Vallejo brush work

[Jad]

Ok guys and girls.
My first question on the Forum and won’t be the last lol.
I’ve just ordered Vallejo model paints for my first project. I will be brushing for the foreseeable future.
Do I need to thin down Vallejo model paints for brushing for best results and what medium do I need to use?
This also allies to Vallejo primer?
Thanks

[rtfoe]

Vallejo acrylic paints that I know can be thinned with water for brush painting. Use that a lot for figure painting now. The amount to thinning is subjective depending on ones preference on how many coats you want to finish over. Haven't done large surfaces in years but the brush guys could give you a tip or two.

Cheers,
Wabble

[KarlW]

Some VMC needs no more than a wet brush, some needs a few drops of water, some brushes fine out of the bottle.
As Richard has already hinted at it's best to build paint up in layers, two or three thin coats seems to work best.
But you don't want over thin paint or it'll just settle in the recesses.

[Davethehat]

Hi Jad

Best to thin them so as to build up the coats with water or thining medium a wet pallet is also good for this but not essential have a look on YouTube and see what others have to say as for primer I use a rattle can for this

Hope it helps

Dave

[Jim R]

Hi John
Have a look at THIS thread. It's by a guy called Ron. He is a die-hard brush painter and a superb modeller. I'm sure you'll find a lot of help there.

[Jad]

Hi John
Have a look at THIS thread. It's by a guy called Ron. He is a die-hard brush painter and a superb modeller. I'm sure you'll find a lot of help there.

Yes he’s a bit special. Good thread too

[Valeron]

I don't have an airbrush and brushpaint with Vallejo paints. In fact it's the only paint I use.

I do use a non Vallejo rattle can for priming but do sometimes brush paint Vallejo primer, which I use neat.

With regards to model colours, I always dilute with tap water. The quantity of water needed depends on the colour as they all seem to be different. When painting it takes between 2-4 coats depending on the colour, to get a nice coverage.

With Model Air colours, I do the same but dilute much less.

[spanner570]

Hi John.

Folks will all have differing views on brush painting models. The method, brushes and paints...... The list is a long one. The best thing is to practice and find what is right for you.

The above posts offer excellent advise......I don't know about taking any notice of that toe rag Ron, though!

Here's my contribution. The bigger the area, the wider and bigger the flat headed brush. Always paint dark over light. Work quickly, and initially, not neatly, as the aim is smooth paint.

I can't comment about a primer as I rarely use any. If I do, I brush on Vallejo Air's 'Grey' primer.

I use Vallejo Air diluted with tap water. I try and get the consistency something like, so the paint still has some body to it. Try on a test piece of plastic. Use multiple coats of the same thickness paint and never be tempted to thicken the paint.

Oh, and don't you dare go over and cheat with an airbrush!

spanner570

[Jad]

Hi John.

Folks will all have differing views on brush painting models. The method, brushes and paints...... The list is a long one. The best thing is to practice and find what is right for you.

The above posts offer excellent advise......I don't know about taking any notice of that toe rag spanner570 though!

Here's my contribution. The bigger the area, the wider and bigger the flat headed brush. Always paint dark over light. Work quickly, and initially, not neatly, as the aim is smooth paint.

I can't comment about a primer as I rarely use any. If I do, I brush on Vallejo Air's 'Grey' primer.

I use Vallejo Air diluted with tap water. I try and get the consistency something like, so the paint still has some body to it. Try on a test piece of plastic. Use multiple coats of the same thickness paint and never be tempted to thicken the paint.

Oh, and don't you dare go over and cheat with an airbrush!

Ron

Thanks Ron.

[Tim Marlow]

Two other things to look at are the palette types you will need to work with acrylic paint.

The first is the dry palette. This is best for making larger amount of paint for covering larger areas. It is usually a simple affair, basically anything that holds the paint and allows you to dilute the paint as required will do The job, such as cheap plastic palettes from a pound shop.

The other sort are wet palettes. These are very useful for making up small amounts of paint for detail work and for glazes used in figure work. It’s a bit more specialist, so I would get the hang of the dry palette first. When you are ready though there are plenty of demos on the net……..to me they unlocked the subtleties of acrylic painting and really enabled to improve my technique.

[Jad]

Two other things to look at are the palette types you will need to work with acrylic paint.

The first is the dry palette. This is best for making larger amount of paint for covering larger areas. It is usually a simple affair, basically anything that holds the paint and allows you to dilute the paint as required will do The job, such as cheap plastic palettes from a pound shop.

The other sort are wet palettes. These are very useful for making up small amounts of paint for detail work and for glazes used in figure work. It’s a bit more specialist, so I would get the hang of the dry palette first. When you are ready though there are plenty of demos on the net……..to me they unlocked the subtleties of acrylic painting and really enabled to improve my technique.

Thanks

[spanner570]

No offence Tim, but you don't need palettes. I get along quite happily with any 'vessel' that doesn't leak water.

[stillp]

I use the blister packs that indigestion tablets are packed in.
Pete

[JR]

No offence Tim, but you don't need palettes. I get along quite happily with any 'vessel' that doesn't leak water.

Ha, I used bottle caps, perfect for small amounts.

[Jim R]

I find a wet palette very useful for small amounts of paint, especially if the colour has been mixed. The wet palette keeps the paint useable for much longer.
Also useful when glazing figures. Sometimes you need 4 or 5 glaze coats and the wet palette keeps the paint nice between coats.
Ron's right in that it's not an essential. I often use milk carton tops for paint as they are free and can be thrown away after use. For some things though the wet palette is useful.