Airbrushing and models

Anyone on here use an airbrush to paint models? I have always been a pot and brush kind of guy, but after looking at some of the art work, not to mention time savings, I was thinking about buying one and giving it a go.

Looking for anyone with personal experience, or maybe guidance, maybe I am wasting my time and money.

Any Thoughts?

I've recently bought a beginners set aribrush, much against the advice of the majority of "pro's" you will find on the internet. Lot's have very exensive sets, setting you back way over 400-500 dollars. I've got mine for about 110 dollars (compressor, airbrush and some acce.). Thus far I've only used it for base coloring purposes and that seems to be doing fine. It takes a bit of practice to get used to, but eventually you will learn.

My advice would be to see if anyone you know has an airbrush and ask him to let you practice on it. Buy a paint pot from the Vallejo air section. These come with the right mixture specifically for airbrushing, no need to dilute them. The colours themselves look really well.

If you happen to be able to spend alot of money on this, then I wouldn't save. I've used those dual-action airbrushes and these are really accurate. Then again, my single-action will do for now.

Youtube for some instruction video's and tips, I'm sure that will do.

Good luck!

I'm glad to hear you were able to purchase a beginner or low end airbrush and the thing didn't immediately fall apart on you. That is honestly what I am most concerned about. I have a compressor for pneumatic tools, so that is one purchase I don't have to make. I was looking at airbrushes in the $50-100 range, just for base coating, etc and like you said in the reviews I have read I get the impression that if I don't spend $300 plus the thing is going to jam and I am going to get a lung infection from paint inhalation.

Sgt. Mulcayhee wrote:

I'm glad to hear you were able to purchase a beginner or low end airbrush and the thing didn't immediately fall apart on you. That is honestly what I am most concerned about. I have a compressor for pneumatic tools, so that is one purchase I don't have to make. I was looking at airbrushes in the $50-100 range, just for base coating, etc and like you said in the reviews I have read I get the impression that if I don't spend $300 plus the thing is going to jam and I am going to get a lung infection from paint inhalation.

From what I can gather, Iwata and badger both seem to be making fine brushes. These have a "budget"-selection that seem to work nicely. They should be in your price range. I personally have no experience with them however. I came accross this brush from airbrush.com, which might be a good choice? Do check if your compressor is not too powerfull for this brush as apparently it is meant for less powerfull compressors.

Having a compressor (variable?) already is a major advantage. Especially if you can manually set the amount of PSI as output, that should really be an advantage compared to the 3-stage compressor I've got.

Whatever brush you'll take, it is always a good idea to paint in a well ventilated area. I hand-made a budget ventilation-station with some leftover computer-fans I didn't use. However ugly (building and shaping plastic boxes is NOT my greatest skill), it does seem to do the job just fine.

Do note that cleaning the brush after each session (and usually also during) takes quite a bit of work. Getting the needle out, unscrewing all the parts, cleaning the insides, etc. etc. . This does however greatly improves the life of the brush and is therefore greatly recommended!

If I were you, I'd give it a try. Buy one of the A-brand budget brushes and start experimenting. The gradient work that can be done and the relative ease with which it is done with an airbrush is amazing!

Let us know!

That one you suggested is the exact one I was thinking about I can it it at Hobby Lobby for 40% off. I have a variable speed compressor I just need an adapted since my hose is 3/8" but I think I will give it a shot.

hi
just bought one myself
you can get pretty cheap ones to get started : 35 to 100 euroes
best is to get a dual action, not a single action
good info on
http://www.akaranseth.com/blog/tutorials/airbrushing-for-figurine.htm
but there's lots of sites on airbrushing minis

you need a compressor that can give 10 to 40 psi I think. Best is with an airtank

This is what I got:

Don't hesitate to show us your tests & results !

I have some beasthounds up on my blog; for larger pieces (and larger parts of smaller pieces), I'd highly recommend an airbrush. Check out my blog if you're interested.


http://mordheimpdx.blogspot.com

Ordo Septenarius wrote:

I have some beasthounds up on my blog; for larger pieces (and larger parts of smaller pieces), I'd highly recommend an airbrush. Check out my blog if you're interested.


http://mordheimpdx.blogspot.com

I think I actually found your site through a google search.

Rev (from Warseer and Tale of Painters) also did this the other day:

http://taleofpainters.blogspot.com/2013/01/tutorial-scarebrushing-vs-airbrushing.html#more