What Models To Do

[Bortig the Viking]

Hi all, I'm not able to do much if any airbrushing any more due to health, so I'm asking what models anyone can suggest I do that only involves making and/or painting with a brush. I'm currently doing wooden model kits and have a figure to do, so just wondered what others do without airbrushes, any ideas.

[Tim Marlow]

To be honest Mark, you can do anything with a brush that you can do with an airbrush. It does involve new techniques and may well take a bit more effort to get some results that an airbrush can do with ease, but nothing is impossible. Ron Spanner is yer man, he only ever brush paints and his results are top notch! I’m sure if you ask he will give hints and tips.

[Guest]

Absolutely as Tim says Mark - there is nothing you can't do with a brush.. I'm still quite surprised how ubiquitous the airbrush has become, and how those new to modelling assume it's the only way to paint vehicles and aircraft. It's not. I don't own one and don't intend to - I couldn't be bothered with all of the cleaning and maintenance - I can't even look after my brushes!

[spanner570]

Mark, as Pete and Tim write, you don't need an airbrush - Full stop! They are both spot on. "There is nothing you can't do without a brush" There are loads of painting you can't do with an A.B.
All that faffing around cleaning the thing. No thanks. But I digress, that wasn't your question.

For a change, how about a locomotive or one of those excellent bird or Dinosaur kits? Great subjects to brush paint. It doesn't matter what kit really. All kits are brushable to as good a standard as one painted with an A.B. - No exceptions.

Any specific questions you want to ask, please do so and all us brush 'ands will chip in, if we can, with advise.

Ron

[skinflint]

Models which I like to build are sailing ship kits. The hull and decks are simulated wood planking, usually with a rough finish, there is no disadvantage to brush painting them.

Tony

[Tim Marlow]

I can't even look after my brushes!

Spoken like the artist you are Peter!

[minitnkr]

Had one, tried it, didn't like it, sold it. Tried rattle can once, luckily turned out OK. Not again. Always hairy stick. PaulE

[Ian M]

The Jury is in. You do not need an airbrush. If you look in the painting section there are several great how to and tutorial like threads.
Even I have brush painted at times.
Stay away from gloss paint though until you have your game down.
As for what kits to build... What ever you like to build.

[boatman]

WELL i use rattle cans an brush paint on my ships an they look ok to me anyway
chris

[Guest]

I can think of at least one thing you can't do with a brush (or at least it would be incredibly difficult with a brush) thats a fade paint job. That said other than a specialist finish brush painting is good in all other cases.

[Tim Marlow]

Sorry Ken, I disagree.
Dunklegelb paint can be very successfully faded by dry brushing with Naples yellow light oil paint. Other colour gradients are easily possible with acrylic paint. Figure painters do it all the time to blend in colour transitions from dark to light. It won’t be easy on a large surface, but it certainly can be done.

[Guest]

Not sure how successful that would be on a gloss car paint job for your average modeler like me.

[Tim Marlow]

Good point Ken :tongue-out3: I was thinking of weathering, not two tone cars. I’m still sure it could be done, but I don’t want to be the first one to try it!

[minitnkr]

Absolutely Ken/Tim. I wouldn't try it either. PaulE

[Guest]

I have enough problems with an AB as it is trying to gauge depth of field with one good eye while the bad one is covered. Again when brush painting figures its's taken some time to achieve a passable result, but if I can do it any one can.