sense, right?
So, my suggestion to you is, go down to your local Hobby Lobby and pick up a few bottles of craft paint. (as propboy so kindly suggested). It comes in 2 fl.oz. plastic bottles and is sold under the name of Apple Barrel, Folk Art, Delta Ceramcoat, etc. Use this paint to practice with, it'll save you a small fortune. And, just for the record, I use it for my armour models all the time. They are just great. I have many models I've painted them with and never had a problem.
Now, when it comes to figure painting, or some of the much finer finishes for some of the car modeling guys.....that's another story. But believe me, when your painting armour vehicles, ships, even aircraft, where the real things were painted with whatever was 'at hand', and sometimes even with their hands, well......nuff said, right?

hth.

Tread.

P.S. Kencelot make's an even better economical suggestion above (though I admit, I've probably shot a million gallons of 'house paint' in my line of work and it never occured to me to use it on my models) and his point even supports my last sentence in the body of my post about 'hands' :-)