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Hello Everyone,

 

What do you recommend to start painting? I've seen looking around YouTube that a lot of the smooth paint jobs are done with airbrushing techniques? Is this the norm to have miniatures that don't look like you glopped a bunch of paint on them and called it a day?

 

If this is the case what is a airbrush that you all recommend to use for painting?

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There is two main types of airbrush paintjobs to do:

 

  1. Undercoating and basecoating and highlighting large areas (vehicles, space marines and large mosters), which is relatively easy to learn and do good, the youtube video channels of awesomepaintjob and buypainted shows in action how this is done pretty well.
  2. Airbrushing details, such as faces, crystal or  metallic effect using non metallic paint on blades (swords and axes), basecoating and  highlighting smaller areas (robes, clothing etc) and flame effects. Again, awesome paintjob and buypainted channels on youtube shows you example of these jobs too (for example, buypainted's video of the high elf flying bird paintjob and Vulkan He'Stan is excellent to learn paining good looking flames)

Type 1 jobs are what you should start focusing on if you never airbrushed before. This will give you the basic skill of handling the airbrush, see and understand where to apply the highlights, how to apply them and also much more forgiving of mistakes. So if you never airbrushed before, I suggest you embark on a space marine detachment painting project as an initial learning lesson. painting space marines means large areas of same colour, easy to highlight and see where to apply highlight, larger areas with relatively less details are also more forgiving of mistakes in airbrush aiming and  trigger handling (overspraying and spraying too much paint).

 

Equipmentwise, I suggest you buy a rugged, less complicated easy maintained airbrush and a tank compressor. I suggest Badger patriot 105 as first airbrush, comes with a 0.7 mm needle (which is a relatively large size), this one is gravity fed (better for miniature painting) and has a larger less sensitive needle for larger area painting, also it has a simpler needle seals between paint holding compartment and trigger mechanism which is easier to exchange if need be. When you have practiced on type 1 jobs and feel confident, you can buy a smaller needle size and tip and start airbrushing details with the same airbrush.

 

For tank and compressor I suggest Sparmax T610H as a starter compressor, its the best tradeoff between price, quality, noise level and having a tank. Its good enough for moreexperienced users as well.

 

Also I suggest if you dont want to thin paints yourself, then buy Vallejo air colours, they are thinned down pretty good quality paints, jsut get the basic colours you want/need. Alos you will need:

  • Airbrush thinner
  • wooden toothpicks for cleaning
  • mixing cups in case you want to use your thicker GW or other regular acrylic paints to shoot out of the airbrush
  • A particle filtering face mask to prevent you from inhaling  dried droplets of paint in the air
  • spray booth that sucks the spray and fitlers it so it wont fly around in your room and eventually settle as dust or get inhaled by you or others

So you're looking at around 400 USD for getting all this stuff, (airbrush, compressor with tank, mask and spray booth). Its worth mentioning here that the compressor is more important than the gun, so spend more on the compressor to get a good one than the gun, good consistent pressure, dry airsupply is the most important aspect toolwise, part for safety of course! So make sure you get the mask and spray booth too. Good luck!

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The best thing I can recommend for brush painting is thin your paints, you can do this on your palette, or Google how to make a wet palette. You will notice an immediate improvement in paint quality. The next important thing is to take care of your brushes. Try to not get paint on anything but the lower half of the bristles, most fraying is caused by paint right up the top drying out and spreading the bristles. Thirdly, write down your paint scheme once you're decided, as you may get distracted by another project and forget your specific colours.

 

Cheers,

Jono

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There is two main types of airbrush paintjobs to do:

 

  1. Undercoating and basecoating and highlighting large areas (vehicles, space marines and large mosters), which is relatively easy to learn and do good, the youtube video channels of awesomepaintjob and buypainted shows in action how this is done pretty well.
  2. Airbrushing details, such as faces, crystal or  metallic effect using non metallic paint on blades (swords and axes), basecoating and  highlighting smaller areas (robes, clothing etc) and flame effects. Again, awesome paintjob and buypainted channels on youtube shows you example of these jobs too (for example, buypainted's video of the high elf flying bird paintjob and Vulkan He'Stan is excellent to learn paining good looking flames)

Type 1 jobs are what you should start focusing on if you never airbrushed before. This will give you the basic skill of handling the airbrush, see and understand where to apply the highlights, how to apply them and also much more forgiving of mistakes. So if you never airbrushed before, I suggest you embark on a space marine detachment painting project as an initial learning lesson. painting space marines means large areas of same colour, easy to highlight and see where to apply highlight, larger areas with relatively less details are also more forgiving of mistakes in airbrush aiming and  trigger handling (overspraying and spraying too much paint).

 

Equipmentwise, I suggest you buy a rugged, less complicated easy maintained airbrush and a tank compressor. I suggest Badger patriot 105 as first airbrush, comes with a 0.7 mm needle (which is a relatively large size), this one is gravity fed (better for miniature painting) and has a larger less sensitive needle for larger area painting, also it has a simpler needle seals between paint holding compartment and trigger mechanism which is easier to exchange if need be. When you have practiced on type 1 jobs and feel confident, you can buy a smaller needle size and tip and start airbrushing details with the same airbrush.

 

For tank and compressor I suggest Sparmax T610H as a starter compressor, its the best tradeoff between price, quality, noise level and having a tank. Its good enough for moreexperienced users as well.

 

Also I suggest if you dont want to thin paints yourself, then buy Vallejo air colours, they are thinned down pretty good quality paints, jsut get the basic colours you want/need. Alos you will need:

  • Airbrush thinner
  • wooden toothpicks for cleaning
  • mixing cups in case you want to use your thicker GW or other regular acrylic paints to shoot out of the airbrush
  • A particle filtering face mask to prevent you from inhaling  dried droplets of paint in the air
  • spray booth that sucks the spray and fitlers it so it wont fly around in your room and eventually settle as dust or get inhaled by you or others

So you're looking at around 400 USD for getting all this stuff, (airbrush, compressor with tank, mask and spray booth). Its worth mentioning here that the compressor is more important than the gun, so spend more on the compressor to get a good one than the gun, good consistent pressure, dry airsupply is the most important aspect toolwise, part for safety of course! So make sure you get the mask and spray booth too. Good luck!

 

 

The best thing I can recommend for brush painting is thin your paints, you can do this on your palette, or Google how to make a wet palette. You will notice an immediate improvement in paint quality. The next important thing is to take care of your brushes. Try to not get paint on anything but the lower half of the bristles, most fraying is caused by paint right up the top drying out and spreading the bristles. Thirdly, write down your paint scheme once you're decided, as you may get distracted by another project and forget your specific colours.

 

Cheers,

Jono

 

Awesome thank you both for your reply's, should I assume Brother Najanus that since as you stated the airbrush requires you to have a face mask so you don't inhale it, that it isn't something I could do on my kitchen table if i cover up the table ?

 

My working area is one of two options, I ether can only work during the day out on my small balcony. Or I convert my kitchen table into my space when i'm ready to paint and when things are drying I place them someplace out of the way. 

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It may be easier for now to just use your kitchen table as your painting area. I don't think it would be a good idea to use an airbrush inside. You could probably do basecoating on your balcony as that's what I do myself.

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Yes, the spray booth is necessary only if you airbrush indoors, otherwise don't bother about it, but you should wear a particle fitlering mask either way. Yes you can use your kitchen table, if you do, cover it with some plastic sheet and place your spray booth on top. That's what I do.

 

The best advice I can give is to watch videos on youtube. You learn much better watching people do the painting and explaining what they do.

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Alright awesome,

 

my mind races with the thought of painting, though it does make the fiance go nuts as we have no funds till after October haha. I'll start checking out videos, the airbursh defintly seems like the way I want to go as it seems to give a great smooth finish, though if i read you guys right, you can dilute your paint down enough on the brush that it doesn't leave that gloop effect as well. 

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Definitely. I'd suggest picking up a cheap shower curtain to put down so that you don't get paint on wherever you're painting. I'm waiting for my first airbrush to arrive this week myself and I'll be using it on my patio as well. It looks like my patio is about half that size however.

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wet palate is definitely a worthwhile thing to do for brush painting. it keeps your paints wet so they last longer and thins them for more precision.

 

I've undercoated with a spray can on a balcony no problem. my main issue was not overspraying onto the balcony floor and being more exposed to the elements limiting the times I could do this.

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I'm not sure what your prior experience is with painting models, but if you are just starting I would definately not recommend starting with an airbrush. The learning curve with techniques is steep enough without adding an airbrush into the mix, not to mention the costs if that is an issue.

Seriously, you can paint award-winning models without an airbrush, so don't believe it is essential by any means. 

 

When just starting out, I'd recommend a few good brushes (don't skimp on those... get brushes in the 5-10 euro range each) in about 3 sizes, a paint starter set from Vallejo (or Citadel or P3) and get some of GW's painting guides to start out with. That last bit really helps getting started, some nice simple techniques that stay valid all the way.

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I'm not sure what your prior experience is with painting models, but if you are just starting I would definately not recommend starting with an airbrush. The learning curve with techniques is steep enough without adding an airbrush into the mix, not to mention the costs if that is an issue.

Seriously, you can paint award-winning models without an airbrush, so don't believe it is essential by any means. 

 

When just starting out, I'd recommend a few good brushes (don't skimp on those... get brushes in the 5-10 euro range each) in about 3 sizes, a paint starter set from Vallejo (or Citadel or P3) and get some of GW's painting guides to start out with. That last bit really helps getting started, some nice simple techniques that stay valid all the way.

 

Haven't decided yet how i'm going to start painting, but if i'm going to do it well and right i'd rather learn the hard way first then the easy way and later do the hard way. 

 

Money isn't to much of a issue other then the more it costs the longer i don't get to buy new models haha. 

 

I think i'll enjoy it no mater which way I would paint, your saying that the method of painting doesn't increase the result ? That didn't really make sense i mean i guess first paint job on airbrush would look worse then a first paint job with a regular brush technique?

 

I have grabbed and watched several of the videos from the MiniWargaming group, will continue to watch them and learn techniques and tips. 

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I'm not sure what your prior experience is with painting models, but if you are just starting I would definately not recommend starting with an airbrush. The learning curve with techniques is steep enough without adding an airbrush into the mix, not to mention the costs if that is an issue.

Seriously, you can paint award-winning models without an airbrush, so don't believe it is essential by any means. 

 

When just starting out, I'd recommend a few good brushes (don't skimp on those... get brushes in the 5-10 euro range each) in about 3 sizes, a paint starter set from Vallejo (or Citadel or P3) and get some of GW's painting guides to start out with. That last bit really helps getting started, some nice simple techniques that stay valid all the way.

 

Haven't decided yet how i'm going to start painting, but if i'm going to do it well and right i'd rather learn the hard way first then the easy way and later do the hard way. 

 

Money isn't to much of a issue other then the more it costs the longer i don't get to buy new models haha. 

 

I think i'll enjoy it no mater which way I would paint, your saying that the method of painting doesn't increase the result ? That didn't really make sense i mean i guess first paint job on airbrush would look worse then a first paint job with a regular brush technique?

 

I have grabbed and watched several of the videos from the MiniWargaming group, will continue to watch them and learn techniques and tips. 

 

 

It's not a question of doing it well or not. Airbrushing is always in addition to, not instead of.

Master the brush first, then see what parts of the brushwork you think you can do better with an airbrush.

 

But hey it's your hobby, do as you like.

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I think people misunderstand the most significant purpose and application of airbrushing miniature armies. It's a very very efficient way of undercoating, basecoating and highlighting large amount of areas of same colour, and also large amount of models of same colour. Space marines is an army type "tailor made" for airbrushing, since they have large areas of flat armour of same chapter colours. For example, an ork or WHFB brettonnian army would be a nightmare to airbrush basecoats and highlights, too much details and several different colours on different models within units. You will spend more time cleaning the airbrush between colour loadings than actual painting.

 

Regardless of you choosing to airbrush or not, the undercoats, basecoats and highlights, you will not escape the need to paint the details with brush. So yes, you will need to acquire basic paintbrush techniques anyway.

 

Imagine you have a Space marine detachment with a couple of rhinos, a predator, 2x 10 man tac squads and a dreadnought, and you play say blood angels. To make a good paintjob with regular brushwork with thin coats and nice highlights where the lighter colour, (orange or bloodred from darker shade of red) is nicely either blended in or layered will take roughly between five to ten times the time it will take to do the same thing with airbrush. and you will still not get as good area highlights (not speaking of edge highlights here, those you still need to do with brush) as you get when airbrushing on a lighter shade of the colour. So in the end, the question is, do you want to spend 100 to 150 hours net time applying undercoats, basecoats, highlights (area highlights) with brush on top of your detail paintjob, on around 30 to 50 miniatures (nominal size of a starter army) and risk your sanity out of the boredom of doing the same brushstrokes on the same shoulderpads 100 times over and over again to get a nice highlight (on 50 marines) or do you want to spend a fraction of that time using airbrush and acquire a much better coats, colour transitions and surface finish and focus your brushwork time on painting the details?

 

Choice is yours...In the end is an hobby most people do on their spare time on top of everyday activities such as having a job, family etc and in that regard, you need to see the airbrush as a tool that does particular type of painting (undercoat, basecoat and area highlighting) much much much more time-efficiently compared to brushwork of equal or close to equal quality.

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I think people misunderstand the most significant purpose and application of airbrushing miniature armies. It's a very very efficient way of undercoating, basecoating and highlighting large amount of areas of same colour, and also large amount of models of same colour. Space marines is an army type "tailor made" for airbrushing, since they have large areas of flat armour of same chapter colours. For example, an ork or WHFB brettonnian army would be a nightmare to airbrush basecoats and highlights, too much details and several different colours on different models within units. You will spend more time cleaning the airbrush between colour loadings than actual painting.

 

Regardless of you choosing to airbrush or not, the undercoats, basecoats and highlights, you will not escape the need to paint the details with brush. So yes, you will need to acquire basic paintbrush techniques anyway.

 

Imagine you have a Space marine detachment with a couple of rhinos, a predator, 2x 10 man tac squads and a dreadnought, and you play say blood angels. To make a good paintjob with regular brushwork with thin coats and nice highlights where the lighter colour, (orange or bloodred from darker shade of red) is nicely either blended in or layered will take roughly between five to ten times the time it will take to do the same thing with airbrush. and you will still not get as good area highlights (not speaking of edge highlights here, those you still need to do with brush) as you get when airbrushing on a lighter shade of the colour. So in the end, the question is, do you want to spend 100 to 150 hours net time applying undercoats, basecoats, highlights (area highlights) with brush on top of your detail paintjob, on around 30 to 50 miniatures (nominal size of a starter army) and risk your sanity out of the boredom of doing the same brushstrokes on the same shoulderpads 100 times over and over again to get a nice highlight (on 50 marines) or do you want to spend a fraction of that time using airbrush and acquire a much better coats, colour transitions and surface finish and focus your brushwork time on painting the details?

 

Choice is yours...In the end is an hobby most people do on their spare time on top of everyday activities such as having a job, family etc and in that regard, you need to see the airbrush as a tool that does particular type of painting (undercoat, basecoat and area highlighting) much much much more time-efficiently compared to brushwork of equal or close to equal quality.

 

Thank you for this Brother Najanus, as i'll be starting a SM army, i belive i'll pick up that airbrush you recommended and do the brushing as you demonstrated in your post. 

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You're welcome, I'm happy my "lectures" was of use to you. Again, I recommend you to spend some hours to go through the videos on you tube. Many of those guys are professionals doign this for a living. They have tonnes of advice. For regular brushwork advice I recommend "AG productions" videos on how to paint with brush, for example in this link

 

 

he starts out a series of like 12 short videos where he stage by stage explains how to assemble, undercoat, basecoat, area and edge highlight a termagant (tyranid basic troop infantry), especially episode 7-8 and onwards are very useful for people that want to improve their highlighting skills. This guy also have a tonne of other videos where he explains paint theory, basic tools use and brush maintenance.

 

Before you buy your airbrush stuff, I suggest your search around different stores before making up your mind, as the pricing can vary alot.

 

Good luck and happy painting! :)

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You don't need an airbrush to get a well painted miniature, just practice and patience.  Some very good advice were given above, and I won't repeat them, except to suggest going onto youtube and chceking the bazillions of videos of people painting there.  I still watch them from time to time and find myself inspired, after 15 years of painting (not that it really shows when I paint, but still :P )

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The stuff I currently use myself:

-Wet Pallet.

-Kolynski Sable brushes. Usually size 2-3.

-Vallejo or old GW paints.

-Vallejo Glaze Medium.

-Good lighting.

 

Other than that. Take your time. Ask questions.

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I never used the old citadel line but I can tell you about the new line. Find a good shop that keeps paints in stock. Do not use water to thin the paints lamhian medium is the best thinner to use. If you don't mind spending the money the citadel primers are really good and don't dull the details. It's even better than tamyia fine primer. Buy quality real Sable brushes, I found synthetic brushes do not work so well. Liquitex for additives, they work well with the new range.

 

Also go to the gw you tube channel and watch the guy paint. He is really good at showing you effects and telling you how he does them.

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Yesterday I came across something that I think will be terribly useful here:

 

Miniwargamer Jay's Painting 101 Tutorial Playlist

 

Watch the whole playlist, it's all very good and useful advice that starts from the absolute basics and builds up.

 

EDIT: As a sidenote, despite what everyone says, unless you are a Golden Demon level painter I find that acrylic craft paints and synthetic brushes work just fine for painting miniatures, I haven't bought anything but washes from GW/Vallejo etc. in 10 years.  The below are painted using FolkArt craft paints:

 

http://image.bolterandchainsword.com/uploads/gallery/album_8363/gallery_60983_8363_64703.jpg

 

http://image.bolterandchainsword.com/uploads/gallery/album_8363/gallery_60983_8363_82335.jpg

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If you're in the UK you can use Halfords Primer. Comes in grey, white, and red. Cheaper, 100ml more, and better than the GW ones (which are actually spray paint and not primer at all).

 

When looking for brushes it's easy to spend a lot of money on a high quality one. But if you're learning or even just basecoating then you don't need those. You can still get good sable brushes in any art shop that sells acrylic and water colour paints. Just make sure the bristles finish in a fine point.

 

Thinning with water is fine (and the cheapest option). Lamian Medium from GW is good but Vallejo Glaze Medium is better and comes in larger bottles too.

 

Never think that you have to use GW paints, brushes, tools, etc. There are a lot of excellent companies making paints aimed at miniatures which are formulated with miniature painting in mind. Highly recommended companies are Vallejo, P3, Reaper, Army Painter, and Scale Color.

 

YouTube is full of painters posting tutorials aimed at all kinds of levels. GW have some too which are designed with their paint system in mind but are good for beginners.

 

Last thin for now is a site called tutofig. It's full of tutorial links from many sites and is well worth a look.

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