- 1). Screw the connector at the end of the airbrush into the socket on the air compressor. Place sheets of newspaper on a work surface. Place the model of the dinosaur on the newspaper with the head facing left.
- 2). Screw the paint can onto the bottom of the airbrush. Hold the airbrush in your writing hand with the trigger facing up and the tip facing forward. Drape the hose attached from the airbrush to the compressor over your shoulder and forearm to keep any tension from pulling at the airbrush.
- 3). Press down on the trigger to start the flow of air from the compressor. Pull the trigger toward you to start the flow of paint through the airbrush. Run the airbrush back and forth against the side of the dinosaur model to dispense a misting of paint on it. Run the airbrush from side to side and from top to bottom to evenly paint the model. Release the trigger when the side has been painted. Turn off the compressor and let the paint dry for the amount of time specified in the instructions that accompany the paint.
- 4). Turn the compressor back on. Hold the airbrush in the same manner as was done earlier. Press down on the trigger and pull all the way back on the trigger to send paint out of the airbrush’s nozzle. Run the paint over the side of the model as you go from side to side and from top to bottom. Release the trigger when the entire side of the model has been painted. Repeat this procedure to deposit another layer of paint. Turn off the compressor and let the paint dry.
- 5). Place a piece of tracing paper against the side of the model that has been painted if you want darker shaded areas to represent features such as skin folds. Draw an irregular patch by hand on the paper with a pencil. Place the paper on the newspaper. Cut the outline out of the paper with the blade of a utility knife.
- 6). Tape the paper on the side of the model with cellophane tape. Turn on the compressor. Hold the airbrush in the same manner as was done earlier. Aim the nozzle at one side of the paper and press the trigger to start the flow of air. Pull the trigger all the way toward you to dispense a thick flow of paint.
- 7). Run the nozzle against the paper from one side to the other and from the top to the bottom. Repeat this to apply another coat of paint to the area inside the outline. Remove the tape and paper from the model once the paint has dried. Repeat his procedure, starting with drawing an irregular outline, on other parts of the model’s body to produce darker shaded areas.
- 8). Dip the model paint brush in the model paint. Apply “wrinkles” to the side of the model with the paint brush. Run broad and irregular strokes across the side with the brush to create a textured layer to simulate “wrinkles” in the side. Repeat this procedure as much as you want until the side of the model looks right to you.
- 9). Repeat this entire procedure, starting with the airbrushing and ending with the model paint brushing, to paint the other side of the model. Repeat this procedure to paint the other parts of the model, such as the feet, tail and head.
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