How to thin Vallejo/Model Color paints to create a wash

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

Question for the Vallejo/Model Color user ; what do you use to thin those colors and make a wash?

I know about the ready-to-use Vallejo washes but they are not what I need ; I recently purchased Calvin Tan’s Osprey book “modelling waffen ss figures”, and his techniques require using washes during the process with different tones or mixes. So, the ready-to-use are not an option, and neither are the classic oils.

I’m only used to oil washes, with lighter fluid ; how should I thin the Vallejos without destroying the base coats when applying? Just water? Still lighter fluid?

2

Hi, in reguards to your question, I have the same book :slight_smile: you can thin down the vallejo paints with water/flow retarder mix till it’s thin. It goes on real nice.

https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/comments/6cmzj8/what_do_you_use_to_thin_down_vallejo_paints_for/

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/23/t/174972.aspx

http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?16499

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/18/t/160754.aspx

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234990930-spraying-vallejo-loads-of-problems-help-appreciated/

http://ipms-seattle.org/modeltalk/2015/10/20/airbrushing-vallejo-acrylics/

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/258752.aspxhttps://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=5507.0

http://www.maschinenkrueger.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23:vallejo-model-paints&catid=18:tools-and-supplies&Itemid=22

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/tools_techniques_and_reference_materials/f/13/t/155355.aspx

https://www.reddit.com/r/Warmachine/comments/6ycbtj/making_your_own_wash_vallejo/

http://www.sunwardhobbies.ca/paints/vallejo-model-wash-tips.pdf

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234939204-doing-a-wash-the-correct-way/

https://community.warcradle.com/topic/16605-turning-paint-into-a-wash/

https://www.themodellingnews.com/2013/06/review-using-vallejo-washes-to-add-more.html

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/490087.page

https://www.scalemodellingnow.com/hntools-vallejo-acrylic-washes

3

Yeah, water, as German Armor said. I use water to make washes with Vallejo colors, also with Andrea, and with craft store acrylics.

I don’t use retarders, myself, I haven’t found it necessary. But your mileage may vary, as they say.

For my gloss toy soldiers, I do use water, acrylic colors, and Future, to make thin glazes that are similar to washes. The purpose is the same-to put down a layer of very thin color, which settles in relief areas and provides a contrast to surrounding colors.

Best regards,

Brad