As I live in an apartment with limited space, I paint my models with a brush not an airbrush. I was wondering if it’s at all possible to get a finish with a brush similar to an airbrush and if anyone knows of any sources online that could help me learn to get better finishes without any brushstrokes.
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You can use a retarder with your acrylic paints. The retarder will slow the drying time and help the paint lay flatter, minimizing brush strokes.
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The Vallejo Model Color line hand brushes pretty good too
I’ve always had decent results hand brushing properly thinned Tamiya acrylics….. well except for whites and yellows. Biggest trick is in applying the paint without going over it too many times. The more you brush, the more chance of brush marks. Make sure it dries completely before another coat.
Thin, thin, thin! You can lay down coats of color as fine as if you had airbrushed them, if you thin the paint enough. I use Tamiya acrylics, among other brands, and like Frozin, I thin them and they go on just fine. I use a wet palette with other brands, whose acrylics are water-based.
One way to help reduce the effect of brush strokes is to lay down the first coat brushing in one direction, then a second coat at right angles to the first.
Hope that helps!
Best regards,
Brad
Thanks. Do you suggest any particular type of brush. I’ve been using the Revell paint brushes.
@Martyhh
You’ll never get the same quality finish compared to airbrushes IF the airbrushing is done very well. You c a come close BUT it’s much easier to get consistent quality finish with an airbrush. With the paintbrush, it may work now and then but very difficult on a consistent basis.
Hi Marty. This youtube video seems pretty well geared to answer the questions you have about brush painting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbV_ORs6160
I won’t say I agree with 100% of what he recommends in every situation, but it should give you a good basis to start from and then you can begin to form your own “best methods” based on the experience you accumulate. As always, never try anything for the first time on your prized model: Use plastic spoons or “junker” models to test out techniques first.
At the most recent local show, I entered a couple of 1/72 aircraft. In the waiting time between judging and awards, I was in a couple of discussions with other modelers, and it came up that my planes had been hand brushed - to great astonishment. I hand brush because I can do that in the living room, within sight of the TV… And because I find it relaxing, unlike fiddling with an airbrush and engaging in large-scale masking operations.
So there were questions about how I did it (and threats to drag me before a club meeting to explain…). Here are my secrets:
- It’s obvious, but just like getting to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice. I’ve been painting models for over 45 years, steadily for over 25 (couple of gaps during and after college).
- These kits were done with “fresh” (old, but previously unused) bottles of PollyScale paint.
- Wide soft brush for the main areas. Few strokes, let dry, come back. Don’t push paint around while it’s already starting to dry. As Brad said above, alternating coats at 90 degrees also helps.
- For acrylics, add a couple of drops of dish soap to break the surface tension. Realized when having these discussions that I had done that with all my old PollyScales, but none of the Vallejos I’ve been converting to. Starting adding it to the Vallejos and am already seeing benefits.
- Thin paint (and coats) helps. I don’t explicitly thin my paints unless they’re starting to thicken. Fresh bottles where possible for important subjects. A few bucks for a new bottle of paint is not a huge deal when needed.
- Relax, take your time. Rushing never makes anything better.
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