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So with all the new Tau coming out I've decided that I'm going to change my paint scheme when i get some of the new models. As I'm changing the whole army I thought that an airbrush would help get things done a bit quicker. I did a bit of research and went with a Badger Krome as it seemed to be the best middle of the road brush for the price (got it for $125).

I've yet to get a compressor but I've done the research there so I think I know what to get.

My problem is now with the paints. I live in Ireland and there are no Vallejo stockists near where I live so I have to order online this means I can't actually ee the colour before I buy it.

So colour wise the scheme I'm going to go for will be based off the robot in this image....

http://ryonok.deviantart.com/art/Jura-Mech-Battle-Suit-416207999

What Vallejo colours should I order to match this?

Second question is should I choose normal Vallejo paints or the Air line?

The scrooge inside me says that normal would be better as it would go further vs pre thinned paints, and also I can use them with a normal brush, am I right in thinking this?

3rd question what additives/primers etc. should I be getting along with the paints?

I think thats it, if there are any tips you could throw my way I'd be very grateful thanks!!

Regarding Air vs Model paint line, there's no reason you can't paint with the Air paints, in fact many people prefer them, as they act as though they are pre-thinned, and layer nicely. The only downside is slow drying time, which again is advantageous if you wish to blend colours.
Spending time thinning airbrush paints is a slow down that not everyone wants to deal with. your call.

 Buttery Commissar wrote:
Regarding Air vs Model paint line, there's no reason you can't paint with the Air paints, in fact many people prefer them, as they act as though they are pre-thinned, and layer nicely. The only downside is slow drying time, which again is advantageous if you wish to blend colours.
Spending time thinning airbrush paints is a slow down that not everyone wants to deal with. your call.

Thanks for the reply I was just worried they would be too think for a brush also but as you say I'd be thinning normal paints anyway. Slow dry time won't bother me I'll be doing a ton of models conveyor belt style so it'll probably suit me.

Any thoughts on what colours to use for that scheme?

I think any black dark grey and bloody red would give you the desired look for that no need to be exact exact.

I'd actually consider some of the GW Airbrush paints for the reds, as you can go and see them in person before starting.
Reds can be a finicky colour to get how you like with an airbrush.

GW now do pre-thinned airbrush paints, so might also be worth a look.

Regarding the reds specifically, you will need to buy the Vallejo Air paints and not the Game Color ones. Their red paints have warnings on the bottles not to spray them. I believe it is because they contain cadmium. The Air red paints have been reformulated to make them safe.

 Ubl1k wrote:
I think any black dark grey and bloody red would give you the desired look for that no need to be exact exact.

Fair Point I'm probably overthink it ha ha.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Additional question what primer is the best, should I go with Vallejo?


Also brush cleaning fluid is it necessary or can I just use white spirits?

Buttery Commissar wrote:Regarding Air vs Model paint line, there's no reason you can't paint with the Air paints, in fact many people prefer them, as they act as though they are pre-thinned, and layer nicely. The only downside is slow drying time, which again is advantageous if you wish to blend colours.
Spending time thinning airbrush paints is a slow down that not everyone wants to deal with. your call.

I find the main downside to hairy brush painting with model air paints is that they come out glossy. They are premixed to be on the glossy side because when you airbrush things tend to naturally come out slightly more matte, so if you hairy brush paint them they're a touch on the glossy side.

emmetkt wrote:Also brush cleaning fluid is it necessary or can I just use white spirits?

White spirit doesn't do a good job of cleaning up acrylics, you're better off using isopropyl alcohol, HOWEVER, vallejo paints do tend to become a bit gummy when you mix them with IPA (they come off, but they come off in gummy chunks) which can be a bit annoying when cleaning an airbrush because the globs can block the airbrush. I use Vallejo airbrush cleaner because it tends to dissolve paint rather than it coming off in chunks... it's not necessary though, it's just a bit nicer. And a bottle of 99% IPA isn't actually a hell of a lot cheaper (it's a bit cheaper, but not a lot).

I also just started a Tau project with my AB. I'm a big fan of Vallejo, I think they are generally better paints than GW and cheaper.

Do go with the Air range, some Game Colors are not even unhealthy, they might clog your airbrush no matter how much you thin them down. Same goes for GW paints. Airbrushing is extremely efficient so you will need a lot less paint in general.

As for colors for this scheme:

Black primer will obviosly work best, Vallejo primer is great.
You'll probably need 3 - 4 colors between black and Cold Grey. But you can also mix in the AB pot with only Black and Cold Grey.
For the reds: Burnt Umber, Gory Red, Bloody Red, Fiery Orange.
For the blue: Electric Blue, Wolf Grey

Also consider the Model Air range, those colors are a bit more realistic - less bright and more muted (grey, green, brown touch), which I like. Hope this helps!

PS: My color scheme that I've settled on, though I'll pbly have unique colors for every big one, maybe even every unit

Klaus von Groehm wrote:
I also just started a Tau project with my AB. I'm a big fan of Vallejo, I think they are generally better paints than GW and cheaper.

Do go with the Air range, some Game Colors are not even unhealthy, they might clog your airbrush no matter how much you thin them down. Same goes for GW paints. Airbrushing is extremely efficient so you will need a lot less paint in general.

As for colors for this scheme:

Black primer will obviosly work best, Vallejo primer is great.
You'll probably need 3 - 4 colors between black and Cold Grey. But you can also mix in the AB pot with only Black and Cold Grey.
For the reds: Burnt Umber, Gory Red, Bloody Red, Fiery Orange.
For the blue: Electric Blue, Wolf Grey

Also consider the Model Air range, those colors are a bit more realistic - less bright and more muted (grey, green, brown touch), which I like. Hope this helps!

PS: My color scheme that I've settled on, though I'll pbly have unique colors for every big one, maybe even every unit

Dude that base is great how did you do the tree stump?

Is there a specific Vallejo primer for Airbrush or is it just this one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vallejo-Model-Color-Polyurethane-Primer/dp/B004BMZVMK/ref=pd_sim_229_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0KEC4GR7DNSXVDMCT1W1&dpID=41i2vwBXtzL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_




Automatically Appended Next Post:

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

Buttery Commissar wrote:Regarding Air vs Model paint line, there's no reason you can't paint with the Air paints, in fact many people prefer them, as they act as though they are pre-thinned, and layer nicely. The only downside is slow drying time, which again is advantageous if you wish to blend colours.
Spending time thinning airbrush paints is a slow down that not everyone wants to deal with. your call.

I find the main downside to hairy brush painting with model air paints is that they come out glossy. They are premixed to be on the glossy side because when you airbrush things tend to naturally come out slightly more matte, so if you hairy brush paint them they're a touch on the glossy side.

emmetkt wrote:Also brush cleaning fluid is it necessary or can I just use white spirits?

White spirit doesn't do a good job of cleaning up acrylics, you're better off using isopropyl alcohol, HOWEVER, vallejo paints do tend to become a bit gummy when you mix them with IPA (they come off, but they come off in gummy chunks) which can be a bit annoying when cleaning an airbrush because the globs can block the airbrush. I use Vallejo airbrush cleaner because it tends to dissolve paint rather than it coming off in chunks... it's not necessary though, it's just a bit nicer. And a bottle of 99% IPA isn't actually a hell of a lot cheaper (it's a bit cheaper, but not a lot).

I hear you, Vallejo cleaner it is then! Anything that makes my life easier, thanks!

Skink, if your IPA isn't way cheaper than Vallejo airbrush cleaner either you are getting ripped off on IPA or I am getting ripped off on cleaner!

I pay ~$8/L for IPA from a hardware store here. Bunnings sell it for ~$7/250ml or something ridiculous. Just checked Barnes, they are ridiculously expensive too.

What hardware store? I will admit I haven't really looked for places that sell it cheaper because I don't go through it fast enough. In 5 years I'm only half way through my 2nd bottle of 100% IPA, lol. The Vallejo AB cleaner lasts a pretty long time too, rinse the brush out with water before using the AB cleaner and you only need a few drops. So even if IPA were much cheaper, I'd still use Vallejo AB cleaner because it's not a significant cost.

I use LITRES of IPA for stripping models and stuff, it is amazing.

Some little corner hardware store in the CBD, York street opposite eckersleys (might be a mitre 10?)

Just around the corner from a GW and GG as well, literally the place to go when I am depressed.

I tried using IPA to strip and didn't really like the results, especially since most the stuff I want to strip was resin and it didn't work well on resin.

emmetkt wrote:
Dude that base is great how did you do the tree stump?

Is there a specific Vallejo primer for Airbrush or is it just this one?

Thanks! I'll post a tutorial on here in 2 weeks when I make a second one - probably including a frozen lake

Vallejo primer has many colors but I'd do black for a dark mini any day. Your first basecoat is black anyway.

Klaus von Groehm wrote:

emmetkt wrote:
Dude that base is great how did you do the tree stump?

Is there a specific Vallejo primer for Airbrush or is it just this one?

Thanks! I'll post a tutorial on here in 2 weeks when I make a second one - probably including a frozen lake

Vallejo primer has many colors but I'd do black for a dark mini any day. Your first basecoat is black anyway.

oh yeah what i meant was it the right type there doesn't seem to be an Airbrush specific type that I can find.

http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/primers/family/22

Yes they can be used straight out of the bottle into the AB.