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So I again find myself wanting to paint with no actual paints(most chucked in the last house move, the remainder dried and crusty), and I'm trying to figure out which big set of paints gives me the best foundation to expand upon. The issue is A; finding them(Reaper are a pain to get in the UK), and B; figuring out what actually comes in the damn things.

For example, Vallejo do three 72 colour sets "Military(ref 70.173), "Basic colour combos(ref 70.175)" and "Basic hobby colours(ref 70.172)", but nowhere can I find the difference between them, nor any explanation of why I can get .175 for £125 delivered, but .172 isn't for sale for less than £170 delivered.

Say what you like about GW(and I do, often), but at least their sets have a complete breakdown of every single colour contained inside, both in words and in pictures.

So, can anyone recommend a good foundational set somewhere around the price range above, from a UK or EU source?

Vallejo has different lines of paint: model, game and airbrush. All 3 are formulated differently. The sets you have listed above are from the Model Color line (Part numbers beginning with 70). Ideally you want the Game Color line (Part numbers beginning with 72). Game Color is intended specifically for wargame miniatures and the 72 colors exactly mirror the previous GW line of colors. I picked that exact set up several years ago and other than the fact that the metallics are terrible, the set has most everything I could want or need.

helotaxi wrote:
Vallejo has different lines of paint: model, game and airbrush. All 3 are formulated differently. The sets you have listed above are from the Model Color line (Part numbers beginning with 70). Ideally you want the Game Color line (Part numbers beginning with 72). Game Color is intended specifically for wargame miniatures and the 72 colors exactly mirror the previous GW line of colors. I picked that exact set up several years ago and other than the fact that the metallics are terrible, the set has most everything I could want or need.

Having tried all the Vallejo paints before, I find the Game Colour range to be utterly rubbish compared to Model Colour - apart from the much more limited and oversaturated palette, they separate more, they don't dilute as well, and they make awful, awful glazes. I should have mentioned that off the bat.

P3 is a good "Do it all" paint.

Works well with a brush, dilutes well for airbrushing, good coverage.

If you are going mostly airbrush look into the Minitaire set which is 50% off these days. Gives you 80 colors in 30ml bottles (Twice what most others offer) for $130

coat d' arms i believe is the old gw supplier of yore and current p3 supplier. Or so I've read. They use liquid pigments and offer a lot of different vibrant wargaming colours. You already know about vallejo.

Thanks guys, but I'm already quite familiar with the various brands, I'm more after recommendations on which specific set to buy that will give me a nice range of colours. I won't be airbrushing.

Up to you mate, but try and use abit from both! for example... the reds from Vellejo are amazing!!! super thin decent coverage and really easy to work with... but than theres other colours that are awful! and I use minitaire for them instead.