How to apply a smooth layer of paint Samurai style

[samuraitrev]

Hi fellow painters

I know one of the things that frustrated me for years was I could never get the paint to go on as smooth as stuff I used to see in issues of White Dwalf etc. Mine always looked slapped on obscuring detail at worst. The thing is not many people want to do more than one coat of paint. Unfortunately if you really want a quality finish you have to take the time to apply at least one extra coat.

Now it's not as time consuming as you may think because once you've got your paint mixed with a little water it will stay there for the next coat so you shouldn't have to mix again. (unless you're painting something larger in which case mix as required).

If you try this technique (and experiment) I promise you will get a cleaner finish and a smoother coat. Ok let's get to it eh?

Stage 1

Here's what you'll need from left to right. A pipette and seperate clean water pot. An old brush you're not bothered about, your best brush and a palette or tile.

   

Stage 2

Using your pipette or a loaded brush of water apply one small drip from your seperate clean water pot (about the same amount as a villager begging for mercy tear).

   

Stage 3

Take a loaded blob of paint with your old knackered brush

   

Stage 4

Now stir the paint and water together until you get a uniform colour(no streaks)

   

Stage 5

Now add your mixed paint onto your model using your best brush.
(Note [a] how the end of the brush doesn't have a blob of paint on the end but has ran into the paint brush tip)
(Note how the black still shows through as the paint has been thinned)

   

[b]Stage 6

After fully painting the area required at stage 5 apply another coat

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All painters have their own methods (some much better than me) but I thought I'd show you how I do my figures.

Hope this helps. Comments/questions/extra tips most welcome