Priming and painting a small wooden model

[Joggerdude]

I'm about to paint the small wooden model made of limewood.
I would like to use a primer from what I already have around the workshop, and hope I can get some suggestions here.
With it being such a small item, I want a thin primer which doesn't obscure the details.
I plan to use artist's acrylics which I already have for the final paint job, with a clear lacquer on top.
Would a watered down emulsion do as a primer or ???

 

[stuckinthemud]

Yes, BUT, any water based primer will raise the grain where you have sanded the model. I always damp down a carving with a wet cloth or flash it under a running tap then, after it is dry, use a scraper to remove the raised fibres. I seal with diluted pva for acrylic