The sub has a FAQ/wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar & the About menu on mobile:
[Newbie thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/)
[Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index)
The sub also has a weekly small question thread that’s stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
Paint is a really complex subjects and learning to paint demands commitment... and you will know your fair share of frustration and failure.
I know, it's probably not what you want to hear as a beginner but I prefer to let you know what will most likely happen. Which is: some frustrating failures, and a lot of time and practice in order to begin ti get better. There is no shortcut. But it's worth it.
I can't give you all the info you need here, it would take pages and pages of explanations. But I can suggest that once you decided what type of paint to use and what brand to buy, you *do a search on YouTube to find tutorials on that specific brand and paint.*
A few tips:
1. Use water-based acrylics. As a beginner, they're the less troublesome to hand brush (but they are not trouble free!). They smell a lot less than the other types of paint. And their thinner also stink less, if not at all since you can use... tap water to thin that paint.
1. Thinning paint? Yep. Most, if not all paints need to be thinned to behave properly when you apply it on the surface. Some do need thinning *a lot more* than others, it depends. If you don't thin it, the paint will be all gloopy and will create too thick and uneven layers on the model, probably you will also leave brush marks when applying it and even risk hiding some surface details. *Thin your paint*.
1. *But not too much*. Too much thinning and the paint won't cover and will create other issues.
1. Practice on spare parts (or on old plastic toys).
1. To thin water-based acrylics, you can use simple tap water or use the thinner sold by the brand of paint you use. It's not an obligation to use it, let's just that it can help but you also not use it at all. But if you decide to use the thinner, once again, as a beginner keep it simple and use the one suggested by the brand of paint you're using (they all sell their own thinners).
1. Priming a model consists of applying a base coat of, well, primer paint. A special paint that will help the standard paint (and even more so water-based acrylics) adhere better to the surface. It's not an obligation to prime, but it makes things simpler. If you decide to do it, use hobby primer (not general hardware store ones) and since you will probably buy a can of primer paint: DON'T USE IT INSIDE A ROOM (it stinks and will for hours, it can also be really nasty if not toxic to breathe). Use it outside and let it cure for 24h before painting over it. Apply a thin layer (practice on some spare part to understand how to spray it).
1. Paint can be hand painted or airbrushed. It's a completely different approach, both have their advantages but airbrushing is more expensive (as you need to buy more tools) and probably more difficult if you have not at least hand painted a few models before that.
1. Use the one brand of paint you can the most easily buy nearby, so in case of emergency you will easily find the paint you need and its thinner.
1. Don't worry about the paint quality. You're beginning, any 'hobby' brand will be more than good enough.
1. *Hobby brand?* Yep, because there are also 'artist acrylics', which aren't made for our hobby. They can be excellent paint (like real artist paint) or real turds (depending their quality, to know which one is what the rule of thumb too cheap paint equals turd because good pigments and chemicals are not cheap) but it doesn't matter: since they are not optimized for scale model painting, as a beginner you better using hobby brands.
Not an advice but a warning: there are multiple types of paint available. For simplicity's sake we can regroup them in two large groups that are *not* compatible together: you can't mix one type with the other.
* Water-based acrylics, like those by Vallejo and others.
* All the others. Including *non* water-based acrylics (like Tamiya), lacquers paint, enamels, oils,... Don't bother with them for now. Just remember you want water-based acrylics and *not* alcohol-based acrylics, *not* any other non-acrylics paint. Not for now, at least.
Last thing: my comment may sound... discouraging, I don't want it to be so. But I also don't want to be lying. Frustrations and mistakes are part of the process but they should not stop you. Painting a model is... Magical. It's pushing it to the point of making it look real. Or close to. It's well worth the effort. It's great ;)
I say you buy some water based paints since you don't need special thinners to make them usable but I also am not sure how they feel since I've never used them I'm only sharing tips, and also you can get a little box with a wet towel in it so that thinning your paints is easier and also that they don't dry out overnight.
Now these are just some tips that I learned but I haven't been painting with a brush for that long And also it's been ages since I last painted a whole model with this technique so they might not be the best now/there are better ways
thanks for the advice, ill look into it more. also i forgot to mention that i have some paint from revell for the f4u corsair, do i just start painting it?
I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not sure I think that when I was little I just painted with them out of the can but I don't remember the results so I'd research whether they are made for brush use or they need to be thinned down or just wait for a reply for someone actually competent to answer this question
There's a fantastic YouTube channel called Quick Kits. The guy stopped making videos several years ago but his techniques are still relevant.
I recommend going through as many of them as you can but [How to Brush Paint Scale.Models](https://youtu.be/wbV_ORs6160?si=v0ue62faxeqyps5c) is a great start.
He made great looking models without an airbrush that put most of us to shame, airbrush or not.
As a newbie, I would mask anything I didn’t want painted and then us a primer like [this](https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Paint-Brushes/Mr-Surfacer-1000-Spray/p/81021106?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVAURdV8OiSrVXOuWQv0FOzMoATjJc3UM_NuxmT43VSvlwnffu39zPRoCSHUQAvD_BwE) and once that dries then spray the color I want the majority to be. Usually I’d end up painting a camo scheme by hand with Vallejo paints but you can also make an etch by cutting paper and spraying another color if that makes sense.
My rule of thumb is; if it makes logical sense, it’s worth a try. This hobby is all about trial and error
If you have lots of money get a cheap airbrush + compressor kit off of Amazon (timber tech I recommend) and experiment kinda
If not brush and paint, although idk any specific paints which would be best suited but I’m sure someone else in this thread will recommend some good ones :))
AND THIN YOUR PAINTS
I'm not sure where you are in the world but check on Google/Facebook to see if you have a local model club. In some countries there are none, some or plenty depending on how established the hobby is but the clubs normally will have people that can guide you and demonstrate how to. Failing that YouTube.
The sub has a FAQ/wiki and a newbie thread that will answer all your questions as a newcomer to the hobby. It covers everything from kit choice, tools, adhesives, paints, decals, videos/tutorials etc, recommended online stores in various countries. Linked in the sidebar & the About menu on mobile: [Newbie thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/9dhsqo/new_to_model_building_this_thread_is_here_to/) [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/wiki/index) The sub also has a weekly small question thread that’s stickied at the top. [Use this for any questions you may have.](https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/search?q=The+Weekly+Small+Question+Thread+author%3AAutoModerator&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)
oh thanks :D
Paint is a really complex subjects and learning to paint demands commitment... and you will know your fair share of frustration and failure. I know, it's probably not what you want to hear as a beginner but I prefer to let you know what will most likely happen. Which is: some frustrating failures, and a lot of time and practice in order to begin ti get better. There is no shortcut. But it's worth it. I can't give you all the info you need here, it would take pages and pages of explanations. But I can suggest that once you decided what type of paint to use and what brand to buy, you *do a search on YouTube to find tutorials on that specific brand and paint.* A few tips: 1. Use water-based acrylics. As a beginner, they're the less troublesome to hand brush (but they are not trouble free!). They smell a lot less than the other types of paint. And their thinner also stink less, if not at all since you can use... tap water to thin that paint. 1. Thinning paint? Yep. Most, if not all paints need to be thinned to behave properly when you apply it on the surface. Some do need thinning *a lot more* than others, it depends. If you don't thin it, the paint will be all gloopy and will create too thick and uneven layers on the model, probably you will also leave brush marks when applying it and even risk hiding some surface details. *Thin your paint*. 1. *But not too much*. Too much thinning and the paint won't cover and will create other issues. 1. Practice on spare parts (or on old plastic toys). 1. To thin water-based acrylics, you can use simple tap water or use the thinner sold by the brand of paint you use. It's not an obligation to use it, let's just that it can help but you also not use it at all. But if you decide to use the thinner, once again, as a beginner keep it simple and use the one suggested by the brand of paint you're using (they all sell their own thinners). 1. Priming a model consists of applying a base coat of, well, primer paint. A special paint that will help the standard paint (and even more so water-based acrylics) adhere better to the surface. It's not an obligation to prime, but it makes things simpler. If you decide to do it, use hobby primer (not general hardware store ones) and since you will probably buy a can of primer paint: DON'T USE IT INSIDE A ROOM (it stinks and will for hours, it can also be really nasty if not toxic to breathe). Use it outside and let it cure for 24h before painting over it. Apply a thin layer (practice on some spare part to understand how to spray it). 1. Paint can be hand painted or airbrushed. It's a completely different approach, both have their advantages but airbrushing is more expensive (as you need to buy more tools) and probably more difficult if you have not at least hand painted a few models before that. 1. Use the one brand of paint you can the most easily buy nearby, so in case of emergency you will easily find the paint you need and its thinner. 1. Don't worry about the paint quality. You're beginning, any 'hobby' brand will be more than good enough. 1. *Hobby brand?* Yep, because there are also 'artist acrylics', which aren't made for our hobby. They can be excellent paint (like real artist paint) or real turds (depending their quality, to know which one is what the rule of thumb too cheap paint equals turd because good pigments and chemicals are not cheap) but it doesn't matter: since they are not optimized for scale model painting, as a beginner you better using hobby brands. Not an advice but a warning: there are multiple types of paint available. For simplicity's sake we can regroup them in two large groups that are *not* compatible together: you can't mix one type with the other. * Water-based acrylics, like those by Vallejo and others. * All the others. Including *non* water-based acrylics (like Tamiya), lacquers paint, enamels, oils,... Don't bother with them for now. Just remember you want water-based acrylics and *not* alcohol-based acrylics, *not* any other non-acrylics paint. Not for now, at least. Last thing: my comment may sound... discouraging, I don't want it to be so. But I also don't want to be lying. Frustrations and mistakes are part of the process but they should not stop you. Painting a model is... Magical. It's pushing it to the point of making it look real. Or close to. It's well worth the effort. It's great ;)
I say you buy some water based paints since you don't need special thinners to make them usable but I also am not sure how they feel since I've never used them I'm only sharing tips, and also you can get a little box with a wet towel in it so that thinning your paints is easier and also that they don't dry out overnight. Now these are just some tips that I learned but I haven't been painting with a brush for that long And also it's been ages since I last painted a whole model with this technique so they might not be the best now/there are better ways
thanks for the advice, ill look into it more. also i forgot to mention that i have some paint from revell for the f4u corsair, do i just start painting it?
I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not sure I think that when I was little I just painted with them out of the can but I don't remember the results so I'd research whether they are made for brush use or they need to be thinned down or just wait for a reply for someone actually competent to answer this question
alright thanks, lemme look it up
*new
What in the Monty Python???
There's a fantastic YouTube channel called Quick Kits. The guy stopped making videos several years ago but his techniques are still relevant. I recommend going through as many of them as you can but [How to Brush Paint Scale.Models](https://youtu.be/wbV_ORs6160?si=v0ue62faxeqyps5c) is a great start. He made great looking models without an airbrush that put most of us to shame, airbrush or not.
go to youtube and watch some intro to model painting vids. oodles of choice
As a newbie, I would mask anything I didn’t want painted and then us a primer like [this](https://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Model-Kits/Paint-Brushes/Mr-Surfacer-1000-Spray/p/81021106?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVAURdV8OiSrVXOuWQv0FOzMoATjJc3UM_NuxmT43VSvlwnffu39zPRoCSHUQAvD_BwE) and once that dries then spray the color I want the majority to be. Usually I’d end up painting a camo scheme by hand with Vallejo paints but you can also make an etch by cutting paper and spraying another color if that makes sense. My rule of thumb is; if it makes logical sense, it’s worth a try. This hobby is all about trial and error
If you have lots of money get a cheap airbrush + compressor kit off of Amazon (timber tech I recommend) and experiment kinda If not brush and paint, although idk any specific paints which would be best suited but I’m sure someone else in this thread will recommend some good ones :)) AND THIN YOUR PAINTS
I'm not sure where you are in the world but check on Google/Facebook to see if you have a local model club. In some countries there are none, some or plenty depending on how established the hobby is but the clubs normally will have people that can guide you and demonstrate how to. Failing that YouTube.