what's best

[alexandros]

hello gurus and officianados.
I know these questions have probably been answered a million times but I can't find them anywhere so I thought I'd ask them again:
1 - what's easiest for a novice, oils or acrylics?
2 - what technique gives the best result, blending with oils or layering, etc. with acrylics?
Sorry to bore you all with this. I've looked at many threads on this and other forums and I'm getting mixed messages about the materials and techniques to use. To me, it appears most favour oils for quality but acrylics for ease of use.
Cheers from Down Under.

 

[dannyk01]

Well, both oils and acrylics have thier advantages and disadvantages. They both take a fair bit of practice to master (i've been told many years inw which i haven't yet ) Use what you feel more comfortable with. As for reccomendations, I like using Vallejo and Citadel acrylics. Thats my personal opinion and many other people will most probably tell you different.

 

[alexandros]

Thanks dannyK01. Where do you get your Vallejo paints from? I haven't found an Oz distributor for that brand. I like Vallejo's colour range, it seems wider than any others.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Brian,

I've used both oils and acrylics for many years, and as Daniel says there are advantages and disadvanted with both mediums.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you feel most comfortable with. For me, the decision to switch from oils to acrylics was determined by the quicker drying times for acrylics and the fact that I'm rather impatient when it comes to painting. I tend to work in quick bursts, so acrylics suit my style of painting and you can crack on without having to wait for the paint to dry.

Blending oils does take a lot of practice, and you can achieve some marvelous effects with patience, but if you want to get quick results my suggestion is to work in acrylics.

To get the best effects from acrylics you do need to understand how the paint works. Acrylics work best when you apply a number of thin coats and build up the colour by layering. This process requires patience too, so there are no short cuts either way.

Both Vallejo and Andrea acrylic paints are excellent for figure painting and I can recommend both. I have chosen to stick with Vallejo simply because they offer a wide choice of colours and I can buy them at my local hobby shop.

 

[alexandros]

Thanks for the input Tony. I've Googled Vallejo and not been able to find anyone in NSW who sells the paint. Can you tell me the name of your local hobby shop?
Cheers
Brian

 

[Jamie Stokes]

Vallejo stockists

Alexandros,
I mail order my Vallejo from Gosford Hobbies.
fair prices, lotsa choices, i like dealing with them.

Gosford Hobbies can be reached on 4329 2066 or their new website (still coming together at time of writing) www.gosfordhobbies.com
I use Vallejo, as oils represent too steep a learning curve for me. Acrylics tend to suit my style, for now.

Cheers
Jamie

 

[Tarok]

Stanbridge's

Where do you get your Vallejo paints from? I haven't found an Oz distributor for that brand.

Stanbridge's in Perth stocks Vallejo, although I haven't had an indepth look at the site, I suspect it may be a limited range.

Cheapeest is probably to get them from one of the internet dealers in Hong Kong - either LuckyModel or HobbyEasy.

HTH

Rudi

 

[dannyk01]

Well just for the sake of awnsering the question of where i got them from, i get them from Stanbridges. They have a good selection and the website to it is: http://www.stanbridges.com.au/index.cfm/about
As i have looked, i haven't seen much of the Vallejo range on the website. Maybe i am looking in the wrong place?

Also obviously the shop is located here in Perth. If i remember right i don't think Hobbyco in Sydney supplies Vallejo paints (since i last went there in Feburary) but maybe that has changed.

I hope this helps

Daniel

 

[tonydawe]

Rudi,

As far as I know Stanbridge's carries the full range of Vallejo acrylics and you can order them online. It may be cheaper to order them from Hong Kong, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't get them closer to home.

 

[alexandros]

Thanks everyone. Good feedback on where to get Vallejo.
I get the impression from the number of responses about suppliers that acrylics are the go.
I'm just setting up a workstation now and the only thing missing is suitable paints.
I better get onto it and start practising.
Cheers and beers
Brian

 

[Einion]

1 - what's easiest for a novice, oils or acrylics?

Depends on the person and their experience & skillset, patience, natural tendencies.

Also depends on what they'll be painting - 1/35 scale figures aren't as easy as large busts in oils and the reverse for acrylics/vinyl paints (if painting by brush).

2 - what technique gives the best result, blending with oils or layering, etc. with acrylics?

What do you think? Your opinion is the only one that matters.

I've looked at many threads on this and other forums and I'm getting mixed messages about the materials and techniques to use.

That's because it's a 'different strokes for different folks' thing.

Einion

 

[dannyk01]

All im going to say about acrylics now is that they almost always need to get thinned (unaless they are those citadels washes that could even be thinned a bit more) with Distilled water. It makes the paint for workable for almost every style of painting (something that Tony taught me).

Hope this helps,
Daniel

 

[alexandros]

Being a novice, I depend on the advice of those more knowledgeable than me and I rely on their first hand experiences.
Cheers again and thanks for giving me something to think about. I'm very much looking forward to it.
Brian