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I will be using an airbrush to apply Vallejo white primer on the model and and the red base coat. Which red do you guys suggest and how would you thin the red paint (what mix do you recommend)? I will not be painting any of the model white, instead all of the white ares will be painted black. Thank you.

I would use one of the minitaire airbrush colors - they have a great color range, and I have found them to give excellent coverage over the vallejo white primer.

However, I am not sure which color to pick, I suggest maybe looking over some of their various reds.

Vallejo model air has a few reds, but I dont know if any of those are good matches.

Regarding thinning paint - I have one army that has a non-airbrush paint as its base color...and while yes, you can thin them (there are TONS of posts on this and opinion various, but would suggest using actual "airbrush medium" from a real art supply brand, like liquitex or golden) honestly, if possible go with an airbrush paint as your base - it make life MUCH easier.

best of luck!

davethepak wrote:
I honestly, if possible go with an airbrush paint as your base - it make life MUCH easier.

best of luck!

1000 times, this. Muuuuch easier. I love Vallejo Model Air paints. Great throught the airbrush and great for regular painting. They have a few reds you could try, Scarlet Red, Fire Red or Ferrari Red maybe? Possibly over a burnt Umbar base coat for a bit of depth.

So Vallejo is what you guys recommend? I've read many posts about thinning paints and there are so many methods that I'm not sure which one to choose. I really don't feel like experimenting as I want to paint them as quick and easy as possible. I have the mdium from liquidtex but people told me thats not for thinning.

One person suggested that I prime from the bottom up using black, from an angle using gray, and from the top using white so when I spray on the base coat the model will already be shaded. Is this a good method? I wouldn't do it on all my models but would consider it on my wraithknights and titan.

 Davespil wrote:
So Vallejo is what you guys recommend? I've read many posts about thinning paints and there are so many methods that I'm not sure which one to choose. I really don't feel like experimenting as I want to paint them as quick and easy as possible. I have the mdium from liquidtex but people told me thats not for thinning.

One person suggested that I prime from the bottom up using black, from an angle using gray, and from the top using white so when I spray on the base coat the model will already be shaded. Is this a good method? I wouldn't do it on all my models but would consider it on my wraithknights and titan.

Yes, that's called 'preshading' and will give a nice base of shading to work off of. The effect is somewhat subtle depending on the overlaying color's opacity.

I absolutely recommend VMA. I bought the air brush for the same reason as you - efficiency. I'm a slow painter and I wanted a quick way to get a nice base down quickly.

Thinning paints can be done, and many do it, I just found it really hit and miss, often wasteful, and super, super frustrating. Totally negating my whole reason for shelling out on the brush. Honestly, VMA changed my world. I now always tailor my colour schemes to suit the VMA range.

The preshading method you are talking about would work. It works best with a final clear colour, less opaque (clear red, clear blue, see examples of it in the YouTube channel I'm about to link).

I generally use a zenithal technique which can give lovely results, and the airbrush is perfect for it. This technique, at its most basic, involves spraying the whole model a darker shade of a colour, then spray down at around 45degrees with a lighter shade, then spray straight down from the top with an even lighter shade. There are lots of tutorials explaining the theory and mechanics behind it.

This YouTube channel (http://m.youtube.com/user/awesomepaintjob?desktop_uri=%2Fuser%2Fawesomepaintjob) is amazing, particularly if you are using an airbrush. I steal his recipes all the time. He does a lot of space marines, but even if you aren't, the techniques are still valid. For your Saim Hann, just check out how he does his blood ravens or whoever, or his 'easy red' videos.

OK, I'll try out Fire Red and see if I like it. So no thinning of Vallejo Air, just mix in some matt medium? What should the mixture be?

I don't mix anything in. Straight from the bottle is fine ~20psi, and I'm good to go. I'm sure a few drops into the airbrush cup wouldn't hurt, but, honestly, I've always found them fine straight from the bottle. But watch some of those videos, they've been a great help to me.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Decent Dakka article on zenithal highlighting;

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Zenithal_Airbrushing%2C_OSL_and_Snow_and_Ice_Tutorial%2C_subject_-_Grey_Knight

Yeah, thats the whole points of using airbrush paints....you don't have to mix anything.

now, of course, your specific brush, paint, needle and pressure might require it - and if it does, the amount is 100% subjective - you will have to judge for yourself - when you get it right you will know.
Really.

Also, there are hundreds (no, I am not exaggerating) of posts on thinning paint - do a search for it if you want more info.
http://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Airbrush-Effects-Medium/dp/B001US2NQA/ref=sr_1_1?

or
http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Airbrush-Medium-4-oz/dp/B005REJMBM/ref=sr_1_3?

if you don't - then just buy one of these;

WORTH EVERY PENNY.