Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey guys, a question for those who use the juicing/glazing method for smooth transitions and blends.

I've been using this method to blend my models however i'm noticing for my whites i'm getting a chalky finish off my brush rather than a 'super thin' layer of paint. I've done some searches online and some results say it's from adding too much water so pigments aren't spreading evenly, however when i use less water, too much paint is being applied rather than a thin transparent glaze. How are you guys doing it with white? Darker colors work well, just having problems with white. (I've only tried it on citadel whites though. 'Ceramic White' and 'White Scar')

I'll explain my technique too, in case you see any problems.
1 - Shake paint well so pigments are even
2 - Scoop a brush full of paint from lip
3 - Add 3-4 drops of water
4 - Mix well, load brush, dab off excess paint
5 - Brush on model.

Is it just a citadel problem? My local hobby store stocks vallejo model color and game color.

Thanks guys

For most paints could be a matter of a) the pigment being too coarse b) thinning too much with water. With Citadel paints, it could also be dry paint that has been pushed off the paint-wasting rim and mixed with wet paint.

Try Vallejo's white, but also try thinning with acrylic medium instead of, or in addition to, water.

The effect is particularly visible with white, but the same thing can happen to any paint when stretched too thin (pigment drops out of suspension and clumps, leaving the chalky finish). Adding more medium (Lahmian Medium, generic matte medium, glaze medium - essentially, colorless acrylic paint) will drop the opacity of the paint without changing its working properties. Mixing paint with additional medium, then diluting with less water will give you thin but workable paint of very low opacity, perfect for glazing.

Thanks guys, what you both said makes complete sense and is something i haven't tried yet. I do have some acrylic medium handy and will try 'thinning' with medium next time i paint!

btw thanks for the really informative explanation, oadie!