A question from a newbie about paint etiquette

[Pygmalion]

Hmm, yes, I second Einion's comments. If you don't already have Golden paints to use there is a learning curve which could prove frustrating.

If you have some already, it's worth experimenting.

 

[airhead]

When you thin down tube acrylics for mini painting, do you just use water / drop of dish soap? Or do you add some binder back (airbrush medium, etc.)?

I've tried thinning some of the craft paints and had issues with the pigments separating after I got them thin enough.

 

[Einion]

I do have a little dish soap in my thinning water, a few drops per jar, but basically just water for me even when I thin very heavily (which I would do on any project).

I have added in additional medium in the past, but it seemed to me that it's mostly for security rather than truly being needed which is one reason I stopped bothering. When airbrushing I have sometimes overcoated with a little diluted medium, to consolidate what may be very delicate layers - from mist-coating and the extremely dilute coats I tend to use at the end - but again this is for security rather than because I've noticed particular problems with rub-off.

Einion

 

[Pygmalion]

My artists' acrylics in tubes (and jars) don't separate when very thinned down. I used to add more medium when painting with thinned-down colors, but I found it made them too shiny. Even without extra medium, the acrylics I use (Golden, mostly, with the odd Winsor & Newton, Gamblin or Liquitex) thin down and dry just fine.

I don't like using soap in paints, but then I'm extra super cautious about things. I suppose for minis it's less important, but when making a wall painting or illustration I want it to be as archival as possible.