airbrushing!!!
- Thread starter david 56
- Start date
lahatiel
New member
Here are some older threads I found with a search for \"airbrush\" that look like they might have some helpful info for you:
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=19664
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=17204
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=17134
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=19664
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=17204
http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=17134
Einion
New member
If you\'re thinking of painting a mini completely using an airbrush - basecoats, then the highlighting and shading sprayed on in the same way that you\'d do it with a brush (i.e. choosing which fold to paint and doing it individually) then no, you can\'t really do this. It\'s possible in theory but in practice it\'s very difficult and requires a really good airbrush used by someone who really knows how to use one.
Even at that there\'s a lot of masking needed and the additional effort involved would put most people off (because, quite frankly, it can be a pain in the rear - it can take more time than the spraying!).
But you can at least do basic shading using an airbrush, even at mini scales, by painting light from above and dark from below in a general way, over a basecoat. Then you just need to refine and add details by brush. Masking is still tedious though, just to warn you.
Lots of the work in my gallery is done this way but these two Hornet figs: http://www.coolminiornot.com/86772 and http://www.coolminiornot.com/86771 are the two smallest things I have pics of so you can see how it can work at those kinds of sizes.
Note: this won\'t be possible with all sculpts, since it\'s so dependant on the spray being able to get to where you want it to go and raised arms, a shield, even a large helmet, could block the flow of paint and leave gaps in the coverage. So, definitely workable for simple figs but maybe not for something complex or dynamic, pose-wise.
Einion
Even at that there\'s a lot of masking needed and the additional effort involved would put most people off (because, quite frankly, it can be a pain in the rear - it can take more time than the spraying!).
But you can at least do basic shading using an airbrush, even at mini scales, by painting light from above and dark from below in a general way, over a basecoat. Then you just need to refine and add details by brush. Masking is still tedious though, just to warn you.
Lots of the work in my gallery is done this way but these two Hornet figs: http://www.coolminiornot.com/86772 and http://www.coolminiornot.com/86771 are the two smallest things I have pics of so you can see how it can work at those kinds of sizes.
Note: this won\'t be possible with all sculpts, since it\'s so dependant on the spray being able to get to where you want it to go and raised arms, a shield, even a large helmet, could block the flow of paint and leave gaps in the coverage. So, definitely workable for simple figs but maybe not for something complex or dynamic, pose-wise.
Einion
airhead
Coffin Dodger / Keymaster
David, welcome to the forums. IF (big IF) you are very deep of pockets and have lots of free time, you might try airbrushing a mini.
I\'d recommend a paasche AB turbo brush. It produces the thinnest line with the least amount of overspray of any gun I know.
Otherwise, get a mini and an egg of silly putty and spend a week painting, masking and repainting a mini.
The trouble is that most minis have buckles, belts, jewelery, etc. in addition to skin, clothes and armor. All requiring separate colors and several layers to make it look right.
Now, talk tanks or mechs and you may be onto something.
I\'d recommend a paasche AB turbo brush. It produces the thinnest line with the least amount of overspray of any gun I know.
Otherwise, get a mini and an egg of silly putty and spend a week painting, masking and repainting a mini.
The trouble is that most minis have buckles, belts, jewelery, etc. in addition to skin, clothes and armor. All requiring separate colors and several layers to make it look right.
Now, talk tanks or mechs and you may be onto something.
chrispasseno
New member
You really don\'t need deep pockets. Just realize the you probably won\'t be able to paint the tiniest of details without a lot of hassle.
I use two different airbrushes, but you can really get away with just one. I have a Badger 150 to spray my primer on. I also have a Thayer Chandler to \"white-dust\" my primer and give me highlights. Then I use the same Thayer Chandler to cover large area\'s. I\'ve had my airbrushes for a little over 15 years and they still work great.
That\'s about as far as I go with an airbrush. You could block in color with it, but at that point I just grab a brush.
Airbrushes are just another tool. They aren\'t the end-all be-all.
I use two different airbrushes, but you can really get away with just one. I have a Badger 150 to spray my primer on. I also have a Thayer Chandler to \"white-dust\" my primer and give me highlights. Then I use the same Thayer Chandler to cover large area\'s. I\'ve had my airbrushes for a little over 15 years and they still work great.
That\'s about as far as I go with an airbrush. You could block in color with it, but at that point I just grab a brush.
Airbrushes are just another tool. They aren\'t the end-all be-all.
