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hi everyone,

so I'm completely new to the whole miniature painting scene. I have been reading a lot lately but still it's not easy! I'm going to start with only brush painting for now and start with vallejo (since that is easily available here and it seems lots of people recommend it)

now I would like some confirmation if I have things right, because reading lots gives you tons of information but there are just so many products it's quite intimidating when you are new!
so...

1) vallejo model color is specifally made for brush painting right? vallejo model air is basically for airbrushing (which I wont be doing just yet)
2) the vallejo mediums (matte, gloss...) improve the flow of the acrylic paint and help prevent brush strokes?
3) drying retarder slows down the fast drying of acrylic paint so it can be handled longer?
4) are you supposed to use the medium and retarder together? or is it one or the other... and in what ratio's? paint to retarder and paint to medium or is that basically experiment on a piece of scrap till you find a good mix?

sorry for all the questions everyone. This is exciting reading about it but it gets quite complicated on a total starter!

have a good day
bye

1) Vallejo Model Color and Vallejo Game Color are both made for brush painting. Model Color is slightly more toned down in pigmentation whereas Game Color is brighter (and meant to match Games Workshop colours). Model Air is for airbrushing. Have a look at this for paint comparisons.
2) As I understand, the mediums change the "finish" of the paint. Like they have a metallic medium that makes it shiny like metallic paints (it's just flecks of silver pigmentation in a suspension, AFAIK). Matte makes it dry matte (no shine) whereas gloss makes it dry shiny. You want an extender or flow improver for your paints.
3) Exactly correct.
4) I have no idea. Honestly, if you're starting out, I don't think it's a huge issue. Just use some water.

ErikC12 wrote:
1) vallejo model color is specifally made for brush painting right? vallejo model air is basically for airbrushing (which I wont be doing just yet)

That's correct, though you can also use Vallejo model colour for airbrushing if you dilute it. Model air comes pre-diluted.

2) the vallejo mediums (matte, gloss...) improve the flow of the acrylic paint and help prevent brush strokes?

Maybe a bit, but probably no more than water, matte and gloss are primarily to give the paint a different finish. Gloss will have a levelling agent that makes it look smooth and shiny, but you can still end up with shiny brush strokes if you're not careful. You should also be aware that after you paint you will probably want to varnish, which will change whatever finish is on the paint.

3) drying retarder slows down the fast drying of acrylic paint so it can be handled longer?

Correct, which actually does make it good for preventing brush strokes and doing fine detail painting.

4) are you supposed to use the medium and retarder together? or is it one or the other... and in what ratio's? paint to retarder and paint to medium or is that basically experiment on a piece of scrap till you find a good mix?

You can use them both together. The ratios will depend on what effect you are trying to get, and things that can't really be accounted for like the humidity levels in your room etc... So yeah, it's basically a case of experiment until you get what you are looking for. If you work from a palette you can usually tell when the paint is the right consistency.

If you are just starting out and are completely new to this, then I would 100% recommend that you just use a bit of water for thinning the paints. My personal view is that the less you have to think about when you are trying to learn a new skill, the quicker you will get to grips with the basics of it and not confuse yourself.

I find that a lot of brush painting revolves around things like how much paint you have on the brush, where you are applying it, how you apply it, the control of the brush itself, keeping "in the lines".

All of this is learnt through practice, so as mentioned, my view is, why complicate things initially even more.


Whichever route you choose to go down though, good luck with it


Regards