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Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 16:15:38


Post by: LBursley








I hope my efforts in testing inspire others to find cheaper alternatives to save our community money. With the prices of models and other things not easily replaced, the hobby is expensive and we should share what we can. -Les


WASH RECIPE:

You will need:

* Distilled Water (grocery store)
* Liquitex Matte Medium http://amzn.to/13u2XJZ
* Liquitex Flow Aid http://amzn.to/WEWiqx
* 30ml bottle http://amzn.to/Sws7qd
* Daler Rowney Acrylic Artist inks (Water Proof) http://amzn.to/VVvQwq
*2 filler bottles http://amzn.to/13u8QHS
* Recipe notebook so you can write down custom mixes

UK list by Tek:

Ingredients for UK LBursley washes:

* Distilled Water (You can but this at petrol stations / tool shops easily. Halfords defo stock it, I got mine from Esso though. Allegedly places like Boots or Superdrug also stock it)
* Liquitex Matte Medium http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/shop-online/liquitex-mediums.htm / http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/cat-liquitex-mediums.htm
* Liquitex Flow Aid (How about W&N Flow Improver? http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/acrylic_mediums_and_primers/winsor_and_newton_acrylic_flow_improver_75ml_bottle.htm
* 1oz bottle http://snmstuff.co.uk/VallejoSets.aspx / check eBid and eBuyer for empty Vallejo bottles; anywhere that sells Vallejo / P3 paints will sell empties.
* Daler Rowney Acrylic Artist inks (Water Proof) http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/department/inks/ / http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/cat-inks.htm
*2 filler bottles - Finding it bizarrely hard to find these online; anyone want to help?
* Recipe notebook so you can write down custom mixes

Really your best bet in the UK for finding any art materials are;

http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/


All recipes use 1 oz bottles. Adjust to whatever size you decide to go with.

Preparation:

*Fill 1 filler bottle with Matte Medium, the other with a 10:1 Distilled Water and Flow Aid.
*Fill the 30ml Dropper Bottle half way with Matte Medium then fill the rest of the way with the Water/Flow Aid mix leaving a little room for the ink drops so you dont over flow.
Every bottle uses this combination to start with.
*Shake inks well before adding them to the mix.


Tailoring Washes to your liking:

-DARKEN-LIGHTEN: add or subtract drops from the recipe (duh lol)
-THICKEN WASH: Change the 1:1 medium and water mix to have more matte medium than water i.e. 60% medium 40% water
-THIN WASH: Opposite of above, more water than medium in mix.

Experimenting with MIXES and Custom Colors:
This took time and money to get things right in the recipe. The best advice I can give you is "write it down". Have a little notebook just for mixes. Write the medium/water ratios and drops of ink (each color if it's a combo). The number of colors you can come up with are limitless.

Colors:

My mixes will give you a starting point and you can customize to your liking from there.

Soft Body Black: 20 drops Black


Heavy Body Black: 60 drops Black


Parchment: 40 Drops Flesh Tint


Flesh Wash: 40 Drops Burnt Umber


Dark Sepia: 40 Drops Sepia


Blue: 40 Drops Rowney Blue


Green: 40 Drops Dark Green


Purple: 40 Drops Purple Lake




You can mix the ink colors to make infinate amounts of custom colors for your own purpose. Never buy washes with limited color choices. You now have the recipe to the most flexible wash production that you can do at home.

Enjoy! -Les

ADDED---------------Jan 5 2011-------------------------------


.5oz Bottle measurements for Les' DIRTY WASHES (1:1 premixed matte medium and h2o-flow aid mix is added after the ink is counted out)


STONE - 60 Raw Sienna : 20 Black


RUBY - 60 Flame Red : 20 Black


ARMOR WASH - 60 Sepia : 20 Black


SAPPHIRE - 60 Rowney Blue : 20 Black


BABY POOP - 60 Flame Orange : 20 Black


ALGAE - 60 Dark Green : 20 Black


SEWER WATER - 60 Burnt Umber : 20 Black


AMETHYST - 60 Purple Lake : 20 Black


CONCRETE - 60 Flesh Tint : 20 Black


STORM CLOUD - 60 Turquoise : 20 Black


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 16:25:41


Post by: Deff Dread red Edition


Thanks for the wash recipe Les, and sorry to hear about your store being closed.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 17:55:40


Post by: Kilkrazy


Are you mixing shellac based inks?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 17:59:03


Post by: LBursley


?? Don't think so... They are acrylic Artist inks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 18:31:55


Post by: twistinthunder


i wish i knew the guy reported your products les. i'd kill in for you (or spit in his face, literally, i would cause that guys an @sshole)


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 20:22:30


Post by: RogueMarket


Only one person comes to mine.



Big brother at GW


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/18 20:28:04


Post by: WingWong


No idea what's gone on with your stuff bro but another awesomely useful guide.

I wonder what the GB equivs are? Anyone have any ideas?

Also, could you just use normal paints for this?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:04:36


Post by: gretar


Lbursley , i cant find the type of inks your using . So im just gonna ask , if i use any ink , is it ok aslong as it is water proof ?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:09:04


Post by: LunaHound


How do you get reported for making washes?
whats there to report about , or to who?

I mean its not like washes are a specialty item created ONLY by GW o_o . i dont get it.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:17:10


Post by: Twalks


Thanks a ton Les once again you making painting a bit easier.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:37:42


Post by: LBursley


WingWong wrote:No idea what's gone on with your stuff bro but another awesomely useful guide.

I wonder what the GB equivs are? Anyone have any ideas?

Also, could you just use normal paints for this?


Normal paints are only good for simple washes as you can thin them and make transparent but only to a point. A real wash is ink or dye. So no to using paint for this. The ink you are looking for in your area should be acrylic based non-toxic and water proof. You can try it but I only know what works for me.

gretar wrote:Lbursley , i cant find the type of inks your using . So im just gonna ask , if i use any ink , is it ok aslong as it is water proof ?

Sure these are guidelines to start with. If you find an awesome ink that works for you great! I just provided the info and products I used.

LunaHound wrote:How do you get reported for making washes?
whats there to report about , or to who?

I mean its not like washes are a specialty item created ONLY by GW o_o . i dont get it.

In the US if you look at the bottle of GW of Vallejo paint you will see 1 or 2 markings from ACMI and conforms to ASTDM ######. There are federal guidelines for arts and crafts products. Legal labeling etc. I cost lots of money and every product, every color, needs to be sent to a scientist to get tested. If you sell to the public without following the rules, all it takes is a phone call and you will be shut down. But there are many that do not follow, like DIDI's magic ink from the warstore, wonderwash, and my pigment supplier. NOT LEGAL. Like not paying taxes, it may take years to find you but when they do.... I was just unlucky and someone made the call on me.

ACMI Controls it all and are backed by Federal Law



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:49:54


Post by: LunaHound


LBursley wrote:

In the US if you look at the bottle of GW of Vallejo paint you will see 1 or 2 markings from ACMI and conforms to ASTDM ######. There are federal guidelines for arts and crafts products. Legal labeling etc. I cost lots of money and every product, every color, needs to be sent to a scientist to get tested. If you sell to the public without following the rules, all it takes is a phone call and you will be shut down. But there are many that do not follow, like DIDI's magic ink from the warstore, wonderwash, and my pigment supplier. NOT LEGAL. Like not paying taxes, it may take years to find you but when they do.... I was just unlucky and someone made the call on me.

ACMI Controls it all and are backed by Federal Law


Is this something to do with toxic stuff in paints for example , and us licking our paint brush xD


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 00:54:44


Post by: LBursley


yeah.. I understand the reason ACMI exists. To protect the public. But as someone who makes washes in a garage, the buy-in for becoming a member is high. $500 to start, minimum $750 annual dues which may rise if you sell a lot, and each color and product has to be sent in for testing at a rate of $225 per hour. yeah....


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 03:28:49


Post by: Aerethan


My biggest question would be how many drops are in each bottle of ink? I'd like to give this a try and would like to figure out how much money will make X number of washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 04:17:30


Post by: LBursley


I made 25 black washes and still have half the bottle left.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 04:30:40


Post by: Aerethan


wow that $4 goes a long way then.

Quick math gave me an estimated cost of $.80 US per unit of any soft body wash if you make them in batches of 50 at a time, and the initial startup cost would be around $42 which would include the first 50 units. If people want to do this, I'd recommend getting together with your gaming groups to pool money for it, which will bring individual cost way down and will prevent you from having boat loads of overstock.

There are 38 colors of that particular acrylic ink, and just by looking at them I can see tons of options in colors that are not available from anyone out there right now.

Les you are a god among gamers.

Here's my summary of costs:

32oz Liquitex Matte Medium $13.78
4oz Liquitex FLow Aid $4.23
4oz Plastic Filler Bottles x2 $1.62
Daler Rowney Acrylic Inks $3.99 ea
1oz Dropper Bottle $.17
dropper spout $.11
dropper cap$.09
Each 1oz Bottle Costs $.37

32oz of medium will make 64 units
1 bottle of ink will make ~50 units
50 bottles will cost $18.5
Cost is ~ $.80 per bottle of finished product

full inkset makes 1900 units
cost of full inkset $151.62
1900 dropper bottles $627
15 gallons of Medium $536.55
95 oz of Flow Aid $101.52
15 gallons Diluted Water $15
8oz Filler bottle x2 $2.86

Initial Overhead pre labelling $1434.55
Cost per unit of soft body washes $.76

So many edits.

A note that 20 drops of ink is ~ $.05 so heavy body washes would add another $.10 to their cost making them $.90 per finished unit.


Blizzard charges $3.70 for .4 oz. Les was charging what? $2 for more than twice the product.

Whoever reported him is a douchebag and it only hurts the community as a whole. The products are clearly made with items that are all approved by ACMI or whoever. It's not like he was adding lead dust or radioactive waste into them.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 04:46:30


Post by: ImperialTard


LBursley wrote:yeah.. I understand the reason ACMI exists. To protect the public. But as someone who makes washes in a garage, the buy-in for becoming a member is high. $500 to start, minimum $750 annual dues which may rise if you sell a lot, and each color and product has to be sent in for testing at a rate of $225 per hour. yeah....


Blah, 10 seconds of research told me these guys aren't even a Federal bureau. That's a shame that a trade group is expected to know what'll protect the public, but what can you do? I guess it does explain why most washes are about $3.70 a bottle, though, doesn't it?

Thanks for the recipe; I'll be sure to give it a try (and check out your website a good bit)


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 15:38:28


Post by: Blarglord


Thank You for sharing Les. I've been needing some serious work on my washes. I've been mixing acrylic paint and water and just recently tried mixing with glazing medium, it works okay.

I'd still buy the pre-mixed stuff from you. Technically the stuff you use to mix your product had been approved previously for the public. So the combination of said ingredients do not constitute a danger, IMO.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 15:53:56


Post by: RanTheCid


Any recommendation to make the wash "stickier"? The example photos show how the wash can line and evenly tint the figures. I would like to seen an uneven tint, with the recesses broadly shading the area on the figure.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 16:23:21


Post by: Scherdy


aerethan wrote:
Blizzard charges $3.70 for .4 oz. Les was charging what? $2 for more than twice the product.


I think you're confusing your gigantic, market cornering corporations here. Unless Blizz got in on the acrylic paints scene recently while they continue to push back their computer game release dates.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 16:24:11


Post by: grey_death


Blarglord wrote:Technically the stuff you use to mix your product had been approved previously for the public. So the combination of said ingredients do not constitute a danger, IMO.


That's actually a point of contention by ACMI. I was talking with Les about this and we went over much the same, their claim is that you might unwittingly combine benign ingredients that could potentially become caustic or toxic and that without scientific evaluation you can't legally say they are safe.

While much of ACMI sounds 'gotcha', I completely understand the need, though think it's a bit overstepping itself when it comes to selling materials with labeling that would say it's not been tested and is not for use by children.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 17:59:12


Post by: Blarglord


@ grey_death
The products he uses are already made to mix together, that is the point of buying paint additives in the first place.
I believe it even states on the additives that they are able to mix with other additives and acrylics safely.

IMO, I think another company sent a spy out and a little small biz espionage took place.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/19 21:04:18


Post by: Aerethan


Scherdy wrote:
aerethan wrote:
Blizzard charges $3.70 for .4 oz. Les was charging what? $2 for more than twice the product.


I think you're confusing your gigantic, market cornering corporations here. Unless Blizz got in on the acrylic paints scene recently while they continue to push back their computer game release dates.


I was totally playing World of Warcraft when I wrote that.

I clearly meant Games Workshop lol


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/20 19:11:42


Post by: Wehrkind


Thanks for sharing these recipes man. This is a really great resource for people looking to experiment with their own colors and mixes.

On the theory of government side, the only reason these industry groups exist is to pay off the government to make them the official regulatory group, from which point they can prevent competition from small upstarts like Mr Bursley here. The root of the problem is that we (in the big, collective, none of us were likely alive then sense) decided at some point that we needed the government to protect us from buying products we might misuse and hurt ourselves with. The government has sold that power, and it is now used to keep those who can't afford ~3000$ per product from offering any sort of inexpensive products unless they can expect to sell enough volume to cover those barriers. Just so some idiot will be less likely to give their kids paint to drink instead of Kool-Aid.

Come on now, THINK OF THE CHILDREN!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/20 22:43:44


Post by: nivekdaork


whoever reported you is a douche.

Thank you for the recipe and I would like to thank you.

Great video - already loving the results from the one mix I made


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/20 23:22:11


Post by: Orkeosaurus


I'd blame the rent-seekers and politicians who made it a law in the first place.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 00:17:08


Post by: TempusCorvus


Can you use these washes without priming the model, or is the primer necessary? And if so, will it work with black primer, or is white preferable?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 00:24:38


Post by: LBursley


TempusCorvus wrote:Can you use these washes without priming the model, or is the primer necessary? And if so, will it work with black primer, or is white preferable?


-Wash without primer might be hard.

- The purpose of wash is to shade details and black is as dark as it gets so...


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 00:37:54


Post by: TempusCorvus


I see. Damn, I really didn't want to have to buy a new thing of primer.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 00:41:57


Post by: Aerethan


Primer is one of those things that you want to always keep on hand and is mandatory for EVERY painting project.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 00:46:21


Post by: LBursley


Temp.. don't use the wash over primer when using black.. doesn't matter which primer you use if you are painting over it.. then use the washes on the painted areas.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 02:30:19


Post by: Aerethan


I think I'm gonna have to drive down to Escondido to buy you a round for all the things you do for the painting community.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 03:19:17


Post by: LBursley


I'm down


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 03:23:11


Post by: Aerethan


Here's another question, what label paper do you use for those bottles and what program do you use to design and print the labels? I don't really feel like having sharpie labels for 38 different washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 03:24:57


Post by: LBursley


I use Avery Full sheet adhesive paper. Then cut to size after printing. After you have the paper you can download their label making software online.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 10:00:48


Post by: Tek


Ok so I'm doing my UK thing here, hope you don't mind Les...

Ingredients for UK LBursley washes:

* Distilled Water (You can but this at petrol stations / tool shops easily. Halfords defo stock it, I got mine from Esso though. Allegedly places like Boots or Superdrug also stock it)
* Liquitex Matte Medium http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/shop-online/liquitex-mediums.htm / http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/cat-liquitex-mediums.htm
* Liquitex Flow Aid (How about W&N Flow Improver? http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/acrylic_mediums_and_primers/winsor_and_newton_acrylic_flow_improver_75ml_bottle.htm
* 1oz bottle http://snmstuff.co.uk/VallejoSets.aspx / check eBid and eBuyer for empty Vallejo bottles; anywhere that sells Vallejo / P3 paints will sell empties.
* Daler Rowney Acrylic Artist inks (Water Proof) http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/department/inks/ / http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/cat-inks.htm
*2 filler bottles - Finding it bizarrely hard to find these online; anyone want to help?
* Recipe notebook so you can write down custom mixes

Really your best bet in the UK for finding any art materials are;

http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/
http://www.artdiscount.co.uk/
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/

Any links gratefully recieved


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 10:07:05


Post by: LBursley


No problem! Thanks for putting in the foot work to help others over seas. Let us know what works for you!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 13:34:32


Post by: Culial


Damn!
I was looking at your store last week, trying to convince myself that it was worth 2-3x the product cost in delivery (damned Atlantic Ocean ) for such an awsome product...why, oh why did I put off my order?!?

Going to try and round up the ingredients locally on Friday, thanks to Tek for the UK suggestions, I'll see what I can wrangle up in HobbyCraft and post what I find (if anyone would find it useful?).

These washes really are superb Les, thank you for the info on how to brew them ourselves.
I have one more question though, if you'd indulge me:
What white primer do you use?
any I've tried end up being powdery, whereas yours seems really smooth.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 21:28:38


Post by: LBursley


I use cheap 98cents a can Color Place Flat White Paint. Can't beat it.. I use to use Armory but after reading the primer tips and theory on thepaintingcorps blog I realized there is more to priming than spraying an expensive brand of primer. Technique will let you use any brand no matter how cheap it is.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 21:54:39


Post by: LunaHound


LBursley wrote: I realized there is more to priming than spraying an expensive brand of primer. Technique will let you use any brand no matter how cheap it is.


o_o please teach us!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/10/21 22:26:18


Post by: Scherdy


Here's the link Les was talking about: The Painting Corps - Priming Tons of good info there. Really helped me when I thought I must have kept getting bad cans of primer. I was just too far away most of the time as it turned out.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/09 23:55:47


Post by: Aerethan


Just got in all the supplies to make some washes today. making them in 15ml bottles so I had to 1/2 the recipes which is easy enough.

This stuff is amazing. At first the matte medium seems like it would be too thick to wash properly but the flow aid and water mix dilutes it just perfectly. I made a soft and heavy body black and a medium body sepia so far, and I will definitely be adding more inks to my collection to make more washes with.

These are especially cost effective if you are shading an entire army together. For my lizardmen I had to shade them all with devlan mud and I went thru 1 and a half bottles of GW wash for them. With these I have enough to refill my washes for years to come, all from a $4 ink, a $.37 bottle and $.25 worth of matte medium and flo aid.

If you do not have the means to make these yourself, hit someone up who can. I can not sing enough praises about these washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/10 05:14:30


Post by: Gunzhard


Awesome recipe dude... just thought I'd point out that Liquitex also makes (very nice) water-proof acrylic Inks.

The Liquitex Transparent Burnt Siena Ink is a dead match for the old GW Chestnut Ink by the way...

Dickblick or ASWExpress will carry them.
http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/online/4543/art-supplies/4



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/11 01:34:47


Post by: TempusCorvus


LBursley wrote:Temp.. don't use the wash over primer when using black.. doesn't matter which primer you use if you are painting over it.. then use the washes on the painted areas.


Ah, thank you. I think I'll have to try this on my next batch of minis.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/24 01:29:35


Post by: LBursley


Updated the first post to include info on how to tailor the washes to your liking, such as Thickening the wash and making it darker or lighter.

Some of this seems like common sense but I get lots of questions about it so it needed to be addressed.

Have fun making washes!

-Les


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/25 16:53:29


Post by: Arander


I just whipped up a batch of the soft body wash for myself last night and was amazed! No way am I going back to GW Badab Black! I never much liked the heavy black that you got with it, and Les's wash just flows so much better.

Couple of quick questions for you however:
1. Your dark sepia wash - is that comparable to GW's Gryphonne Sepia wash? I've been using 2 coats of the GW wash over boltgun metal weapons to give it a worn and rusted look.

2. I saw your video with your pigment powders and was thinking they could add alot of rust detail to my ork weapons. How does the application of the pigments work exactly? Brush them on in dry powder form over the areas you want and then add the rubbing alcohol so they'll dry in the correct place? That's what I gathered from the videos but wasn't quite sure. More narrative videos like the wash recipe would be great!

Keep up the good work!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/25 17:56:15


Post by: Aerethan


the sepia is closer to devlan mud, but at 20 drops per oz. it is a VERY light in body compared to GW washes. I've got my 1/2 oz bottle up to 50 drops and added 10 drops of black and it's about the same as devlan mud now as far as coverage and color.

That being said, there is definitely a use for Les' recipe for sepia. If you aren't planning on highlighting, it makes a great finishing wash to dull down other colors and to add very subtle shading. I used it over a ghoul painted with rotting flesh and it toned down the green and even made it look a bit dirtier.

For rust, I use pigments applied dry with a brush and then paint alcohol over it to fix it. For mud I make a mix of pigment and alcohol.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/25 18:01:40


Post by: Ian Sturrock


Les, I got my friend to sneak me into the local art college today & bought a stack of inks at their shop.

They had no Liquitex kit, but I was able to pick up some Daler-Rowney acrylic flow aid. Do you reckon that D-R "Glaze Medium Matt" would be the same kind of thing as the Liquitex Matt Medium?

http://www.daler-rowney.com/content/acrylic-0

I'm guessing it's that one rather than the "Impasto Gel Medium Matt" (which is also acrylic).

Looking forward to having a play with this stuff soon, anyway -- many thanks for all the tips.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/27 06:53:13


Post by: Thelaugher


Wow...this looks so good


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/30 09:31:50


Post by: Lord Alaric


Hi, I'm considering giving this a try. One question before hand, though. Are you using the regular matte medium, or the ultra matte medium?

Thanks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/11/30 10:47:30


Post by: LBursley


It's just the regular matte medium. Have fun!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/01 12:23:23


Post by: ironKing


Hold on a moment...

So you prime, then wash, then paint, then wash again?

And then a coat of some sort of protective matte sealer? Or does the wash accomplish that?

Have you had any joy with metallic washes?

I am starting a wolves army and would like to wash / rub their armor to give it a slight metallic sheen (not shiny mind you, just so that it looks like metal painted grey-blue)


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/02 22:40:05


Post by: Branderic


Is the matte medium required?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/02 23:54:14


Post by: LBursley


Yes. If not, that's 50% of the mix gone and you are no longer making what is shown here.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/03 01:13:56


Post by: Aerethan


without the medium then all you are doing is thinning down the ink with water and some flo aid.

Inks behave quite differently than washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/03 08:54:58


Post by: ironKing


ironKing wrote:
So you prime, then wash, then paint, then wash again?
And then a coat of some sort of protective matte sealer? Or does the wash accomplish that?
Have you had any joy with metallic washes?
I am starting a wolves army and would like to wash / rub their armor to give it a slight metallic sheen (not shiny mind you, just so that it looks like metal painted grey-blue)


Anyone?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/03 08:59:45


Post by: LBursley


I'm not sure if you are asking a question or making a statement. If you have seen my videos all the info is there on my process.

But to answer the Q's

yes, sometimes, yes, sometimes, yes, no, never tried.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/03 09:01:16


Post by: Scherdy


@ IronKing: I believe the first wash after priming is just with the "soft body" all over the mini usually just to get the details to show up more clearly and begin some shading in the deep recesses. Basecoats and other layers of paint with brush are as normal and then washes are used again on specific areas for coloration, additional shading and effects. Most miniatures for gaming are coated with a matte sealer (NOT the same as the matte medium in the wash) or dullcoat to protect them from use and handling. Les can answer better for his specifics.

No idea on the metallic wash. It seems like it would be difficult because metallics have metal particles that are much heavier than regular paint pigments and would sink quickly in medium they are suspended in but it's worth testing out and seeing what sort of results you get with it. Seems you'd be better off drybrushing a mixture of metallic paint and base color possibly or doing weathering that would show off the metalic "chips" under the armor from wear. Hope this helps somewhat.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2009/12/03 10:30:37


Post by: ironKing


@ LBursley

got it, got it, got it, got it, got it, got it

@ Scherdy

Thanks

Im going to give the metallic a try on account I don't think those metallic scrubs / polish powders are available locally in South Africa.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/04 13:04:01


Post by: Andrewdrexler


I mixed up a batch of the Soft Body Black as directed in the instructions. When I used it, it went on grey (but after it dried I did not notice any grey at all), is this usual for the Soft Body Black (or any other wash used with this recipe) due to the Matt Medium being white?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/04 15:39:29


Post by: LBursley


Yes! Dark Sepia looks purple when applied and when dry the matte medium turns clear and water evaporates and all that is left is the ink.

So it CAN deceive you But as you now know, it will look fine when dry.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/11 17:59:38


Post by: Azog


So, I mixed up a set of your washes (black), using your standard (not soft) black wash recipe. I then attempted to wash a FoW Sherman that had been primed using the new Army Painter "US Armour" olive drab. It was almost like the primer was resisting the wash, not just pooling but actually sitting on top of the model. I tried using, on a different part of the model, GW's Badab Black, which worked fine.

Do I need to increase the amount of flow aid, or is there something else I need to do? If the GW wash would have failed, I'd have blamed the primer, but now I'm thinking I need to adjust the mixture.

Thanks for any insight.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/11 18:55:00


Post by: LBursley


If it's pooling like water droplets and not actually soaking into the paint try adjusting the ratio to have more medium in it. GW wash has more gel factor to it so if you like those characteristics, add more medium. Start at 60/40 or even 75/25 if you think it needs an extreme change. Just remember that the more medium added, the shinier it will be when dry.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/12 16:29:31


Post by: Aerethan


Note that GW "washes" are actually glazes, as they change the hue of the entire area painted over.

If you use a wash and cover an entire area, it will collect and shade in recessed areas.

to further show my meaning, if you are using Les' recipe already, take an extra model and paint it some light color( mine was a zombie with rotting flesh) cover 1/2 of it with badab black and the other half with soft body black and you will see a major difference in how they work.

EDIT: I'll try to get pics of my example up today


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/12 21:12:25


Post by: LBursley


Aye but the Heavy Body Black recipe rivals the Badab Black.

So it's really about adding more ink to the mix for colorizing rather than changing the medium.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/12 21:38:10


Post by: Aerethan


you should add comparison of soft body vs. badab seeing as my 3 year old son ran off with my camera

EDIT: in this same vein, it took me some 60-75 drops of sepia ink to get the same heaviness as devlan mud, but without thickening it so that it works more like an ink than a glaze.
The effect on my stegadon is quite nice.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/12 21:47:04


Post by: LBursley


Soft body was not meant to be like Badab. I was just showing that a slight mod to the recipe to add more ink will give the colorization. Softbody was the formula I made just to hard line with little to no colorization.

So without a picture you should know it's different as it has only 1/3 the ink of Heavy Body Black.

It's obvious looking at the example pictures in the original post.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/12 22:31:49


Post by: Aerethan


true enough. And yes soft body works excellently at hard lining especially if you don't prime black or if you are rather messy with base colors.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/14 23:45:41


Post by: RatherFatRat


Hey, thanks for the recipe.

Went to my local Micheals store today to buy the stuff needed. They didn't have the liquitex flow aide, or 'artist inks'. So I had got (What I think) is simular.


Airbrush medium : "Thins acrylics for airbrushing and traditional brush blending", Not sure if this will make up for the flow aide or not. Think it will work? If not, I got an airbrush I can experiment with and use with my GW paints. Beats water for thinning I'd imagine.

And

"Higgins Waterproof drawing ink", They didn't have anything labled as an acrylic artist ink, so I picked this up. Again, if not I can still use it for other things.

Whats your thoughts?

Edit:

Nevermind, I just tried the mixing recipe and it worked absolutely fine (if not amazingly well).

I'm going to buy more bottles and matte medium to make a lineup of washes from 10% to 90% and experiment how it will attribute to my painting...


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/15 02:11:57


Post by: Arander


If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area, be sure to check there as well. I picked up 90% of the items needed there. Everything except the flow aid. They even had some liquitex inks that work just as well as the ones featured in the recipe.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/15 03:56:37


Post by: frozenwastes


I use higgins ink as well. Works fine. Both higgins and the other stuff are both waterproof drawing ink with dropper bottles.

I use Golden's Liquid Matte Medium. Also, instead of flow aid, I use 90% water, 10% dishwasher rinse agent. Really, anything that lowers the surface tension of the water should be fine. Even a drop of dish soap per pint of water will do. Any surfactant, really.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/16 11:09:01


Post by: Natorum


Thanks for the recipe Les, I just used the heavy body recipe this morning and it's worked beautifully to shade over GW red gore on my Khorne terminators.

I put mine into vallejo bottle droppers and used half the amounts in the tutorial vid as the bottle is about half the size. I used 14 drops of flo aid for the bottle if that helps anyone not have to do the measurments.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/20 20:01:32


Post by: Wehrkind


You can get Flow Aid at Dick Blick stores, but you really gotta look for them. Around here Michaels and AC Moore claimed to carry it, but didn't in the store. I was a sad pony, until I realized there was a Dick Blick like 2 miles from my house. Then I was just a pony that felt silly driving all over the damn place


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/21 04:25:55


Post by: InquisitorFabius


Michaels has alot of stock codes on the shelves, but rarely has them all filled.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 15:27:58


Post by: nyys


The 1oz bottle you linked too, do they come with the caps in the video or are the separate?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 19:06:03


Post by: Aerethan


nyys wrote:The 1oz bottle you linked too, do they come with the caps in the video or are the separate?


on that site the nozzles and caps are both sold separately.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 19:56:18


Post by: nyys


Thought so, thanks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 22:06:50


Post by: Razzle


Well I bought 2 jugs of your black washes off your site. Just wanted to say it's very cool of you to keep the recipe up and stuff.
Cheers.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 23:08:10


Post by: LBursley


No problem. I figure the crowd about 50/50 with DIY people and guys that would rather buy than make stuff


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/22 23:18:09


Post by: Razzle


Yeah, I'm particularly glad you have a store option because my FLGS has been out of Badab Black for like 2 months haha.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/23 03:11:50


Post by: nyys


I just took the easy way out and ordered up more than enough of both black washes for my upcoming project.

Thanks!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/23 05:05:47


Post by: UselesswizarD


Thanks again for keeping up your wash recipe Les. I've made a couple of washes with liquitex black and prussian blue inks, and they're working just fine.

Thanks again!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/01/30 05:28:31


Post by: rokitchikin


Just putting this out there. I couldnt find the brand of inks you are using but i did find the liquitex acrylic ink. Also i didnt find the liquitex flow aid but i did find a suitable replacement called" Winsor and Newton Galeria Acrylic Mediums" "Flow improver."250mls for about 10 usd at hobby lobby. made like 4 tubes of washes so far and they work great. Thanks for the recipes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/02/12 09:38:05


Post by: Fateweaver


Great stuff.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/07 22:49:43


Post by: LBursley


WOOP! Found a UK bottle supply place that does not require a minimum 200 bottle purchase.

A Tattoo Supply place, who would have thought?
http://www.barberdts.co.uk/index.php/studio-supplies/bottles-containers.html


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/11 19:07:29


Post by: kravus master of Horus


Nice tut, really useful!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/15 00:31:45


Post by: eimaj


Which ink color are you guys using to match Ogryn Flesh and Delvan Mud? I've tried a couple of different colors, but none seem close. Thoughts?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/19 19:48:28


Post by: kravus master of Horus


Very Nice!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/19 19:50:02


Post by: LBursley


I have cruised the forums since this morning and you seem to be racking up your post count with "Very Nice" posts.

Thanks again.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/20 02:19:31


Post by: Cjsuner


I don't have any of that specail mixing fluid stuff... is there anyway i could make a black wash with GW stuff and house hold liquds?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/20 20:46:26


Post by: Aerethan


eimaj wrote:Which ink color are you guys using to match Ogryn Flesh and Delvan Mud? I've tried a couple of different colors, but none seem close. Thoughts?


devlan mud is a very heavy sepia. In a .5oz bottle I used about 60 drops of sepia ink to get it the shade I wanted. Keep in mind that it won't be a 1:1 match as GW washes are very matte and cover more like glazes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/22 19:04:09


Post by: BloodQuest


Les,

I understand the argument that mixing the (individually approved) components might theoretically start a nuclear chain reaction and that is a fight you're not going to win.

Why not put together a kit? Include everything except the distilled water (i'm sure everyone could locate that). If you're buying everything in quantity (especially the stuff that others may find hard to source), it seems to me that you would have plenty of potential customers.

I'll commit to one now!

Simon


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/23 08:13:54


Post by: Aerethan


I believe that issue has long since been resolved and the washes are available on www.awesomepaintjob.com once again.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/24 00:52:52


Post by: skelerate


I am not sure if its a good idea but, when doing a full wash on a model, has anyone ever tried air brushing? I usually air brush my primer and base coats the wash and washing can take a while but with this recipe I could air brush it without spending a months pay.


By the way regular primer at auto parts store is $9 a quart and lasts about as long as 25 cans of spray primer, and its the same thing.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/24 02:24:21


Post by: Aerethan


Many people have decent results using the washes in an airbrush, and many of us are moving towards airbrushed primers.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/24 05:49:54


Post by: Fateweaver


Airbrushing washes also means making sure you spray it heavy enough to actually wash. Too far away and it'll act more of a tint/candy color than an actual wash.

Not sure if I'd ever move to airbrush/spraygun primer for the scale 40k is at. Rattle can does the job nice enough, failing that I'd get some adhesion promoter and just airbrush sans primer (at least on plastics).



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/24 20:21:03


Post by: skelerate


I tried the promoter and with the paints I use it interfered with the paints bonding agent ( I use fascolors for rc, specificaly for plastics, however it doesnt bond to minis for crap) the end result was slimy? in appearance. The only reasons I use airbrush primers are cost and control, with a decent brush you can paint lines as thin as pencil lead or wider than a can and in the whole range control the flow of paint to suit your need/desire, admittedly I am way better on clear lexan for my trucks than on a mini but my avatar was %75 airbrush.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/24 21:03:14


Post by: Fateweaver


Odd because I see a lot of pro's promoting AP. I've seen it used with Createx acrylics. I personally don't use it as I'd rather just prime any surface I have to paint (and unless it's gak primer I trust it more).



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/25 02:51:57


Post by: skelerate


yeah, I use primer on everything after that attempt, never thought of createx acrylics, have you used them before? the stuff I use is a bit more expensive than createx and I would love to cut the cost.

Sorry about the momentary hi-jack!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/29 09:28:02


Post by: Fateweaver


Loving the sewer water wash. Care to share the recipe?

If not I can understand you can't reveal "all" secrets.

As for bottles for washes I found the nearest Dollar Tree has some good deals on smaller, motel sized shampoos and conditioners. My local Dollar Tree has 2oz bottles of bubble bath right now at $1.00 for 10 bottles. The bubble batch is some really cheap crap so washes out of the bottle easily with just 30 seconds of cold water (don't use hot or you'll be swimming in suds even with such a small container of crappy bubble bath).

So for $2.00 US and 20 minutes of work I have 20 jars that I can mix washes into. They are those flip tops where you push on one side and the top pops up revealing the dropper spout.

Pretty soon the Dollar Tree manager is going to wonder why I've bought their entire stock.


For those that don't know Dollar Tree and similar such as Family Dollar they are stores that sell everything in them at $1 or less. A lot of it is crap (hence only a dollar) but I encourage people to check out their nearest store like that. I mean for a dime I get a 2oz bottle that I can walk out of the store with that same day and get to making washes right away.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/29 09:38:05


Post by: LBursley


Yeah Fate...

I love the sewer water wash also. It is 1 of 10 new washes I have coming out called Les' DIRTY Washes which are all washes in the darker spectrum.

Sorry but I don't plan to release the recipes for the newer washes. Took a big hit releasing the first line but it gave people the basic formula to start with. You just have to play Mad Scientist like me and write down the mixes. Lots of time and money spent mixing and yelling "muahahahaha!" into the night sky.

Good find on the dollar store stuff! I love it when people find ways of doing things on the cheap. The more money you can keep in the wallet the better


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/29 13:59:25


Post by: gretar


LBursley wrote: You just have to play Mad Scientist like me and write down the mixes. Lots of time and money spent mixing and yelling "muahahahaha!" into the night sky.


I lauged so hard at this


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/03/29 19:29:32


Post by: Fateweaver


I ordered the 3 jar set of rust pigments since the price was right.

I'll probably be ordering some of that sewer water wash when you release it.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/04/09 17:57:05


Post by: Norsehawk


Hey Les, I commented on your youtube video when I saw it a long time ago and now that I've spotted this thread, I decided to thank you again. The funny thing was that when I first watched the video, I had everything on hand to make the washes right then and there.

I need to buy more ink colors to do some experiments and have had good luck with both FW and the Liquitex inks Even bashed together some ink that lets me do the bone armor on my Deathwing in one swing after priming them with the bone spray from army painter.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/04/30 23:35:42


Post by: xblackdog


Les your my new found hero! Never thought of making washes and this works so much better ty. also your tutorials rock, i have yet to watch one that wasn't good.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/01 02:02:15


Post by: augustus5


I think this is one of the best DIY threads I've read in a long time. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'll be using it very soon.

Cheers!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/04 09:21:08


Post by: frozenwastes


Just a note, you can use clear dishwasher rinse agent in place of the flow aid (to make the flow-aid/water mixture). It's pretty much the same stuff. Don't use the coloured blue or yellow kind. Only the clear.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/04 16:02:20


Post by: Maxstreel


@ frozenwastes... any particular brand you suggest? Also do you have any pics of models you've used this on?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/05 06:47:50


Post by: frozenwastes


Maxstreel wrote:@ frozenwastes... any particular brand you suggest? Also do you have any pics of models you've used this on?


I don't finish with the wash (I always highlight and whatnot more) so I don't really have a relevant picture. I'm also not planning on priming white and washing just to show the lack of difference between one surfactant substituted for another.

All that I'm talking about is substituting the couple of drops of liquitex flow aid that goes into the ounce of wash recipe with the clear dishwasher rinse agent. The point of the flow aid in the first place is to reduce surface tension. Any surfactant will do. I use a generic store brand. Take a look at their MSDS sheets and compare the chemical ingredients.

I've made Les' type washes with the recipe as given (all the exact same products/brands). I've substituted the liquitex/water mixture with half water, half Pledge/Future floor finish. I've used water with a drop of dish soap per cup/250ml of water. I've used the dishwasher rinse agent. They all pretty much turn out the same.

The first place I ever saw this method of washing can be found here:

http://www.reapermini.com/TheCraft/32 <-- scroll down about 5/6ths of the page.

"My formula for a "magic wash" (original recipe suggested by Anne) is 1 part paint(normally one of the MSP liners), 3-4 parts matte medium, and 3-4 parts water."

The MSP Liners in the above quote are a watered down ink.



Half matte medium, half water, and optionally something to lower the surface tension and colour ink to taste based on how intense you want it.

If you don't want to experiment with the process, I'd suggest buying Les's premixed washes. A local guy bought some and they are fabulous. He also has recipes available that he hasn't shared online.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/06 20:01:51


Post by: fejus


OMG I just made some SBB and HBB .... I <3 you Les I really really do...


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/06 20:57:30


Post by: KingCracker


Well the WORST CASE SCENARIO LBursley wont need to join any dating sites as so many of you are all gaga over him

I think the way you look at the hobby is really awesome man, big props to you for wanting to get so many people up and motivated to paint things. I also think your washes look fantastic so keep up the good work man.

Getting screwed with outrageous fees when trying to do your own thing sucks. A few buddies of mine tried to do a zombie themed website sometime ago,a dn we planned on selling merchandise and what not. Total gimmick type thing. Anywho some of our thigns were stolen and we couldnt really do anything about it because we hadnt bought a copy right for anything at that time. And it was only a meesly $1200 per copy right. So that obviously tanked lol.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/07 02:44:41


Post by: Dysturbed


I have used future for quite a while but the big diffrence to me is the finish. Future makes everything super glossy and the matte medium well obviously makes the finished product matte. If you do not spray your mini's with a dull coat at the end (your a moron) but some people don't you will end up with glossy crevases on your models.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/07 14:56:16


Post by: frozenwastes


Dysturbed wrote:I have used future for quite a while but the big diffrence to me is the finish. Future makes everything super glossy and the matte medium well obviously makes the finished product matte. If you do not spray your mini's with a dull coat at the end (your a moron) but some people don't you will end up with glossy crevases on your models.


What I was talking about is using future as a surfactant. 50% Matte Medium, 25% Water, 25% Future. It's half way between matte and satin as a finish. About the same finish as most miniature paints in terms of glossyness.

There are lots of ways to reduce the surface tension of the wash. That's what the Liquitex Flow-Aid is for. I didn't have any handy the first time I made these kind of washes, so I just used half water, half future for the water portion of the recipe. The next time I had flow aid water mix that a friend gave me. The time after that, I used the clear rinse agent. All three washes are pretty much indistinguishable. The one with future is ever so slightly less matte, but I'm not sure I'd even be able to pick it out unless someone told me to look for it.

What does matter is the quality of your matte medium. I've used Golden and Liquitex and find them both great. I've also tried using a store brand that was cheaper. It's runnier than the name brands and I ended up using about two-thirds matte medium, one third water/surfactant mixture in order to get the same consistency as the 50-50 wash when you use the name brand stuff.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/05/12 23:59:16


Post by: AustonT


I've been making my own washes for a long time, but Les' base recipe is fantastic and it's all I use now. Just as a word to the wise. If Daylor Rowney inks aren't available at your local art store, buy them online. The Liquitex Acrylic inks have a funky pigment that tends to float no matter what you put it in, which makes a great glaze, but refuses to gather like a wash or ink and they don't make a strong brown;they are all transparent. Dr. Martin's Bombay ink behaves strangely with the matte medium and tends to clump instead of mixing and granulates in coverage, if you use alcohol with it it will leave the crevasses bare and tone everything else, creating a white line effect (over white primer). And Higgins sells a good black, but their brown is actually a violet which is nothing like the sepia or umber you'd expect.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/02 10:16:17


Post by: LutherMax


I've mixed myself a few of these and I'm loving them (thanks Les!)

I found the matte medium seems to dull the colour quite a lot on reds, so I'm experimenting with mixing the matte medium with some gloss medium which seems to work very well.

I noticed in one of your tutorials your Drying Blood mix didn't seem to have this dulling effect – any chance of sharing the ink mix for that one!?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/02 10:28:00


Post by: Phototoxin


Hard to hear that your cottage industry got screwed. As a scientist I can see why such things exist but I think you'll get a better rep from posting online and letting us 'poison' ourselves. It's sad that legalism has gone too far.

I'm planning to try out the mix myself - will *any* matte medium work as I am not sure how available liquitex is in the uk.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/02 15:40:20


Post by: LutherMax


Phototoxin wrote:Hard to hear that your cottage industry got screwed. As a scientist I can see why such things exist but I think you'll get a better rep from posting online and letting us 'poison' ourselves. It's sad that legalism has gone too far.

I'm planning to try out the mix myself - will *any* matte medium work as I am not sure how available liquitex is in the uk.


http://www.discountart.co.uk/ is good for Liquitex mediums in the UK.
And http://www.artifolk.co.uk for Daler Rowney ink.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/05 04:40:02


Post by: sgt1480


Phototoxin wrote:Hard to hear that your cottage industry got screwed. As a scientist I can see why such things exist but I think you'll get a better rep from posting online and letting us 'poison' ourselves. It's sad that legalism has gone too far.

I'm planning to try out the mix myself - will *any* matte medium work as I am not sure how available liquitex is in the uk.


It's our "nanny state" which has gotten out of control with the 'hope and change' crowd in office. Before anyone yells- I have lived my entire life in Chicago. So, I knows of whats I speaks...

Anyhoo, getting off the soapbox, I have made 6 washes and 2 glazes. I used Les' recipe except on the glazes, I substituted the Liquitex's matte medium with their glaze medium. It gives a hint of a gloss. I will try it on my red and black based WoC army. I will be getting a hands on tutorial on macro photography in a few weeks so I can show off my gift in progress to my daughter. VC army. Doing this army with what I am learning here on dakka is a lot of fun. With a lot of maniacal laughter punctuating my German death metal station as I create. Thanks Les.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/11 01:53:41


Post by: Stavkat


Les, you are the man! These washes are awesome.

But I have to quote what Auston wrote, to stress his point:

AustonT wrote: If Daylor Rowney inks aren't available at your local art store, buy them online. The Liquitex Acrylic inks have a funky pigment that tends to float no matter what you put it in, which makes a great glaze


Because I used Liquitex inks first like a dummy and saw this excessive glazing effect first hand. Even tipping the ratio away from 50/50, as far as 75% water/flow and 25% matte, it still behaved like a glaze! Quite annoying.

So the lesson is, use the ink Les recommends and the washes will work as advertised.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/11 16:26:10


Post by: Phototoxin


I've made black with the windsor and newton inks. They are calligraphy inks and have shellac so I don't know what effect that will have. It looks ok but I'm waiting another few days incase it explodes.

Pro-tip do not use water based fountain-pen ink as they will separate into their constituent colours!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/11 17:06:17


Post by: Hawkins


im not able to access your site Les.....


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/18 15:33:25


Post by: RSJake


Hawkins wrote:im not able to access your site Les.....

Ditto, all I get is a screen saying "Site Ready". Hope all is well.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/18 15:51:12


Post by: Aerethan


He has been changing it somewhat frequently to get his web store up and running. Most likely that the store is ready now just not up yet.

Keep in mind that he's not selling his washes anymore unfortunately.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/19 15:23:08


Post by: RSJake


No washes?!?! That is what I was going there for! Dang, I was hoping to not have to do the whole "Mixing it myself" route, as I am fairly lazy when it comes to the painting side of the hobby. *sigh* Oh well, hope all is well for Les.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/20 02:22:01


Post by: Aerethan


I can make some sepia or black ones for you for a decent price if you want to avoid buying all the materials. $2 ea and I can mix them as heavy as you want.

I find that soft body black is great for tabletop standard finishing, but it goes fast, as I used about 15ml(1 bottle) on 2 units.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/11/30 16:58:51


Post by: fejus


He HAS released all the recipes on his site though for all the washes he sold


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/08 02:32:05


Post by: North101


I got around to putting together Les's washes, and they are simply amazing. You can really tell the difference between the inks the recipe calls for and the GW washes.

I followed his recipe to the letter including all the components..rowley inks especially. Now I played sir mix alot and made a sepia, black,flesh, and parchment...this actually took all of 10 minutes to make 1 oz bottles of each. When I was looking at the finished product I will admit some doubt crossed my mind..it was a little milky looking ang of a lighter consistency than the GW washes.

I have only been painting a year so like any good little sheep starting the hobby I stuck with safe products ie GW paint and washes. I might not post, but I check these forums dailey, and love looking at the awesome artwork that this community produces. I follow links to blogs etc and have learned a great deal. Enought that I have mastered the basics and now am trying some of the more advanced techniques here.

Well now back to the original topic, the wash was so different than I was used to. So anyhow I happen to be working on 15 IG grenaders and flamers..so awashin I went. It is of a lighter consitency than the GW so I was pretty liberal with the wash...well after about 20 seconds the wash settled and started to give me nice crisp detail with actual deeply blackend recess's, smooth tecture and smooth transition...in all just a big piece of awesome.

So I took a chimera turret (my first paint job) and slathered some sepia on...to be honest it looked like I just doused it in coffee, but wham the warm richness of the ink popped out and added a huge amount of depth above and beyond anything I have ever gotten with one hit of GW.

It was around this time while I was drinking my coffee that a little thought occurred to me....the difference between the 2 washes is the medium...Les's is the stable nice matte, and no idea what GW uses. But the ink's are where its at for the depth and the damn stuff dries faster than the GW!

Well I rambled, but I just wanted to share my experience with this recipe with the community.

Les you better ship to Canada, I owe you a few orders at least.


North


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/08 02:41:36


Post by: LBursley


Thanks for the feedback North!

Yeah people get scared when they mix colors like sepia because it almost looks like a light purple/brown and never remember that the medium is white, but dries clear.

Another problem people have had is when putting the wash over primer, the wash dries in weird spots and this is caused by over priming. If you dust on the primer and then wash, it works fantastic.

It's good to hear what people have to say so thanks again!

-Les


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/10 10:48:41


Post by: Fallen668


I mixed some of these up a few weeks ago. So far I have made Soft and heavy black, Flesh, Parchment and Stone. A few general thoughts on each...

Flesh... kind of different than what I am used to but getting the hang of it.

Stone... my favorite of the lot. Added that extra something to a project I am working on and really helped it pop in a big way.

Soft black... I think I did something wrong because I am just not getting much of an effect from it. Need more testing.

Heavy black... I havent really uses yet... soon though.

Parchment... have not used yet.

One other thing I have noticed... I have to shake the hell out of these because the ink seperates and settles at the bottom. Is this common or did I so something wrong.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/11 16:59:59


Post by: Aerethan


separation is quite common with them. I leave my bottles on their sides so that they are easier to shake up and mix.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/29 00:23:01


Post by: btemple0


That explains why i was not able to access your store once I hit ground here in Afghanistan. But otherwise great work, and your recipes are outstanding.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/31 14:08:36


Post by: BraveRifles



Does anyone still have the recipes. I have made some of the black ones but I cannot located any of the other recipes now that Les's site is changing.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2010/12/31 23:06:48


Post by: Aerethan


the recipes are all in the first post of this thread.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/06 08:05:14


Post by: LBursley


Les' DIRTY WASH recipes have been added to the recipe list in the first post! Have fun! -Les


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/06 15:58:10


Post by: JudgeXa


I'm not normally one for "me too" posts, but I have made the heavy black wash, and used it to great success. I've got a little bottle of that wash waiting for me whenever I need it, and wanted to thank Les for his awesome recipe. I plan to make some of the sepia wash next for some aging on my Necrons.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/06 22:36:47


Post by: Boomsheka


This may be a silly question but am I correct that the old wash recipes were for a 1 oz container, and the new recipes are for a 1/2 oz container?

Basically meaning if we cut the ink in the old recipes in half we can also make them in 1/2 oz containers and get the same effect?

One last question for Les, did you ever release your recipe for black soot that you use around gun barrels in some of your videos? I've been searching for it to no avail.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/06 22:56:06


Post by: Aerethan


1: yes the original recipe was 1oz, meaning a standard 15ml dropper is 1/2 the recipe, so half as many drops of ink.

2: iirc his black soot is just black pigment as sold by Mig or ground up pastel bars.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/07 13:27:47


Post by: BraveRifles


LBursley wrote:Les' DIRTY WASH recipes have been added to the recipe list in the first post! Have fun! -Les


Many thanks Les


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/07 21:53:21


Post by: dad1946


Thanks for the new recipes. I went to the art supply and purchased a few more inks. Mixed up sewer water, armour
wash, stone and concrete. I was wondering if anyone has tried airbrushing the FW inks? They are really well pigmented, and have brilliant colors. They do have an
acrylic base to them. Thanks again for the recipes.
Never mind they really airbrush well, very smooth and seem to adhere to plastic . They lay down a very fine , bright coat with a little gloss.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/07 23:40:43


Post by: Aerethan


I don't know about FW inks, but Les' washes work like magic in an airbrush. Possibly the smoothest and most even application of washes you can get.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/07 23:59:57


Post by: dad1946


aerethan , is there any clogging problems due to the
matt medium? Sorry Les didn't mean to hijack your thead.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/08 00:21:29


Post by: Aerethan


not at all. The medium is water based and thus the flo aid used in the water mix will thin it down nicely. I haven't tried using GW washes in my airbrush as they are much thicker than the home made ones, but watered down I'm sure they work fine.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/01/11 21:18:17


Post by: vitae_drinker


I have a question for your new Dirty Wash recipes...

Just to double check, if you're going to make 1 oz, then you double the requisite drops of ink, and quadruple it for 2 oz, and so on and so forth?

That seems like quite a lot based on the original wash recipes. Does that give you more depth on the washes? Also, has anyone tried the painting technique outlined here with these washes?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 17:34:47


Post by: orntar


all i have around here is liquitex, can the transparent umber or sienna be used in its place, or does the trnsparent part already mean its not too pigment heavy?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 18:00:33


Post by: btemple0


The acrylic inks Les uses for the wash are rather thick. The ink you may want to use may not work as when it gets diluted the ink may become more transparent than it already is.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 20:24:59


Post by: Aerethan


Daler Rowley inks aren't think at all. They are the consistency of water.

I agree that something tagged as transparent might not mix well for this use.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 20:42:18


Post by: btemple0


I guess it was making sense in my head, I just could not think of the words to use at the time.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 22:09:27


Post by: bearden314


Hey Les, do you happen to have examples of the dirty washes that you could post? I noticed in one of your videos you seem to have cards where you tested each one and I would love to see each. Thanks so much!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 22:11:11


Post by: LBursley


bearden314 wrote:Hey Les, do you happen to have examples of the dirty washes that you could post? I noticed in one of your videos you seem to have cards where you tested each one and I would love to see each. Thanks so much!


Yeah I'll get them done next week. New wash examples are overdue.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 22:35:47


Post by: bearden314


Awesome!! Thanks so much!!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/25 23:00:12


Post by: Requia


On getting your washes back for sale (legally). Last September they appointed some people whose job is to help small businesses deal with the regs. It might be worth contacting them.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/sbo.aspx


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/26 01:05:44


Post by: bearden314


vitae_drinker wrote:I have a question for your new Dirty Wash recipes...

Just to double check, if you're going to make 1 oz, then you double the requisite drops of ink, and quadruple it for 2 oz, and so on and so forth?

That seems like quite a lot based on the original wash recipes. Does that give you more depth on the washes? Also, has anyone tried the painting technique outlined here with these washes?


I agree it seems like a lot, but you gotta trust the master. I actually ran out to blick and picked up the materials to make ruby to help blend my red cloth. will let everyone know how it goes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/27 21:37:50


Post by: VicStaUk


Dont know if this will help anyone in the UK on getting some inks?

http://direct.hobbycraft.co.uk

I live very close to this place, and the day i went in there i creamed my pants, it has so much usefull stuff in there.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/27 21:52:11


Post by: heavybolter


Does anyone else have the problem when you shake your washes to remix the separated elements that it gets really bubbly? I don't know if its the water/flo or the matte medium causing it. I did notice that if I use the Ultra Matte Medium instead of the regular medium for some reason the bubbles don't form. Its more like suds on a mug of bear than bubbles. Any ideas?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/02/28 19:52:26


Post by: Aerethan


When you go to drop out paint, wait a few seconds for as many bubbles as possible to float to the bottom of the dropper(which should be on top when you are squeezing out paint).



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/01 16:04:16


Post by: heavybolter


Dropping isn't the problem so much as the bubbles don't make there way through the dropper nozzle so much. I do have some in GW pots and when those get to bubbling they don't dissipate and I end up with a brush full of bubbles. Just seems interesting that when I add the Ultra Matte the bubbles don't seem to form. Maybe its just air trapped in the bottles. Oh well.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/01 21:03:16


Post by: Aerethan


I know exactly the issue you have and I have it with my bleached bone and blood red most often. When this happens I consider the bubbled paint a loss and drop a new batch in a different spot.

If you use bowl shaped palettes most of the bubbles from the washes will migrate to the edge of the wash leaving the middle ripe for dipping your brush into.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/02 21:11:44


Post by: skow


Just wanted to say thanks for the wash recipe. I've used a few on some miniature figures, but my primary use has been for terrain. The low cost and high quality makes using your recipes ideal.

Although not a great photo, here is a shot of a slate roof I finished using the dark sepia, soft bodied black, and a couple areas of sap green and yellow ochre:


and a link to some more photos:
http://hirstarts.yuku.com/reply/46314/Crescent-Moon-Inn-and-Songhouse-WIP-2-28-2011-#reply-46314

Thanks again & keep up the great work!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/03 05:21:08


Post by: Aerethan


Do you have a photo pre wash? I love the washes. I use them on damn near every model I paint these days.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/03 15:26:58


Post by: skow


Hm...unfortunately, no. I looked back through my pictures and the roof goes directly from unpainted to 'done'. A couple posts down from the one with the photos describes the colors I used if that is any help.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/04 19:56:51


Post by: heavybolter


I recently mixed up a bottle of a dark Hawk Turquoise wash for my tyranids armor plating. It blended the sky blue highlights beautifully with the turqouise. I used 2 parts blue ink to on part green and 1 part black. Came out awesome.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/11 20:26:16


Post by: RiteofSpring


AustonT wrote:...Dr. Martin's Bombay ink behaves strangely with the matte medium and tends to clump instead of mixing and granulates in coverage, if you use alcohol with it it will leave the crevasses bare and tone everything else, creating a white line effect (over white primer). And Higgins sells a good black, but their brown is actually a violet which is nothing like the sepia or umber you'd expect.


Does anyone have experience making washes with Speedball ink available at Michael's art/craft store? I can find the Bombay, W&N, and Higgins inks locally but it seems from a few posts here that only the Higgins (Black Magic?) works well and really only in Black.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/12 18:52:12


Post by: Zarathstra


Man, the effect on those washes is awesome! I've been using a 3:1 mix of water:future floor polish and inks for mine (magic wash). Once I run through the ones I have, I might try making these.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/15 20:55:11


Post by: orntar


any one have a recipe for P3 armor wash?

is it close to les' recipe on the first page?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/22 08:19:09


Post by: Jsroma


First ever post. Hello people.

Found your recipe, copied it step by step and as a noob it really helps my painting.

Anyone in the uk know where to buy dropper bottles in the 'vallejo' paints style? The ones I used are not brilliant

Thank les for amaIng tutorials, I have watched them all


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/22 15:31:51


Post by: Haggistom


Hi there, I get my bottles from

http://www.waterbuttsnbottles.co.uk

Not quite the same but the flip top caps work well as droppers much in the same as the Vallejo paints.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/22 19:05:57


Post by: Jsroma


I actually bought those, not impressed by them to be honest.

Prefer the Vallejo style really wish I could get those


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/23 03:57:05


Post by: Ambull


Just got my stuff together from an art store here in NY called A.I. Friedman. Ink, Flow-Aid, little 1 oz. bottles as well (had the matte medium sitting on the shelf). Distilled water is on the shopping list.
I'm extremely enthusiastic about trying this out. I need a good wash real bad.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/23 05:48:09


Post by: Adam LongWalker


Thank you Mr. Bursley for sharing with us about these washes.

I do understand your situation concerning product liability and I hope they just game you a verbal warning.

Been there, done that on one form or another and do not want to deal with it again.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/24 15:48:38


Post by: Phayse


Hopped onto secretweapon today.

20 washes for £40 including overseas shipping?

I tip my hat. Even better, I've got ready dosh in my paypal account, so no faffing around with my bank (they threw a hissy fit when I tired to pay in euros, which was funny, as I was in florence at the time, using a flamin' visa =/)


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/28 14:24:29


Post by: Ambull


Mixed up black (using Bombay ink) and Sepia (the Dowler-Rowney): the results are amazing, this opens a lot more doors in painting for me.

Let there be no doubt: these washes are incredible. Gathering the materials is a bit time-consuming and doing the mixes takes patience - I would recommend getting them through Les' site. Although I mixed up my first two colors I would gladly pursue other colors through the store as it would save a lot of time and quite honestly it will save money (especially for the raw inks, when I'm using 40 drops from a bottle that costs over twice what the finished wash costs).


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/28 16:11:46


Post by: Requia


DRs Magenta (from the primary colors set) is more of a red, which is driving me nuts mixing colors.

Recipe is good other than that though.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/03/28 16:26:12


Post by: lionfire


Ambull wrote:Mixed up black (using Bombay ink) and Sepia (the Dowler-Rowney): the results are amazing, this opens a lot more doors in painting for me.

Let there be no doubt: these washes are incredible. Gathering the materials is a bit time-consuming and doing the mixes takes patience - I would recommend getting them through Les' site. Although I mixed up my first two colors I would gladly pursue other colors through the store as it would save a lot of time and quite honestly it will save money (especially for the raw inks, when I'm using 40 drops from a bottle that costs over twice what the finished wash costs).


I agree with you. I got the inks and the matte medium, etc. I made some soft body black wash and some sepia. Great stuff. I'll be just buying the washes now that secret weapon sells them. A lot more convenient and the amount of washes I can make with the items the recipe calls for is more than I'd use in 2 years. lol


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/04/19 23:42:21


Post by: Asphalt


I am quite happy I found this thread. Thanks a million.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/04/21 13:04:19


Post by: Asphalt


Well I attempted to mix up some washes using Dr. Ph Martins Bombay inks. It appears that these are not nearly as concentrated as other brands. Even with tripling the recipe I ended up with barely visible pastel light washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/04/25 19:20:11


Post by: Synchro


I have been using these washes for a few weeks now and love them! I created a few of my own recipes too. One for Ork skin, one for the Blood Angles I am painting, one for leather pants, etc, etc. The next one I am going to create will be for the Ultramarines I am painting for my son. Good stuff! Yes, I have supplies now to make more washes than I might ever possibly need, but the fact that I can create a recipe for exactly what I need, when I need it is why I spent the money on the components. If you are doing a lot of painting, it is worth it IMO.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/06 19:28:15


Post by: Asphalt


Apparently the Matt Medium I am using is too thick. It dilutes the color far too much. I have switched to a future/acrylic ink mixture and I love the results. It is obviously a gloss wash, but since I am using it on metals at this point it isn't detracting form the results. When I move on to other things I will apply a matt clearcoat to dull it down.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/07 08:52:12


Post by: LilLoser


Thank you for this article. It has been bookmarked for future experiments!

LilLoser


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/08 23:17:45


Post by: MrJody


Aren't all the products you're using already saftey tested and therefore ok to use? The way this sounds to me is that if I mix two differant paints together to get a custom color I am in violation of these laws.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/08 23:35:36


Post by: Asphalt


MrJody wrote:Aren't all the products you're using already saftey tested and therefore ok to use? The way this sounds to me is that if I mix two differant paints together to get a custom color I am in violation of these laws.


Only if you sell it.

There are lots and lots of chemicals that are benign themselves but become toxic when mixed. That is why regulations like that exist.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/09 01:21:47


Post by: SebastionSynn


There are lots and lots of chemicals that are benign themselves but become toxic when mixed

yep, two very common items while fine by themselves, and will remain nameless just in case some braindead kid decides it would be fun to try it, can kill you if you breath the fumes after mixing them.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/09 02:42:13


Post by: MrJody


I know those chemicals and found out the hard way how toxic they are when mixed. It's still a shame that som big coporation or iratte individual had to pick on a small time buisness.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/09 04:47:17


Post by: SebastionSynn


It's still a shame that some big corporation or irate individual had to pick on a small time business.

true dat. it would have been better, if they had just told him to stop for the time being while they checked everything out, and then set him up with the correct individuals that would be able to help him further with his store. However, this is America, the land of the free to be arrogant, spitefull, no consideration for others, kick you when your down because, it makes me feel better country.
Spoiler:
God, I wish I lived on Mars. -_-


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/09 17:33:32


Post by: Asphalt


SebastionSynn wrote:
It's still a shame that some big corporation or irate individual had to pick on a small time business.

true dat. it would have been better, if they had just told him to stop for the time being while they checked everything out, and then set him up with the correct individuals that would be able to help him further with his store. However, this is America, the land of the free to be arrogant, spitefull, no consideration for others, kick you when your down because, it makes me feel better country.
Spoiler:
God, I wish I lived on Mars. -_-


You could always emigrate to cuba.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/09 18:04:54


Post by: SebastionSynn


You could always emigrate to cuba

Naw, I have enough oppression right here, in the land that was taken from my ancestors, without the need to emigrate somewhere else, to be oppressed in whole nother fashion.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/12 15:33:15


Post by: Eckeon


I bow to your wisdom and will now go assault my piggy bank.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/13 12:58:30


Post by: Wulfen Andy


Once again Les, your painting tips etc are incredibly useful and outstanding. I use your methods for my SW and bought an airbrush due to your work. I will attempt to make UK versions of your washes!
I'm glad your store is back and was wondering what did the moron who reported you do it for?!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/05/17 09:55:45


Post by: Candroth


This is awesome, Les. Thank you so much!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/06/08 06:29:12


Post by: MaximusPrime



*post removed*

Please don't post pointless spam like this.

reds8n


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/06/13 06:00:44


Post by: Shadowseer_Kim


awesome, I love it. I knew there was a way to make a wash cheaper.

Thanks for the recipe!!!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/08/25 05:14:35


Post by: Ouze


I finally made up a batch of this a few days ago, and have been playing with them since then.

It's much, much cheaper over time. For an up-front investment of $20 (I already had flow-aid and bottles) I got enough materials to make, like, a gallon of Badab Black & Devlan Mud equivalents. I found that the color matches are nigh identical to the GWS equivalents.

That being said, it's not exactly the same. They are a lot thinner and will pool up on you if you follow the recipe exactly. If you'd like a GWS wash consistency, you're going to need to up the matte a bit. Les touched on this briefly earlier in the thread - for me, I now do about 60% matte and 40% flow-aid. Also, these settle very fast and very hard. I wound up adding a lava bead agitator to each bottle, and you will need to vigorously shake for about 3 minutes before it's ready to use.

Also, I'm using tap water instead of distilled water, is this a problem? I have very hard well water, if that makes a difference.

Thanks for releasing the recipes, Les! I think this is probably the only way to affordably airbrush wash onto entire armies at once.

I hope this doesn't count as thread necromancy; I didn't see the exact ratio for a more GWS-like consistency in the thread, sorry if I missed it.





Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/08/25 05:23:34


Post by: Aerethan


For what it's worth, this thread should be immune from necromancy. It is always worth having on the first page.

And I agree, that the upfront cost is offset by the fact that you will have enough to make washes for way more models than you will ever use them on.

The other nice thing is being able to control how heavy the wash is. For instance I made a regular sepia wash, and then for my Imperial Fist model, I made an insanely light body sepia that was very subtle.

GW washes are what they are. The only thing you can do to them is thin them.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/08/25 05:27:22


Post by: Ouze


Aerethan wrote:For what it's worth, this thread should be immune from necromancy. It is always worth having on the first page.


I wonder if it should be sticked, even.


Aerethan wrote:
The other nice thing is being able to control how heavy the wash is. For instance I made a regular sepia wash, and then for my Imperial Fist model, I made an insanely light body sepia that was very subtle.


I am really excited about doing white terminator helmets now with a very thin blue wash. I was able to do this previously with thin asurmen blue and then painstakingly re-working up the white areas, but the pooling feature of this with less matte should make this a snap. Pretty great stuff.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/08/25 05:29:15


Post by: Aerethan


One notable difference also is the finish. GW washes have a very matte finish, and the home made ones have a rather glossy finish. Not that much matters after varnish.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/08/26 15:25:50


Post by: heavybolter


If you want an very matte gw like finish , try using the Liquitex Ultra Matte Medium instead of the Matte. It's much flatter. I find if I add even a small drop of it to a mix made with the regular matte it reduces the sheen greatly.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/10/13 03:27:39


Post by: Azazelx


Big thanks to Les for the recipe and this thread. I've just had by big box of inks and medium etc delivered to work from Blick. I forgot to get squeegie bottles though, so now I have to try and find some locally somewhere.

Shame the dropper bottles I ordered from a place in Singapore from eBay 8 weeks ago still haven't shown up. I just ordered some more from Thailand, but they'll be 3 weeks away.

I'll have to start making a wishlist of more stuff - some more ink colours and also stuff like the Ultra Matte Medium.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Ouze wrote:I wound up adding a lava bead agitator to each bottle, and you will need to vigorously shake for about 3 minutes before it's ready to use.


Do you find Lava beads heavy enough to use as agitators? I haven't used them myself, but my understanding was that they're quite light - perhaps not light enough to use as agitators. I need to find something new for paint agitators - I've used small ball bearings in the past, but they tend to corrode over time in the bottom of my paint pots, which I obviously prefer to avoid...

Or are they perhaps heavy enough for washes but not enough for paint?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2011/10/13 07:16:02


Post by: insaniak


Aerethan wrote:For what it's worth, this thread should be immune from necromancy.

All of the tutorials in this section are, so long as the content remains.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/01/25 06:48:09


Post by: IndigoJack


I saw this thread a few months ago and didn't think much of it, other than, wow, that's cool. but recently school got real heavy and I didn't think I was going to finish my deathwing before adepticon. I came across Ron Saikowski's deathwing quick and dirty tutorial and combined with some custom washes, I have much higher hopes of finishing on time. honestly, this is a worthwhile investment and I can't thank Les enough for posting this.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/01/25 07:46:45


Post by: Lysenis


so for about $90 i can roughly make 48metalic washes, standard washes, and the like. That is actually a good del. . . hmmm and I can create my own combinations. Darker blues, deeper saphires, and the like. . . I love it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh let me add, its tax return so this is PERFECT!

Now all I need is how to make my own weathering pigments. . .


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/01/25 08:20:50


Post by: Aerethan


Yes the nice thing about this is the sheer number of inks available. Daler-Rowney alone has 38 colors, and then from there the mixes of them are endless. I should probably invest some of my own tax return towards increasing my ink collection.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/01/25 08:33:07


Post by: Lysenis


Spending about $150 and I can make roughly 150 washes. Hmmmmm oh the possibilities. . . I do want some deep ameythest (sp) color washes. . .


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/01/25 08:40:24


Post by: Aerethan


For those looking for bottles: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=44774&catid=530

Note that the picture is a 10ml bottle, not the 15ml that I linked. These are the same ones that Reaper and Vallejo sell at some ridiculous markup.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/18 02:22:09


Post by: Kung Fu Hamster


I realize that this may be a thread necro (just getting under the wire according the the Dakka FAQ , but I recently discovered this thread and quickly decided to make a group of my own washes. I happily started clicking links and adding various chemicals and bottles and whatnot to online shopping carts, when I hit a snag.

The Liquitex Flow-Aid additive listed in the recipe is currently out of stock, and won't be available for nearly a month. This makes me a sad hamster. :(

So in the short-term, I'd like to find a suitable replacement for the flow-aid listed in the recipe. In the long-term, it may help if Dakkanauts can find workable alternatives in case the ingredients listed here go out of stock again.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/18 02:28:00


Post by: haendas


Kung Fu Hamster wrote:I realize that this may be a thread necro (just getting under the wire according the the Dakka FAQ , but I recently discovered this thread and quickly decided to make a group of my own washes. I happily started clicking links and adding various chemicals and bottles and whatnot to online shopping carts, when I hit a snag.

The Liquitex Flow-Aid additive listed in the recipe is currently out of stock, and won't be available for nearly a month. This makes me a sad hamster. :(

So in the short-term, I'd like to find a suitable replacement for the flow-aid listed in the recipe. In the long-term, it may help if Dakkanauts can find workable alternatives in case the ingredients listed here go out of stock again.


While I can't help you with advice on a flow-aid replacement, I thought I'd let you know that I'll be very happy if it truly is available next month as currently estimated. I've been waiting since October, and each time it gets close to the expected in-stock date it gets pushed back again and again.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/18 11:07:29


Post by: Aerethan


Dick Blick may be out of stock, but Michaels carries it, or you could try Golden http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-acrylic-flow-release/

It's the same stuff.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/18 13:32:37


Post by: haendas


Aerethan wrote:Dick Blick may be out of stock, but Michaels carries it, or you could try Golden http://www.dickblick.com/products/golden-acrylic-flow-release/

It's the same stuff.


Awesome, thanks for the info, Aerethan. And many thanks to Les for the great tutorials.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/21 02:14:13


Post by: neohelios77


welp y'all are going to hate me but whatever. Didn't really work for me. I followed directions, and shook the vial as much as I could stand, and painted up a fig... ruined the fig. Now its all dark grey, but admittedly the 'black' did pool into crevices... wewt.
So one thing I'd like to point out, the matte medium initially came out all pasty like some thick hand lotion--I was squeezing the bottle so hard to get it to come out my hand was shaking. Not sure if this is normal, but didn't really seem like Les had much trouble. Also, no matter how much I shake up the solution, the medium will not completely dissolve.

This stuff is so thick, I can hold the bottle upside-down, cap completely off, for more than a minute (maybe indefinitely) without it coming out.
Did I get a bad batch, or something?

Anyways, thanks for trying to help me. Guess I'll stick with Mop&Glo & alcohol for now...


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/21 04:10:20


Post by: Aerethan


you have a bad batch of matte medium. It should not be any thicker than any other paint off the shelf. If you have bad medium, the wash won't work right and you'll need to strip the mini. Sucks that this happened to you. Buy a new bottle of medium and try again.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/23 00:51:52


Post by: King of the Elves


Hey does anyone know the GWs verson of soft body, i really don't want to order something online and my local hobby store only sells GW paints so yes thank you.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/02/23 01:57:22


Post by: Aerethan


GW doesn't have soft or heavy. They have one style of wash and that's it. You could water down any of those to make them softer, but you can't make them any heavier.

IMO the only GW washes worth having these days are Ogryn Flesh and Devlan Mud. Gryphonne Sepia is a far third. Everything else is meh.

That said, my Soft Body Black wash gets used a lot these days, especially in my airbrush.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/03/01 00:38:35


Post by: Maxim C. Gatling


Les, I bow to your superior knowledge and skills. I've been educated. Looks like you can teach a greybeard new tricks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/03/28 21:54:33


Post by: Sanada


First of all, I'd like to say hi, as this is my first post here!

I plan to make my own washes basing on Les' recipes, but instead of Daler Rowney inks I think about using Vallejo Game Color inks I have. Do you think this would work?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/03/30 00:57:01


Post by: Aerethan


AFAIK the Vallejo inks are the same acrylics as the D-R ones, but you are spending more money per drop than if you bought the D-R or Liquitex inks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/03/30 09:14:57


Post by: Sanada


Thank you for your answer.
I already have a few vallejo inks and don't use them very often so making washes from them instead of buying D-R inks is a money saver for me


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 15:56:14


Post by: Dark


Well, with importations closed and inhability to buy online, I'd love if someone took the time to post here the active principles on both the flow aid and matte medium please.

Since google fails me on a local search and I have no idea how these products are called in my language, I'd rather go to art stores and read labels.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 16:18:06


Post by: Gavin Thorne


The flow aid breaks surface tension, allowing the fluid to seep off the larger surfaces and into cracks and crevices. Matte Medium enhances transparency, diluting the pigment load of the solution to prevent complete coverage except where concentrated (again, in the cracks and crevices).

Google Translate wrote:Flow Aid: el flujo de la ayuda
Matte Medium: mate a medio


Check Dick Blick Art Supply, they carry Liquitex items and ship internationally.

Edit: those translations are to Spanish, I just realized that you might be speaking Portuguese, sorry:

Google Translate wrote:Flow Aid: Ajuda fluxo
Matte Medium: matte médio


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 16:30:55


Post by: Dark


I speak Spanish and I really thank the effort, but google translate... well... I'd throw lots of promethium at it.

And as I said, importations are closed and for particulars, huge taxes are being applied (for instance, if I now bought a Codex, I'd have to pay $65 USD to liberate it).

That's why I asked for the active principles (or components) to look for the stuff at stores here.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 17:05:45


Post by: leohart


Any idea on how long I can keep my ink bottles? (DR and Vallejo?) It seems like it will take me a long time to go through them all.

Also, any recipe for Devlan Mud and Badab Black alternative? (now that I can no longer buy these)


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 19:18:27


Post by: Gavin Thorne


The heavy body black wash is pretty close to Badab Black, but is more satin. For Devlan Mud, I've found a 3:1 Black:Burnt Umber mix is pretty close - I think Les calls it Sewer Water. Armor Wash made with Sepia and Black is pretty nice too.

EDIT: Seven to ten years shelf life for most acrylic inks, according to THIS WEBSITE

@Dark: Sorry for the Google Translate. I checked with the Spanish bilinguals that I work with and they let me know that it's pretty accurate for these terms.

As far as an alternative to these items, you're going to have a hard time. You can substitute Flow Aid by using distilled water and liquid soap. I'm not sure on the ratio, but I'm guessing no less than 100 parts water to1 part soap would do it. There should be almost no lasting bubbles when you mix it - just enough soap to break the surface tension.

You could try acrylic floor polish as an alternative to Matte Medium, but it really doesn't work the same way. Future is the brand available in the US, I'm not sure what it would be called in your area.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 20:24:22


Post by: leohart


Thanks Gavin.

I have Matte Medium, FlowAid, Black Ink, Burnt Umber Ink. I just don't know the recipe for something along the line of Badab Black and Devlan Mud.

Hopefully I will be able to try this out soon enough.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 21:02:36


Post by: heavybolter


Try page 1 of this thread. All of the recipes are right there. heavy Body or Soft Body Black and Armor Wash are what your looking for.

On a Side note I've been playing with using the Windsor Newton Artist Acrylic Matte Medium instead of the liquitex and I've found that its actually better for two reasons: First it dries to a considerably more matte finish than liquitex, in fact its matte level is equal to liquitex ultra matte medium. Second reason is It does not separate the same way liqiutex does so its way easier to remix with just a quick shake. It seems to not settle to the bottom into a thick layer. If anyone has tried this alternative please let share your experience.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 21:10:35


Post by: leohart


Liquitex Matte Medium settles to the bottom in a mix?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/05 21:32:17


Post by: Aerethan


The ink is what settles to the bottom. A bit of vigorous shaking fixes that.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/06 00:42:37


Post by: Gavin Thorne


Les' recipe is definitely a thicker consistency than the GW washes, requiring a more vigorous shaking to mix completely. I think his recipe could use a little more Flow Aid, but I haven't messed with the proportions so YMMV.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/06 02:23:11


Post by: heavybolter


Aerethan wrote:The ink is what settles to the bottom. A bit of vigorous shaking fixes that.


Yeah i can tell the difference between medium and ink and it's definitively not the ink. I'm looking at a bottle of dark sepia and I can clearly see the water, then the ink and at the bottom a good amount of the medium has settled. Its a much lighter color than the rest and it takes a lot of shaking to break up.

I did notice that the WN mix did separate as well but the medium is above the water and there's no ink level at all. It remixed after a couple of gentle shakes so there's definitely something different about the Windsor Newton medium. Anyway think i'm going to stick with the WN for now.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/06 04:45:31


Post by: Gavin Thorne


Stick a plastic or glass bead in your bottle the next time you get around to it. Makes a huge difference in how quick it mixes up.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/21 20:03:34


Post by: Aerethan


heavybolter wrote:
Aerethan wrote:The ink is what settles to the bottom. A bit of vigorous shaking fixes that.


Yeah i can tell the difference between medium and ink and it's definitively not the ink. I'm looking at a bottle of dark sepia and I can clearly see the water, then the ink and at the bottom a good amount of the medium has settled. Its a much lighter color than the rest and it takes a lot of shaking to break up.

I did notice that the WN mix did separate as well but the medium is above the water and there's no ink level at all. It remixed after a couple of gentle shakes so there's definitely something different about the Windsor Newton medium. Anyway think i'm going to stick with the WN for now.


So I've replicated the issue you are talking about with the medium settling to the bottom. Are you using Ultra Matte? My regular matte medium didn't settle like this, but Liquitex Ultra Matte medium has. I added some lava rock beads to the droppers which makes mixing them up much easier.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/04/22 01:50:08


Post by: heavybolter


I use both ultra and matte and I see it on both. I've always used glass beads as agitators and yes it does help but it still takes alot of shaking to remix it if it's been sitting for a long time. I'm still finding that the bottle of dark sepia I mixed using the Windsor newton medium remixes much more easily, a few quick shakes and all the medium ( which settles on the top of this bottle) mixes right back in. I still say its a better medium so far. I recently used it on some liquid gold detailing and it flowed and dried so much smoother than the liquitex blend.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/02 16:02:05


Post by: Malarowski


So I tried this last night but can't get the Devlan Mud straight. I get a brownish tone (using Sepia and Black) that is a tad greener than Devlan Mud, but never the reddish brown of Devlan Mud, did anybody have luck with this? Using Burnt Umber did actually work worse. Not a huge deal, once I start using that on all models it should not be an issue. Another problem I had is that my wash did not stick well, rather ran down straight creases. Is that an issue of too much flow aid, or too little matte medium?

Did anybody come up with some nice recipes they'd like to share? I am so far pretty happy with the stuff I made, even if not an exact match. Thanks Les!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/05 15:28:30


Post by: Wild


Id love to see a video from you on highlights


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/11 03:08:51


Post by: Dark


Well, not finding the specifics, I decided to try out gak ahd here are my results.



Matte barnish that's also a dillutant.



Glazing medium.

I mixed them on a 1:1 proportion in a 50cc container, then I added 26 drops of Windsor & Newton black ink (which I had since I use it to ink comic books and illustrations).

The result was good and I liked it, it's a tiny bit darker than my Badab Black, but works well for me.



My mix is on the left, Citadel's on the right. Now I've got me some W&N Nut Brown to see if I can get something similar to Devlan Mud.

Now, the important thing (I'll use my own currency, so everyone make their equivalences:

1ml of my mix = $0.15
1ml of Citadel = $2

Even if not exact, the costs makes it a winner.

EDIT: brown wash not too different from Devland Mud neede 45 drops of W&N Walnut Brown and 5 drops of Indian Black


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/16 15:18:08


Post by: Davylove21


Seriously impressed with the recipe, been playing around with them all morning. Only photographed one though.

40 drops Payne's Grey


These washes just feel so much better than GW ones and it's such a comfort to know that I can just make a new one in about 2 minutes when I run out. Will be experimenting some more shortly!

Kudos and thanks Les!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/30 09:43:17


Post by: Teskal


Hi, I'm from germany and translated your recipe into german. I found all you used in a german internet shop, so I could make it possible that every german painter could get the correct materials.

I have some questions...

1. can I use your pictures directly in the forums where I'm registrated?
2. does anyone have devlan mud and other GW washes and could show the differences between Les Recipes and GW versions?
3. do you have pictures of the dirty washes used on a miniature?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/31 02:12:11


Post by: heavybolter


I made a half oz bottle of ultra soft body black using only 10 drops of black ink and it worked incredibly well washed over silver model air on grey knights.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/31 06:15:04


Post by: Aerethan


Soft body black is probably the most versatile one you can make as it shades most things perfectly, especially armor.

Heavy body black is best when you need to shade down the entire tone of the base color.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/31 15:50:18


Post by: Teskal


One of the paints I want to make is something like the vallejo pale wash, because I heard it is perfect for washing the color white. I was not sure if I will get a grey ink for it or try Soft Body Black, because it should work, too. I ordered yesterday the inks from England, so I need 2 weeks until I get them.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/05/31 16:09:11


Post by: ICleadpeople


Made me some black as well for a test run, works awesome!

Just wanted to say thanks and to keep up the good work.


-Joe


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/08/30 00:43:50


Post by: adamsouza


I'm going to have to give this a try.

It seems like a no brainer once it's been explained, but I would have never come up with it on my own.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/08/30 03:21:55


Post by: Kung Fu Hamster


I'm assuming glazes could be made with this recipe using glaze medium instead of matte medium?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/08/30 04:20:08


Post by: Aerethan


In theory, but you'd likely have to come up with your own recipes as I doubt the 1:1 mix here would work in every case.

These recipes shown here do work with ultra matte medium, if you find that regular matte is still too shiny.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/08/30 20:17:14


Post by: Debbin


Gonna give this a try. Looks like a good and cheap alternative to buying washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/08/31 01:45:40


Post by: Lt.Soundwave


Archived, thanks for the info! May your business prosper!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/09/01 18:09:34


Post by: frozenwastes


I've switched over to glaze medium myself and didn't change the recipe and got similar results. Slightly better actually.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/09/01 22:30:41


Post by: Bum_Fluff


@frozen wastes: in what way was it better, possible to get a comparison photo of some kind?
Use this recipe a lot so interested in any developments.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/09/02 23:49:47


Post by: Myrthan


Thanks a lot for the recipe, headed over to pearl paint and picked up some ink and tried out the recipe, works great


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/09/03 00:42:23


Post by: Ian Sturrock


I made a batch of very nice pale brown wash about three years back, when Les first posted this guide, and used it to great effect on my Deathwing. Soon after, though, I picked up a set of GW inks for half price, so hadn't revisited the link till today when my Badab Black ran out... and I've just refilled it using the techniques here. Perfect. Bit blacker than the original, if anything (I used 50 drops of ink!). Thanks again, Les!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/09/03 03:22:59


Post by: Aeludor


I'm quite new to painting mini's and am having fun doing it. (been 20 years since I last did any). I've been searching with google, as well as gone
through every page in this thread but I can't find what I'm looking for. Unless it's listed on the first page under a different name

Does anybody have a recipe for Ogryn Flesh Wash?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/06 20:30:59


Post by: DobieG


les I just started painting miniatures and your wash has helped me out immensely. Just wondering if anyone (or Les) has come up with an alternative to devlan mud a recipe with Les' base would be great. Thanks in advance.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/10 01:10:23


Post by: Blaggard


Aeludor wrote:
Does anybody have a recipe for Ogryn Flesh Wash?


No-one does, it's super secret GW patent or something.
Closest you can buy is Reikland Fleshshade. Not sure about making something similar though.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/10 02:12:12


Post by: Aerethan


 Blaggard wrote:
Aeludor wrote:
Does anybody have a recipe for Ogryn Flesh Wash?


No-one does, it's super secret GW patent or something.
Closest you can buy is Reikland Fleshshade. Not sure about making something similar though.



Hardly. If I had the time I could order a few inks and mess around with formulas until I got it down, same with Devlan. I've moved away from using GW washes as much as possible since home mades are much cheaper and I can alter pigment density without having to resort to thinning.

The only washes I'm currently making and using are various concentrations of black and sepia in ultra matte medium.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/11 23:16:39


Post by: matphat


I've been using nothing but this for the black wash I use on my Evil Sunz. It's great!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/20 03:11:41


Post by: nemissary


I know this guide is old news but has been ressurected with good reason. Les' recipe is pure gold and he deserves a big thanks from many of us. I had some of those inks years ago and never knew what do do with them til I saw your recipe on youtube.

Thanks!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2012/12/28 04:37:07


Post by: Mordekiem


DobieG wrote:
les I just started painting miniatures and your wash has helped me out immensely. Just wondering if anyone (or Les) has come up with an alternative to devlan mud a recipe with Les' base would be great. Thanks in advance.


I have had good luck with the armor wash. ARMOR WASH - 60 Sepia : 20 Black

I also created a wash of my own that was 70 Sepia and 10 black that worked pretty well, too.

I have tried all 3 and have not seen a noticable difference. But I do usually use my brown wash on darker colors.

I suggest testing those two mixtures and maybe come up with your own. but that will get you really close to start with as you test.

PS, thanks LES! It takes a few extra bucks to get into, but once you have the basics you can make alot of wash cheap. And it works really well.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/01/01 05:12:35


Post by: BlueDagger


Yep total thread necro but so worth it. Finally got around to trying this after so long and the final result is epic. Power to the players! Thanks Les!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/01/30 20:01:26


Post by: Blaggard


 Aerethan wrote:
 Blaggard wrote:
Aeludor wrote:
Does anybody have a recipe for Ogryn Flesh Wash?


No-one does, it's super secret GW patent or something.
Closest you can buy is Reikland Fleshshade. Not sure about making something similar though.



Hardly. If I had the time I could order a few inks and mess around with formulas until I got it down, same with Devlan. I've moved away from using GW washes as much as possible since home mades are much cheaper and I can alter pigment density without having to resort to thinning.

The only washes I'm currently making and using are various concentrations of black and sepia in ultra matte medium.
ohgodoldpost
You don't know the exact recipe for it. You can imitate it. Don't confuse the two.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/01/30 23:25:27


Post by: Aerethan


Um, I never said I knew the recipe, I said with enough time I could recreate the results. And GW doesn't have any patent on the washes, as GW is not a paint manufacturer. They pay someone else for R&D and recipes.

And once you've tried home made washes, GW's seem like an expensive gimmick. There is infinitely more control over home made, and far better results.


The ONLY reason to use GW washes is if you need to match something that already used them and you don't have a home made match for it.

Overpriced swill is what it is.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/01/31 01:55:15


Post by: strengthofthedragon2


I am very happy to see this! I am running low on some of my washes and I think the initial investment for the materials will pay off in the long run with this hobby.... This is definately a "teach a man to fish.... " thread.... only with washes.... Thanks Les for freeing me from the chains of paint/wash product ignorance! I absolute love DIY projects!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/12 19:56:09


Post by: Aluvial


Hi,

Just about to make my own. I've bought a few extra supplies. Has anyone used Speedball ink before http://www.cardsandpockets.com/speedballpigmentedacrylicinks2oz.aspx?gclid=CPbOg7XGsbUCFQm0nQodhgEAxw ? Are there issues with it?

Has anyone tried Matte Gel? I have http://www.liquitex.com/mattegel/

I've noticed in other painting tutorial videos, that the old GW Devlin Mud seemed to have a much thicker consistency. I've not experimented with this product yet, but want to see if I can get that "gravy" out of it and how it might pool in recesses.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/12 23:50:48


Post by: Aerethan


gel would be too thick. Try using Ultra Matte medium, it's a bit thicker than regular matte and of course has less shine to it.

I only use ultra matte these days as it behaves more like the old GW washes.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/13 03:12:24


Post by: SentientFrog


I love this stuff, completely changed the look of my nids.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/14 15:12:46


Post by: Wagguy80


Haha this is awesome they shut him down so he says "Oh yeah watch this!" and then just hands out the exact recipe's for everything for free.

Man that is classy.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/17 20:04:52


Post by: Blaggard


If anyone thinks about making a dark blue wash with artist acrylic Brown, Blue and Black inks you get a dark green wash.
It's weird but it's quite good.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/02/23 17:08:46


Post by: Jack_Death


I find that most of their brown tones have a lot of green and/or yellow in them. Funny, I've been using those inks to stain sand bases for over twenty years and never used them for a wash. Old thread, but good one.

 Blaggard wrote:
If anyone thinks about making a dark blue wash with artist acrylic Brown, Blue and Black inks you get a dark green wash.
It's weird but it's quite good.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/04/25 06:51:50


Post by: Theofilos


Thank you a lot!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/05/01 06:54:46


Post by: davou


gretar wrote:
Lbursley , i cant find the type of inks your using . So im just gonna ask , if i use any ink , is it ok aslong as it is water proof ?


I know for calligraphy you want to avoid using water proof inks because they contain shellac, which gums up the pens after a while. I'd go with non-water proof, that way you don't run the risk of junking a wash brush with hard shellac.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/06/07 12:57:46


Post by: bloodfist1


Hey all, i had a few quick question on this, im hoping people with more exp can help out I've recently decided to try these awesome recipes after hearing so much good stuff about them and also needing to make some larger batch's of wash's for a terrain project, i went to my local blick and picked up all the stuff i need and a few colors of the rowney inks. I went home and made my first batch it and it came out pretty good but i noticed that the ink settles a lot between uses, which is not unexpected. but when i shake the bottle to mix it up, the whole thing BUBBLES up like mad... i mean its just crazy how foamy it gets. And the foam makes it so difficult to use. is this normal? has anyone else had this issue ? (if i take the time to get rid of all the bubbles it works great btw)

I'm using the liquitex matte medium, liquitex flow aid, and rowney inks. im mixing the flow aid 10 parts water to 1 part flow aid ( is this right? im basing that on the order they are listed in on les op)

if anyone has helpful advice or experience with these any help would be greatly appreciated !



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/06/13 18:47:54


Post by: Grugknuckle


 LBursley wrote:

I mean its not like washes are a specialty item created ONLY by GW o_o . i dont get it.

In the US if you look at the bottle of GW of Vallejo paint you will see 1 or 2 markings from ACMI and conforms to ASTDM ######. There are federal guidelines for arts and crafts products. Legal labeling etc. I cost lots of money and every product, every color, needs to be sent to a scientist to get tested. If you sell to the public without following the rules, all it takes is a phone call and you will be shut down. But there are many that do not follow, like DIDI's magic ink from the warstore, wonderwash, and my pigment supplier. NOT LEGAL. Like not paying taxes, it may take years to find you but when they do.... I was just unlucky and someone made the call on me.

ACMI Controls it all and are backed by Federal Law



Les,

ASTM is the American Society for the Testing of Materials. The standard that your washes need to conform to is ASTM D4236.

http://enterprise.astm.org/filtrexx40.cgi?+REDLINE_PAGES/D4236.htm

This is a standard for labeling art supplies, and although I don't have a copy of THIS specification I feel confident that it doesn't require any testing. But, even if it does require testin, I think that you could conform to this labeling standard as long as the components you're using to make the washes are already compliant. I know it's probably too late now. But I'm pretty sure, that you could still sell your washes WITHOUT HAVING TO TEST THEM provided that they are properly labeled.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 bloodfist1 wrote:
... but when i shake the bottle to mix it up, the whole thing BUBBLES up like mad...

if anyone has helpful advice or experience with these any help would be greatly appreciated !



Les has a great video on his YouTube channel showing you how to agitate your paint bottles with a hand drill. I think the key to avoiding bubbles is to ROLL the wash instead of shake it.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/06/13 18:55:41


Post by: Aerethan


The issue has long since been resolved, and the washes are now sold thru Secret Weapons Miniatures.



Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/08/11 08:13:23


Post by: WarlordEXE


Les has a great video on his YouTube channel showing you how to agitate your paint bottles with a hand drill. I think the key to avoiding bubbles is to ROLL the wash instead of shake it


motion sometimes reffered to as vortexing. don't know if vortexers exist for non-lab aplications (would seem there would be), but in biochemistry we use to have to vortex by hand (unless you snuck a lab over and used the analog vortexer ). its a means of mixing a suspension without introduction airs bubbles and causing too much splashing. you kinda feel silly doing it but it works.

*EDIT

So all I can find at local store and on amazon for daler-rowney acrylic inks for black is india ink. Is this the same is just simply black acrylic ink? I always see a distinction in labeling between acrylic ink and india ink so I don't know if there's a difference or if india ink works.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/10/02 07:16:12


Post by: ced1106


More thread necro (: but is there a wash recipe for the hydrophobic Reaper Bones? I have some transluscent green and red miniatures I'd like to wash in green / red.

Pledge Future Floor Wax works, but it's glossy, and I'd like to see if there's a Les' Wash solution. Thanks!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/10/28 15:53:02


Post by: MadBat


In order to solve your issue with the bones from reaper, that you don't want to prime first, you can add more flow aid to the recipe.
The flow aid is only about 5% of the total recipe, but if you increase this to about 15%, it should flow well on the bones without pooling.

Alternatively, you can add a few drops of your choosen wash in a small recipient and mix some dish soap.
I can't give you an exact ratio, but I think a tiny drop of soap for 5-6 drops on wash should work fine.

Btw, did any one try Les recipe with other inks?
I tried using magic color inks, which were somewhat cheaper as the expensive ones recommanded in this thread.
However, I had issues mixing with black.
A single drop of black ink had a huge impact on the color.

So for example, trying a mix of 60 blue with 20 black would give me pure black wash.
I would get the desired effect with a single drop of black, but it's kinda strange there is such a huge difference.

This makes it quite hard to get some special tones.
Next time, I'll probably get some Daler-Rowney even though they are on the pricy side.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/11/17 23:52:14


Post by: Igloo


In some of his videos he uses a "water and flow aid mixture" like in this video.




Does anyone know the water to flow aid ratio he uses?

Thanks.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/11/18 00:39:08


Post by: Aerethan


10:1 water to flow aid, the same ratio used for these recipes. If you mix heavier than that it will start messing with the paint.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2013/11/18 00:42:54


Post by: Igloo


 Aerethan wrote:
10:1 water to flow aid, the same ratio used for these recipes. If you mix heavier than that it will start messing with the paint.


Thanks!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2015/08/11 12:34:56


Post by: Bloodhowl


Thread Necro time! Has anyone found a good recipe for Gryphonne/Seraphim Sepia they are willing to share?


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2015/08/19 15:00:46


Post by: psnmario


This is really awesome!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2015/08/23 12:49:02


Post by: Orlanth


Supporting the necro here, found out about this thread from here.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/661093.page#8070498

This article is too useful to miss. Can the mods consider a sticky please. Not the whole thread, just a copy paste of the OP into a sticky tips thread with mod only access.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2015/08/23 14:48:53


Post by: Stormwall


Thanks for the necro. This is amazing!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2016/08/19 22:53:09


Post by: Fallen668


Threadromancy go...

I just made a pretty close but not quite match to Army Painters Zombie Shader. I really like their color but I am going to need a ton of if now that I have finally decided to get around to painting 4 kickstarter seasons worth of zombicide. Anyways on to the recipe.

I used the reccomended Daler Rowney inks. I also mixed this in a 1 oz bottle.

40 drops of Sepia
20 drops of Black
10 drops of Flame Red... It comes off slightly too red from AP's Next batch I am going to bump the red down a few drops.

Hope this helps.

OK... in my first version of this I recommended 80/40/20 drops for a 1 ounce bottle. After actually trying that out on some models, it comes out way too saturated and darker than AP's Z shader. So... I'm thinking cutting those by half. I am editing the mix up top to reflect this.


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2016/08/22 18:47:36


Post by: Lorek


If anyone would like to start a new thread with wash/ink/shader recipes in general, please do so here and I'll sticky it to the top of the forum.

Thank you!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2017/05/10 00:15:04


Post by: Mhorr


Hey there, I need to make a large batch of wash for a 2meters rock I'm painting for a project, liquitex seems like a waste of money for my purpose, i does anyone knows if there is any cheaper product like pledge floor wax but not glossy?

Also I need to point out I live in Italy, so if you could make predict conversion with the local stuff sold would be awesome (I know I'm asking a lot but who knows..)
Thank you in advance guys


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2017/05/13 05:04:24


Post by: theHandofGork


Mhorr wrote:
Hey there, I need to make a large batch of wash for a 2meters rock I'm painting for a project, liquitex seems like a waste of money for my purpose, i does anyone knows if there is any cheaper product like pledge floor wax but not glossy?

Also I need to point out I live in Italy, so if you could make predict conversion with the local stuff sold would be awesome (I know I'm asking a lot but who knows..)
Thank you in advance guys


These vids might be of use to you:







Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2017/06/19 23:32:56


Post by: bound for glory


When I met my wife, I showed her my miniatures collection, and told her about my wargame hobby. She thought it was "cute", and asked if she could take a figure(Scrappa Sorehead. A Goblin 3rd ed Blood Bowl star player.) and some paints and brushes and see if she could paint it(I also gave her the star player card and the paints she would need to paint the figure as depicted on the card).

(In forrest Gump voice) Guess What?

Anyway, today she has a very busy miniatures painting business, and makes good money(enough so that she quit her cake designers job). She mostly paints Historicals, but she loves painting Blood Bowl figures. The crazier, the better!

Well, we got talking about how much Rykland Flesh tone and devlin mud wash she has been going through. I told her to order the stuff we needed from Amazon, and last night we made our first small batch: 2 bottles of Black and 2 of Sapia.

This works GREAT! I grabbed a Blood Bowl Minotaur I was working on, and she had a dozen Dark Age warriors. The washes look great!

We will be getting more bottles of ink and away we go!

Thanks, mate!


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2020/04/24 17:28:42


Post by: sakurazuka38


A bit of threadomancy but do you have a recipe (or somes ideas) to make a wash for skin like Reikland fkleshwash or Ogryn flesh from citadel ?

Thank you in advance !


Les' Wash Recipe Released!! @ 2020/05/22 14:08:32


Post by: bullbuchanan


I could also use the recipe for Blue Black