I have been using an airbrush for over 30 years and the trick is 'practice!' You can search on this forum for 'airbrush' and come up with some great threads about exactly what you need to know about the airbrush itself, types of brushes, compressors, what paint to use, great starter kits, etc.

Like any other piece of equipment and art tool, there are as many ways to use it as there are artists. I have particular methods, likes and dislikes that may not suit you, but the basics are the same. I find the airbrush incomparable for laying down the initial prime/basecoat in the predominate color of the mini. This way I don't have to spend the time to paint every inch of the mini and I can custom mix any color needed. It also goes on much smoother and finer than any can of spray paint.

Welcome to the forums!!!!

 

Pratice, learn what the different psi and paint consistency can achieve, and be patient... I clogged mine a couple of times in the learning process, but in the end the airbrush lets you achieve effects so much easier it's worth the effort.

As for the brush itself I started with a cheap dual action kit and it's still doing great, but as I get better I am beginning to see the limits of a cheap airbrush, but I'm still statisfied with it until I can afford to buy a better one.

Shop around and see what your confortable buying first.

 

Do you have any brands that you would suggest?

 

If you want to start cheap, look on ebay for Gravity feed dual action brushes that come in kits with the house and compressor, if not I haven't used higher end brushes yet but I will go for a IWATA soon. If you can get a .2 Or .3 brush it's good for details but you need to thin your paint pro perle or it will clog. Dual action is a must. For a specific brush, maybe a more veteran airbrusher can point you in a direction, or look on youtube.

Good shopping !

 

I have a gravity feed IWATA that will work on literally a single drop of paint or ink. I would say in the past 10 years I have only used it once on minis. But, I have used my cheap Paasche 99.99% of the time, which is a standard siphon model. In fact, it is single action, not dual...

 

What do you all think of this beginners kit by IWATA? IWATA BEGINNER AIRBRUSH SET NINJA JET COMPRESSOR, NEO, BK

 

First of all, here is a list of other threads on airbrushing - it is chock full of info about what you need to know. The great thing about forums and threads, the info lives on! Here are some I quickly found:

http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/painting/288882-newbie-needs-help-airbrushes.html
http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/painting/282729-airbrush-advice.html
http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/painting/277945-thinning-down-paints-airbrush.html
http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/painting/276010-what-air-brush-help-please.html
http://www.librarium-online.com/forums/painting/230586-looking-airbrush.html

These cover paints, airbrushes, compressors, etc. However, in answer to your question, I think the IWATA gravity feed brush great for tiny shaded details. it would not be for larger areas or base coats. Also, the compressor must have a tank - do not even waste your time on a tankless compressor. The release valves (when you are not blowing air through your brush, it has to escape through the valve) will blow out, if not before the diaphram blows out. A tankless compressor for an airbrush really has no or very little use outside of airbrushing. There are more versatile compressors out there.

If you want to start on the cheap, go to a discount tool store (I am not sure where you are, but in the US we have places like Harbor Freight, Tool Traders, etc.) and buy a single action airbrush set for about $15, then buy the smallest tank compressor, probably a 1 to 1.5 gallon for about $50. You can also get the quick-connect fittings for the hose to the compressor. Believe it or not, you will use the heck out of both of these. You could also throw in an inline moisture trap, but you can wait to see if you even need one, as some compressors discharge almost no noticeable moisture. Also, the compressor can be used to air up your tires, run a nail gun, blow out your garage, all kinds of uses outside of running your airbrush. Just make sure the compressor has a pressure adjustment valve to set the pressure to about 20-25 psi for your airbrush. Although the psi on the compressor will pressurize the tank up to 125 psi or so, the regulator will only let air out at what you set it for. Also, always get in the habit of the same shut down and start up for your compressor:

1. To start - Close drain/purge valve on tank, turn on compressor
2. To stop - Let air out of tank until pressure is no more than 40 psi, open the purge/drain valve to blow out the last bit of air and the accumulated moisture. This will keep your tank from rusting out.

Hopefully, all of this gets you going in the right direction!