comments:
Wrong sub this one is for literal paintings of battles. I'm sure there is a substantial overlap with those of us who paint miniatures though but probably worth asking in the mini painting or Warhammer subs. Personally I'd suggest getting an airbrush compressor like this one. Doesn't need to be this exact listing the same model is sold under dozens of brands. If it looks the same as that image there's like a 99.9% chance it will be ok. This will work for a starter airbrush or a top of the range professional one down the line. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-compressor-reservoir-Fengda-FD-186/dp/B019CKXBOU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=ZFQAU1CEZW30&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Dsxc56g_4Ch80yhmxPSpIyytmEs-vwDe58i-IonpR6u7LbQDZ2MFf9tZtgEGPm2DMCo0GwkIyCN1K2L0UejExdv5Sgy2JTrhKPgau_60aeX8VDtzMA1FmHQVP5kcWaUi9MIaSUwtraEpjDUwf8La39uvYT5euFs31BAb3c_iITPDPhhG3y33hOSTZRJ8GBghCNb4FWXKwbunfTVFQ7-mrg.K9dwF0wQCTRwvNisGsXPo-IBvn9Au5lbnaAAjJmHNj8&dib_tag=se&keywords=airbrush+compressor&qid=1782252927&sprefix=airbrish+comoressor%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-3 Id then reccomend NOT getting him the best airbrush right away as he will likely ruin it. You will find lots of compressors come with a cheap airbrush and that's all he needs until he can take it apart and clean it properly. I started with this one. This will do everything he needs and can be upgraded once he knows how to use and take care of an airbrush. Id suggest also getting some airbrush cleaner, airbrush thinner, and a cleaning kit. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaahleri-Airbrush-Dual-Action-Cost-Effective-Painting/dp/B0BN7QSQ76/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1AYTRT9GYZ3C6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KbyEYlT7FyCgEGPSPrkquHkM0NmBeC8OtU5MNnHayVw7dbiv4DUok26Z0Gim9bxFTCBkKB0YU2pkFrPYVqJXXDjQJzO2x2Ud4VCYzxZ6kAYUzTny8MYpQi0LX90fm1hYMB5zFDgA4W46UCwHBXl-OEHKt0b5fjpf9M2MpUES-OGFCRGurJplXxtF_1_Qd4u7FTneCb-aEQbhbNMBmTEqWA.PWGAIE6HUvO6rWKJLb3ep5nsPEKftjxKrL1no6db1fg&dib_tag=se&keywords=airbrush&qid=1782253053&s=diy&sprefix=airbrush%2Cdiy%2C190&sr=1-1-spons&aref=7QLdKSWD6Z&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 Alternatively If you are looking for a cheaper gift kolinsky sable brushes are always a good shout for mini painters
I would still self describe as a beginner (only painted like 2-3 dozen models) so take my advise with a grain of salt. someone who has used Vallejo Primer for miniatures....it is absolute horrid trash. You need like 24 hours+ to even touch the damn thing or paint over it. I was in a rush to paint before a tournament that required fully painted minis and I let it sit for only like 10 hours, as soon as I applied regular acrylic paint over the primer reactivated and started pulling off with brush strokes, turned into a giant mess that was pretty much unfixable unless I fully stripped the models. Oh and the biggest kicker for me, even though I use a flow improver, Vallejo primers constantly tip dry for me. I switched to a shitty old Iwata to use as a workhorse for priming because I don't want to have to completely disassemble my air brush to do a full clean every 4-5 cups. I switched to Kaleido primers, slightly more expensive and a bit harder to find, but they perform so much better for me, I'll get a clog or something I need to clean out only if I'm using the spray for hours on end and I fuck up a few times by not using proper technique from paint off to air off. The thinner and cleaner are fine, nothing to write home about. I switched over to Mr. Color Leveling thinner, works so much better and more universally for me. For cleaner you can pretty much buy anything, whatever the cheapest you can find will probably work, heck I know people who mostly use water and isopropyl (90+%) to clean out their airbrushes. I use Mr. Color Tool Cleaner because it's relatively cheap for the price/amount you get if you buy the big bottle and it doubles as plastic glue for models. For the cleaning pot you usually can find those in craft stores on sale or on sites like Temu/AliExpress for half the price. Not sure about the airbrush, my first one was a Gaahleri Airbrush a little more expensive in USD compared to yours but it was very good for a starter and it was a workhorse.