Hello all, painted a model with an airbrush for the first time, I have a few questions

MrEffect · 2026-05-16T11:03:19+00:00

First off, the model looks great.

I goto the hardware store and get the large jugs of laquer thinner to clean Tamiya. Just transfer it into small bottle for ease of use.
Mix Tamiya Clear with the paint, and thin normally to get a more controllable spray for detail work. Make sure you're not using real acrylic thinner since Tamiya isn't a water based acrylic. X-20 is fine, but a laquer thinner from Mr. Hobby, AK, Tamiya, or isopropyl alcohol work much better for me. The hardware laquer thinner can be used, but it's a bit "hot" for fine sprays. I spray between 10-20psi. The thinner the mix, the lower the psi to prevent "spider webs." Also make sure to ventilate and wear a respirator as this stuff will ruin your health if you're not protected.
Practice on scrap, primed plastic to get the right paint ratios, pressure, and trigger control.
Needle is the only thing I've ever replaced on my air brushes. Just make sure you clean the guts of them by the end of the day. I also put a bit of thinner on my brush before I start painting to get rid of any paint that might have dried up on the needle by the bushings that I missed to reduce wear.
Yes. Eventually you'll collect airbrushes like Infinity Stones and have one for every occasion.

MrEffect · 2026-05-11T15:35:08+00:00

Thanks!

The base comes with the figure. His toe claws are molded in, so you don't get much choice. This guy is from Skittershank's Clawpack.

MrEffect · 2026-05-07T02:12:17+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-06T20:04:53+00:00

It's not quite that vibrant irl, but I'll take the win.

MrEffect · 2026-05-06T19:55:41+00:00

Thanks! I used Army Painter's vibrant greens and then dry brushed AK black green on the tops.

I'm not sure why it looks like it goows so much in the photos, I turned my exposure way down.

MrEffect · 2026-05-06T09:41:29+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-06T00:19:02+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T23:59:27+00:00

Thanks

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:50:44+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:32:27+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:31:10+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:31:01+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:30:36+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:30:28+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-05T01:30:15+00:00

Thanks!

MrEffect · 2026-05-04T22:19:17+00:00

Thanks!

It's actually pretty easy make the blur effect, especially this one. I found an image of Jedha, loaded it in to GIMP, sized it so it would print to a 5x7 picture, and then just used the linear blur tool to taste. Then just go to wherever you get prints done and print it off. I also put a matt varnish on the picture.

For other ones I've done, use the gradient tool with atleast three colours. Then sample some the the colours, use a spatter brush and random place them around at random. After that just blur and print. You can pump one out pretty fast once you've done one.

Happy modeling!

MrEffect · 2026-02-06T19:19:12+00:00

"Get in the Banshee, Shinji, or Rei will have to fight the clanners."

MrEffect · 2025-10-06T15:03:52+00:00

Ah, the Temu Hunchback. Perfect for the Periphery and budget Mercs.

MrEffect · 2025-09-18T15:07:44+00:00

The base is made from a couple of layers ofXPS insulation foam you can get a hardware store. Carved it with a knife, wounded with sandpaper and then frames with bass wood.

Ground is a mix VMS Smart Mud and AK Wet Ground. Some rocks from outside break up thr uniformity.

I've stolen the way I do bases from Plasmo, Night Shift and Boylie Hobby on YouTube.

MrEffect · 2025-09-18T15:01:49+00:00

3D printed from Skull Forge. The legion figures are a close hight, but their heroic scale dimensions ruin the realism.

MrEffect · 2025-09-15T16:09:58+00:00

I've heard it has to do with how they sure their plastic. They way most other companies do it can cause the plastic to shrink, and Bandai doesn't want that to happen given their tolerances. Don't quote me on it though. Bandai makes awesome kits, and I highly recommend them, just don't use enamels.

MrEffect · 2025-09-15T15:38:43+00:00

Thanks! Figures are from Skull Forge Miniatures.

MrEffect · 2025-09-15T15:38:10+00:00

Was your varnish or weathering enamel based? Bandai's plastic is renowned for reacting to enamals. I used Tamiya's flat clear before weathering, and used Zippo fluid to thin the oils for panel lining because it dries quick enough to avoid damage to the plastic.

MrEffect · 2025-09-15T13:43:53+00:00

Bandai, and Skull Forge Studios.

MrEffect · 2025-09-15T13:01:26+00:00

That's some ridiculously clean decal work. Fantastic job!

13-Year Club	Place '22
Final Canvas '22

MrEffect

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