You rock Kris. I've had the hardest time getting motivated to paint my stuff because every time I get to it, I couldn't figure out how to thin my paints properly. All I could ever find online were people saying it should have the consistency of milk, whatever that means. After watching this, turns out I've been painting everything with washes the few times I've tried my hand, which obviously resulted in sloppy and frustrating experiences. Next attempt should be much better!
When you use a bottle, if you drip out a drop and let it fall on the pallet, it will alway be about the same size. But if you want a smaller drop, you can squeese out a smaller drop and touch it to the pallet. That will break the surface tension and deposit the smaller drop on the pallet. That way you can adjust how much thinner medium you want to use to thin your paint.
Great video. I just started painting my mini's last night. The brush and paint thinning was giving me hell. Luckily, my paint didn't go on thick. Still, I was not having a easy time with my brushes (Army painter set). Lot of splitting. I also wasn't able to keep a consistent paint thickness. This video should help next go after watching you mix the paint and work the brush. Thanks.
This has been, by far, the most helpful bit of information on thinning paints I have ever seen. This has given me the confidence to try painting again.
Adam Merrick I’m sort of in the same boat. Thinning for me was hell. I’m also kind of irritated that the sizes of the minis are so small. I used a Windsor Newton size 1 and it was still too big in some cases. I think I’m going to try thinning first. I sort of made the mistake of buying a lot of stuff then getting discouraged bc I wasn’t sure what I was doing
I've been getting back into miniatures, and not so miniature, painting after many years hiatus. You're videos are extremely inspiring and informative. Thank you!
I tend to put an eyedropper full of medium into most of my paint pots and shake them. I find this gets them to the consistency that I want. I have not been painting very long and haven't really tried using a palette. Watching your videos makes me less apprehensive about trying it, though.
I like to use a LOT of water when painting a large base - i got a square base for my new Magmadroth (because I like square bases) and i found that using a tiny amount of paint with a LOT of water is great for this
It bugs me how everyone seems to complain about the GW pots in situations like this. It's easier to get less out of a pot than a dropper, and I think that's a big advantage in some cases.
Thank you! This is so helpful. I have been thinning my paint either too much or not enough. Working with a light grey has been really difficult. Any tips?
My first time painting I didn't thin my paints and it was horrible. I did but I put too much water in and it just turned into a wash and it took forever to get one model done, and it turned out like shit because half of it was thinned and half wasn't, I also poured the water directly onto the paint that I had out. Now I use the thinner, starting outside the paint I'm using just like he says, it works like a charm and I really like the vallejo eye dropper one because it's so much easier to get the right amount and not too much.
master brush clean after use (comes in a container with soap cake), and never EVER allow paint up into the ferrule (part where bristles and metal bit meet)
I've heard of using small, hot nails for bullet holes. I would try it on an extra bit or a cheap green army man tank from dollar store first, though. I'm not sure how well it would work as I haven't tried it.
Nice info mate. I need another medium to replace my chlorine rich water. It has some exciting effects on paint pots and miniatures, sometimes not manifesting until weeks later.
i wonder , im using just water to thin my paints and it doesn't give me alot of room to work with the paint (it dries really fast ), does the thinner give you more time to work?
Does thinning medium prevent drying? I'm having an issue when using water to thin that it dries too quickly, especially when using light grays and whites, even when on a wet palette
Maybe becouse my english but i didnt get it :( why should i use other medium instead of water if the effect is the same? What is negative effect of water? Cheers. Btw i love your vids.helps a lot to not being such u painting noob :)
The key word he used is consistency. I'm new to this as well so I cannot say why that would be the case. Maybe someone else can help with the science behind it. After a quick google search it almost sounds like thinner mediums work in a way that more evenly distributes the pigment, whereas water simply dilutes and spreads the paint around.
Regular acrylic paint is a mix of medium and pigment (the medium binds the pigment together). Adding in water dilutes both the medium and pigment, so the pigment starts to do weird stuff like separating or clumping. Adding more medium will dilute the pigment more evenly.
What about putting some thinner in a jar and adding the color of washer you want and make washes you can reuse instead of wasting it by mixing on the pallet
Any thoughts on Liquitex Glazing Medium with [insert paint brand here]? I'm a Vallejo paint jockey and have a bottle of Liquitex handy. The smaller bottles of Vallejo mediums go to fast and the price does not scale. Lahmian Medium at nearly $5 a pot would seem to me like a bad habit, e.g., smoking a pack of cigarettes a day bad habit.
I'm in Spain and I bought a really large bottle of Vallejo Acrylic Thinner (same milky white look as his small bottle) so you can buy in bulk, I haven't opened the big bottle up yet so dunno if it has a drops nozzle. Maybe if the small bottle has a detachable nozzle you can transfer.
Are there any other brands that work well for thinning? I'd like to keep the drying time the same. I've tried looking for the 'eavy Metal but no luck. I found the vallejo brand but I dont want to change the color.
+Mom Meeple The 'eavy Metal medium in the video is the Games Workshop/Citadel Technical paint 'Lahmian Medium'. His pot of it has the 'eavy Metal label on it because it came out of a special pack. You should be able to find it anywhere that sells the standard Citadel paints.
Messes with your consistancy when mixing. Would forget that. I use vallejo flow improver as my mix, can get it fairly cheap and gives a bit more time before your paint dries out. Dropper bottle aswell so hassle free!
The Glaze Medium has a weird "tackiness" to it. It boosts the flow and transparency like Thinner Medium does, but it also stops the paint from turning watery when you thin it a lot, so it stays under control like a thicker paint. It also has a retardant added in that makes the paint dry slower. Really useful for thin glazes and blending, not so much for blocking in solid colours.
I tried this as he was doing this. I spilled some medium onto the other and thought it will be fine. "Now I've mixed these two together so they might explode". 0_0
Just make a wet pallet. There are videos about it, but it's just Tupperware with paper towel and parchment paper. You put two layers of paper towel (2 sheets, I have half sized ones) folded up into Tupperware. Then put a piece of parchment paper on top. After that, pour water onto the papers and let it soak into the paper towel... You want it so that there is any excess water running around when you tilt it. Let it dry for about 10 min. I use this and my paints never dry out on me. When you take a break just put the lid on. Be careful though, if it's too wet it will thin paint so just be wary of that! Hope this helps!
You want it to just keep the paint moist, not thin it... But anyways, it works really well! I can sometimes come back a day or two later and my paint is still wet (especially reaper paint)
You rock Kris. I've had the hardest time getting motivated to paint my stuff because every time I get to it, I couldn't figure out how to thin my paints properly. All I could ever find online were people saying it should have the consistency of milk, whatever that means. After watching this, turns out I've been painting everything with washes the few times I've tried my hand, which obviously resulted in sloppy and frustrating experiences. Next attempt should be much better!
I know this is an older video but it is always relevant. Thank you so much for your hard work with expanding our knowledge. I look forward to more.
When you use a bottle, if you drip out a drop and let it fall on the pallet, it will alway be about the same size. But if you want a smaller drop, you can squeese out a smaller drop and touch it to the pallet. That will break the surface tension and deposit the smaller drop on the pallet. That way you can adjust how much thinner medium you want to use to thin your paint.
Very useful video. Everyone says thin your paint but rarely explain how or demonstrate consistency.
Great video. I just started painting my mini's last night. The brush and paint thinning was giving me hell. Luckily, my paint didn't go on thick. Still, I was not having a easy time with my brushes (Army painter set). Lot of splitting. I also wasn't able to keep a consistent paint thickness. This video should help next go after watching you mix the paint and work the brush. Thanks.
Chris's voice is so ear warming
He's the new bob ross
true - definitely well-suited for videos such as these in many ways
I play this video as a sleep aid every night.
This has been, by far, the most helpful bit of information on thinning paints I have ever seen. This has given me the confidence to try painting again.
Adam Merrick I’m sort of in the same boat. Thinning for me was hell. I’m also kind of irritated that the sizes of the minis are so small. I used a Windsor Newton size 1 and it was still too big in some cases. I think I’m going to try thinning first. I sort of made the mistake of buying a lot of stuff then getting discouraged bc I wasn’t sure what I was doing
I've been getting back into miniatures, and not so miniature, painting after many years hiatus. You're videos are extremely inspiring and informative. Thank you!
I tend to put an eyedropper full of medium into most of my paint pots and shake them. I find this gets them to the consistency that I want. I have not been painting very long and haven't really tried using a palette. Watching your videos makes me less apprehensive about trying it, though.
ive never been good at thinning id either put too much on or way to little and this helped so much
I like to use a LOT of water when painting a large base - i got a square base for my new Magmadroth (because I like square bases) and i found that using a tiny amount of paint with a LOT of water is great for this
BRO YOU'RE THE MODERN BOB ROSS OF MINI PAINTING! Thanks this video even though 'old' was so incredibly helpful to a newbie.
Brilliant video, im new to model miniatures and am preparing to paint my first bolt action figures, found your video really helpful... subscribed
THIN YOUR PAINTS!
That should be like rule 1 of model painting.
It bugs me how everyone seems to complain about the GW pots in situations like this. It's easier to get less out of a pot than a dropper, and I think that's a big advantage in some cases.
Thank you! This is so helpful. I have been thinning my paint either too much or not enough. Working with a light grey has been really difficult. Any tips?
Very well explained and good visual demonstration. Thanks!
My first time painting I didn't thin my paints and it was horrible.
I did but I put too much water in and it just turned into a wash and it took forever to get one model done, and it turned out like shit because half of it was thinned and half wasn't, I also poured the water directly onto the paint that I had out.
Now I use the thinner, starting outside the paint I'm using just like he says, it works like a charm and I really like the vallejo eye dropper one because it's so much easier to get the right amount and not too much.
I really appreciate you making this video! This really helped me to understand thinning.
master brush clean after use (comes in a container with soap cake), and never EVER allow paint up into the ferrule (part where bristles and metal bit meet)
Or use a shit kicking brush for loading and mixing and THEN use your nice brush for application.
He looks and sounds alot like Penn Jillette
I've heard of using small, hot nails for bullet holes. I would try it on an extra bit or a cheap green army man tank from dollar store first, though. I'm not sure how well it would work as I haven't tried it.
Nice info mate. I need another medium to replace my chlorine rich water. It has some exciting effects on paint pots and miniatures, sometimes not manifesting until weeks later.
just use distilled water if you want consistent results with water
Thank you! Everyone talks about thinning but assume that you know what thst entails.
great video - if you don't mind - Who makes that nice palette/cutting board you have there?
awesome video man, thank you
1:1 is a good starting point. But the best ratio depends on the specific airbrush, paint and presure used.
Could you please make a tip on choosing a color scheme for an army/model?
For GW thinner- transfer it into syringe and there you have a ml. scale of how much to apply
Hey Chris can you explain what a glaze is and when we would us it?
i wonder , im using just water to thin my paints and it doesn't give me alot of room to work with the paint (it dries really fast ), does the thinner give you more time to work?
that 'eavy metal medium is glossy, Lahmian Medium seems to be more matte.
So what is the surface you are using? A glass top? I am such a noob, but learning with a lot of helpful vids.....Thanks for the helpful tips!
Matthew Schlotman probably an acetate sheet
Does thinning medium prevent drying? I'm having an issue when using water to thin that it dries too quickly, especially when using light grays and whites, even when on a wet palette
This is wonderful, thank you!
Maybe becouse my english but i didnt get it :( why should i use other medium instead of water if the effect is the same? What is negative effect of water? Cheers. Btw i love your vids.helps a lot to not being such u painting noob :)
The key word he used is consistency. I'm new to this as well so I cannot say why that would be the case. Maybe someone else can help with the science behind it. After a quick google search it almost sounds like thinner mediums work in a way that more evenly distributes the pigment, whereas water simply dilutes and spreads the paint around.
Regular acrylic paint is a mix of medium and pigment (the medium binds the pigment together). Adding in water dilutes both the medium and pigment, so the pigment starts to do weird stuff like separating or clumping. Adding more medium will dilute the pigment more evenly.
hi ver y nice video .... I personally preffer Amsterdams mate medium for acrilycs. I suggest consider that
“It might explode” literal lol
Thank you
Is you red paint oil based?
A tip on using inks and glazing medium to shade.
Tips on how to create battle wounds (cuts, scrapes, bullet holes)
Great video
What about putting some thinner in a jar and adding the color of washer you want and make washes you can reuse instead of wasting it by mixing on the pallet
well yeah sure do that, depends if you need a whole pot full tho
This guys voice is so relaxing.
Where did you get you work matt?
Video on edge highlighting!!
Can you use medium to thin paint for airbrushing?
Good video tutorial, thank you so much !
Tip on how choose the right brush for "drybrush" tec. TY^^
Awesome videos. Thanks!
What do you use as a pallette? Is it glass?
Same question
Any thoughts on Liquitex Glazing Medium with [insert paint brand here]? I'm a Vallejo paint jockey and have a bottle of Liquitex handy. The smaller bottles of Vallejo mediums go to fast and the price does not scale. Lahmian Medium at nearly $5 a pot would seem to me like a bad habit, e.g., smoking a pack of cigarettes a day bad habit.
I'm in Spain and I bought a really large bottle of Vallejo Acrylic Thinner (same milky white look as his small bottle) so you can buy in bulk, I haven't opened the big bottle up yet so dunno if it has a drops nozzle. Maybe if the small bottle has a detachable nozzle you can transfer.
>Quick tips
>10 min video
Glory to the Emperor
Would a 1:1 ratio work when using an airbrush?
Thank you for video. Vallejo seems a bit milky, i love their colors but their thinner i can't say same.
Does the Vallejo medium work With washes?
Are there any other brands that work well for thinning?
I'd like to keep the drying time the same. I've tried looking for the 'eavy Metal but no luck. I found the vallejo brand but I dont want to change the color.
+Mom Meeple The 'eavy Metal medium in the video is the Games Workshop/Citadel Technical paint 'Lahmian Medium'. His pot of it has the 'eavy Metal label on it because it came out of a special pack. You should be able to find it anywhere that sells the standard Citadel paints.
Thanks!
Would using those medium's give cheap paint say folkart, apple barrel, craft smart as say army painter, vallejo.
Dustin Mccollum no it would make it better but not as good since the pigment isn’t as fine
A great set of tips ..Thanks very much for the run down. I found it very useful.. Thanks for sharing.. SUBBED.. :)
Rinse it gently and use brush soap
what about wet palletes ?
Thanks for the help. :D
Can you use alcohol? Not the drinking kind, the clean smelling kind
Does white medium not change the colour of the paint?
+MoarDakka2013 it LOOKS white but it dries clear, so when dry it will still be the original colour
How do you use water
Medium is better than plane water. It's a better carrier, resulting in a finer finish and blend.
looks like youve drawn the sillouette of a ghost devil and two captured souls on your desk :D
Somehow it looks that the Vallejo took a bit more medium to thin down the colour? Just my imagination?
Should you thin your paints on a wet pallet? I feel like I hear conflicting opinions.
Messes with your consistancy when mixing. Would forget that.
I use vallejo flow improver as my mix, can get it fairly cheap and gives a bit more time before your paint dries out. Dropper bottle aswell so hassle free!
Can a wash panel line models
"Quick tips" 10 minutes
Play it on double speed.
Then what is Vallejos "Glaze Medium" for? Is the same as "Thinner Medium"?
The Glaze Medium has a weird "tackiness" to it. It boosts the flow and transparency like Thinner Medium does, but it also stops the paint from turning watery when you thin it a lot, so it stays under control like a thicker paint.
It also has a retardant added in that makes the paint dry slower. Really useful for thin glazes and blending, not so much for blocking in solid colours.
hey guys! What do you use for a palette when you do your videos?
Glass
wet palette
GLASSSSSSSSSS!
I tried this as he was doing this. I spilled some medium onto the other and thought it will be fine. "Now I've mixed these two together so they might explode". 0_0
What's water? c:
You literally are the wargaming bob ross. Voice and all.
I was wondering if I was the only one thinking that.
My paints just dry on the pallete when I'm painting so I waste loads of paint ):
Just make a wet pallet. There are videos about it, but it's just Tupperware with paper towel and parchment paper. You put two layers of paper towel (2 sheets, I have half sized ones) folded up into Tupperware. Then put a piece of parchment paper on top. After that, pour water onto the papers and let it soak into the paper towel... You want it so that there is any excess water running around when you tilt it. Let it dry for about 10 min. I use this and my paints never dry out on me. When you take a break just put the lid on. Be careful though, if it's too wet it will thin paint so just be wary of that! Hope this helps!
You want it to just keep the paint moist, not thin it... But anyways, it works really well! I can sometimes come back a day or two later and my paint is still wet (especially reaper paint)
Why do I need to thin my paint?
Michael Halbert Less opacity like in Photoshop, and use it as a wash for deep crevices then wipe of high spots, or for shading.
If Penn Jillette was a painter...
Seems to me that distilled water is the way to go. It's 100% clear, dirt cheap, easy to obtain, and 100% reliable.
Tap water, yeah--NO.
- quick tip
- 10 minute video
I don't like vallejo's médium because it changes the colour
Plot twist: He was only painting sperm.
Looks too thick.
id rather use dog piss than anything made ny citadel
No offense. but at the 4:00 explanation, you did a very bad job of proving your point. lol