Painting

Most modellers tend to underestimate the size of trees. Obviously, the size will depend on the tree but oaks can grow to 30 to 40m (that is 100ft tall), pine trees are 50 to 60m (200ft tall) and beech trees are 12 to 18m (40 to 60ft tall)....

A feather edge is a soft blending of the demarcation line between different colours or tones so one gently fades into the other. This can be difficult to achieve with brush painting but an airbrush lends itself well to this technique. There are a...

The hairspray technique is a process used to add chipping effects to the surface of a model, using a can of aerosol hairspray. Unlike other approaches to chipping, such as the foam sponge technique, the hairspray technique looks to release an...

Spray cans and airbrushes are favoured tools with modellers because of the smooth and life-like finishes that they can create on a model. For many newcomers, this can be a tricky art to master and can take time to achieve. Some may be less than...

When assembly and painting of a model are completed, many modellers will wish to add some degree of wear and tear to add a little extra realism. One simple technique to achieve this is by using paint chips via a foam sponge. This can be used to...

Strange as it may sound, using toothpaste can be an effective technique in weathering a model. The toothpaste remains water soluble and so can be removed relatively simply by a damp cloth or cotton bud. The key to using toothpaste is that it can...

There are a number of ways to remove paint from a model. When required to remove paint most modellers may well use the appropriate thinners. This may well be effective for small amounts of paint or for thinly applied coats. Although effective in...

A number of modellers will work with white metal components as either part of their model or as additional aftermarket parts to be added to a model for added realism. Inevitably white metal parts are likely to be on exposed surfaces which means...

Like many painting tools, airbrushes will periodically need a deep clean in order to remove persistent and ingrained paint deposits. Purpose-made brush cleaners can be very useful for this but can be expensive and don't necessarily always have the...

Weathering by using pigments is a great way to add depth and realism to your model. The process is easy to apply and rewards the slow and measured 'bit at a time' approach. When completed it can really make a model 'pop' visually by making it look...

There are many types of paint that can be used on plastic kits, and the best choice will depend on the specific project and the desired result. However, some popular options include:Acrylic paints: These water-based paints are easy to clean up...

There are a large number of painting products on the market, each one claiming to be ideal in a particular situation. As such, this can sometimes create confusion as to which product is most suitable in a particular situation. One area of...