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The Absolute BEGINNER'S guide to Brush Painting Scale Models

Workbench Hobbies

21,182 views

New to scale modelling and wondering how to paint your first model? You don't need an expensive airbrush to get started!

In this next instalment of our Beginner's Guide to Scale Modelling, we're getting back to basics and looking at how to brush paint your models using acrylic paints.

We'll explore why priming is such an important first step, how to get started with acrylic paints and some of the things beginners should consider when applying paint with a brush.

Whether you're building your first tank, aircraft, car or science fiction model, these fundamental techniques will help you develop your painting skills and achieve better results.

Brush painting is an enjoyable and accessible way to get started in scale modelling, and understanding a few simple principles can make a real difference to your finished models.

If you're just getting started in this wonderful hobby, this video is for you!

#ScaleModelling #BrushPainting #ScaleModels #ModelPainting #BeginnerModelling #AcrylicPainting #plasticmodels

TIMECODE
0:00 Intro
0:25 Priming
2:29 What You'll Need
3:55 First Layer
6:42 Additional Coats
8:16 Matte Varnish
9:04 Painting Detail
11:15 Conclusion

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The aim of the channel is to inform, entertain and educate all level of scale modellers around the World. Creating professional 'how to' and 'step by step' guides for building, painting and weathering your scale models is the main aim of the site.
Reviews of scale model kits, product reviews as well as thoughts around releases and events in the hobby will be part of the channel also.
Scale modelling is the greatest hobby in the World as has given me so much joy over the years. It is my hope to share some of that passion and love for the art.

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COPYRIGHT FAIR USE NOTICE - HISTORICAL FOOTAGE IN THIS VIDEO IS USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES UNDER THE TERMS OF FAIR USE. ALL HISTORICAL FOOTAGE USED BELONGS TO ITS COPYRIGHT HOLDERS

20 Comments

@simonCX 11 days ago

I started watching this out of morbid curiosity but was pleasantly surprised.

@cammobunker 11 days ago

There's something very zen about just mix, dip, paint, dip, paint. The world goes away and it's just you, the subject, and the paint. Sometimes it's not about building a competition class model...it's about relaxing and ignoring the world for a while. Sure, you can have a great airbrush setup and practice all the techniques and make great looking models, but sometimes, you just need that inexpensive older kit to just...play with. Not struggle to get that part right and stress over that detail not being perfect but just relax and have fun with it. And anyway, just about every model has some brush work in it, details, small pieces, things the AB won't reach. Also weathering is all brush work so any kind of practice that increases your confidence level with the brush is a positive.

@HAVSUM-206 9 days ago

Awesome OG back to basics. Thanks for sharing how fun the old ways can be. Not everyone has access to the level of kit necessary to run an airbrush. This was a great reminder of what one can do low tech!! Cheers. 🎉

@southpaw1836 6 days ago

Thank you for the wonderul video....

@esinohio 11 days ago

A great reminder of an inexpensive way that people can get onboarded to this hobby. I think too often a newbie starts with a few YouTube videos and walks away thinking they need to purchase a mountain of expensive equipment before considering a single model to build. That being said, I love my airbrushes, LOVE them lol. They are a great tool and investment, just not mandatory.

Happy model making.

@jexxajess6837 13 days ago

Great video. I like your stuff because it's very zen like, quiet, measured delivery and very informative, a conversation rather than "teaching".
Thanks again..

@jamiestokes1402 12 days ago

Brush painting is a fundamental skill that will be needed in ways that airbrushing cant...

This kind of user friendly demonstration really helps people enter the hobby with low cost, and refresh experienced modellers of fundamentals!

@jsmith1649 12 days ago

Just getting back to the hobby after a short 45 year hiatus, and really appreciate both the information and tone of all your videos. I particularly appreciate these recent “back to basics” ones. Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦

@verstappen9937 13 days ago

Videos like these remind me WHY I started airbrushing because despite it costing money and time to learn ultimately you save so much time and can achieve so many more effects

@cushionbelly 13 days ago

Great video. I'm sure there's folk out there who are put off the hobby because of cost of airbrush and compressor etc, and this shows you can enjoy it without the cost and get a really good finish.

@yvesdoyon7852 13 days ago

Like to brush painting. May not be the perfect result but still good. This is a hobby and perfection may not an absolute necessity!

@modeltankguy 9 days ago

nice work is been so long since i hand painted a model kit,oh the good ole days of starting out haha lol nice video keep them coming mate

@HoDoggo 13 days ago

The timing of this video could not have been better

@jerryvolpini7987 12 days ago

A video like this is really needed - I think we forget how many people still use a brush for painting their models! Primers are a hot topic when modelling but for brush painting I consider it essential for the paint to flow properly and adhere to the surface without streaking. I never liked using a brush for applying primer though (surface tension makes smooth, consistent coats difficult), so aerosols only, in my opinion. Same goes for clear coats, easier and much more consistent with an aerosol. 👍👍

@WhiteWulfe 12 days ago

Ah, Mr Surfacer... How I never got to know thee. Sadly much of the Mr Hobby paint line was banned by Canada in 2025 due to emissions laws, which included the much beloved Mr. Surfacer.

Really happy to see beginner focused videos, because we really don't see it anywhere often enough. Like you said, far too often it quickly jumps into the full on airbrush setup, and avoids that intermediate area where a LOT of hobbyists wind up staying either by choice, or by necessity.

@kevinkelly6524 12 days ago

This is a valuable tutorial. Not just for those who don’t want to invest in an airbrush, but sometimes it’s just a better alternative to complex masking over complex shapes. I’ve found good results adding a drop or two of flow improver (I’ve used liquitex and Vallejo, but liquitex is more economical) to reduce brush strokes. It helps level the paint and “slightly” slows the drying process, which helps leveling

@lesthiele9318 12 days ago

Hi Clayyon, thanks again for another great painting demo video, even though I have not used a brush to paint a kit ( with the exception of detail painting) for about forty-five odd years, I found this video interesting, cheers matexand have a great weekend, best regards from Melbourne, Les

@Nigel1writer 12 days ago

Good info there. Thanks

@DavidoftheValleys 13 days ago

Thank you Clayton for another very good and informative video, i have used hairy stick for many years but have now started air brushing. again thank you.