Vallejo paints question

[gordy]

I've heard rumors that the FolkArt and Delta - Ceramcoat line of paints are the same formula as Vallejo...

is there any merit to these claims?

 

[btavis]

Gordy, I am not sure if they are exactly the same formula but you can achieve similar results for a lot less money than Vallejo.

Basically, all of this stuff is acrylic gouache. If you are a good color mixer then chances are you can probably get every color you need from the Delta/Folkart range. No, they don't have German Feldgrau but you can mix it. I use this type of paint all the time for undercoating and even some finishing. They come in much larger bottles than Vallejo and are significantly less expensive.

Color mixing is a skill that I think everyone should have familiarity. I always get a laugh when I read on some modeling forum someone asking, " what is the Humbrol colors of German splinter pattern used in fall 1943." To me all I need is a picture and I can mix it with any paint.

 

[John Long]

I bought some of these based on the same rumor. I don't think they're the same. They have similar properties, but I don't think the craft paints have the same concentration of pigment. The craft paints worked just fine for undercoats, but they required at least two and somtimes three applications.

 

[gordy]

interesting... John with them being perhaps "thinner" would that lend itself to better "glazing" and blending?

 

[John Long]

I haven't used them in this capacity. They're not thinner per se, they are about the same viscosity. I think they use different carriers and the same pigments, but less of it. I'm an oil paiter, so they serve me pretty well for undercoats. I think Anders Heintz has used these craft paints exclusively for figures. The funny thing is some guys are so good at mastering their medium of choice, it wouldn't matter if they used magic markers.

 

[gforceman]

I'm only painting a couple of months with acrylics, and most that I know I got from Larissa (big shout out to her). The best acrylic paint out there is Poly colour from Italy, but it's very hard to find it. It's produced in Italy and as far as we know there's only one shop in Belgium which has it. The paint is so great because they use almost pure pigment? The trouble I had with Valejo/Andrea was that I shook my bottles mixing the dillution and pigment. The dillution they use, made it impossible for me to make a decent blend. Larissa then told me to get rid of this what she called (expletive), and used the pure pigment. this I then (heavely) dillute with demineralized water (there's a lot of chalk in the tapwater where I live. Since then I have results which aren't too bad and I'm still improving; I hope. I have better results in these couple of months in the acrylic world then the years I've spent in the oilworld. And mixing colours is all the fun, should there be a bottle for each colour I would look for another hobby.

Best wishes,

Gino Poppe

 

[gordy]

That's for the info

it wouldn't matter if they used magic markers

how true that is

99¢ for 2 oz. is pretty persuasive though

 

[btavis]

The best acrylic I have found is from Holbein called Acryla Gouache. It comes in tubes and follows traditional artists color naming conventions. It has strong pigment, excellent opacity and can mix with any other kind of acrylic. I prefer tube colors and their creamy consistency and there is nothing to shake. Unlike the craft paints though they are not cheap. The other tube paint I like is Jo Sonja which comes in large tubes and is much more cost effective. It also has a nice creamy consistency.

 

[Guy]

I have been using acrylics now for over 20 years and took my first gold using all acrylics in 81 at New Jersey show. Befor Andrea and Vallejo came along we used poly s by floquil. I have several bottles of both Andrea and Vallejo and frankly I am not impressed by either. I have also used the craft store brands and find them to do better coverage than Andrea or Vallejo. I guess I have not been affected by all the hoop-la about switching to acrylics like it was something new.....it's not!

btw.....a word of caution about acrylics. I have had 2 bad eye infections and when they got the results back from the culture they took, it was found that the infections were from polymer......this is a good breeding ground for bacteria and the infections came from my using acrylic paint and then, I guess, scratching my eyes or rubbing them, causing the infection both times. Just thought you should know. I change my acrylic brush tank on a more regular basis than my oil tank.
Let your acrylic brush cleaning tank or jar sit some where for awhile and see what grows in it. It'll surprise you.

Guy

 

[gordy]

@Guy, yikes! that's pretty frightening...

 

[Richard E]

Hi Guy, that's true I stopped using acrylics a long time ago except for the smallest of jobs, I left the tank for a couple of days once (being lazy) and saw whole new worlds on my return.

btw just saw your Mongol in the gallery, a beautiful job ... I love the heads.

 

[yancy]

All-

Has anyone used the Vallejos with their airbrush.

Since I use my airbrush for almost everything, even 90 mm, I am looking for a quick pre-mixed solution. I have used testors and other enamel based paints, but would love to transfer over to the pre-mixed arena.

Yancy

 

[MSzwarc]

Yancy,

Vallejo produces a line of acrylics formulated for the airbrush called Model Air. I've never used them, however, so I can't give you any advice.

Mike Szwarc

 

[btavis]

I have used Vallejos in an airbrush without any problems. What I do is mix with a flow enhancer and water to about 50-50 and then strain the paint through silk to remove any clumps. From there it goes straight into an airbrush bottle. I usually use airbrush for general spraying (no detail) so set compressor to around 35 psi.

 

[bosko b]

I too have airbrushed Vallejos without any problems, however be sure to, as Btravis mentioned, strain themtrough silk or fine meshthem before you put them into your airbrush.

 

[simon1969]

strain them trough silk or fine mesh them before you put them into your airbrush

Wish I'd known that before I used Citadel acrylics through my (now dead! ) airbrush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simon

 

[yancy]

Okay guys I got my vallejos out and shot some through my Paasche V and WOW

I love they way these cover, although it is gong to take some getting use to. I usually shoot at 5 psi with enamels and I had to bring the air pressure up to 25 just to get these paints flowing.

With your help, and the recent purchase of the vallejo napoleonic pack, you may have moved me off my Terminator bust and onto my 150mm French Napoleonic Hussar. Picked the kit up from Red Lancers while attending the 2002 Atlanta Show. Breath takingly sculpted in cold cast porcelian.

I am rambling.

Thanks for the help!

Yancy

 

[quang]

Yancy,

Vallejo also has a "thinner for airbrush".

For once, this is not a marketing scam. It really WORKS (improves the air flow enormously). Also check out their airbrush cleaner.

Quang