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I'm a big Vallejo and P3 fan; but imo the VAC paints are really "over hyped". We all saw that Les Bursley video yes, but I have nearly all of the VAC paints and several I've had to buy over and over because they turn to crap real quick. I found just sticking with VMC and using a proper AB medium (like Liquitex) yields by far better results - in an airbrush.

@LunaHound - are you using a proper AB medium or just windex to thin? ...I would highly recommend using a proper medium as it will make the task significantly easier. Liquitex (and golden) Airbrush Mediums will help keep the tip from drying much better than windex which just evaporates too fast. Also windex does not react well with the VAC paints.

I used water xD

like paint drops in, water drops in, mix with a tooth pick....

spray for 5 seconds and yay... clogged xD

I use Valajo Air for my air brush for primer and base coat. but I use reaper for everything else, it's easy to get here in the DFW area, it's local(doesn't spend a month on boat ) and is easy to use. A one to one mix for the airbrush, and they have nearly every shade that GW has. They don't dry out in the bottle either.

How does one get minis painted to an EPIC standard? Practice. Then more practice. Lots more practice. Did I mention practice?

It generally takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. That's a full time-job for 5 years. So don't count yourself short just because your first minis don't look epic. Keep trying to do better, and they will keep getting better.

I have painted my miniatures both after they were assembled and in sub-assemblies. It really depends on the kit.

My Ork truk was painted in multiple sub-assemblies (particularly in the "cab" area). My Librarian was painted in two sub-assemblies (main body and backpack). I left the backpack off to try some different painting techs. I usually paint SM's after complete assembly.

Im not sure how one paints a model not assembled. Unless its a big model I always assemble first so I can fill any gaps and make sure everything fits nice before painting. I would hate to paint all the parts up and spend tons of time doing it just to find out I have to fill gaps. Plus super glue ruins a paint job so you have to be careful with that too. Your highlights probably won't be accurate either without being able to look at it assembled. I don't even understand the people who paint on the sprue. I think its actually easier to paint assembled.