Inanimate Objects » Painting

Should I apply anything after Dullcote or am I finished?

I use Dullcote to bring the various lusters of paint into line with each other. As you might guess by its name, Dullcote’s sheen is flat, not at all shiny. So I will follow with a LIGHT coat of Testor’s Gloss. This give the final effect of a slight shine, (read more...)

What about semi-gloss sprays?

When the figure is fully painted, I apply a coat of Dull Cote first, followed by a very light dusting of Testors semi-gloss. This give the figure just a tiny shine, enough to make it look like manufactured plastic, preserving the illusion! [Update] Testor’s semi-gloss has become difficult to find. (read more...)

Can I use enamel paints?

I strongly recommend against the use of any enamels. They simply don’t work well with plastic, and they rarely dry fully. Your figure will forever be tacky. (read more...)

How do I mix colors?

There are entire books and courses of study devoted to this question. Needless to say, I can’t even begin to scrape the surface here. Assuming you’re already familiar with the color palette of pigment, acrylics mix well together. I usually mix up just as much as I need at a (read more...)

How can I paint those tiny little details like eyes?

First, make sure you have some tiny, clean brushes that come to a good point. Use only a small dab of paint on the brush. Beyond that, it takes practice, a steady hand, and luck. I often paint an eye poorly, then cover over with a new base coat, and (read more...)

What is primer?

I always prime a piece before painting. Most of the time I’ll use Testor’s Dullcote as an “invisible” primer. It creates a bit of texture, allowing the paint to “grab” on. Without it, water-based acrylics can react in unexpected ways. On occasion I’ll use a white or grey primer, if (read more...)

Should I spray my figures grey? White? Black?

Most of the time I will prime a figure with Testor’s Dullcote. It acts as an “invisible” primer. But occasionally I will prime with white or grey. In unusual circumstances I might follow with a solid color, depending on the depending on the color scheme at hand. On really rare (read more...)

Can I use spray paint to paint my figures?

Yes and no. Obviously, you’ll want to use spray primers, as explained above. I’ll sometimes apply spray paint to a large area that requires a single color. However, this can be tricky. It often requires masking off other parts of the figure. Also, most spray colors do not come in (read more...)

What is Dull Cote?

Dull Cote will become your best friend when you’ve finished a project. It’s a matte sealer produced by Testors. (The company that makes enamel paints for models.) A few sprays of Dull Cote and your figure will have a smooth, even finish. Dull Cote is great for bringing paints of (read more...)

Where can I purchase Dull Cote?

Most hobby stores that carry Testors products will have it. You can also learn more about Dull Cote via the Testors site. (read more...)