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What are the major differences between Vallejo Model paints and Vallejo Game paints. And, if there is one, which is one "better"

Thanks guys

They are just diffrent colors..? I don't think there's a diffrence quality wise.

Haven't used much model color, so I can't comment with any surety, but some people will tell you there's a quality difference. I don't buy it.

Primarily, the Model Color range has more "realistic" tones suited to, say, military/historical modeling, whereas the Game Color range is geared more towards non-historical wargamers. You can find charts online that give a direct comparison between GW and VGC paints. Vallejo has every color GW does and a few extras, all of which are far higher quality.

The only difference is color choice. I personally use both lines. If you compare Model Color "Flat Red" to Game Color" Blood Red" the difference is that blood red has more yellow in it, making it want to highlight to orange, whereas flat red has more white in it, making it want to highlight to pink. This is only really noticeable when they are wet on a palette side by side. It is for this reason I use both. Even with the same color they are truly different shades.

Formula wise they are identical as far as I know. They behave the same when used with additives, and they act the same on the brush.

Game colour represents a more fantasy based colour range, while model colour has a wider range and more down to earth colours. i find that the only difference is that game colour tend to be a tad bit more glossy on ocassion (yellows perticularly.)

Here is a comparison chart for the major brands
http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart

The Vallejo Game colors seem to have an equivalent to almost every Games Workshop paint, including colors that have been discontinued by GW.
The chart also claims that the Vallejo Game colors are practically identical to the GW colors.
Not only do the Vallejo Model paints not have as many colors, some of the colors that they do have are only approximates, according to this chart, making them less of a replacement for GW paints.

Here is another comparison chart that only compares the two Vallejo lines and Games Workshop.
http://www.miniaturewargaming.com/index.php/mwg/comments/vallejo_citadel_paints_comparison_guide/
This chart is ordered in accordance with the numbering of Vallejo Game colors.

In comparing these two charts you will notice that the Vallejo Model set has an equivalent to every Vallejo Game color under 60, with slight variations in shade on some colors.

So taking into consideration the lack of available colors as well as equivalents, what other differences are there between the two Vallejo lines?

Thanks for the help so far guys.

I think you are mistaken. Model Color has far more colors than Game Color. Game color is a 1:1 match for GW paints 99% of the time.

Model color has a full 220 different paints, Game color is something like 90(EDIT: upon some research I see they have extended the line by adding inks washes and foundations although I am not sure it is enough to edge out model color on selection).

Like I said before, with the exception of minor tone in certain colors, there is NO difference between them. They are simply marketed differently.

Game colors are marketed towards tabletop sci fi and fantasy games, hence the bright colors.

Model colors are a full spectrum line with standard hobby in mind, meaning model cars, military kits and historic dioramas as well as being useful for tabletop gaming.

I'm not sure what type of difference you think exists, they are the SAME paint just with different shades and a different label.

I'm sure if you google VMC (model colour) vs VGC (game colour) you will get tons of forum posts about the difference.

The main points are:
1. VMC has a (much) larger range
2. VMC is less viscous (thicker)
3. VGC was released to directly compete with GW, colours are similar, more 'fantasy'-like (flashy, non-subtle colours)
4. VGC is more chip-resistant (since VMC was originally made for models/dioramas)


No. 1 isn't really a big deal since nothing is stopping you from buying VMC for those rare colours.

No. 2 is the main reason why I buy VMC over VGC --- it's easy to dilute thick paints, and the coverage is still excellent, but sometimes it's nice to do a fast basecoat using thick splodgy paint. I find some VGC colours are just too runny and hence useless out of the bottle (forgot which colours), but then again it is made ready to use without dilluting.

No. 3 ... I could be mistaken, but I think some colours in VGC is just not in VMC ... I remember not being able to find the VMC equivalent of VGC's Terracotta.
But of course, with VMC, I like the idea of having like 10 different kinds of greys and 7 different kind of grays =).

(P.S .... and then you have Reaper with the triad system and shaker stones, P3 with its godly opacity, Rackham's in bargain bins (great for blending) ... the quest for perfect paint never ends!)

the 4 points that Danny mentions are spot on. aside from the claim from aerethan that there is no difference, i belive differences exist on these 4 main points. or so it would seam looking at my collection and having used most of the VMC and VGC.

Oh yes, your right. I don't know what I was thinking. I was only looking at what was listed on the comparison charts.
The comparison charts show that the Vallejo Model paints don't have equivalents to certain colors that are in the Game paints. After looking at the Vallejo website, the model paints comprise of a significantly larger range of colors.

So it seems that the Vallejo Game paints are made to be a direct competitor with the GW set.

The main things I was hoping to find out were differences in consistency and amount of pigment. Are Vallejo's Game paints and Model paints made exactly the same, just with different labels?
I assume they took in to consideration the different factors associated with painting models vs miniatures, and developed the paints differently in accordance with these factors. In this case it should be obvious that the Game paints be chosen over the Model paints for use in miniature painting. So the Game paints should have a lower viscosity and more pigment(more control and richer colors for painting smaller areas)
Although having well over twice the colors gives the Model paints an advantage, what I am looking for is the overall quality given our canvas(miniatures).

This is also obviously subject to individual taste. I'm just hoping to find out if the Vallejo Game paints were actually engineered to be better suited for miniatures than the Vallejo Model paints(which I would assume), and if it succeeded in doing so.

Thanks guys

As they said above, game colors are more chip resistant. Either way you should be using a protective spray after you are done painting to protect the paint.

aerethan wrote:As they said above, game colors are more chip resistant. Either way you should be using a protective spray after you are done painting to protect the paint.

Absolutely this. dont ever exspect your paint to last on a model without a protective coating.