Citadel Colours, are they good for large figures?

DJ;
I mainly model 120mm fiqures and have only tried Citadel Colours (Metallic types) once and was not happy with the result.

If you can get past the unconventional names they use for the colors, the Citadel paints aren't bad for larger scale figs. A little difficult to handle as the drying agent in them gives you no time to work the paint. A problem on the larger surface areas and coverage needed for larger figs. I've found that if you thin them, they work o.k.

I primarily use Tamiya and Model Master acrylics and then Oil paints for blending and highlights. On the occasion that I've used the citadel paint is when I've been unable to replace a color or there is a particular color that catches my eye. There is a gaming shop close by and I'll patronize them if I'm not headed to my LHS.

Wayne, I don't blame you. Metallics are difficult to begin with, and the Citadel metallics are worse than most. About the only metallic I'll use of theirs is the gun metal. I like the bluish color for some applications.

I have heard several good things about the vallejo colors and you might want to give them a try.

Since larger figures are more for display rather than gaming figures which are handled more frequently, a good rule of thumb for painting figures is "whatever works." I've used all types of paint with great success and the more you are open to trying new stuff the more you'll find. I would also suggest even some of those Americana or Ceramacoat acrylics you see in craft stores. They come in as many if not more colors than conventional model paint and once the figure is primed, the adhesion is not a problem. They are inexpensive, go a long way, last a long time, are easy to mix, you can run them through an airbrush. They blend well, and are some of the best paint I have found for drybrushing. Best of all, there are more craft stores than hobby shops and that means you can find them everywhere.

Mike

Wayne and Mike,

Thanks for the replies. I think I will steer myself toward the Model Master acrylics or possibly the Vallejo. By the way, do you find the Model Master acryls to be a little too thin out of the bottle?

DJ

DJ;
Mike I did find that the Model master Acrylics were a little thin from the bottles, only tried them once as they can be difficult to find here in Aussie land.

I mainly use humbrol enamels but have been experimenting with Vallejo lately as they have just become available at a local hobby shop. So far I am very happy with them.

Will try to post a photo of the fiqure that I am currently working when it is finished, most of the paintwork is Vallejo.

Mike, the colours I used were the Golden colours really had problems with them.

Wayne

I've noticed too that Citadel paints seem to dry pretty quickly. When I put paint out onto a palette, it never seems like I have enough time before it's dried up. It's fustrating when I only need a bit more paint and I have to go back to the bottle. I always thought maybe I wasn't painting fast enough.

I've seen a couple of references to Vallejo paints and it seems all positive. I found some more information about them here: http://www.warweb.com/vallejo.html It also looks like they have a line specifically for airbrushes: http://www.warweb.com/vallejo_air.html

I'm wondering, have they been around for a long time or somewhat new? According to the page, they have 220 paints. Now I'm curious and will have to check out the LHS to see if anyone carries them.

I've been using the Citadel Paints for years. The most important thing I've learned is to use the paint directly from the cap, and not to use a palette. Yes, they dry fast, but for painting smaller figures, they work great. Never tried them with larger scale figures, though.

As for the Vallejo Paints, I've heard nothing but good concerning them. Their official site is at http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/

demono69

QUOTE: Originally posted by demono69 As for the Vallejo Paints, I've heard nothing but good concerning them.

Well then allow me to inject a little negativity. They are hard to mix. You have to shake and shake ... and shake that bottle. It's so hard to mix them that they have a little ball bearing in the bottle.

Once that's done though, they are good to go. I love them. The best thing about them IMO is that they hold their pigment very well, even when diluted greatly. You need to dilute them though as they are very thick out of the bottle.

I find the Citadel to be not a lot quicker-drying than other water-based acrylics, I should add. And I actually prefer the Citadel metallics to the Vallejo.

I liked the citadell paints untill a year after I bought them they dried up and I could not get the lids off them. I found that the colores straght from the bottle were too bright. I don't think they'd look good on a large figure. Modle Master oil paints are really good, just have a pair of pliers hand to get the bottles open, the paint on the rim dries quickly.