Blog

Range of fine arts products for the professional artist. Acrylic Artist Color, Acrylic Studio, Inks, Gouaches, Liquid Water Color, Varnishes and Mediums.This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising.A hub for all things Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, and more! All facets of the hobby are welcome. Check out the directory below for even more awesome Warhammer Communities.

In order to unlock offers for extended payment options, in particular express checkout and payment in instalments, we require your consent to the data transfer and storage of third-party cookies of the payment provider PayPal. This allows us to also offer you express checkout and payment by instalments. Without your consent, only the technically necessary data transfer to PayPal will take place, but you will then not be able to use the express checkout or extended offers for payment by instalments on this site.

We will replace or refund the faulty product instantaneous. Do you miss a Games Workshop product that has not yet been listed? Is a product currently sold out? Please get in touch with us, we will do our best to find a satisfactory solution. Die Datenschutzerklärung habe ich zur Kenntnis genommen und ich willige ein, dass meine Angaben zur Kontaktaufnahme für evtl. Rückfragen dauerhaft gespeichert werden. Die neue Kunststoffflasche aus r-PET (recycelt/recycelbar) ist vollständig transparent, verbessert die Farbvisualisierung und verstärkt das Engagement von Acrylicos Vallejo für Nachhaltigkeit und Umwelt. Der neue Verschluss kommt mit Sicherheitssiegel.Wenn es schnell gehen oder mehrere Figuren bemalt werden sollen, ist Game Xpress die beste Wahl. Mit den matten Farben lassen sich Miniaturen schnell und einfach fertigstellen. Die Hauptmerkmale sprechen für sich: Eine hervorragende Kapillarität, die es der Farbe ermöglicht, sich leicht über die Miniaturoberfläche zu verteilen und sich auf allen Erhebungen und in den Vertiefungen der Figur abzusetzen. Mit einem einzigen Farbauftrag können die plastischen Eigenschaften einer Miniatur betont werden. Die Farbe gleicht dabei die Erhöhungen und Vertiefungen aus.

Diese Website benutzt Cookies, die für den technischen Betrieb der Website erforderlich sind und stets gesetzt werden. Andere Cookies, die den Komfort bei Benutzung dieser Website erhöhen, der Direktwerbung dienen oder die Interaktion mit anderen Websites und sozialen Netzwerken vereinfachen sollen, werden nur mit Ihrer Zustimmung gesetzt.

In addition to being challenging to use in an airbrush, acrylic paint is susceptible to wear and tear over time. It’s fine in an area that is not near any moving parts such as an eye, wires, or on a mini-figure, but on an arm or leg or shoulder, you often risk damaging your hard work. The Mecha paint states that it has increased resistance to scratches and chipping, however, I haven’t personally noticed much of a difference when compared to other water-based acrylic paints. Vallejo states that by using its Surface Primer you can avoid this, however, I have only seen good results with miniatures that do not move. So if you choose to paint your Gunpla with all acrylics, be prepared to keep it in that pose permanently. While it’s true that lacquer paint can still scratch and chip, it has a much stronger bond and few issues occur when it is handled carefully.However, when hand painting like this, it’s better to use paint with a matte finish so as to better hide the brush strokes and avoid excess shininess. Paint with a satin, gloss, or semi-gloss finish is very difficult to finish smoothly without brush strokes being left behind. This would require a lot of careful painting and glazing, which is very time-consuming and can cause you to burn out when you could be using a much easier tool. This is why you often hear that Tamiya is not a good option for hand painting: it has a gloss finish. The colors are “show accurate.” I’m not the best at matching colors, but as far as I can tell these are the same as the official Gundam colors on the box art and in the manual. The paints are thin enough to use right out of the bottle with no paint thinner. Still, in some cases when painting small things, you may want more control over the thickness or viscosity of the paint. Vallejo Mecha Paint served me well when I was a beginner. However, as I began to learn more about paint, and grow as a model maker, I realized that this paint is not ideal for my needs. Its benefits are not unique to this particular paint, making it unnecessary for me most of the time. That being said, I went all in when I first started airbrushing and discovered this paint. I still have quite a bit left over that I still need to use in order to get my money’s worth out of it. As I mentioned before, acrylic paints such as Vallejo are better suited for hand painting small details on your Gunpla. The lack of fumes makes it easy to paint for several hours anywhere in the house and get up close to your work without getting a headache. Since it is water-based, it is easy to clean up and you don’t have to worry about it melting through other layers of paint.

I’ve been using Vallejo Mecha Paint for about three years now. I was first attracted to it when I began airbrushing Gunpla and painting miniatures. The appeal for me was that:

ightness(132.7) bright_enhenced_level(0.0) brightness_shift(1.0) brightness_high_level(196), contrast_enhanced_level(1.0) isOutdoor(41) WDR(0,0)SV(0)SGL(0)HGL(0)SGLPU(0)SGLAY(0)AY(133) Megaplamo lives on the Gulf Coast of Alabama where he paints everything from Gunpla to vinyl garage kits. Megaplamo has been building model kits since the early 2000s and loves to share any and all information he has learned on his journey. You can find Megaplamo on all social media as @megaplamo although he is the most active on Instagram. These are all strong points in Vallejo Mecha Paint’s favor. However, I would like to point out that most of these positives can be found in all other popular water-based acrylic model paints.Now that I’ve told you what I don’t like about Vallejo Mecha Paint, let me tell you what I do like. The bottle that it comes in is fantastic. Unlike Citadel paints, you have precise control over how much paint you want to use.

Gunpla is not about being perfect, it’s about building a model you love from a show you love with your own hands. Here at Gunpla 101, we provide resources for Gunpla builders of all skill levels.The pigmentation is great. The colors are bright, bold, and opaque—perfect for Gunpla and great for painting over mistakes. In fact, Vallejo Mecha Paint is comparable to the opacity of gaming paints like Citadel or the Vallejo Game Color line. The only exception seems to be the whites and yellows: they are a little on the thin side and require more coats and careful layering. By comparison Citadel’s Averland Sunset and Skeleton Horde can be painted over darker colors with two or three coats.

So what if you are like me and have a lot of Vallejo Mecha Paint that you don’t know what to do with? The solution: use it to its strengths. Since it’s easy to hand paint with and doesn’t have an unpleasantly strong smell, I often use it to hand paint small details and then smooth it out with a matte clear coat on top. I’m usually pretty happy with the results, but when it comes time to replace a color, I choose one of the many other acrylic options, such as Vallejo Model Color, Citadel or Army Painter. If it’s a color I wish to airbrush, I choose one of the many lacquer options.Let me start by saying Vallejo is a fantastic paint brand, one of the best of the best when it comes to hand painting. When it comes to Gunpla, I think that Vallejo Air, Vallejo Game Color, Vallejo Model Color, and Vallejo Metal Color are appropriate. It is important that they be thinned properly, used in small amounts, and applied by brush. Vallejo is the most accessible water-based acrylic, and often my preference, but when it comes to the Mecha line, it gives up one of its strongest attributes: its matte finish.

In conclusion, Vallejo Mecha attempts to provide something that isn’t really useful, especially when there are better options, even in Vallejo’s own line.As we know from Paint Types 101, the type of paint you use for Gunpla matters. In this review, contributor Megaplamo weighs the positives and negatives of using Vallejo Mecha Paint for Gunpla customization, paying special attention to its colors and ease of use. Model Air has been formulated especially for use with an airbrush, but it can be applied with a brush, and is especially useful for small details and shading. Spanish model-painters, having worked with solvent based paints, began to use some of our fine-arts acrylics in the 1980ties; they eventually suggested changes and modifications in our formulas, and we designed a product in accordance with their needs. After some years of development, this was to become Model Color. The product has a complicated chemical composition, and formulas are revised constantly in accord with new developments in technology, availability of new resins and raw materials, changes in pigments, and updated regulations and environmental concerns.

They have the same chemical formula as Model Color, i.e. the viscosity, opacity and other chemical properties are the same, but the colors are different: based on historical research carried out by the editors of the Panzer Aces publications, they are a very true match to the originals.

Model Color was the first water-based acrylic used for model painting. Some other acrylic brands were available, but they were solvent based. Not all acrylics are water based.Yes, but it depends on the colors. Please consider that Model Air and Premium have been formulated especially for airbrushing, while some colors in Game and Model Color are not suitable for being dispersed in the air, see please points 2.11 and 15. Health and Safety.

Sour, rancid, or moldy-smelling paint is a sign that bacteria has grown in the paint can, and it’s no longer viable. This smell will not go away after you apply it to your walls, so be sure to dispose of the paint immediately.

If you notice paint chunks that don’t dissolve after stirring, you should throw it out to avoid applying lumpy coats of paint. This standard applies even if you open the paint can and it smells fine.

If the paint has been sitting for a long period of time, it may have separated into different layers, with the pigment settling to the bottom. If you can’t mix the paint back to a uniform consistency, it may be expired. Other paints can mold if you leave them in a hot attic or garage. Powdered paints that contain milk protein will spoil quickly once mixed with water, so you need to store them in a cool location to maximize their shelf life. The paint should be smooth and have a liquid consistency. If your paint seems gooey, it likely won’t spread evenly across the surface you plan on painting.

If a fine layer of dried paint settles on the top of the paint in the can, you can usually remove it and mix the paint or add a paint thinner to it. But if you notice there’s a lot of dry paint or the paint-thinner doesn’t revive the paint, this could be a sign that it’s time for new paint.If you use old paint, it’s important to check for signs of spoilage such as separation, lumpiness, or mold growth. However, it’s generally safer and more reliable to use fresh paint that you know hasn’t expired.

As the name suggests, milk paint contains milk. And, like any jug of milk, these milk proteins shorten the lifespan of this paint type to just one to seven days once opened or mixed at home. Premixed milk paint has a longer lifespan than DIYing your milk paint with powdered milk because it’s been sealed thoroughly.With a shelf life of up to 15 years, the longest-lasting paint is oil-based paint. You can even reseal and store oil-based paints for up to 10 years. Like chemical-based acrylic paint, oil paint releases flammable VOCs when it dries, so properly seal your paint to prevent fumes and shorter shelf life.

The amount of time that paint can sit depends on several factors, such as the type of paint, storage conditions, and whether the paint can has been opened. Most paints will last between 10 and 15 years when unopened, but an open can should be used within one to two years.Nothing lasts forever, and with paint, it goes bad over time. You’ll want to be on the hunt for any signs that your can expired. A few telltale signs include:

Unopened paint generally lasts longer than opened paint cans, but how long unopened paint lasts depends on the type of paint and your storage method. If you’ve not opened a latex, acrylic, or oil-based paint can, there’s a good chance you’ll still be able to use it.Limewash paint only consists of two or three ingredients: lime, water, and optional pigments for color. As a result, limewash paint has a long shelf life of 5 to 10 years, though it might last even longer. Limewash is a great way to brighten exposed brick walls for that feature wall you’ve always wanted.

On average, a can of paint lasts around 10 years, but paint can last anywhere from one day to 15 years, depending on the type of paint and whether or not you’ve already opened the paint.Both latex and acrylic paint contain thermoplastic acrylic resin, but acrylic paint is chemical-based, while latex paint is water-based. As a result, acrylic paint is better at expanding and contracting. Both types have a similar shelf-life; however, acrylic paint is less susceptible to freeze damage and more likely to dry up if exposed to open air. Keep in mind that acrylic paint releases a higher concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than low-VOC paint like latex, milk, or chalk paint.

If your paint doesn’t smell but has an unusual consistency, it can also make your home’s paint look like an eyesore. From lumpy paint to lackluster pigments, paint that’s old, dried, or faded is best left for the bins.If you have an old paint can sitting around in storage, you may be tempted to use it to spruce up your home’s walls. But how long does paint last? Before you start your home painting project, you’ll want to ensure that paint hasn’t expired.

If you spot signs of mold or mildew growth on the paint, such as fuzzy growths or areas of greenish discoloration, then the paint is spoiled and should be discarded immediately.If you enjoy the look of a simple, matte finish, chalk paint offers a subtle hue and plenty of character to a home. It also happens to be one of the most eco-friendly paint options on the market. The paint lasts between one and five years, so you’ll want to use this paint more quickly than some of the other options. Expired chalk paint will dry up, but you might get away with adding some water to thick chalk paint if water has evaporated.

The type of paint you choose can make all the difference in its shelf life. Check out this chart for a rough estimate of how long your paint might last by paint type. Milk paint and chalk paint are both decorative finishes that will give your DIY a distressed look, but they contain different ingredients with slightly different textures Unused paint can go bad over time, even if you haven’t opened it. Paint can degrade and spoil due to a variety of factors, such as extreme temperatures, humidity, and exposure to light. The exact lifespan of unused paint varies depending on the type of paint and the storage conditions. Ideally, you should store paint in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.It’s generally a bad idea to use old paint. Expired paint may not perform as intended, and using it can lead to various issues, such as poor coverage, inconsistent color, and failure to adhere. Additionally, if the paint has been contaminated with mold, bacteria, or other harmful substances, using it can be a health hazard.Paint disposal depends on the type of paint. Acrylic and oil-based paints must be properly disposed of to avoid harming the environment. Expired paint can harm plants and wildlife, which is why some municipalities may require you to use a recycling program for throwing out old paint, so check with your local guidelines to be safe.Painting with ink is a technique originally from East-Asia and was used for calligraphy. The calligraphy masters would train years and years to make the perfect strokes. Artists use black ink not only to reproduce the topic of the ink artwork, but to capture its spirit.

If we look at the popularity of different types of paint, ink is definitely not the most popular! But, painting with ink is definitely seen more these days. You will see this style a lot on visual social media such as pinterest or instagram.

Artist can use apply more or less pressure on their brushes to make darker or lighter strokes. These days, we also see a large variety in colored inks.

My blog contains articles and links to and about several companies and products. I do this to be able to finance and maintain this blog. I only recommend products or services that I have used myself. If you have any questions about the links or articles, feel free to drop me a message!

However, as it is waterbased it is also sensitive to water (and paintings should be varnished to avoid any issues). This type of paint comes in a large variety of colors and is therefore extra useful for poster art and comics.Oil paint has been used for centuries, although no one really knows when the first use was. One of many famous oil paintings is “The Little Street” by Johannes Vermeer, dating from 1658.Oil paint is one of the most commonly used types of paint in artworks. And as the name already spoils it, this type of paint has its color pigments embedded in an oil. This can be any type of oil such as linseed, walnut or sunflower oil.

Acrylic paint is one of the most common and most cost-effective types of paints used by artists. It attaches to most bases (wood, canvas, metal..) and as opposed to oil paint, acrylic paint dries very fast.Probably the most famous artist that used acrylic paint often was Andy Warhol. He is famous for his pop artworks and one of his most remarkable pieces is the below Marylin Dyptich.

Watercolor is a paint type that has rapidly grown in popularity over the years! Also named aquarelle (from French), watercolor paint is made from pigments where a water solution (with gum arabic) is used as a binder. When the paint dries (usually a bit darker than it initially seems), the water evaporates and the paint that is left is much less vulnerable and prone to influence from humidity, temperature, and light than oil paintings. That’s why acrylic paint is such a popular type of art paint. When you are new in the art world or you want to buy your first piece of art, it’s hard to find your way through these terms. The bad news: we cannot teach you everything in one blog post (even if we would know it all..). The good news: let’s start out small. With 5 different types of paint, why they differ and why they may influence your choice.When the water has evaporated, the layer of paint is not solvable in water anymore, so you need to rinse your brushes very well or they will become stiff with paint. Depending on how much water is added to the solution, acrylic paint can either resemble watercolor or oil paintings.

Watercolor paint is assumed to first have been used by the Egyptians, on papyrus. After that, this technique was found in Chinese work and only much later (during the times of the Renaissance), the first watercolor works were found in Europe.When it comes to preserving artworks, oil paintings are known to change color over time due to the influence of light. In the case of oil paintings, when they are not exposed to light for a longer period (i.e. weeks or months) the (linseed) oil may start to darken. Exposing the painting to light again should revert this.

Albrecht Dürer (German Renaissance artist) was one of the first artist to use watercolors to make detailed paintings. Below you find one his most famous paintings “Young Hare” from the year 1502.Proposition 65 caused great concern to the manufacturers of colors for artists. Some manufactures developed lines which do not contain the listed pigments. Vallejo introduced Acrylic Studio, a line of artists colors which does not contain either Cadmium or Cobalt pigment. Model Air, color line formulated for airbrushing, do not contain Cadmium or Cobalt.

Most artists’ colors manufactured in these last 40 years are formulated with pigments which are considered safe to the artist or the environment. Synthetic pigments have found their place alongside the traditional pigments and shine in their own right; they are not only beautiful but have superb lightfastness and permanence. These organic pigments are also used in limited color ranges to replace some of the original inorganic pigments to manufacture colors identified with the word ” Hue ” on the labels. But the quality of artist’s pigments such as Cadmium and Cobalt is still unequalled and they continue to be included in all the important ranges of artists’ colors for professional artists.However, further studies did not lead to a complete elimination of these pigments in artists’ colors or other industrial applications. The thermal and chemical stability of Cadmium is far superior to other pigments of similar hue. And in recent years, the manufacturing process of cadmium pigments has been much improved. Although soluble cadmium compounds and fumes are toxic, the pigments themselves have become practically insoluble and are now considered safe when used within the strictly regulated limits now applied. Of maximum importance is the solubility of the pigment, and only those pigments with a low solubility are employed , in accordance with the USA TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure), a ruling which states that the maximum amount of soluble Cadmium in pigments should be 1ppm. The level of solubility of the pigments is further controlled in order to comply with the Council of Europe Resolution AP(89)1 Food Contact Limits, USA TCLP Waste Leaching Limits, Safety of Toys Directive 88/378/EEC (EN 71): Part 3 related to the coating of toys and EPA SW 846 Federal Regulation Vol.55 No.61 conforming to TCLP. See also Cadmium Regulations Update.As a company, our main task is to ensure the quality of our raw materials and their compliance with REACH, in order to produce the best water based paints according to all international regulations and taking into special consideration the health issues for our employees and consumers. We take this responsibility very seriously.The acrylic resins used in the formulations for fine arts colors are in a relatively diluted state compared to their usage in other industries. They do not present a danger to health or environment. Residual Monomers are below the level of 0,05%. The European Union has adopted a Directive (91/338/EEC “the Cadmium Directive”) on the use of cadmium pigments, which seeks to harmonise restrictions on their use within EU member states. This directive does not ban the use of cadmium pigments, but restricts their use where they are not seen to be essential. Conservation additives are very strictly regulated and updated by European Common Market legislation, and kept below the maximum permitted levels. Other materials used in our products are mostly natural, such as shellac and gum arabic, and can be recycled.Las resinas acrílicas utilizadas en las formulaciones de colores en bellas artes se encuentran en un estado relativamente diluido comparado con su uso en otras industrias. No son un peligro para la salud ni para el medio ambiente. El nivel de monómero residual es inferior a 0,05%. La legislación del Mercado Común Europeo mantiene un control riguroso sobre la composición de la materia prima, sus actualizaciones relativas a los conservantes y otros aditivos, todos definidos por niveles máximos permitidos. Otros materiales utilizados en nuestros productos son en su mayoría naturales como la goma laca y la goma arábiga, y pueden reciclarse.

Cadmium pigments are traditional pigments of great beauty, permanence and stability. They contain heavy metals and are not biodegradable. Care should be taken in the handling of Cadmium or any other pigment in powder form. Cadmium and Cobalt contained in Artist’ Colors should not be taken internally, and if applied in spray techniques, the use of a protective mask is essential. Used cadmium containers should not be incinerated, because in this process the cadmium compounds revert to a soluble state and produce toxic fumes. They can also get into the sewage system, and for environmental safety it is recommended to discard used cadmium tubes in special containers (as one would treat used batteries, for example). See also Cadmium Regulations Update.Many components in artists paint, whether solvent- or water-based, and in themselves not irritating, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Well known allergenics are turpentine and similar products employed in oil and alkyd paints, but even acrylic resins in a water-based solution, normally completely inoffensive, have been know to cause an allergic reaction in some exceptional case.

Pigments can only cause damage to health in case of inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin. Pigments in solvent-based mediums are more likely to be inhaled due to the volatile nature of the medium. If in addition these solvent based colors are used in vaporized systems such as airbrushing, they become truly dangerous to health, and the use of a mask and a protective screen for airbrushing is already part of the legislation in many countries. Acrylic mediums have a low rate of solubility, and are by far safer in airbrushing techniques.

However, even people who may have allergic reactions to certain ingredients can work safely if the necessary precautions are taken, such as good ventilation of the working area, the prevention of ingesting the paint and avoiding inhalation when using a paint in spray form (aerosol) or air brush.

Acrylic colors are potentially less harmful to the environment than solvent- based colors. It is preferable to allow color to dry out before disposal, rather than flushing left over paint down the drain, where waste will get into the sewage system. Do not incinerate Cadmium or Cobalt remnants, either in plastic containers or metal tubes, to avoid releasing toxic fumes which are created when these pigments revert to a soluble state. For environmental safety it is recommended to discard used cadmium tubes in special containers (as one would treat used batter
ies, for example).The standards for labelling of fine arts materials are established by national and international regulations. For our client’s info rmation we list below some of the different safety symbols and texts which are obligatory in the EU.

The tubes and jars of Acrylic Artist CoIor and Acrylic Studio do not carry an expiration date, because the colors last an indefinite length of time if they are handled properly and stored in moderate temperatures 15 to 25º celsius (60-80 degrees Fahrenheit) . In our factory we have samples going back 10 years or more which have not changed or undergone any kind of alteration due to aging or temperature fluctuation. However, although these samples are checked periodically, they have not been used, and therefore they have not been exposed to any kind of contamination. Acrylic colors contain a certain percentage of water, and the colors will dry when their water content evaporates. It is most important is to keep the tubes and jars closed properly, and we consider a shelf life of about five years to be the norm, although colors may last much longer than that. For diluting colors, we recommend that only Acrylic Medium be used, and if thinning with water is preferred, this should be done with distilled water.Now that I’ve tried all colours, what do I think about the range? Overall, I notice that Xpress Colors have a more consistent feel than Contrast paints. With Citadel Contrast, there are very dark and richly pigmented colours, some less pigmented colours that behave more like washes, colours that are more opaque, and some that are more transparent. More about that in my Citadel Contrast review here.

Juan Hidalgo: In my opinion, what makes Xpress Colors special is first and foremost their matt finish. To painters like me, a matt finish is very important, especially as a foundation for a paint job. But let’s not underestimate the importance of the other properties like the uniform consistency within colours, the ability to be thinned down into glazes with water, and the longer working time that allows for an easier application. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to achieve when Vallejo approached me, and I think the Vallejo chemists have delivered.VXC Dwarf Skin is a Caucasian skin tone that is in between Guilliman Flesh and Darkoath Flesh, VXC Copper Brown is similar to Gore-grunta Fur but a bit lighter, while VXC Wasteland Brown is a warm medium brown. Cream, bone, or darker shades of brown are missing.In my personal opinion, I feel that this aspect alone makes Xpress Colors superior to The Army Painter’s Speedpaints, at least for my clean and tidy painting style (see my review of The Army Painter’s Speedpaint here). I heard that a lot of people actually grew to like Speedpaints’ reactivation and use it in creative ways, for example for blending techniques. For those that are missing this feature in Xpress Colors, you can soak a brush or cotton swab with white spirit and rub off the paint to lighten specific spots, just like with Contrast. We know that The Army Painter works on an updated and expanded Speedpaints range with the help of a group of content creators, which will feature an improved resin that won’t reactivate after they’ve cured for a certain amount of time. As soon as these come out, I will review them, so stay tuned. Xpress Colors feel more consistent in their behaviour, but with the limitation that most colours are not as richly pigmented as Contrast paints or Speedpaints from The Army Painter. Often you need two coats of Xpress Color to get that deep shading and tint that is equivalent to a single coat of Contrast paint. This might be a minor disadvantage for the classic Contrast style of painting over a coat of Wraithbone or Grey Seer primer, but on the other hand, I feel it makes Xpress Colors very well suited for Slapchop or painting over a zenithal primer. Due to the less dense pigmentation, they allow more of the pre-shading to show through, and their slightly thinner consistency and pleasant flow properties make a consistent application even easier. Perhaps they took so long because they wanted to get them right. They brought in no other Contrast mastermind Juan Hidalgo as a consultant, who is famous for his ‘Eavy Metal Contrast painting series on his YouTube channel.

Did you like this post? Then why not support Tale of Painters by using our links for your next hobby purchases: Wayland Games, Element Games, Firestorm Games, ebay, and Amazon. No extra costs for you and up to 20% discount on Warhammer products! Or become a patron on Patreon for exclusive tutorials, guides, and behind-the-scenes content. We are hobbyists like you and do all of this in our spare time. Your support will help us cover our monthly costs and fund future projects so we can bring you more and better content. Thank you very much!VXC Snake Green is reminiscent of Aeldari Emerald but a shade lighter, VXC Troll Green is quite similar to Karandras Green. VXC Lizard Green is a more natural green, similar to Creed Camo. VXC Orc Skin is a light lemon-green, brighter and more vibrant than Mantis Warrior Green, and this is perfect for the classic ‘Eavy Metal light green Ork skintone. VXC Plague Green is a drab green, similar to Militarum Green but not as densely pigmented.Juan Hidalgo: That is correct, we are already planning on the next batch of colours. And this time, I will have an active part in choosing those colours so we can make sure that Xpress Color ends up as a complete and versatile range of paints to suit every painter’s needs. We are even working on a couple of things no other brand has done, but I cannot really talk about it in more detail, let’s just say I’m very excited about it.

Well, so far I’m rather fond of working with Xpress Colors, now let’s have a look at each colour individually. As usual, I painted these on a white primed sheet of plasticard and photographed them under a neutral 5500K light.

One of my favourite aspects is that, like Contrast, dried Xpress Colors won’t reactivate when you paint over them with another layer of Xpress Color or Contrast, and they won’t reactivate when painting over with acrylic paints or a wet brush either. This means you can add additional highlights or layers of paint without worrying of Xpress Colors bleeding through, and easily cover up any mistakes with your base colour. This makes them also excellent for glazing, as you can easily create gradients by glazing multiple layers of thinned Xpress Colors on top of each other.

VXC Cardinal Purple is an intense pink, similar to Doomfire Magenta, but a little brighter. VXC Deep Purple is similar to Volupus Pink but a nuance more blueish; VXC Gloomy Violet is very similar to Luxion Purple, but a little bit less pigmented. VXC Omega Blue is a rich Prussian Blue, a very close match to Celestium Blue. VXC Storm Blue is a more denim blue, quite similar to Ultramarines Blue Contrast paint but more weakly pigmented. VXC Mystic Blue is an intense cyan blue, very close to Talassar Blue from Games Workshop. VXC Caribbean Turquoise is very similar to Kroxigor Scales, but a bit weaker in pigmentation. Say what you will, but Games Workshop popularised a new and beginner-friendly way of painting with the release of their Contrast paint range in 2019. Since then, many companies launched similar ink-based painting products, some more or less successful. Surprisingly, Vallejo as one of the most popular tabletop paint manufacturers took the longest to develop their “one coat” Xpress Colors. 23 paints plus an Xpress Color Medium should be out now in Europe and the UK, with the rest of the world following in December 2022. The finish of dried Xpress Colors is quite flat, similar to Green Stuff World Dipping Inks. More matte than most Contrast paints for sure. Now, this can be a good or bad thing. Many painters prefer a matt finish, but keep in mind that applying these over a metallic paint will dull the metallic sparkle.

So: consistent and smooth results, a matt finish, and most importantly: no reactivation. And they also have a competitive price, with an RRP of 3.50 3.95 Euro for 18 ml of paint they’re much cheaper than Citadel’s Contrast paints, and on par with The Army Painter’s Speedpaints.

The other limitation is the selection of colours. 23 colours are already less than the original 34 colours Contrast started with, and what Xpress Color completely lacks are cream tones, muted and dark browns, and true greys and blacks. This makes the range feel incomplete.Contrast, Instant Colors, Speedpaint, Dipping Inks, and more Contrast – I reviewed them all. And now we have Vallejo entering the game with their brand-new Xpress Colors. Do these bring something new to the table or are they yet another half-baked Contrast rehash? I’ll find an answer in this complete review of all 23 Xpress Colors.

I think I like Xpress Colors the best of all the Contrast alternatives we’ve seen so far. My personal preference would probably still be Contrast, but only by a slight margin. By now, I’m so used to working with Contrast and the range has much more colours to choose from. However, if the Xpress Color range becomes more complete, I can see the lower price and the more consistent results win me over completely. I’d say that Vallejo’s Xpress Colors don’t reinvent the genre of one coat paints, but they bring a very high quality and affordable alternative onto the market.

Shoutout to our fantastic patrons: Chris C., chaoticflanagan, Wyliekyote, pawl, Fugu, FrenchHobbyist, Nello S., Nate H., Sigurd H., Karakal, Akhaed, Christian H., David D., Christopher O., James G., Matt P., Adam, Martin D., Kobold, Mark S., NavyKes, Andrii A., Truul0, Duncan M., David W., Joakim N., Tashi, BadgerAndOllieBoo, Runde, PlagueisThaWise, John S., Schneuzi, Lucas Y., Paul B., Samuel J., Andy J. Ramon R., Sam, Allari, Bartosz L., Raoul, Austin M., Vega, Benjamin J., Christophe M., Thomas J., Miłosz R., Jack G., Cliff P., Pierre L., Joe S., Cody N., Collin N J., Terrafan, Mason E., Tom, Nimitz112, PJSpock, Suppiluliuma, Mike, sarahthevampyre, Daniel K., Brian S., Michael D., James C., Joshawa B., Andrey M., Kjell E., Dexter B S., Jordan B., Jack B., MatteB, Jeremy N., Il Mech, Hendy, Richard G., Stefan G., KaioShin, Mathew S., Kevin G., Angel A., Patrick W., IM BOSS, Spirit, BlaxForever, and Todaspe. VXC Templar White reminds me of Apothecary White, it has a similar cool grey tone but is a little brighter. VXC Space Grey is quite bluish and also somewhat opaque, it’s in between Briar Queen Chill and Nighthaunt Gloom. Finally, we have VXC Black Lotus, which is actually not a dark grey or black colour, but rather a dark petrol, like if Stegadon Scale Green was a Contrast paint. True greys or blacks are unfortunately missing for now. I just got a few of the Xpress Colora in and painted up a few models over a slap chop undercoat. I agree with your assessments: I find that the Xpress Colors are easier to control than my Speedpaint 1.0 paints are. The colors are nice, but not nearly as vibrant or rich as the Speedpaints; it took two coats of the yellow to get a nice coverage on my ork. A single coat came off as a tint. Overall not bad, but if Speedpaint 2.0 truly doesn’t reactivate, that might be my go to. Right now they have more colors than Xpress Colors. Great review!Without compromise, any mold or mildew inside the can is a huge red flag. This means it’s time to dispose of the old paint. One final indicator of if it’s time to toss the paint is a broken seal or if a lid was not secured properly on a can.