Marcus Chen
Washes and contrast paints are both used in miniature painting, but they have different purposes and characteristics. Washes are created by thinning paint with water, whereas contrast paints are formulated with pigments, glycerin, and PVA glue. Contrast paints are designed to stick around on the surface of models, acting as a base coat and wash in one, while washes are meant to flow into the recesses of models to provide shading and depth. Washes tint the surface of models and are more transparent than contrast paints, which boldly colour the surface.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature | Washes are more transparent than contrast paints. Contrast paints are bold and thick. |
| Function | Washes tint the surface. Contrast paints colour the surface and can be used as a base coat. |
| Pigment | Contrast paints have more pigment. |
| Consistency | Washes are more liquidy. Contrast paints are thicker. |
| Application | Washes are paint thinned with water. Contrast paints are not recommended to be thinned with water. |
| Number of coats | Contrast paints usually require a single coat. |
| Undercoat | Contrast paints work well with a light undercoat. |
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What You'll Learn
- Washes tint the surface, while contrast paints boldly colour it
- Washes are paint thinned with water, while contrast paints are well formulated for their pigments
- Washes leave more colour in the centres of a surface, while contrast hits the cracks
- Contrast paints are thicker than washes, allowing for full coverage
- Contrast paints are transparent by nature, while washes are more opaque
Washes tint the surface, while contrast paints boldly colour it
Washes and contrast paints are both used in miniature painting, especially for tabletop war games and board games. Washes are made by thinning paint with water, while contrast paints are made with a mix of thinned paint, glycerin (flow improver), and PVA glue.
While both washes and contrast paints are liquidy and meant to flow into the details and cracks of a model, they have different purposes. Washes are ideal for adding shade and depth to a model, while contrast paints provide a bold, consistent colour that can be used as a base for further painting.
It is possible to use contrast paints as washes, especially lighter colours, but darker colours will need to be diluted first. Some people also use a mix of contrast paints and washes in their projects, experimenting with different techniques to achieve the desired results.
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Washes are paint thinned with water, while contrast paints are well formulated for their pigments
Washes and contrast paints are both used for painting miniatures and models. Washes are paint thinned with water, whereas contrast paints are well formulated for their pigments.
Washes are made by thinning paint with water or another solvent. They are used to tint the surface of a model and are more transparent than contrast paints. They are designed to flow into the recesses of a model to provide shade and depth of colour. Washes are a great way to add shadow and dimension to a model, and they can be used to tone down the brightness of a colour for a more realistic or grimy effect.
Contrast paints, on the other hand, are designed to stick around on the surface of a model. They are thicker than washes and provide full coverage. Contrast paints are formulated with pigments to provide a consistent effect, and they can be used as a basecoat or a wash. They are transparent by nature, even when applying several layers, and the base colour will always shine through. It is recommended to apply them over a light basecoat.
While some people consider washes and contrast paints to be functionally the same, there are some key differences. Washes are more transparent and mainly tint the surface of a model, while contrast paints boldly colour the surface. Contrast paints also have more pigment, especially darker colours, and may need to be diluted before using them as washes.
Both washes and contrast paints are great tools to have in your arsenal and can be used together to create interesting effects. It's all about experimenting and playing around with techniques to get the desired results.
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Washes leave more colour in the centres of a surface, while contrast hits the cracks
Washes and contrast paints are both used to add depth and detail to miniature models and are often used in tandem with other painting techniques. However, they produce different effects.
Washes are created by thinning paint with water or a medium, such as Lahmian Medium or Contrast Medium. They are primarily used to tint the surface of a model and deepen shadows by flowing into the recesses and cracks of the model. Washes are more transparent than contrast paints, allowing the underlying colour to shine through. This results in more colour being left in the centres of a surface, creating a deeper, more shaded effect.
Contrast paints, on the other hand, are designed to "stick around" on the surface of the model, acting as both a basecoat and a wash. They have a thicker consistency than washes, allowing for full coverage. Contrast paints are formulated with pigments that provide a consistent effect, and their unique formula means that even with multiple layers, the base colour will always be visible. While contrast paints do flow into the cracks of a model, they are not as runny as washes and therefore do not leave as much colour in the centres of a surface. Instead, they focus on hitting the cracks and providing a bold colour to the surface.
When deciding whether to use a wash or a contrast paint, it is important to consider the desired effect. Washes are ideal for creating deep shadows and adding depth to a model, while contrast paints offer a quick and easy way to achieve a solid foundation with consistent results. For a more pronounced and bold colour, contrast paints are the better option, whereas washes are perfect for shading and adding realism to a model.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while it is possible to use contrast paints as washes, they typically have a higher pigment concentration and may need to be diluted first, especially for metallic surfaces.
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Contrast paints are thicker than washes, allowing for full coverage
When it comes to painting miniatures and models, there are various techniques and tools to achieve different results. Two such tools are washes and contrast paints, which have some similarities but also key differences.
Washes and contrast paints are both used to add depth and detail to a model, but they differ in their consistency and coverage. While both are quite fluidy and meant to flow into the cracks and details of a model, washes primarily tint the surface and are more transparent, allowing the underlying colour to show through. In contrast, contrast paints are thicker than washes, allowing for full coverage. They are designed to "stick around" on the surface of the model, providing a solid foundation that can be built upon. This thicker consistency of contrast paints allows them to act as both a basecoat and a wash, providing a quick and convenient way to paint models.
The unique formula of contrast paints, developed by Games Workshop, gives them a transparent filter effect even when applying multiple layers. While the base colour will always shine through, the colour of the contrast paint will build up with each layer. This is in contrast to washes, which are typically created by thinning paint with water or a medium, resulting in a more transparent and fluid consistency.
It is important to note that the terms "wash" and "contrast paint" can be somewhat interchangeable, depending on the context and the specific product in question. Some artists may find that certain contrast paints work well as washes, especially when diluted with a medium or water. However, due to the higher pigment content in contrast paints, they may not be suitable for use as washes straight out of the pot, especially darker colours.
Ultimately, the choice between using washes or contrast paints depends on the desired effect and the artist's preference. Both tools can be valuable additions to a painter's toolbox, offering different ways to add depth and detail to models.
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Contrast paints are transparent by nature, while washes are more opaque
When it comes to miniature painting, washes and contrast paints are two different tools that can be used to achieve a variety of effects. While both are very liquid and meant to flow into the details and cracks of a model, there are some key differences between the two.
Contrast paints are designed to "stick around" on the surface of models, acting as a base coat and a wash all in one. They are formulated with pigments that provide a consistent effect, and their unique formula is similar to washes but not exactly the same. Contrast paints are transparent by nature, even when applying multiple layers, and the base colour will always shine through. This makes them ideal for adding depth and gradient to a model, as the undercoat can still come through while adding a different tone on top.
On the other hand, washes are paint thinned with water or a medium, which results in a more transparent and runny consistency compared to contrast paints. Washes are designed to "flow" into the recesses of a model to provide shading and depth. They tint the surface of the model, leaving more colour in the centres while deepening the shadows in the cracks and recesses.
While some people suggest that washes and contrast paints are functionally the same, there are subtle differences in their effects. Contrast paints provide a bolder colour and better coverage, while washes allow for more control and precision in shading.
Additionally, it's important to note that while contrast paints can be thinned with water or a medium like Lahmian Medium, it is not recommended as they may lose their unique properties. In contrast, washes are created by thinning paint, so they inherently have a more diluted and transparent quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Contrast paints are well-formulated for their pigments to provide a consistent effect. They are basically thinned paint + glycerin (flow improver) + PVA glue in a mix. Washes, on the other hand, are paint thinned with water.
Contrast paints can be used as washes, especially lighter colours, but they would need to be diluted first as they have too much pigment.
Contrast paints are commonly referred to as a transparent filter. They are designed to stick around on the surface of your models, like a base coat and a wash all in one. They are best used with a zenithal highlight (light colour prime over a dark like the sun is shining at its zenith).
