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I have been using craft store craft paint from Delta, Americana, and Folkart fairly exclusively since I began painting, but now I think I would like to try some of the more specialized paint brands. I know that Reaper, Citadel, Vallejo, and Privateer Press all have lines of paint that are popular with miniature painting, but what about Testors? I see the Testors Model Master Acryl paint at hobby lobby and wonder why I never see it mentioned online. Does anybody use it? Any opinions on it?

Also, Washes. I already have a bottle of Army Painter Quickshade, and just bought a pot of Agrax Earthshade from a local store. With the Earthshade I do not know if I am using it correctly. I have been painting the entire mini with the Earthshade as a final step, but should it be applied more sparingly? It tends to stain the colors also. Is this a feature of all washes? Does the color of the wash depend on the color that the mini is painted? How could I apply a wash to a light color, say Ivory, and still have it appear Ivory colored in the end, with darkened recessed areas? Or is that possible?

Thank you in advance for advice and tips!

I've used Testors quite a bit in the past. It seems to cover quite well and smoothly, but it didn't seem to be any better than other brands. I'm not a huge fan of the glass bottles and metal lids.

I still use Delta Ceramcoat mostly as it seems to have the best pigmentation of the craft paints and is almost as good as some miniature paints, but I've dabbled in miniature paints as well. Reaper is a line that I really like and would recommend checking out.

If I were going to pick a miniature paint brand I'd definitely go with Reaper or one of the other dropper-bottle brands. The bottle it'self is so handy for mixing, neatness and eliminating waste that it's a prime factor in paint choice.

I use Army Painter warpaints for painting. Many of the paints produce seamless brush-stroke free coverage without the need to thin. I also use Army Painter quickshade. Here's some advice: If you're using GW shades they should be applied after basecoating and before highlighting. If your using quickshade it should be applied as the final step.

Hey there!

Do some searches, there a TONS of threads on which brand of paint to use. Also, watch as many videos on youtube as you can find on painting.

I have used a lot of paints, and here are my personal favorites;

Basic painting -
Vallejo game color, vallejo model air (can brush on or airbrush), reapter master series. Ocassionally I will use GW paint, but i don't like the pots.

Washes -
I use the army painter tone inks - they are actually great washes - very similar to the old gw washes of badab black and devlin oil. I also use some of the new gw washes, which although they flow ok, I don't care for their pigment densities.

Also, see if some of your friends or guys at your local game store have some advice or ever do "painting clinics".

best of luck!

Testor's Acryl paints work fine. They are well regarded in many circles (historical miniature painters use them a lot). The Model Master's line is heavily pigmented and covers quite well. The lid and bottle are a bit of a turn off for many people though.

Beyond that - I like dropper bottles for my regular paints (airbrush and regular brush) as it is easy to record formulas for colors for future reference and I can put a few drops straight in my airbrush without difficulty.

Vallejo, Reaper, Andrea and a few others cover that straight away...other brands get transferred into dropper bottles as soon as the package arrives in the mail.