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Ok, I imagine there is no final answer here, and I don't really have a specific question...just a request for tips or advice!

I'm really struggling with the consistency of my paint. I'm using Army Painter dropper bottles, although I still have some GW stuff around. It just seems like I can't manage to find a good mix when I try to water it down a little and it's then very hard to control when applied to the mini! If I don't water it down, I end up with brushstrokes and obscured details....gah!

So again, you more seasoned painters....please throw some tips my way.

I am having the same problems for the most part. this video that was passed on to me made a world of difference. but be warned the instructor rants and carries on a little bit. but at least it is not the general answer of make it like milk he actually shows you what to look for while you mix.

good luck doo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH3Qg_OvRk4

There is no advice better than experience.

I'm not sure how consistent their whole range is since I only have one AP paint bottle, though I've used it quite a bit. What thinning ratios have you tried for which purposes? I usually thin it about 4:1paint to water when I want a strong basecoat with good coverage. That's possibly still a tad thick - I might do 3:1 if I were being pickier and more patient.

As you thin further beyond that, more paint is going to flow off the brush, so you're going to need to brush off more paint on a paper towel before you put the brush to the model. It should definitely look like you have a lot less paint on the brush with thinner mixes compared to thicker ones.

Finally (and again, just based on the bottle of Ultramarine Blue I've been using), I just don't find the AP paint handles as well as my Vallejos, though thatt may just be a matter of the behavior I'm used to. It's definitely not bad paint by any stretch, but it's not quite as smooth and well-behaved. I really only use it because of the color match to their primer, and that's fine. But I wouldn't choose it over VGC for general use. So it may be worth trying some of the alternatives.

The key is the amount of paint on your brush.
You can water down your paint as much as you want. If your brush is not overloaded, paint won't flow in every recesses as soon as the tip of your brush touches the model.

Just keep practicing.

Thanks for all the replies folks! That video was very helpful, as was the advice...I feel much better about it now, back at it and here's to improving!