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 mattyrm wrote:
Perhaps its because Im not a professional painter, but I see little difference in paints. I have some vallejo and some reaper paints, and I simply found them a little more watery, but totally fine to use.

Basically I think GW paints are fine, I find them to be no better or worse than the other two, but I add a little more water. If you like/need the shade they produce, then go for it, but frankly I see little difference between any of them.

I AM a professional painter and overall I don't see much of a difference in performance of the new paints vs the old paint. Colors are different (and expanded, and improved) but there's really nothing to complain about aside from color matching. I like them just fine, but I also use Vallejo, Reaper, Jo Sonja (which I use more and more these days), Tamiya, Pactra, Testors, Liquitex, Golden and ... whatever works.

I'm not a fan of the Dry paints. That could just be because I don't do much drybrushing. Even so, I have tested them and they don't seem to be any sort of improvement over using regular paints for doing that job. Anybody else have any thoughts on that subject?

My paints are all over the place - Vallejo and Reaper form the core though (pretty consistently good on both of them). Following that is Army Painter (some good, some bad - but I got a core set of paints from them, and have been replacing with the same as they run out), some old old GW and some OLDER GW, and one ANCIENT GW (I still have one bottle of their blue ink - the tiny dropper bottle from the 1980s, I think?) I have none from the Foundation period on to the present day. Some Tamiya, some Cote d'Arms, some Polly S, and some Cheesex Dragon Colors (dried out, but kept because of the warning label that wraps around the bottle in tiny print. The look in folks' eyes when they see the warning 'about blood and protein in the urine'....)

I also have some bottles of Americana craft paints - big bottles for about a buck. Not terrible, but not as good as army of the modelling paints, but for base coats on large figures and for terrain, it works fine. And, oddly, the Americana line of paints is more color consistent across the range than the latest GW paints that I own. Not great paint, but the color matches from over a decade ago.

But... most of my paint buying is that core of Reaper, Vallejo, and Army Painter.

The Auld Grump

Incidentally, my GW paint range is showing their age now (about 4 years old I think, the complete set of them) and I'm looking at getting a new big set for around Christmas.

I'm in the UK, does anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking about the Vallejo model colour range, as I tend to prefer working with darker colours, something that the GW paints are pretty bad with. However, I'm not sure what the best set is.

I personally find the new GW paints to be crap. Everyone of the whites, and yellows, and primers I've gotten from multiple stores has been of a cottage cheese consistency and won't mix no matter how long and hard I shake/agitate them. The greens, and blues, and orange/reds have been better though I guess. I really wish I had stocked up on certain paints from the old range when I had the chance.

I do like the new textures and technicals even though they can all be replicated for cheaper else where. I also like how the new shades don't smell like the old washes. And despite the paint quality IMO being crappier the expanded range of colors and triplets is nice.

Chancetragedy wrote:
I personally find the new GW paints to be crap. Everyone of the whites, and yellows, and primers I've gotten from multiple stores has been of a cottage cheese consistency and won't mix no matter how long and hard I shake/agitate them. The greens, and blues, and orange/reds have been better though I guess. I really wish I had stocked up on certain paints from the old range when I had the chance.

Call GW and tell them. They'll ship you good ones. I have never had this happen to me with any paints I bought at a store.

 Compel wrote:
Incidentally, my GW paint range is showing their age now (about 4 years old I think, the complete set of them) and I'm looking at getting a new big set for around Christmas.

I'm in the UK, does anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking about the Vallejo model colour range, as I tend to prefer working with darker colours, something that the GW paints are pretty bad with. However, I'm not sure what the best set is.

I can't recommend army painter enough, it is a really good quality range, and the only one where actually buying every paint in the range with the mega paint set is a good idea.

I found Vallejo to be thin, poor coverage and constantly separating.

All ranges have a few paints you want to cherry pick though, GW washes, Vallejo Pale Wash, p3 has some nice muted alt. colours, even some of the GW base paints are decent. A good painter will recommend a list from various different ranges.

I don't think GW paints are bad quality, but it's mostly the cost that drives me away. You get more paint cheaper from practically any other manufacturer. I also prefer dropper bottles and can't be bothered to move GW paints into droppers.

Personally I've enjoyed using Reaper paints the most. Love the tri-pack style they come in, love the coverage and the large selection of colors. I also use a lot of Vallejo's Model Color line, which is great if you want an absolutely massive amount of paints. The historical colors are great and hard to get anywhere else.

I've also tried P3 lately and they seem like great paints. I don't like the bottles too much, but you get a lot of paint and they seal nicely (unlike some of my GW paints). Their weakness is the line has a lot of unusual color choices, and not too many solid reds, blues, etc. But the upside is you get these unique colors that don't quite have a match anywhere else.

My recommendation is to just get paints and washes from different companies and see what works. If you happen to really like GW's reds, but hate their metallics, try some different ones. I've found it a lot of fun exploring different paint ranges and pulling different colors from each.

Edit: and if you want to match with the old GW range (Foundation era) I believe Vallejo's Game Color is pretty much an exact match.

I agree with those who say the new ones tend to dry out really easily though, even if I absolutely ensure that the top is sealed each time I use it.

 BobtheInquisitor wrote:
So, I found a store* near me with a huge stash of the previous GW paints, including a ton of foundation paints, Devlan Mud, Badab Black and all that stuff. I've been buying paint from them because those are the paints my wife and I know and love. It also makes me nervous knowing that these paints have been discontinued. I drive out of my way to buy these paints because I have heard a lot of bad things about the decrease in quality between the last range and the current range. Is this depiction of the new range as 'crapola' accurate? Or am I just wasting my time?





*I'll name-drop the store because they are good people**: Trinity Comics in Fountain Valley, CA.

**Actually, I think there's only one guy who works there, and I'm pretty sure he's the owner. And I never, ever make Big Bang Theory references when I shop there because I don't want to hurt his feelings.

the new stuff is not that bad. not that great either.

i dont know where people get off trashing their metallics. their metals are great.

overall, yes, i think the devlan mud range is better than the new range.

there are some absolute gems in the new range though.

They are as useful as the old range, for me. Yes, different colors sometimes, yes some colors stink/separate quickly/dry out, but so did the old range.

I also use Vallejo and their colors are hit&miss sometimes too. Some great, some not so.

 pretre wrote:
The only paints I don't like in the new range are leadbelcher and Fenris Grey. Not because they are bad because they are subtly different from the colors they replaced (Boltgun and Space Wolf Grey).

Ugh. I'm starting to run low on both of the originals. :(

If you want me to pick some up for you, let me know.


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 scarletsquig wrote:
I found Vallejo to be thin, poor coverage and constantly separating.

All ranges have a few paints you want to cherry pick though, GW washes, Vallejo Pale Wash, p3 has some nice muted alt. colours, even some of the GW base paints are decent. A good painter will recommend a list from various different ranges.

This is why we ended up giving away all of our Vallejo paints. We have some Army Painter and Reaper stuff, but most of my projects started with specific GW paints, and my wife is a fan of their consistency.

I always feel cote d'arms gets overlooked in these discussions. They are the original citadel line rebadged and renamed. Massive range of colours, good pigment, large pots and cheap price. Same colours as I've been using since the late eighties!

Also decent inks.

I've only tried some of the Base and Layer paints form the new range - quite a few of them actually, and some of the washes. I find them to be just fine, and prefer them to the Foundation Paints from the previous range. I use paints from many ranges for different things, and find uses for almost all of them.

I don't have extensive experience with the new paints as I started transitioning over to Vallejo when they switched but from the ones I have tried, they seem about equivalent. The notable difference was Nuln Oil, which in my experience tends to tint the base color so much more significantly I don't even use it. Army Painter Dark Tone is an exact match for Badab Black so I use that instead. Leadbelcher also seems like it doesn't cover as well as Boltgun Metal did, but it's not a dealbreaker for me.


Hey, how have your guys experiences with Ceramite White Foundation (or whatever it's called) been? I bought a one from an ebay seller and it was so thick it was barely usable - like, partially dried elmer's glue or a thin spackle. I shrugged and figured it was a bad pot. I later order something from the Warstore and added one of those and had the same experience, super super thick. Is this normal or was I just really unlucky? The Vallejo white kinda blows so I have not found a good white foundation-style paint.

Best white I've used is P3 Morrow White - beautifully crisp and clean, with great coverage.

Menoth White Highlight is nice, too, gives a sort of ivory tint.

 Ouze wrote:
I don't have extensive experience with the new paints as I started transitioning over to Vallejo when they switched but from the ones I have tried, they seem about equivalent. The notable difference was Nuln Oil, which in my experience tends to tint the base color so much more significantly I don't even use it. Army Painter Dark Tone is an exact match for Badab Black so I use that instead. Leadbelcher also seems like it doesn't cover as well as Boltgun Metal did, but it's not a dealbreaker for me.


Hey, how have your guys experiences with Ceramite White Foundation (or whatever it's called) been? I bought a one from an ebay seller and it was so thick it was barely usable - like, partially dried elmer's glue or a thin spackle. I shrugged and figured it was a bad pot. I later order something from the Warstore and added one of those and had the same experience, super super thick. Is this normal or was I just really unlucky? The Vallejo white kinda blows so I have not found a good white foundation-style paint.

the new GW washes are VERY hit and miss.

it doesnt cover as well. which is not always a bad thing if youve ever tried to do subtle blending on a metallic paint job. leadbelcher is more transparent and also more shiny. if youre only looking for a base coat then boltgun(army painter gunmetal) cannot be beat. I will keep buying both i think, leadbelcher has grown on me.

ceramite has its uses. scoop some of that thick goop out and give it a shot. it actually rolls off the brush quite easily and is capable of strong coverage. thick is FAR FAR from unusable. you can actually thin out acrylic paints ya know.

 scarletsquig wrote:

 Compel wrote:
Incidentally, my GW paint range is showing their age now (about 4 years old I think, the complete set of them) and I'm looking at getting a new big set for around Christmas.

I'm in the UK, does anyone have any recommendations? I was thinking about the Vallejo model colour range, as I tend to prefer working with darker colours, something that the GW paints are pretty bad with. However, I'm not sure what the best set is.

I can't recommend army painter enough, it is a really good quality range, and the only one where actually buying every paint in the range with the mega paint set is a good idea.

Definitely second the Army Painter range - as Ouze has said also their 'strong tone' is the same as devlan mud, and their 'dark tone' badab black if you miss those older GW paints. And for stuff you will use a lot of (basic colours, black etc.) they are very reasonably priced.

But also what ScarletSquig says about cherry-picking from different ranges to get the stuff you want. Think I've got paints from 3 or 4 different companies.

So, say, this one?

WARPAINTS MEGA PAINT SET II, could be a good option?

 Kroothawk wrote:
I am glad, foundation paints are gone.
I heard that Devlan Mud is superior to Agrax Earthshade, but haven't tested yet.
I have no general problem with new paints, love some of the new colours and options.

Curious as to why you're glad foundation paints are gone ?

Granted i've only used two - mechrite red, and marcharius solar orange, but i absolutely love both of them. I'm a diehard black primer kinda guy, and both make painting red and orange over black a breeze.

I wish i could find some of the yellow foundation paint in my area!


Can i ask why you dislike them ?


To the OP: I've had no issue with the new range honestly. I don't see a difference in quality, aside from some "GOOD NEWS, THIS COLOR MATCHES THIS OLD COLOR" being a bunch of malarky. A lot of the color matches aren't even close.


A couple of the new texture paints in particular are very nice. Armageddon Dust in particular is pretty useful for all sorts of basing projects, though it doesn't go very far. A lot easier than mixing a texture paint to just the right gummy consistency yourself for the desired effect.


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gohkm wrote:
Best white I've used is P3 Morrow White - beautifully crisp and clean, with great coverage.

Menoth White Highlight is nice, too, gives a sort of ivory tint.

Agreed, imho, this is the best "white" on the market. A lot of the P3 colors are really nice.

I like the base paints and maybe the washes but I prefer game colour.

I've been slowly phasing out all my gw paints as the new ones are utter rubbish. Vallejo and army painter are my chosen paints mixed in with some p3

I use PP and GW both old and new range and havn't had a problem with any of them. I'm planning on getting the Vellejo air and possibly their other lines.

I can't find the logic in any manufacturer, with a customer base so dependent on existing ranges, changing their paint ranges so often.

Household paint I can understand, 'cos you only paint a wall once every few years, but if you're building an army so dependent on colour like Space Marines, finding your colours have changed is probably intensely annoying.

I got some old(er) GW paints and a lot of new ones. Ive found my older ones have lasted me longer than the new ones. The new flesh tone i have seems to have dried up on me while the one from the late 2000s is still A -OK

Im looking for a good replacement or proxy for my "Terracotta" Brown that i use for basing. Im going to be out soon but it seems to have been discontinued in the GW line :(

 swampyturtle wrote:
Ive found my older ones have lasted me longer than the new ones.

20 years later...

Yeah I think I'm going to switch over to Army Painter and some of the other brands soon. Not only do the paints tend to last longer, you also get more paint! Plus it seems that GW paints are all $5 now and I promised myself that if they raised the price I would look elsewhere...

I almost exclusively use Reaper paints, with the Vallejo primers and finishes (for the airbrush). They work very well, and Reaper's triad system is very easy.

 Commander Cain wrote:
Yeah I think I'm going to switch over to Army Painter and some of the other brands soon. Not only do the paints tend to last longer, you also get more paint! Plus it seems that GW paints are all $5 now and I promised myself that if they raised the price I would look elsewhere...

How long to Army Painter paints last?

 Eggs wrote:
I always feel cote d'arms gets overlooked in these discussions. They are the original citadel line rebadged and renamed. Massive range of colours, good pigment, large pots and cheap price. Same colours as I've been using since the late eighties!

Also decent inks.

I have never used Coat D'arms. heard good things though. I know blackhat sells them http://www.blackhat.co.uk/coat_darms/ but are getting screwed over a little atm with the new postage rules from the royal mail.

I think cote d'arms are brilliant. Identical formula (and pot!) to that twenty year old paint a few posts above. I have a couple that must be twenty years old and still going strong too. There is a name conversion chart floating around somewhere so you can match them to the old citadel names.

Shame about the Royal Mail thing. Fortunately I just stocked up a few weeks ago.