Brush painting.

Personally, I believe brush painting takes more skill to master than does airbrushing.  I only brush paint Model Master acrylics on smaller models, and here's what I do:  I coat the entire model with Testors flat light aircraft gray enamel from a rattle can.  This helps the acrylics to adhere to the model better and also helps me find blemishes.  I then brush paint the acrylics over the enamel using the widest brush possible.  I usually need a few coats to get good coverage.  Model Master acrylics have been a godsend for me.  They are so easy to use and because they are water-based and generally thin, they coat very well without nasty brushstrokes.  They are also excellent if they need to be touched up.  If I try to touch up enamel paints, even when it's dry the "repair" sticks out like a sore thumb.  The only thing I'm still working on is using acrylics when masking is necessary.  Acrylics bleed (badly!!) right through the edges of whatever masking tape I'm using (even Tamiya).

I've used this technique on a few 1/72 scale KoPro Mig's and I've been seriously amazed at the results!  Excellent camouflage patterns without even having to mask!!  I'll post 'em on here someday.....

Just remembered....I also used (sort of) the above technique with my 1/48 Revell A-10.  I wanted to paint the Euro I scheme, so I spray painted the whole model with the lightest color (Medium Green) in the pattern using a rattlecan.  I then attempted to mask the areas I wanted to stay this color (so that I could eventually spray the other colors) and gave up!  I just couldn't mask the areas I needed to properly, especially that tricky engine area!  So, in a fit of what at the time seemed to be insanity, I just started brush painting the Dark Gray and Dark Green using Model Master acrylics and no masks whatsoever.  After about two coats of the acrylic, I was absolutely floored by the result!!!!  It even looked better after I applied the final dullcote.

What seemed to be, at first, a very challenging wraparound scheme turned out to be very simple indeed!

Please try it sometime....

B-17engineer wrote:

Hi all. My first time on this forum, nice place you've got.   I was curious what is the best way to brush paint a model?    Thanks very much.

First off, to the forums!!

Secondly, to brush paint well it takes practice, practice, practice! I've been a brush-painter ever since I started modeling a few years ago and it takes alot of trial and error. You have to find a series of paints that fit your needs. I pretty much only paint with ModelMaster Acrylics, since they flow well, no brush strokes, and they have a great color selection.(Never, ever use Tamiya acrylics for brush-painting, their only good for airbrushes.)

Then after you find the paints you like, it's a matter of picking of QUALITY brushes. By quality I don't mean those cheap dollar store brushes. I mean the good stuff that costs around $5.00 a brush. You can usually find them at your local art store, such as Hobby Lobby. (It's smart to buy them when their on sale.) My personal preference for brushes is Golden Taklon, but of course its only my preference and you will probably find a brush that fits your needs.

After the brush and paint, it's a matter of trying and practicing inorder to get what you looking for. After a while you will start to turn out amazing builds equal to any airbrushed model. If you don't believe me check out these two builds of mine, entirely hand-painted.......

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Thanks to both for the responses! Appreciate it!

 It helps a lot, I will be going to the hobby shop soon so I will pick up a few items. 

Hi Everyone

I've got a site about painting, you might find some of the tutorials and help on it useful. There is information about different techniques and a gallery for people to submit pictures of their own miniatures and models.

The address is: http://www.paintminiatures.co.uk/

Thanks

Andy-the-painter