Quick Tips: Episode 6 - How To Airbrush With Citadel Paints

[@TheBlackBrickStudios]

Dude, you're awesome, this is the simplest, most concise explanation for airbrushing I've seen, thank you so much. This will save so much time and hair pulling when I get my airbrush tomorrow.

[@travelminipainter]

Whilst I agree with most of the tutotial, I suggest the following modification with the cleaning process. 1. When you have added the cleaner DO NOT blow it through the airbrush, as any dried flakes of paint there might be (particularly after a long session) might block up the nozzle. Instead pour this mixture out. 2. Use some clear water and the brush again.to dilute any paint residues there might be left. Pour out again. Use some paper towel and dry the inside of the cup and to remove an remaining dried specks of paint. 3.Then use some cleaner and shoot it through the brush. DO NOT backflush, particularly with paint, as you want to avoid paint getting past the needle seals being pushed into the inside of the airbrush. 4. Remove the needle and clean it with some airbrush cleaner and put it back in. Your AB is good to go!

[@gedmcloughlin866]

For someone like myself who is on the brink of breaking into airbrushing my wh40k models, I found this immensely helpful. Great video!

[@keithmassey3035]

I had never thought of using my airbrush to apply a wash to minis. What a great idea! Thanks for another very informative video.

[@spike6385]

thank you for this video, concise and to the point - i got the information i was looking for

[@thevuntzer]

That tip about putting shade through the airbrush is amazing. I didn't think it would pool correctly in the recesses. Going to have to try this.

[@derwolf4611]

OOOh, this is such a useful video! I always struggle with this part... citadel paints for the airbrush. And I want to thank you by the way for bringing up such good tutorials! They are easy to handle but always with a great result! So if I don´t know how to paint a particular part of a mini, I just look up your Videos and most time I get my answers here. Keep up the great work! Greetings!

[@PeteTheWargamer]

When I first started out with airbrushing Citadel paints I experimented with a number of thinners and found that distilled water was the most straightforward and worked just as well. Glad to hear that you're enjoying the tutorials!

[@ccp6924]

Definitely more Airbrush tips. I've been airbrushing for over a year now but it it's always helpful to see other peoples work and experiences with them! 👍

[@Telthar]

For anyone newish, make sure to use an old brush for transferring the paint, getting paint up that far on a good brush will damage the brush. Other than that, great video!

[@lioneljonson29k]

What I love most about KZbin is the eagerness with which people who don’t make videos themselves, comment on errors or omissions they perceive in videos made by people who actually bother to do so, especially under the guise of “constructive feedback” or “just trying to help their fellow watchers”. It’s heartwarming and not at all petty attention-seeking behaviour.

[@Telthar]

@@lioneljonson29k speaking of petty... Seriously though, he clearly was using an older brush and overloading a newer brush is a mistake I've personally made. Also, comments/interaction on videos on a channel are critical for KZbin algorithm metrics. I don't feel I've done anything wrong here. I'll be sure to only say "Good job!" on every video from now on! Cheers

[@johnhildenbrand2642]

​@@lioneljonson29kProjecting much?

[@lioneljonson29k]

@@johnhildenbrand2642 Even better are the amateur psychologists. Projection of unwanted feelings or emotions onto another person in an effort to avoid dealing with them oneself is not an accurate or even relevant conclusion. Maybe you just want to “project” an image of someone who is witty or educated. Better luck next time. I’m just simply irritated by those who critique others but produce nothing of value themselves.

[@lioneljonson29k]

@@Telthar So your armchair critique of his original & creative work is valid but my armchair critique of your critique is not? “Good job” doubling those standards 😂. However, the excuse that it’s OK to be condescending because it’s good for the algorithm is very creative in it’s own right so “double good job!”.

[@space9658]

Oh wow I've been holding of from getting an airbrush out of fear that all my old paints would have to be repurchased as air brush paints but this is amazing

[@Splatterpunk_OldNewYork]

Thanks for the vid. Been updating my citadel paint range lately, and have been getting into airbrushing. I use Fantastik cleaner as the thinner and the cleaner for airbrush. Ratio of 1:3 parts distilled/boiled water.

[@newworldempire]

Thanks Pete. I needed this tutorial.

[@artfuldodger9312]

Excellent video as usual - keep those tips coming - we really do appreciate your time and help.

[@DonaldMellor]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@KiyokaMakibi]

I’ve got an airbrush but never used it. After watching this I feel motivated to try it!

[@davydenko19919]

thats simply the best tutorial for airbrush

[@thedrawrf]

Fantastic video!

[@hl1796]

clear , precise , and very informative, thank you a lot

[@enginepy]

This was very helpful. Thank you

[@ludwigekner1279]

God, watching these older vids back, i’d forgotten about that super dramatic music you used to use xD

[@depholade]

When I use my airbrush with cetadel paints I either end up with the paints running or not enough paint coming out of the brush. Not sure what I'm doing wrong

[@JakubGruziewski-v6m]

Damn I've had the same issue and I don't know whether or not it's the airbrush itself

[@chriskey4040]

Hi am totally new to airbrush so this is really useful as I can use the paints I’ve collected over the years, regards the washes do u thin those at all and how does contrast work through the airbrush?

[@carlmayne3519]

I'm sure I've said this before but you're a witch! ... it's the only possible way you can get GW paints through an airbrush (unless that's a 0.6 nozzle) ... I was looking up to see if you could throw citadel washes through an airbrush and you answered my question! ... Awesome - Thank's Dude!! always great watching your videos... even if it's nearly 2 years old :D = Keep up the great work!

[@rt-ks2bh]

At last someone for putting out a vid without the crap,,staight to the point without the bullshit,,when people make vids they go through to much bull blah blah blah,,this was excellent

[@michaelwaugh6641]

Thanks for the advice I just got a airbrush today and I was really wondering the best way to use the citadel paints because the new range are very watery

[@johnkelley9877]

That is a really helpful tip. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WhiteBuffaloWakanGli]

If you’re going to use a brush in your cup for mixing, make sure it’s tough and the bristles won’t come off.

[@thordallimdecaladai922]

Thanks, really helpfull. More basic airbrushing tutorials will be appreciated.

[@johnkelley9877]

Good tip! Thanks for sharing this.

[@angelgarcia4848]

Great info with the wash

[@SannnSanych]

How about metallic paints? Sikoracs bronze ETC?

[@pgabrieli]

great tips, thanks! just a thought, though, on airbrushing the shade (aka washes) colors: isn't their point to be "runny" snd collect into the crevices and "pool" around the details to make them stand out? so what's the point of airbrushing a wash? if you want to alter the basecoat tone, great, but that's not a wash anymore, it's a filter... anyway, just a thought. thanks again for posting this video

[@zerillisguren7720]

So you don't "need" to use the regular citadel air paint in an airbrush? You just dilute it with water and it's fine?

[@somecrapname1]

nice and simple! thanks for the vid.

[@bclark1289]

Can u use denatured alcohol to clean your air brush or is it too harsh

[@user-ro1cs5hp5e]

ty for the video. I have 2 questions: Do u use a respirator when painting with the airbrush? and also when using cement glue?

[@zoltan-8233]

Is that possible to mix citadel paint with vallejo akril? Citadel has a good colour what i didnt find in other brand but i just want to change the tone with it of a vallejo paint and so airbrush it

[@cbrophy1]

Amazing, thanks!

[@R.J.MacReady1982]

I'll have to play around with it. I need to get the consistency correct.

[@Exochosen]

I'm a bit late to the party. I have finally gotten hold of everything I need. I don't have any distilled water. Can I use thinner or flow improver instead?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

You can indeed! Since publishing this video I have made the move to flow improver myself.

[@Exochosen]

Great. Thanks for the quick response. Just got the last part I needed, though I'm terrified of actually sitting down and try in fear of breaking the airbrush

[@MrTaffydude]

Great tutorial. I use isopropyl alcohol (from Maplins ) to clean my airbrush. Works a treat. It's probably a good idea to remove the needle and clean that too. Cheap lens cleaner wipes are great for this. Excellent stuff as always.

[@ravikhiroya2721]

really helpful thanks im looking to start airbrushing soon!

[@PeteTheWargamer]

You're welcome :)

[@alexbeishuizen7960]

It's way easier to empty the majority of paint by throwing it away after backblowing it, instead of running it all through the needle. Last little bit can be run through needle then.

[@NOSWEAT805]

This might appear a silly question and I may have skipped over this bit in the video, but do you have to thin down washes such as aggrax aswell or are they thin enough as they' come standard?

[@IndraSunrise]

You don't have to thin them. You can mix them with pledge floor wax to create a glaze, though.

[@scotnoco]

what pressure do you use in this video? Wondering given that you use hte airbrush pretty close so I'm guessing 15psi?

[@stevecappelson7383]

When you cover the airbrush nozzle with your finger to clean does the paint back up into the brushes housing? One of my biggest airbrush maintenance problems is keeping the interior clean. My airbrush's trigger sticks when the housing collects dried paint. What's the best way to clean and maintain the body of an airbrush?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

No the air instead escapes from the reservoir so it won't go back into the housing. I would recommend a foaming cleaner and spraying that inside the handle and around the valve from time to time to prevent sticking.

[@pavs8211]

What airbrush are you using? Thanks.

[@stevenfitzgerald2214]

Another great vid! What brand airbrush are you using? Could you recommend one?

[@Matt-tb5un]

Since I never use the paint straight out of the container, I always thin it down in the container the first time I open it. Then I just use a cheap brush to transfer what paint I need into the airbrush. Usually saves me from wasting much paint. Windex is also a good cheap cleaner.

[@TRZ99]

Matthew Andersen i would not use windex as a cleaner. Not only does it danage parts, its bad for your health

[@Urface93095]

Nice! How far away would you say to spray from? Thanks

[@reapper6660]

any chance you could do a pre heresy thousand sons metallic red totorial with air brush?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

I'll certainly keep it in mind!

[@greggdieckhaus2240]

Thanks for the video... very helpfull

[@hardcorsD]

I know this wont get answered but here we go, do i need to clean the airbursh everytime i change colour?

[@fernandoavilesmartin6326]

It is highly recommended for you to do a cleaning otherwise you risk mixing colors on your mini.

[@peterpflugi1718]

Very nice video, thank you

[@RcNerd]

Little tip. Use warm distilled water. Honest it works.

[@jamesjudice3184]

What's a good brand airbrush to use?

[@turtle4lyfe91]

Iwata eclipse is a standard.

[@stevenholt5692]

I tried using an airbrush a few years ago. I found it to be a very messy way of painting your models. I know you get a better finish and all that, I'll stick with the brushes. It was the cleaning part at the end that put me right off.

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Airbrushing is a bit of learning curve. It can take a while to get the hang of before you start seeing the benefits but it's definitely worth the persistence! Plus cleaning isn't too much of a chore if you have a good cleaner but I tend to put a similar amount of effort into caring for my brushes so I don't really see the difference.

[@RasEli03]

i only have tamyia airbrush cleaner.. .can i use that?

[@kaibe5241]

Yes. They'll all work :)

[@ninoraisys3018]

Definitely be using that bubble technique to clean my airbrush

[@PeteTheWargamer]

The amount of times I thought my brush to clean only to do that and find small flakes of paint in the reservoir afterwards! It's definitely worth doing when you're cleaning out your airbrush.

[@ViktorDavidsson]

Nice video, thanks. Can you please make a video on when you thin your paints when you paint? With Wet pallette or witohout. Cheers.

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep that in mind for future videos :)

[@themint7451]

Do you find that Citadel metalics are just as easy, or do you change the mix a bit?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Metallics in airbrushes are odd. I've found that unless they are specially formulated for airbrushing you can have the problem of over-spray. If you're base coating it's fine but if you're painting metallics near none metallics you will notice shiny speckles appearing on your non-metallic areas. Masking should help to resolve this though but I tend to just stay away.

[@snickdesnick]

Metallics also damage the airbrush over time unless its a specificall formulated "air" range

[@Salitorn]

Was the compressor coming on while you painted for the video? if so, what brand/model do you use. Looking for one that is quiet.

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Salitorn yes it was what you could hear. I did a review for it not that long ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5mUiH1tiMqtY9U

[@kaibe5241]

Great video, wasn't entirely sure with citadel paints :D

[@dannyeccles1894]

Nice. I've been wondering how to use gw paints like this.

[@EatonZ26]

Did you water down the shade paint as well or use straight from pot?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Straight from the pot.

[@mistrlampshade]

good stuff

[@bckroobnzi141]

Have a tutorial for the Blood Bowl dwarves in the making?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

*cough*Friday*cough*

[@Hordakkk]

superb. just gor myself a budget airbrush, figures your start airbrushing! love your videos man! keep it up! (psst... your vallejo recipe for ultramarines pls? ;) )

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Unfortunately I don't use Vallejo much, sorry! :(

[@hedgehoghero8692]

e

[@Elijah.Lionel.Newmacht]

How do you mix the shades in an airbrush ?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

For small tasks or one off mixtures I mix them inside the airbrush reservoir. For larger projects, I would mix them together outside the airbrush and store the mixture in the separate dropper bottle.

[@shadowtiger6956]

can you use just water to clean the airbrush?

[@PeteTheWargamer]

You can but you can't always be sure that the paint hasn't built up and dried in the hard reach areas or in the nozzle. A cleaner helps to break down the paint and prevent build up of foreign bodies.

[@aleksander.z9534]

more airbursh plz

[@PeteTheWargamer]

There will be more soon!

[@imjusttrolling4358]

I’m using Airbrush Medium instead of water - thoughts? I hear water allows the paint to dry quicker - but that also means gumming up the airbrush quicker. Airbrush Medium however - I’ve had to let my figures sit overnight for the paint to dry :P !

[@chrisl4999]

There are a couple different kinds of mediums for airbrushes, but the general ones are Thinner and Flow Improver. Thinner is usually recommended when pushing regular paints (like in the video) through an airbrush. You need to be careful though because too much thinner and the paint will constantly splatter. If you notice in the video you can see a few places where large drops came out of the brush onto the palette. Just spray some paint onto your paper towel before pointing the brush at the mini. Flow improver helps reduce tip drying - when the paint dries in the tip and blocks anything from coming out - by slowing the dry time. Generally speaking you do NOT want to use more than a drop of flow improver per 10 drops of paint. Otherwise you could easily get into a situation where it takes a week for the paint to actually dry on the model.

[@duerf5826]

Why do people mix paint using a brush? The brush soaks in a chunk of paint and it's all wasted.

[@IndraSunrise]

At the end he covers the tip of the airbrush and bubbles through air. This is a great way to mix paints, but he can't use it in this case because his citadel paint is so very thick.

[@duerf5826]

@IndraSunrise For thick acrylic like Citadel, it's ideal to thin and mix the paint in a separate mixing cup before transferring it to the airbrush. Acrylic in general is kind of tough to thin properly, at least comparing to my to-go lacquer, and Citadel even makes it more difficult.

[@oowen7734]

Biggest struggle of airbrushing gw paints is getting the fucker in the airbrush the pot is shjt

[@PeteTheWargamer]

Agreed, dropper bottles are much more useful.

[@oowen7734]

The War Gamer Yep orderd lots of dropper bottles :)

[@nyonor7314]

Постоянные промывание это 🙁

[@archierri]

Citadel paint behave as a layer paint when it mixed with the water, just a reminder.

[@jnrmack]

Instead of using cleaner use small drop of water and do what you doing with the brush but pure it out the cup if you don't chance is the paint removed by the brush may have already dried up and may block up the nozzle if you spray it through.,then use the cleaner to finish of, as to cleaner i use Ultimate Airbrush Cleaner brilliant stuff even removed dried paint that may end up on the gun or outside the cup.