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I paint pretty decent, but I've been trying to improve after watching various pro painters. I've been using my airbrush to do highlights etc even on rank and file now.

What is kicking my ass is using washes specifically where I want. I hate just going over the whole model, but I can't seem to mimic what this guy is doing.

Fast forward to 8:55 of this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WayXmdyRI9Y

Basically he just touches the wash and it fills in on its own. I've tried heavily watered down washes, and I've tried using a lot of Liquidtex flow-aid. Is it just GW Washes? I've been using Nuln Oil. Could it be my brush? I'm sure I'm missing something simple.

I do have some Vallejo Black Ink that I haven't tried yet, would that work for this purpose better?

Thanks for any advice.

It's just brush control and having the experience of how that certain wash flows. Each wash (or ink) would have a different flow to it so it just comes to experience (i.e. how much you'll thin it if you do need to thin it, how much pressure you need to put).

I strongly recommend you try just using black paint and water and or some thinner. I personally never use the washes as I feel they simply don't deliver good results, and can often affect the balance of matt/gloss affects.

Search for advice on "pin washes." The key is to reduce surface tension as much as possible. Usually, this is achieved by a combination approach, using a high-flow wash (oil paint in white spirit, acrylic ink with a heavy dose of surfactant) after applying gloss varnish to the model's surface to reduce tooth. This combo results in flow akin to what you see in the video.

A quick and easy way to improve flow is to add a little (really dont need much) dishwasher rinse aid, or washing up liquid (fairy whatever) to the water you use to thin washes. I was taught this as 'wet water'. It's got a much lower surface tension so it flows much better. Or you an buy a proper acrylic flow aid. Too much detergent can leave a residue, so this isn't really such a bad idea.

Could it be the angle your holding the miniature? The video at 8:55 he's letting gravity do most of the work for him by holding the head upside down when he starts, then slightly changes the angle according to where he wants the wash to flow with subsequent brush applications.

Its an oil wash over gloss coat. It will flow into the cracks instantly and can be pulled back up off your highlights with some mineral spirits (white spirit) and a q-tip.

He demonstrates it here: http://youtu.be/_fdN_2YuSN4

Thanks for all the ideas guys, and thanks Rickfactor for pointing out that he actually explained it himself.

EDIT: Holy gak he makes it so simple looking.