A spray booth is a very useful tool for any regular airbrush user. An airbrush will use air pressure to atomise paint into small droplets which are then sprayed onto the subject model. Not all of this spray will go on the subject model and any...

It is important to have a good cleaning regime for brushes when using acrylic paints as unwanted deposits can severely affect the lifespan of any brush. Whilst painting it is a good idea to periodically remove excess paint using a cloth or tissue...

One significant issue for modellers assembling model aircraft with a tricycle undercarriage is that left to its own devices the model will probably be a tail sitter. This requires the modeller to introduce additional nose weight in order to...

Occasionally, a modeller will have a requirement to paint a model with contrasting colours or tones. Sometimes this can be achieved with masking tape that has been cut and precisely placed as required. This works very well for creating a sharp...

Many manufacturers supply road rolls simulating tarmac or asphalt surfaces, some carrying surface markings others are unmarked. These also come in a range of styles from simple straight road segments to gentle curves and half circles for...

Liquid Mask by Vallejo is a liquid medium designed to be used by modellers to mask off areas during painting. It can be applied either by brush or airbrush and dries in about two hours leaving a transparent rubberised surface that will protect...

One of the most satisfying ways to bring a layout or diorama to life is to blend it into some form of natural environment. Many modellers will have used bags of scatter to achieve this result. Scatter is a very useful option when bringing life to...

There are a number of different options for attaching figures such as a horse and rider to a layout. Perhaps the first thing to decide is if the figures in question are to be permanently glued in place, or should they be removable. If the answer...

There are a wide variety of techniques that can be used to paint realistic brickwork and pavements and the approach will be broadly similar for both subjects. Some modellers may take the approach of painting individual bricks or paving. While this...

The term 'Start Voltage' is used in model railways to describe how much voltage is needed to get a locomotive moving from a standing start.When starting a train using an analogue controller, its start voltage isn't very important as we simply...

Occasionally modellers will have a requirement to weather a model to indicate heavy use and time-based wear and tear. There are a number of techniques that can help achieve this, one of these is the 'Toothpaste Technique' covered in a previous...

Photographic Backscenes have been created for modellers to create a suitable backdrop for the middle and far distances. Generally, they are produced from a series of photographs that are integrated together to provide a specific background...