Elena Rossi
Citadel paints are known for their thick consistency, and while some prefer to use them as is, others may want to thin them out. Thinning paint is a common practice to avoid obscuring the fine details of a miniature with thick paint. There are various methods and tools to thin paint to your desired consistency, such as using a wet palette, dropper bottles, and mixing balls. The most common thinning medium is water, added in drops or by dipping the brush. However, some artists also use flow mediums like Citadel Lahmian Medium or Liquitex Flow Medium to thin their Citadel paints. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you, as there is no one-size-fits-all ratio or technique.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paint consistency | Milk-like |
| Paint dilution | Add water |
| Paint application | Use a brush to mix water and paint on a palette |
| Paint storage | Keep lids closed when not in use |
| Paint mixing | Use a vortex mixer or mixing balls to ensure even consistency |
| Paint ratios | Experiment with different ratios of paint to medium, such as 2:1 |
| Paint flow | Thin paint enough to control its flow and avoid obscuring fine details |
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What You'll Learn
Use water to thin Citadel paint
When thinning Citadel paint with water, it's important to remember that a little goes a long way. Start by shaking your paint bottle thoroughly to ensure the pigments are evenly distributed and the paint has a consistent texture. Then, if you have some smooth plastic or a spare miniature, try painting a line with the undiluted paint. This will give you a reference point for comparison.
Next, dip your brush into a cup of water and then into the paint on your palette. Mix the paint and water thoroughly. You can also apply water directly to the paint on your palette. Now, you can gradually add more water to thin the paint to your desired consistency. However, be cautious not to overload your brush with water, as this will dilute the paint further as you work.
It's important to find the right balance when thinning Citadel paint with water. If your paint is too thick, it may pool on the miniature and result in an uneven finish. On the other hand, if it's too thin, the colour may be barely visible. A good rule of thumb is to thin your paint to the consistency of milk.
To test the consistency of your thinned paint, paint a line next to the one you painted with undiluted paint. Compare the two lines—if the first coat of thinned paint already covers completely, it's too thick. If the colour is barely visible, it's too thin. By adjusting the amount of water you add, you can achieve the perfect consistency for your Citadel paint.
Additionally, consider using mixing balls to maintain an even consistency throughout your paint. Companies like Army Painter offer small metal balls that you can place in your paint bottle. For a Citadel pot, two to three mixing balls are usually sufficient.
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Try a mixing medium
When thinning Citadel paints, a mixing medium can be used to achieve the desired consistency. One popular option is to use a flow medium, such as Liquitex, which can be purchased online. This medium helps to thin the paint and improve its flow, making it easier to apply and control.
To use a flow medium effectively, it is recommended to transfer your Citadel paint into a dropper bottle. This allows for more precise measurements and easier mixing. With a dropper bottle, you can experiment with different ratios of paint to medium, such as a 2:1 ratio, to find the consistency that works best for you.
For example, you might start with two drops of paint and one drop of medium, adjusting as needed. This method also helps to extend the life of your paint, as it is less likely to dry out in a dropper bottle. Additionally, consider adding some small glass beads or metal mixing balls to your bottle to act as agitators, ensuring that the paint and medium are thoroughly mixed.
When working with a mixing medium, it is important to remember that the consistency of your paint may vary depending on the colour and brand. Therefore, it is essential to experiment with different ratios and techniques to find what works best for your specific paint. Ultimately, the thinning process is about finding what feels right to you and allows you to achieve the desired results on your miniatures.
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Ensure paint is well-mixed
When thinning paint to Citadel quality, ensuring that the paint is well-mixed is a crucial step. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this:
Firstly, it is important to shake the paint bottle thoroughly before starting to paint. Citadel paints tend to be thicker than other brands, so adequate shaking ensures that the pigments are evenly distributed throughout the paint. This prevents you from having some parts of the paint too thick and others too thin. If you use dropper bottles, this step is especially crucial.
You can also use mixing balls to keep the paint consistent. Metal mixing balls are available from companies like Army Painter, and you can place around two to three balls per Citadel pot. These balls help keep the paint mixed and prevent it from separating.
Another option for mixing your paint is to use a vortex mixer. This device mixes your paints efficiently and ensures consistent thinning. Simply place your paint in the vortex mixer for about 30 seconds, and it will be thoroughly mixed.
Additionally, when thinning your paint, always be mindful of the water content in your brush. Even if your paint has the perfect consistency on your palette, a wet brush can dilute the paint further as you load it. To avoid this, ensure any excess water on your brush handle works its way down into the paint before you begin painting.
Lastly, practice and experimentation are key. Don't overthink it—the right consistency is what feels right to you. Thinning the paint is about ensuring you don't apply it so thickly that it obscures the fine details of your miniature. With time and practice, you'll develop your own style and techniques for thinning and mixing your paint to achieve the desired results.
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Control paint flow
When thinning paint for use, the aim is to achieve a consistency that allows you to control the paint flow easily and avoid obscuring the fine details of the miniature model. The consistency should be thin enough to control but not so thin that the colour is barely visible.
To control paint flow effectively, you can employ various techniques and tools. Firstly, ensure that your paint is well-mixed before use. Shake the paint bottle thoroughly to evenly distribute the pigments and achieve the intended consistency. This is especially important for dropper bottles, as they can separate into thicker and thinner parts if not shaken properly.
Another way to maintain consistent paint is by using mixing balls. Adding two to three small metal balls to your paint bottle helps keep the paint even. Companies like Army Painter offer these mixing balls, which can be useful for paint pots like Citadel.
Additionally, pay attention to your brush and the amount of paint it holds. If too much paint is running off your brush, use a paper towel to remove the excess. This is crucial when using brushes like the kolinsky sable brush, which tends to soak up a lot of paint. By controlling the amount of paint on your brush, you can avoid flooding the miniature with paint.
When thinning paint, it is common to use water. However, be cautious not to over-thin the paint, as this can lead to a loss of vibrancy in the colours. Add water gradually, mixing as you go, until you achieve the desired consistency.
Finally, practice and experimentation are key. As you gain experience, you will develop a feel for how the paint should flow and what works best for you. Don't be afraid to try different thinning ratios and techniques to find what suits your style and the specific paint colours you are using.
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Use a wet palette
Using a wet palette is a great way to thin your paints to a Citadel-like quality. This tool is a must-have for any miniature painter as it helps to keep your paints wet and workable for extended periods.
Here's how you can use a wet palette to thin your paints:
Start by taking a sheet of parchment paper and placing it on your wet palette. The parchment paper should be slightly larger than the size of your wet palette, so it's easy to fold and seal. Once you've placed the parchment paper on the wet palette, use a small spray bottle to lightly dampen the paper. You don't want to soak the paper, just lightly mist it with water.
Now, take your paints and add a small amount to the damp parchment paper. Use a wet brush to gently thin the paint, mixing it with the moisture on the paper. You'll notice that the paint mixes easily and becomes smooth and creamy. This is the ideal consistency for painting miniatures, as it allows for easy application and smooth coverage.
The wet palette helps to keep your paints from drying out, so you can take your time and work at a comfortable pace. It's a great way to ensure that your paints remain consistent and easy to work with throughout your entire painting session.
Another benefit of using a wet palette is that it helps to prevent paint wastage. By adding a small amount of paint to the palette and thinning it as needed, you can stretch your paint further and reduce the amount of leftover paint on your palette. This not only saves you money but also helps to keep your work area tidy and organised.
Using a wet palette is a simple and effective way to thin your paints to a Citadel-like quality. It gives you more control over the consistency of your paints, ensuring that you achieve the best possible results in your miniature painting endeavours.
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Frequently asked questions
If the colour is barely visible, your paint is too thin.
You can use water or a thinning medium like Lahmian Medium or Liquitex Flow Medium. If using water, add a few drops at a time and mix until you get your desired consistency. If using a thinning medium, a 2:1 ratio of paint to medium is a good starting point.
Your paint should be thin enough to flow back when moved but not so thin that it runs off your brush. It should also be thick enough that the colour is still vibrant.
