(almost) Complete newb!

Welcome to the forums Beantheforce

to the FSM forum.

Don't be ashamed of a bad finish. No one has first models that look outstanding. You have to learn somewhere. And, as long as you had fun doing it, who cares what it looks like in the end, you can allways improve later on.

Good to see that you're working in a smaller scale. Unfortunately, 1/35 is a fairly large scale, and doing brush finishes on something like that will take many many layers to look good. So a smaller scale is definitely the way to go if you do not have an airbrush. You can get one eventually, but it's not neccessary right off the start. i didn't get one for about 10 years of modelling.

Anywhoo, one of the most important things in all models is a wash and drybrush. If you do nothing else, do that, as it will bring out the details that are moulded into the kit.
Good luck, and have fun

Well, an airbrush is a fairly expensive investment. If you are sure you will continue on, then by all means invest in a quality airbrush and compressor.

But if you are still sounding out the hobby, try spray cans. I used spray cans quite successfully for years. For a small, one color item like the early Tiger (I have this exact kit, very nice) a spray can in the proper color would work well.

Just remember that several light coats from a distance are better than one heavy coat.

BeanTheForce to FSM forum This is the place to get all of your answers the guys and gals have a tone of info between them on just about everything you can lern a lot from just going through previous posts in this forum. So have a go I think every thing you try will be a big experament just have fun.

Welcome aboard

to FSM
In 1/72 an airbrush (in my opinion) is not really needed, work on techniques such as dry brushing, washes, and pastel chalks. Like the Major said, use a spray can for single color paint schemes. It will give a nice finish and give yopu practice for an airbrush when you decide to get one. In 1/35 the older (inexpensive) Tamiya kits are great for practice especially if there is a Hobby Lobby in your area and you catch one of their half-price sales.
Have fun and ask questions, we're here to help.

A good place to start with 1/35 scale armor painting is using a rattle can. Cheap and easy to get used to... Well, works for 1/72 too. Just don't use a can per model like a friend of mine did!

Welcome to the Forums!

Ron

Hello and Welcome to the forums

I was in the same boat as you. I found that an airbrush does coast more but it was alot more fun then a regular brush for me. In fact I think that because of the ease of use and the end result which I thought to be fairly good for a first timer makes me want to paint more and try different things. I started with a cheap Wal-mart aircrush which worked good till it broke LOL. I have gotten a badger airbrush now and really like it but I am sure there is better but it did not cost that much. I built a Airfix 1/72 Tiger I that was crap nothing mathed up and there was big peices of plastic missing from the turret LOL. It was my second model ever and I think it turned out ok I owe that to the airbrush. I am now working on my fourth model ever a Tamiya 1/35 Panzer IV ausf.D its so easy I didnt have to puddy anything. By the way thats my Tiger right down there it isn't great but it looks ok for the second model EVER LOL.

P.S. I like the word ever and LOL. LOL

You can't beat an airbrush for a nice finish. If you are just starting out, checkout the Testor's set ups they have at Wal-Mart. Badger makes a fairly inexpensive external mix brush. They work pretty well for single color schemes. With masking, you can do some multi color camoflage as well. They will let you try out airbrushing, learn some techniques and see the difference. (Don't figure on using cans of propellent for very long, though. You will pay for a small compressor in no time, if you do!) Then if you decide you want to get a nice brush, you can go online to places like bearair and get some terrific deals. Also, Michaels carries a few of the Badger's (like the 200, Anthem, and Crescendo) and often have a 50% off one item coupon in the Sunday newspaper.

I think you'll like airbrushing, but don't spend an arm and a let until you give it a less expensive try.

Good luck and welcome to the forum. There are lots of guys and gals here that will love to help you with any questions you have. Just ask.

CHECK THE NEW FSM! It tells you how to paint-only I wish it was brush painting camo-oh well, maybe next month?

Welcome to the forums. Everyone pretty much covered the bases, but I'll toss in my 2 cents. If your serious, get an airbrush and an inexpensive compressor at Wally World. Those little propellent cans add up fast. Badger makes great airbrushes and like Bill said you can save alot of money on them if you pick them up at certain places.

Since you have been served many answers, i will just say welcome to the forum!

I recomend getting spray cans first, then once youve decided to get serious the buy and airbrush. As for the kit, If it is the one i am thinking of (theres a few), I bought it a few months ago and started building it. Never finished. The tracks are indy and the directions recomend the wrong # of track links to put on certain parts. the hull top and back did not fit properly. That is the worst kit I have built so far. But maybe it is just me.

Nothing much to say but ...Welcome to the Darkside. He-he-he.

i agree with chris and dwight. not much i can offer for help that hasnt been said before. so welcome to fsm.

joe

THANKS!!! I completed the kit, and tried out some drybrushing... It looks very nice =) I dont have pics, but perhaps I will have them later...

Welcome bean. Bad finishes are a phase in the life of a modeler. I've got a few I'd like to put a paper bag over too. Start with the base color in a rattle can and the other colors with a regular brush. Big areas can be tricky to brush paint. Th can should give it the main color and just paintthe other colors on. You'll do fine.

The Darkside will consume you...heheheheheh oh ya and

First off, Welcome
There has been a lot of advise about airbrushes so I thought I would add my 2 cents. I have a Badger airbrush and I love it but I went many years using spray cans and brushes, befor I got it. So my advise it to use a spray can and work on your washes and dry brushing. I say this because you can cover a whole lot of errors with those two techniques.

Welcome!!!
most of my bad finishes ended up on the wrong end of the pellet gun.