My first Bust

I've never airbrushed a figure before, but I've slogged away countless hours in a paint booth at work, so I know all about masking. If you need a hard edge, you'll probably want to mask it. You could free hand it, and then hand paint the hard edges, but you'll likely get a slight variation in paint consistancy and tone, and I doubt you'll be happy with the results. You might try some of the masking products that aircraft modelers use for camo jobs on their planes. Also, see if your LHS has copies of Modeler's Resource, or other magazines geared towards fantasy/sci-fi modelers. They usually have good how-to articles on things like airbrushing figures.

 I won't tell you that  you shouldn't use an airbrush, but IMO you don't need to. Most of the great fantasy/sci-fi painters use airbrushes to fantastic effect, but then they work almost exclusively in 1/10 scale and larger, and all that real estate yields a large margin for error. My figures are all hand painted, in oils, with hand painted Vellejo acrylic base coats. Even the 1/6th scale figures and busts.

I like to seal figures in semi-gloss, or else a fairly thick layering of dullcoat. In layers, dull gets a nice, slightyl less than semi-gloss sheen, and smooths out the pain job..

Another question : Do I need to mask the areas I don't want paint applied to from my airbrush? If so what kind of masking do I use?  Or do I simply airbrush the areas that require the most paint and be careful not to overspay to much and then brush in the fine detail since it will cover any of the over spay anyway?

Gregory.

 

Thanks,  that was extremely helpful.

 

Howard

Hobbyguy:

Depending on the size of the bust, and the dominate colour(s) of the bust you can use an airbrush. Completely clean your bust after construction to remove any oils from your fingers and any construction grit, or mould release agents. Use a lint free cloth and some alcohol. Let it dry and cover it with a clean paper bag (Plastic will produce static and you will need to clean again)

Definitely prime first! Use a light grey or white (flat) to prime with. Use the airbrush for a smooth application. Let it dry for a day. Then choose your dominate colour and coat all the areas with your airbrush that it applies to. Again allow this to dry for a day. Continue applying the colours from most to least. (Most used first to Least used)

As far as clearcoat, you can use it, however if you're careful in your painting you won't need to. If you make a mistake attempt to remove it or cover it when dry.

Your best bet is to properly thin your paint and apply with a good airbrush in even coats and detail paint in with fine detailing brushes. Remember that you need the best brushes you can afford and clean them completely when done. Red Sable hair brushes are the best to use.

Once you are done you can seal the paint with an airbrush using either a matt finish coat or semi- or gloss coat. It all depends on what type of final finish you want.

That's about all. Have fun with it and post some pictures when you're working on it.

Cheers;

Gregory