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.