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I was picking up some new brushes at the art / craft store this weekend and was perusing the artist acrylics. Does anyone use these? The brand I was looking at is Liquitex Artist Acrylic. It comes in tubes, and I am positive I'd need to thin it down for use, but I'm also thinking it would come out cheaper than buying GW pots.

Has anyone used anything like these? What were your experiences? Any issue just thinning them with water?

I used to use it all the time. If you've got the patience to thin out the pigment each time you sit down to paint, it's decent.

The one thing you want to be careful of, though, is consistency of color. Meaning if you're painting one models, and you're mixing your own colors, no problem. But if you're doing 50 models, and you want to mix your own colors, then it's tough to get it consistent across the entire batch. Unless of course you have an unbelievably good eye for color.

If you use them you will need to learn how to measure out the paint, and how to do mix ratios. It will be the only way to keep color consistency.

Reading the brochures about Liquitex, they indicate that if you use water to thin them, you can lose color consistency, but if you use a thinning medium, you do not lose it.

I've never used those kinds of artists acrylics but I swear by the cheap hobby paints. I know a lot of the pros will scoff but I've always had GREAT results with the 2 oz bottles by Delta, Applebarrel, Americana, etc. They are sometimes a little on the watery side but that's easily fixed by leaving the lid off during a couple of painting sessions. They can be bought for under a dollar per bottle many times a year during the sales and they come in dozens and dozens of colors so there's no need for mixing really. You can find just about every color under the rainbow in a bottle. Some of the metalics aren't as good as the GW stuff and the consistency is VERY different so there is a bit of a learning curve if you're going to mix and match but all in all they are by far the best value in hobby paints. The other great thing is that the bottles are soft plastic lids on soft plastic bottles so the seal is superb unlike GW's crappy bottles. I have bottles that I have had for going on 15 years and I still use them regularly. Every once in a while you have to add a bit of water and shake them for a minute or two but they still work fine.

I partially agree with MED on that one.

Pro:
Amazingly cheap in comparison
HUGE amounts in comparison
Last forever (I have some that are 9 and 10 years old that are JUST starting to clump up on the inside (I've found NO remedy for this, but to remove the clumps as they appear). But, after 10 years, who cares?
Insane amount of colors to choose from
IMO, their metallics are the best (compared to GW or Vallejo Game Color)

Con:
If making custom colors, they mix well withing themselves but do NOT mix with GW or Vallejo.
They do not cover as well.
They're very thick most of the time and require thinning
Consistency of thickness is NOT universal, even within the same brand. Some are too thin and some are too thick. I've NEVER experienced "just right."

There are more, but it's 5, and I've gotta head home. I'll pick up the list & continue later, if nobody finishes for me.

One note... I refuse to use any brand except Ceramcoat. It's the best quality.
Except Metallics... there's another brand I can't recall ATM who does well with metallics.


Eric

I picked up 9 bottles of Ceramcoat tonight at Hobby Lobby - they were 30% off, so all told, less than $9 for them. Also picked up some Pledge with Future Finish (the new version of Future floor wax). I'm ready to get some gluing and painting going. Woohoo!

Thin them with water.

Eric

I would suggest you put a sealer on the models once you finish. The cheap brands tens to peel moreso than the expensive ones. I believe it's because they aren't true acrylic paints, instead they are a mixture of acrylic and a water-based paint. Which is why they can be thinned with water.

Ironhide wrote:I would suggest you put a sealer on the models once you finish.

Oh, GOD yes.
I mean, you should ALWAYS seal your models... These "ceramics" aimed brands, though... ESPECIALLY them. "Normal handling' will wear the paint off WHILE YOUR PAINTING IT, if you aren't careful.

Just don't "man-handle" your models and you should be fine.

Eric

I definitely always seal them. Bought some Krylon matte sealant.

Question though - why thin the ceramcoat with water? I have heard time and again to use Future floor finish. Is it just a preference, or something else?

Future will work, but you can also use water to thin those paints too. I would recommend trying both and seeing which you like. Paint a couple pieces of sprues and see which you like.

I never used FFW, myself.
I presumed you bought the FFW to use in a dip (I've seen it used as part of a home made dip before).

Eric

I bought the FFW because so many sites online talk about using it to thin the paint. Something about it being a clear acrylic with less surface tension than water, so it flows easier. I've never dipped a mini, and don't think I will. But it is supposed to do great with washes as well.

FFW can be used to thin paint. Hence why it is used in some "dip" mixes.