Inks vs. Washes - technical question

[CreganTur]

I\'m trying to figure out what the exact difference is between an ink and a wash. I guess that a wash would be more diluted than an inK?

Also, I\'ve tried doing some washes when blending colors, and I was wondering what the ratio of paint to water should be. I generally do about a 1:1. Sometimes I use less water, because sometimes the paint leaves streaks or smears across the mini when I paint it with one of these \'washes.\' I\'m using GW paints, if that matters.

 

[Ritual]

An ink is a special kind of paint (transparent, strong pigment, etc.) whereas a wash is more of a technique using very dillute paint in generous amounts so that the paint flows into the deeper parts of the surface. What is labeled and sold as a \"wash\" is basically a pre-made paint to use for washing straight out of the bottle (basically, you pay for a lot of water... though, the new GW washes are kind of handy due to having some sort of medium in them as well). A wash is similar to a glaze, in the way that you can use basically the same paint consistency. But, a glaze is applied more sparingly and stretched out like a thin, transparent film over a surface.

Thinning ratios is difficult to give you exact numbers of. Everyone has their own preferences. You need to figure it out for yourself what works best for you. But, if you do washes with 1:1 paint to water that sounds a bit thick. Most people paint base coats with thinner paint than that. A wash should be really thin.

 

[Einion]

Originally posted by CreganTur
I\'m trying to figure out what the exact difference is between an ink and a wash. I guess that a wash would be more diluted than an inK?

Inks technically should be dye-based, not pigmented as in paint, although the distinction has been blurred in recent years. Basically any true ink is ultra transparent, which you can still get when using certain pigments.

Originally posted by CreganTur
Also, I\'ve tried doing some washes when blending colors, and I was wondering what the ratio of paint to water should be. I generally do about a 1:1.

It depends on loads of factors, including simply how thick the paint is to begin with - which can vary from batch to batch and during the lifetime of a pot (due to evaporation). So beware formulas.

What the wash is intended for is another major consideration (some things work well with a heavy wash, others with something much lighter) and personal taste in involved in this decision.

Anyway, many people dilute a great deal more than 1:1, 10:1 would not be uncommon and I\'d say lots of people going for subtle effects use 20:1 and even much thinner than this.

Einion

 

[CreganTur]

Sounds like I may need to just purchase some GW wash just to see what it is. Sometimes experiencing something causes it to make sense.

 

[Einion]

Another thing you might like to try is one or two artists\' acrylics. If you stick to very transparent pigments you can get an ink-like wash.

Each tube/jar will be relatively expensive but the paint will go a looong way once thinned, making it much cheaper than any hobby paint over the long term.

Einion

 

[CreganTur]

When you say \'artists acrylics\" are you talking about normal, paint on canvas acrylic paint?

I\'ve always wondered if I could use that... after thinning it down, of course.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Originally posted by CreganTur
When you say \'artists acrylics\" are you talking about normal, paint on canvas acrylic paint?

I\'ve always wondered if I could use that... after thinning it down, of course.

Yes.
After all 30+ years ago that\'s all we old timers had to work with.
Actually that\'s not true it was mostly Oils, but Acrylics were starting to be available as tube colours.

 

[Joek]

When I first started painting up, all I used was Humbrol enamels...to preserve my dignity, I\'ll not be showing you the examples

As for the ink v washes - I use both regularly. I\'ve found the new(ish) GW washes have become an indispensible part of my painting process, and think they\'re fantastic, but to get the colour intensity that you sometimes require for things, diluted ink has a vibrancy for glazes that I don\'t think can be compared to anything else.