Hello everyone!
First off, I'd like to say thank goodness for FSM and this site! Had I not found this place, I might have been overwhelmed and ran screaming for the hills!
Well, I've been looking to get seriously into models, after a looong time away from them. I used to build, but nowhere in the detail that I'd like to venture into.
What I'd like to know from the group is: Am I on the right track?
Since I've become serious about this, I keep telling myself over and over again "It will NOT look like what you want it to the first few times!!!" But I do want to be prepared for whatever avenue I decide to take on a paticular piece.
My goal is to build primarily WWII themed Armor and support vehicles, along with the planes that have always interested me.
I'm a novice with an airbrush and model techniques, so I was planning on picking up the following books: "Modeling tanks & Military Vehicles", and "How to Build Dioramas" by Sheperd Paine, and "How to use an Airbrush" by Downie.
Will these books cover such techniques as dry-brushing and the like? Is there a good book out there on the basics of puttying/painting kits? My background is in graphic design, but I don't want to assume anything in regards to this at all...
Now, I live in a smaller town with one Hobby Lobby, so getting supplies might have to be an online affair. I was thinking of picking up a Badger 200-20 airbrush, and a compressor. Is this a decent choice? I see them mentioned all over the place.
As for paints, is there a general consensus on the best line of paints in terms of quality and avalable colors? I'd hate to waste money on paints that will do me no good.
I plan to build a plane first to learn on, as it seems to be the easier in terms of less outside details compared to a tank or artillery piece.
Mainly, I just want to be sure I have a good technique foundation, so I don't have to go around the world to get to my elbow!
Thanks for ANY advice you may have! it's MUCh appreciated, and will save my sanity.
B