Introducing
Daniel James Harrison is an accomplished professional airbrush artist based in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
He started painting models with airbrushes in the early 1990s and is highly adept at working with enamel, acrylic, oil, and urethane paints. Daniel's modelling experience covers 1/87 and 1/76 scale railways, diecast in scales from 1/76 to 1/43, and military kits in scales from 1/48 to 1/16.
“As a painter, my work is not only driven by my artistic abilities but also fueled by an intense passion for what I do. Like my clients, I am an avid enthusiast and collector. From an early age, I have nurtured an unwavering love for models, and it remains a lifelong pursuit for me. My collection spans a diverse range, encompassing American and British trains, police cars, classic cars, buses, trucks, vintage toys, and even a few planes. I have an insatiable appetite for all things related to rail and transport. This enduring passion has shaped me into a lifelong enthusiast, constantly seeking to expand my knowledge and collection.”
Origins
Created by Daniel, the origin of NetEvo Studio goes back as far as 2001. The desire to modify and respray 1/76 scale model trains gradually morphed into the embryo for a part-time business. Models of London area trains formed the basis of the original concept, primarily the Network SouthEast sector of British Rail.
The business is named after Network SouthEast and was initially known as Network Scale Evolution. Work consisted of converting (or evolving) model trains from one form to another. By late 2002 the business was a full-time concern.
Models of London buses had been considered as accessory items to sell alongside trains, and a commercial license for the use of intellectual property was obtained from Transport for London in 2002. With the model railway market ever-changing, respraying London bus models quickly took over as the primary focus for the business. By the late 2000s, models of London and provincial buses had replaced model trains and have remained at the forefront ever since.
The brand has changed subtly over the years. The original name soon changed to Network Evolution. In the 2010s, the business became known as NetEvo Models. For many years the logo had been a combination of red, black, and white lettering.
NetEvo Studio and the King Tiger brand emerged after a significant revamp to mark twenty years of operation in 2022.
Technical
My spray painting work demands the use of superior tools. I use Harder & Steenbeck and Badger airbrushes with a powerful 24-litre 1hp air compressor. I employ an oven-baking process to ensure the highest quality finish for enamel applications on metal surfaces.
Paintwork
Diecast models are dismantled, stripped to bare metal, and thoroughly prepped. After an etch primer is applied, several layers of base coat are painted and sanded before receiving a final top coat.
Plastic components are paint-stripped to a bare substrate with a similar preparation process. All plastic surfaces are coated with an acrylic primer.
Artwork for waterslide transfers is custom-drawn for each model, and printed by a UK-based specialist firm.
Pricing
I endeavour to uphold a consistent pricing structure; however, the pricing for individual models is indicative of the level of effort, time invested, and the cost of materials utilized.