Anyone have recommendations on the different minis paints out there on the market these days?  I've been using the Vallejo paints for a few years now, but I'm getting sick of them.  The paint quality is good, though prone to separation.  But those damn eye droppers are driving me crazy.  They keep getting gummed up, and I waste more paint just trying to get them open (*SQUIRT!!!* FUCK!!!).

I see the Citadel paints have gone back to their 'fliptop' bottles.  Those were always decent paints, but I loathe the notion of giving any money to the Evil Empire.  Any experience with Reaper paints?  Anything else?

This will sound totally insane but I recommend it anyhow. . . Michael's Arts & Crafts carries a range of nice, thick, acrylics under the brand name of "Americana" (I believe it was "Apple-something-or-other" at one point in time).

At any rate, these paints come in 140 different colors (including metallics and primers, last I checked) and retail for anywhere from $0.89 - $0.99 per 2 oz. bottle. Really, they're a tremendously good bargain so long as you know how to mix paints.

I knew a prize-winning model painter back in Wichita, KS who used nothing but these 'bargain paints' (in fact, it was  he who first got me into mini painting).

I've always used Humbrol acrylics.  Huge range, mix well with citadel but they don't have that rubbery finish you get with the latter.

Quote from: jdrakehThis will sound totally insane but I recommend it anyhow. . . Michael's Arts & Crafts carries a range of nice, thick, acrylics under the brand name of "Americana" (I believe it was "Apple-something-or-other" at one point in time).

At any rate, these paints come in 140 different colors (including metallics and primers, last I checked) and retail for anywhere from $0.89 - $0.99 per 2 oz. bottle. Really, they're a tremendously good bargain so long as you know how to mix paints.

I knew a prize-winning model painter back in Wichita, KS who used nothing but these 'bargain paints' (in fact, it was  he who first got me into mini painting).

You're not insane, those are the paints I always used.  I got them at Wal-Mart for $.49 a bottle.  I also got my (machine-tool-grey) primer and sealer (I always liked glossy) there in the paint dept for $.99 each.

These paints (especially with a grey primer) give the minis a duller look, but I liked that.  IN addition (not bragging) apparently the paint was good enough to win me several "best painted" at RT tournaments.

That said, I always had a few paints from Games Workshop (and the "evil empire" comment was just dumb, so I'm not even going to comment further on that! I wish people would get over this ill-informed, childish, and unfounded rebel attitude.) for colors I really wanted to stand out and for the metallic, which were much more bold than the cheap ones.

Like jdrakeh, I use standard craft-store acrylics.

The only reason to use the more expensive acrylics is if there's a colorI just can't seem to get or mix on my own.. like some of the silks or fluorescents. I think there's no doubt that some of those special paints are higher quality, though. However, they aren't enough higher quality to really make a difference.

Quote from: Abyssal MawLike jdrakeh, I use standard craft-store acrylics.

The only reason to use the more expensive acrylics is if there's a colorI just can't seem to get or mix on my own.. like some of the silks or fluorescents. I think there's no doubt that some of those special paints are higher quality, though. However, they aren't enough higher quality to really make a difference.

The "higher quality" lines tend to be a bit thicker, or become thicker the longer you have it exposed to air (In my experience).  IMHO that's a bad thing.  When I'm painting microscopic things with an itty bitty brush I don't want a big glob of paint.

Quote from: grubmanThe "higher quality" lines tend to be a bit thicker, or become thicker the longer you have it exposed to air (In my experience).  IMHO that's a bad thing.  When I'm painting microscopic thins with an ity bitty bruch I don't want a big glob of paint.

You gots to thinnify with water!

But otherwise I agree with you.

Howdy All (and Zomben),

I've heard good feedback on a few different paints out fairly recently.

Privateer' Formula P3 paints have gotten some good attention.  We did a review of them in Episode 4.5 of 2d6 Feet in a Random Direction.

I've also been hearing very good things about the new GW paint formulations.  We were recording a new episode the other night with EG's GW rep and there was a good bit of banter about the paints.  Apparently, both the yellows and reds are good enough to paint over a black undercoat in a single layer.

Well, as some of my Vallejo's are drying out, I'll just have to test out a few of these options.  I do have some of the new formula GW paints, and they are nice.  I'll check out those P3 paints.  Probably give some of the Reapers and the 'craft store' paints above a whirl as well.  Thanks!