Airbrushing tips for a novice

[SaintsPhil]

I thought I'd have a go at trying some tonal variation on my latest project, which is all over grey. I tried to overspray with the base colour lightened with some white, and thinned to more of a wash consistency. It didn't quite work as I'd planned, and instead of leaving a washed out faded look it has just left a speckled finish! I can't work out where I've gone wrong, it seemed a simple technique. I used Vallejo paints and tried thinning both with their own thinners and water, same effect. Airbrush was clean before I started and I used the usual pressure I have been spraying at ~15psi.

Any airbrush masters tell me where I'm going wrong!!

Thanks

Phil

[Jetblast]

Possibly too much thinner - the paint pigment will sometimes concentrate into small spots if there is too much thinner present, slightly like it would if there was surface contamination & the paint gathers up into tiny spots / puddles.

Or contamination on the model?

[denstore]

I agree with Jetblast. Probably you have thinned the paint beyond its limit. When that happens, the binder becomes so weak, that the pigments will float around and puddle up.

Try to "thin" with some acrylic medium, like clear cote or Future instead.

[SaintsPhil]

Thanks guys, that was what I was thinking as well, especially as I was using the Vallejobair which is pre thinned! I guess I should practice on an old kit first next time! I think it's salvageable though.

Phil