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I use Citadel Paints to paint my minis and over the past couple of months I have been noticing differences in the types of paints (i.e. Base, Layer, etc.). Obviously Dry and other stuff is different from Bases and Layers, but I was wondering if if matters whether I use Bases or Layer marked paints. I have been using Layers as a "base coat" on top of primer, and I have noticed that the Bases only need about 1 coat while Layers need 2-3. Does it matter which one I use, and if so, what is the difference?

Layers are pre thinned for you.

that was the difference.

It doesn't really matter. The bases are designed to cover easier but are usually not as bright. The difference is probably in the pigment count.

This is the difference...

"I have noticed that the Bases only need about 1 coat while Layers need 2-3."

As others have stated, its just how thinned the paints are.

Because of this, you may find "layers" go on smoother.

If you thin down your paints anyway, then the designation is mostly irrelevant. All that matters at that point is how much water you add to thin it down.

If you don't water your paints down, start doing this! It allows a super smooth coat of paint, virtually eliminating brush strokes (that's how a lot of good painters have such smooth paint jobs, assuming they aren't rocking airbrushes, of course). You will initially have a slight learning curve of getting consistency right and doing multiple layers, but once you do, you'll never go back to just slapping paint from the pot on.