Intro
Here are some suggestions on items to get you further, or to a next step, in your hobbying. Now remember, there are many other ways that this can be done, and never feel like these are the only tools for the job. Everything is subjective to this sort of thing! Let us know if you use different products that you like more than others.
Brushes
These are the most used thing you have in your arsenal. Treat them well and get good ones and you'll never go wrong. There are a few brands that seem to do best for keeping their point and holding a good amount of water/paint. Windsor & Newton Series 7, Raphael 8404, and Da Vincis. I'll be linking the Windsor & Newton's as they are rated the best.
Amazon has pretty solid deals, otherwise Dick Blicks is awesome to order from.
In addition, make sure you get some Brush Soap. This is really important as you can use it after every session or so to clean your brush. A little water and this can go a long way. You can also store the brushes with the soap on them. Form the tip and put it away, it helps to repair the hair and keeps the brushes healthy longer.
Airbrush
Airbrushes come in many shapes and sizes, not to mention qualities! There are things you can upgrade, and to be sure, a better airbrush makes cleaning and troubleshooting easier. However, there are a few things I would recommend for your airbrush.
Priming with black or grey Vallejo primers really make a difference. They go on smooth and with little thickness. I bought 200ml bottles about 2 years ago, I'm still using them!
In the same grouping, thinner is really useful to keep things consistent and flowing. Again, a 200ml bottle has lasted for years.
To clean the brush, I use isopropyl alcohol (first aid stuff) to clean everything. Does amazing work on acrylic paint. I just put a bit in a dropper bottle and use a paper towel.
As for accessories, I really recommend three things. A cleaning pot to blow excess paint/water into and can hold your brush, a cleaning brush set, and a nozzle cleaner. You can get the set here.
These are fairly self explanatory. One additional thing that is super handy is a quick disconnect kit. Might seem a bit unneeded, but once you start using is, you'll never go back!
For the equipment itself, I do recommend if you are starting out to grab a kit like this one. It gets you under way to mixing and spraying. The model itself of brush is a bit of a pain, but it's your first. If you already have an airbrush but need a compressor with a tank for some staying power and longer sessions, I recommend this tank compressor.
Painting
Something I learned for brush, I started using a wet palette. Saves SO much paint and time. You can easily thin paint and get lots of control over your work. You can pick one up at Michaels for cheap. (Same one linked at Amazon)
In addition, Games Workshop paint jars suck now (paint drying out and what not...). I switched over to bottles and it saves paint, more control for airbrushing and placing them on your palette. I took a little thinner and just moved paint into bottles from here, pulled off labels I could and transferred it over.
(This is a living document, and as such, will expand and change based on new information)
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