Hi Jack,
Over the years I tried different manufacturers model paints for airbrushing but not craft paints. After some frustration I eventually settled on Vallejo Model Air acrylic paints. What a difference! Easy to use, easy cleanup, easy to dispense from the paint dropper bottle, large colour range and a fine even spray. I don’t use anything else now.
The trick to airbrushing is to get a consistency that looks like 2% milk. Vallejo can be airbrushed straight from the bottle but after some experimentation I have found I use the following “mix”. For every ten drops (yes I count them
) of Vallejo Model Air I add one or two drops of Vallejo airbrush thinner. To reduce dry tip on the needle and nozzle area I often add one drop of Vallejo Flow Improver. All put directly into the cup then I mix well using a very thin stir stick made of plastic.
It took a little getting used to and I adjust slightly if the paint from the bottle seems to thicken as you reduce, from use, the amount left. I am particular in making sure the thinner and flow improver is from Vallejo. You may get advice and opinions from many other modellers ranging from “use water”, “use Windex” and so on. My feelings are to use the same make of thinners for the same make of paints. That way you are following the paint manufacturers recommendations.
Make sure it’s Model Air if you go with Vallejo.
Hope this gives you some thoughts.