I have just started my first custom.....

[ISS_Shamrocks]

Sorry, no pics yet, but I have a few questions!

So, a few days ago, I decided to do a custom. I recieved the Breyer paint your own model kit, and it has some really awesome acrylic paints in there. So, I started painting today, and I noticed that my model has paintlines! So, I went back and smoothed them out. Now my model looks a little silly (she's going to be bay) but is that usual to get paint lines? Is it easy to fix? I only have the first coat on, and I have several really good refrence pictures. I hope I will be able to put up some pictures, and have some critique.

Questions:
Is it usual to get paintlines on an acrylic painted model?
Is there a way to fix that?
Should I water down the acrylic paint a little bit?

[tarayith]

By paintlines do you mean brushstrokes? If so, I think the only way you can really eliminate it is by watering the acrylic down and doing tonnes of layers. Better quality paints will have more pigment so generally need fewer layers, but it's still pretty tedious!
Good luck. I'm sure we'd all love to see photos

[Alliecat]

Acrylics are hard to work with, yes, unless you are very careful it's hard not to get brush strokes. One thing that may help on a solid color like a bay is to use tiny sponges instead of brushes. You can buy packs of makeup applicator sponges, those work really well for adding subtle layers of color without brushstrokes. And like tarayith said, layer layer layer and work in really thin coats.

[SeaPonyStudios]

Americana makes a black that covers in one smooth coat. I love the stuff.

White nylon brushes are really good too, I haven't had any brush stroke issues with them.

[ISS_Shamrocks]

Thanks! I'll have to remember that when I go to the store!

[kelleybelle22]

Brush strokes are very hard to avoid with acrylics, My usual method is airbrush light base coat, pastel layers and layers and layers. Sometimes I airbrush the mane,tail and legs other times I use pastels. If there is white markings I use diluted white acrylics or my preference is airbrush paint in white ( airbrush paint is very thin with high pigment).

Not everyone has an airbrush, but if I was to paint a model all by hand I would have to use airbrush paint.