Painting "smoothly" without brush strokes

[K07]

With my HT Nolanverse collection nearing completion, I thought I'd turn my attention to my B:TAS collection. I plan on eventually turning this into this.

I've repainted things before using Model Masters Acrylic paints from Hobby Lobby. Is it the crappy brushes I typically buy for the job or the paint that leaves "streaks" on my customs? Do I need to thin it first? Should I be using something other than a brush? Any tips would be appreciated.

Are there painters here that do this smaller scale stuff? Maybe I'd be better off paying someone to do this rather than having a figure that doesn't meet my standard of quality. I just got some LED lights for my Detolf and know they will bring out any flaws in my customs.

 

[SculptorJoel]

It could be either, really cheap brushes, with hard bristles are horrid. They leave brush lines when painted, other than that, it could be that you are applying the paint to thick and needs to be watered down and layered. ​

 

[EVILFACE]

Use a airbrush.

 

[RavenEye]

Use a airbrush.

^This

 

[Itchybitz]

I like to use Liquitex soft body acrylic paint, it makes such a difference.
You should always add a little water to acrylic paint and you should only use filtered or bottled water. You also should be using flat brushes saving the tiny round ones for the details.

 

[galactiboy]

Yep, watering the paint down (not a lot... less than 25%) will make a big difference in how the paint looks once it dries.

Also, I tend to use more of a drybrushing/dabbing technique than just straight strokes; this tends to avoid lines as well.

 

[Something Sexy]

Yep, watering the paint down (not a lot... less than 25%) will make a big difference in how the paint looks once it dries.

Also, I tend to use more of a drybrushing/dabbing technique than just straight strokes; this tends to avoid lines as well.

I don't paint 1/6th stuff but I paint Warhammer 40k models and this works wonders.

 

[Shropt]

Another good point idea is to disassemble the figure before painting.

 

[galactiboy]

Oh yeah, don't paint it with the clothes on But do pay attention to how much of the body (particularly the neck) is exposed as a non-matching neck or exposed torso is pretty distracting looking.

 

[galactiboy]

It's been long since buried and I have no idea how to locate it, but at one time Darkartist81 stated (but never finished) a turtorial on painting heads in his main thread. Much of what I do was learned from his suggestions.

It would be great if those posts could be teased out and maybe added too.

 

[Greggo]

Best way is to water down the paints, I dont use an airbrush because it is a pain to clean lol. All my work is done with a paint brush and I never get brush marks ever

 

[karamazov80]

Also, put some Barry White or Al Green on in the background before painting.

 

[8-bit commando]

Also, put some Barry White or Al Green on in the background before painting.

99% of the battle won right there

 

[K07]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Very helpful responses.

Do you recommend I seal it? Ive never bothered with any of my customs in the past. I'm not going to play with it but my concern is mostly about dust. She's going to be on the bottom shelf of my Detolf. That's the place dust seems to fill the most in that type of cabinet.

 

[Skiman]

Also, put some Barry White or Al Green on in the background before painting.

I psych myself up.​

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdMypre-bD4[/ame]

Ski

 

[galactiboy]

Thanks for all the replies guys! Very helpful responses.

Do you recommend I seal it? Ive never bothered with any of my customs in the past. I'm not going to play with it but my concern is mostly about dust. She's going to be on the bottom shelf of my Detolf. That's the place dust seems to fill the most in that type of cabinet.

I use model masters flat clear acryl for most skin and the gloss clear acryl for eyes, lips and wet areas like blood. It's a bit more expensive than others, but it works very well.

Also I find that my skin tones and hair blending look kind of splotchy and off before I add the acryl, but afterward are much better blended. Not sure why, but I've learned not to judge my paintwork too harshly until I've given it once over with the sealant.

Not to mention it protects the paint work you've spent so much time on