I am amassing the paints (acrylics & oil) and models(WWII Armor & Air) to restart modeling after a long hiatus. In fact, it's been so long, I would say that I am true beginner again. Any tips on learning-techniques for painting? Do, I practice on cheap models? How tough is it to fix a screw-up?

I recently purchased Modeler's Guide To Realistic Painting & Finishing. Will that suffice?

Thanks,
Ken

Welcome back to the fold! I did the same thing 5 years ago after a 20 year break.
After putting off the inevitable, I bought myself a compressor and airbrush a couple of months ago, and have wondered why I didn't do this as the first thing when I got back into model building. It makes things soooo much easier. From getting an even base coat, to camouflage patterns, to not breaking off small bits with a brush, everything is simpler.
Practicing on cheap models is always a good thing. I bought some plastic sheet, and practice patterns and techniques on them. Also bits from the spares box get used as well.
Important thing is to have fun, and enjoy the hobby.

John

Thanks! I'd love to airbrush eventually, but I plan to use brushes initially since I paint with the kids and have some practice with it. Plus, I prefer the feel of the brush and could never really get the hang of the airbrush when trying it on other projects.

I like the plastic-sheet idea... Any particular type?

No, no particular brand. Just some no name sheets I use for scratch building things in various thicknesses. They're about 20x28 cm. My local plastic pusher has them in stock.

John

You dont need to buy anything for this. Use the cardborad from cereal boxes, etc, put down a primer layer from a rattle can and then you got a good area to practise on.
Also old sprue pieces as well as left overs from kits are great to practise washes, dry brushing, weld patterns etc with. Theres so much you can use that left over in a kit, you definately dont need to waste money on.
Theres so much info the net today, you dont really need to buy "how to" books. Read some a practise. Theres no other way around it.

The decision to paint with a brush is yours, but your part of a small minority modelers painting that way. Hand painting tends to produce a much thicker paint finish that hides very small pieces, and feels in recesses. Hand painting also leaves brush marks as most people use paint that isn't thinned enough Duo to the nature of armor models it makes it almost impossible to sand out those finishes between coats.

I would suggest practicing with thinned out paint brushed on in a back and forth motion just once in each direction. Let dry, then sand, and repeat until you've build up a nice smooth coat.

Now if you used a a moderate priced single action air gun, these results are produced in a single painting session.

For times that you're painting a model with your kids, you can hand paint and a great time with them.

Joel

A good and free source of plastic to practice on for both airbrush and hand brushing is empty plastic 1 gallon jugs (milk, water, juice). They're free, they have flats and some nice curves, and you were only going to toss them in the recycle bin anyway! Plus they have a handle.

Thanks so much for the mild jug idea. I'm going back down this road myself.