Paint for Beginners

[Deikin]

Ok, so as I stated in my 'new member' post, I am completely and utterly new to all things paint, modelling, glue, etcetera. I know, I know, Google is our friend and stuff, but I've been looking and it's hard to find all the information in one place, and more importantly, having that information being clear and concise.

I've been given a really cheap and good UK-based art supplies web shop: http://www.jacksonsart.co.uk/images/fp_jacksonsuk.php

But when I click on 'Acrylic' to find paints, I'm presented with hundreds of bloody options that I don't have a clue what the difference is. Is one company's acrylics better-suited than another's, etc. I'm just really confused and could use an experienced guide.

So, if someone would be so kind, I'd really appreciate the following advice and info.:


- What type of paints are there? Acrylic, water-based acrylic, enamel, lacquer, water colour etc. What are the basic properties of each that seperate them from each other?

- What paint is best for:
> Airbrushing
> Hand painting
> Metal effects
> Glossy effects
> Dry brushing

- I have a somewhat cheap Chinese-made airbrush (it's all I can afford, sorry), what types of paints should I avoid putting in it? Solvent-based?

- What paints offer the right pigment size, what is a good pigment size, should different sizes be used for different mediums/sizes of paint surface?

- What colours should I purchase outright instead of attempting to mix?

- Are some things better painted with one paint-type (e.g. clothing) and one with another (e.g. pattern/eye detail).

- Any other help.


I feel so naive and inexperienced and I hope I'm not bothering anyone with all these questions. Literllay, all and any painting advice would help.


:bows:

[Joa]

One word: Vallejo (you being in Europe and all).

other than that; Golden has some really neat products such as their transparent extender which is ideal for thinning out pigments when airbrushing.


- What type of paints are there? Acrylic, water-based acrylic, enamel, lacquer, water colour etc. What are the basic properties of each that seperate them from each other?

Water based acrylics: I swear by them. A bit too quick drying time, but there are retarders for that. Ideal for airbrushing.
Enamels: Gives you a really tough surface. Toxic fumes, open your window and use a respirator. Ideal for dry brushing. Perfect to blend with tube oils for cool effects. DO NOT AIR BRUSH WITHOUT A BOOTH!
Water color: Some use them for washes, but it's not my thing.


My personal selection would be:

> Airbrushing: Vallejo
> Hand painting: Vallejo & tube oils (Winsor&Newton)
> Metal effects: Humbrol Metal Cote (buffable/polishable) & Alclad II (which is bleeding expensive here due to the environmental taxes).
> Glossy effects: Tamiya X22
> Dry brushing: Humbrol enamels

[Deikin]

For the airbrushing then, do you think these would do the trick?

http://www.jacksonsart.co.uk/wildcardsearch.php?id=notsowild&custorstaff=customer&mixedsearch=vallejo_model_colour_items_99_hobby_an d_craft&searchterm1=all&this_medium=specials&searchterm=all&ignore_big_warning=ignore

And for the hand painting, is this the stuff:

'Winsor And Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils - Oil colour'

or

'Winsor And Newton Artists Oils - Oil colour'

or

'Winsor And Newton Winton Oils - Oil colour'


Water Mixable sounds like it should be the one?

[Joa]

Yes, those are the Vallejo ones.

The oils I use are called Winsor & Newton Winton Oil.
Mind you, you "only" use oils for detailing, not covering large areas. I use them for washes, weathering and such.
It all depends on the subject which technique you should use...
Browse the forum and read up on the different wip threads to get a hang on what's for what.
Most important of all; experiment!
Practice makes perfect.

[Cibermonje]

mmmm , maybe i can help a bit.

I use to hand paint the kits i buy (since i cant afford the equipment for airbrushing them , and i had a little experience in painting little figures because an old wargames hobby xD). I know somethings im going to say may sound heretic for the (as i call them in my mind) "The Great Ones" xD.

Cause this i use acrilyc ones , Vallejo ones mainly (as Joa says ;) , they are sold in little bottles of 17ml of paint + something what acts as a conservant for the paint (making them virtually impossible to solidify inside the bottle). there are a lot of varieties :
-"Air color" for airbrush (ive never seen a bottle of this)
-"Model color" used to be for wargames (i use this because i've got some bottles remaining for the old hobby xD) but now its called "Game color", its a bit more liquid than the model color ones. both of them works fine (at least for me ... you can take a look in my image gallery for have an idea of the finish).
-Citadel Color (more remains from the old times xD) and works fine too , maybe the citadel one is a bit ... unliquid? but because this is sold in greater bottles is usefull for paint great surfaces.

Now some tips:
- you can paint over a painted area if you need to correct little details (but dont do it again and again unless you want a little 3D effect xD). But some colors dont cover another ones , yellow over blue , for example , you have to paint it with white color before correct this.
- some colors like red are so liquid, maybe you need to paint a zone in two layers for get an apropiate color.
- and this paints (im meaning vallejo ones) are easily removables with alcohol and something like a toothbrush (i use this when i get mad about the finish of a piece xD) it will work fine unless you painted a thick layer of paint.

Maybe this will be usefull for you. Have a nice Day!

Fran.

PD : Now i saw your last post , the first link is for model color , better use them for hand painting ;)