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Hi all,

So long story short, I'm thinking of investing in an airbrush setup.

I've been into the hobby on and off for most of my life and have to admit I probably enjoy the painting side of it the most. I've never had a go with an airbrush but I'm amazed by some of the results I've seen, especially on some of the larger 'centre piece' models that have become available over the last few years, the temptation to take the plunge is a bit to much.

So I suppose I'm looking for any advice people have to share with an airbrush initiate.

I've probably got around £300 -£350 budget which I'll be looking to get brush, compressor (with tank) , some paint (next project is going to be Tau so won't need to many colours) and anything else that I may need that I've not thought of masks, paint thinner, other things that get suggested as a must etc.

Also any other suggestions on other material / tutorials to read before, during and after buying or any personal experiences in the world of airbrushing would be great!

Thanks in advance guys!

I suggest looking at;
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/

Theyre UK based for a start (judging by your flag.. which isnt always right hehe)

They carry quite a selection of airbrushes... finespray are their cheaper brand, and theyre not bad brushes. Prices from £30ish upwards

They also stock badger and Harder & Steenbeck which are both fine companies (I'm partial to H&S) Prices from about £70 ish upwards

Compressor; youl want something like this;
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/info_AB_AS_186.html
Which is an AS186 compressor that runs about £85 at that shop. Its a very common design of compressor that many of us use, Ive got the next one up and its been going years.

Paints... Vallejo Model Air, standard hehe seriously theyre great paints, vallejo airbrush thinners work very well with all the citadel colours I've tried so far too.

You'l also want a cleaning station / stand like this;

http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/info_aBA_0257.html

Some cleaner, be it windex, store bought airbrush cleaner, isopropyl alcohol or whatever works for you.

Some disposable shot glasses for mixing paints in.

A sacrificial paint brush for cleaning the thing out with (itle last but will be otherwise wrecked before long)

Lots of patience, and some research I'm sure your on it already but youtube is a great resource for learning some of this stuff. Don't just look at mini painters using airbrushes,theres some amazing painters doing canvas, tshirts, cars/motorcycles, walls, non wargaming models, body art... etc airbrushes are used in lots of areas - wargaming is quite slow to catch onto things really.

Awesome, Thanks HairySticks.

Luckily enough I've been looking at pretty much everything you've listed so it's great to know I'm on the right track. Think im going to get one of the bundles with H&S 2 in 1 brushes just incase i get interested in using it for anything else:
http://www.everythingairbrush.com/acatalog/info_AB_AS186_HS_KIT02.html
add a few extra bits like cleaners and cleaning equipment and I should be ready to rock.

You're right youtube has been a big source of inspiration. (it just looks a bit to easy at the moment! Which i'm certainly not being fooled by).
also I've been looking at other tutorials and applications outside models. Found this guy to not only be informative but he's also pretty funny!

Thanks for the confirmation on Vallejo, they seemed to be the way to go but its nice to have this confirmed again.

Think I'm going to go for a Orange and Grey/white camo Tau scheme.

Anyway got to dash. I'll update the post when I've made a purchase!

Thanks again for all the advice.

H&S 2 in 1 sounds great
I use a H&S Evolution Silverline Solo at the moment, 0.2mm nozzle... smaller tips are prone to blockages but can achieve higher detail.. I just deal with it - actually got it for illustration usage a while back.

I see lots of people reccomending badger, I didnt get on with my patriot 105, the screw on nozzle was annoyingly fiddly compared to the simple slot in nozzle that H&S use (lol them Germans are rightfully renowned for engineering)