The Weathering Magazine

Airbrush 2.0

If you've been around model building for any length of time, you know there are plenty of "How-to" books, guides and articles on various aspects of model building, from construction to scratch building to painting, weathering and pretty much everything in between. Okay, maybe not what beverage belongs in the 'man cave.' However, a number of these guides, while helpful, don't always provide a specific "step-by-step" description of what the presenter is doing leaving the modeler to fill in any missing steps by themselves or experiment on their latest project. This particular issue of The Weathering Magazine on airbrushing camouflage, actually explains each step while providing accompanying sequential photos of what's going on.  The pictures are bright and clear and the accompanying text details what the author/modeler is doing. Advertisements are extremely limited which allows for more of what you would expect from a "How-to" edition.

Issue Specifics:

Size: 8 1/2 X 11

Paper: Thick, glossy 

Pages: 70 pages

Articles in this edition: 

• How To Use Airbrush Stencils
• Airbrushing Camouflages (covers stencils/masks, freehand, hard-edge and semi-hard edge techniques)
• Advanced Airbrush Techniques
• Car Body Paint Finish
• German "Molch" Midget Submarine
• Steyr 1500A Kommandeurwagen
• Bocanegra - "The Little Tyrant"

Table of Contents

Chapter: Using Airbrush Stencils (Author/modeler: Liang Yushen)

With so many new products on the market, in this case, stencils for creating camouflage and weathering effects, this article is nice to have as a good reference guide to walk the modeler through, especially if they are new to airbrushing. The steps and the accompanying photos are clear and easily guides the modeler through the process. What's a real bonus about this article is the author/modeler uses a variety of stencils (6 different ones) to achieve an array of effects and identifies the products he used along with distance from the airbrush to the model surface. The only thing not included was what his PSI setting was during his demonstrations.

Chapter: Airbrushing Camouflage (Semi-hard edge, Hard-Edge & Freehand) (Author/modeler: Andreia Rodrigues)

Hard-Edge Camouflage:

Painting hard-edge camouflage patterns can be quite challenging and even cause some anxiety, especially if the modeler is planning on entering the completed build in an upcoming model contest knowing full well, a less than stellar paint job, complete with crisp lines and no overspray can affect the results. Well, The Weathering Magazine to the rescue.  In this demonstration, the author/modeler provides a detailed method of using, in this case, Ammo Masking Sheets, cut and placed on the model before airbrushing each color. He demonstrates how to prepare the model surface before applying the masks and equally important, how to safely remove them from damaging the painted model.  Also included is an excellent tip on how to use Ammo Transparent One Shot Primer in between airbrushing the various colors which stops paint from 'creeping' or 'bleeding' under the masking sheets which is a common problem for modelers starting out using an airbrush to replicate camouflage.

Semi-Hard Edged Camouflage:

In this demonstration, good tips are provided when the modeler is going to use masking putty to create a semi-hard edged camouflage scheme. Ratios of thinner to paint are provided throughout this project, though many modelers have their own mixture that works best for them. In all the airbrush techniques demonstrated, the final result is shown and all quite impressive.

Freehand Camouflage:

Freehand camouflage can be most daunting as things like paint spattering can ruin the base coat or the paint being applied too thick can hide surface details. In this article, the author/modeler shows precise steps for paint/thinner ratios, PSI levels and how to prevent the needle tip from drying out during an airbrush session. Recommended paint/thinner ratios are provided for using light colors versus dark colors.

Advanced Airbrush Techniques: (Author/modeler: Jose Luis Lopez)

This particular chapter focuses on airbrush techniques for pre-shading, use of various filters, and the technique of putting down transparency layers. The author/modeler walks the reader through each of these techniques with accompanying photos to emulate. Descriptions are clear and products used throughout are identified. Now it comes down to practice!

Car Body Paint Finish: (Author/modeler: Jaroslaw Rydzynski)

This chapter of the Weathering Magazine goes into great detail (9 pages) on how to apply a high gloss coat on those automobile models. From preparing the model surface with Mr. Surfacer to adding subtle shadows, gloss coat and polishing to perfection, this is one article everyone needs in their model reference materials. While most armor modelers may skip over this chapter, some of the tips and advice the author/modeler displays will certainly come in handy in whatever one is building and certainly a good modeling skill to keep under one's belt. 

German "Molch" Midget Submarine: (Author/modeler: Domingo Hernandez)

While most reading this review, probably build, paint and weather armor, however many modelers have been known to sneak off and build other subjects or 'borrow' techniques from non-armor modelers and incorporate them into ongoing projects. The majority of products used throughout this edition are mostly Ammo by MIG, however since the products are clearly identified, modelers may choose an alternative brand. What's good here is Ammo products like their Shader colors are used and allows modelers to see how they perform on a completed project. The visual step-by-step process using a variety of weathering products after the airbrushing is complete, allows the modeler to see what can be achieved when using some of these techniques on their own projects.

Steyr 1500A Kommandeurwagen: (Author/modeler: Jorge Porto)

Jorge Porto provides an excellent step-by-step guide for painting, applying winter camo chipping and weathering this kit from Tamiya.  The chipping technique and the weathering are clearly explained in texts and excellent photos so the modeler will want to jump in and start right away. The results of using Ammo products used throughout this particular project are quite impressive and certainly worth giving them a try. While modelers may want to substitute products they already have, exploring products from various companies can really expand their skills and certainly their experience with difference products.

Airbrush Painting Clothes: (Author/modeler: Jorge Porto)

Don't disregard Bocanegra - "The little tyrant" title  as it contains some excellent steps and tips for painting miniatures, especially clothes and uniforms.  Jorge Porto walks the reader from laying down the base colors, to adding shadow, highlighting and weathering. For those relatively new or getting ready to break into painting figures, this article is a very handy guide to keep near the workbench. While many figure painters tend to paint with brushes, using an airbrush to paint uniforms is certainly a good skill to master. 

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders, especially those who are relatively new to airbrushing. This magazine takes away much of the mystery of creating camouflage with an airbrush by providing clear, concise text and very helpful photos of the various steps throughout and is an excellent value for the money. In all the various airbrush techniques shown in this edition, the authors/modelers here demonstrate what can be achieved using an airbrush as the main painting tool. As we modelers know, it takes practice, practice, practice to achieve similar results. This edition is very well done and should find a place in a modeler's library as an excellent reference resource to fall back on when preparing for that next build requiring camouflage.

NOTE: If the modeler is new to airbrushing, I would recommend the companion edition of The Weathering Magazine - Airbrushing 1.0, (#36) which explains the types of airbrushes and air compressors (air sources) available to the modeler, basic use, common errors and how to properly clean the airbrush. While I do not own this particular edition, I have  reviewed it online, and as a result, in addition to this review, I'm quite positive the buyer won't be disappointed in picking up this edition as well.

Thanks goes out to AMMO by Mig Jimenez for this review sample.

Reviewed by Chuck Willis

If you liked this review, consider joining AMPS. Your annual membership
includes six copies of AMPS's magazine, Boresight,
and helps to support our ongoing reviews.

Click here for more information about joining AMPS