Pressure

[tegyrius]

Apropos of nothing, I've been reminded tonight that there are airbrushes small enough to use for painting miniatures. Do any of my three loyal readers have any experience with such contraptions? Recommendations for or against? Approximate outlay I'd be looking at for an entry-level rig - and what, exactly, would I need to get besides the brush itself?

Comments

[wombatzoner.livejournal.com]

I don't know off hand, but I have a friend I can bounce this off of. I'll let you know what I find out.

[tegyrius]

Much obliged. Some Googlecrastination has revealed a few resources but I get the feeling some key assumptions are unwritten because of unconscious subject matter familiarity.

[kinesys.livejournal.com]

Can't help you on this one. All my figs were hand painted. Never used one.

[redbeard13.livejournal.com]

I've airbrushed miniatures, but not for any of the real detail work.

[jolieaelder.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

A quick look on Dick Blick shows air brushes in the $100 or so range. I believe some air brushes require certain specialized types of paint. They also need to be cleaned thoroughly between uses -- treat them as if they are surgical devices.

What effects are you trying to achieve? Have you been smitten by the idea of a tool that spits paint?

[tegyrius]

It's a tool I've never had occasion to use, so I'm investigating to see if it's worth picking up. I'd like to paint some gaming terrain and vehicles, as well as the three or four old Clan War dragons I've never assembled, but the thought of brush drudgery on large stuff leaves me cold. It also looks like it the ultra-fine needle-nozzles have the potential to produce a more natural mottled camouflage pattern on characters than I can achieve with a brush.

[jolieaelder.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Agree. I think you will get awesome camouflage with an airbrush. For large miniatures, you might be able to paint large areas quickly with an airbrush and then go back over with a paintbrush to fill in the details. For example, you could cover large areas of a dragon quickly, then use a dark wash and a light dry-brush. It wouldn't be jaw-dropping awesome, but it would make it tabletop ready.

You live in a college town. There has got to be a good art supply store in your area.