Problems Thinning Metallics

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heliodorus

New member
Problems with Thinning Metallic

I’m a relatively new painter, having trouble with metallics. For the record, I have tried GW, Vallejo, and Folk Art types.

It seems all metallics are very thick out of the bottle, more so than usual acrylics. Water doesn’t seem to do as much help as it does with normal acrylics, so I use a little thinner, I still have very thick-feeling paint on the brush, but it goes on very thin.

I do undercoat the areas where metallics are to be used. Someone told me that helped, and I agree, it does. But it just doesn’t apply smoothly. I ended up using three coats last night to cover a part of a banner, and I guess I’m pleased, but I’m really worried how to highlight this section (I know you highlight with silver and the metal color).

Any tips would be so greatly appreciated.
 
W

wulverine

Guest
Mettalics

Have you tried adding a little washing up liquid to your water pot before you start?

This little tip was given to me by a Golden Demon finalist and has given me hours of enjoyment and relieved numerous headaches. The washing liquid breaks the surface tension of the water and the paint will stick where you want it to. Also if you think your paint is still too thick add more water or thinner to the mix and build up layers until you are happy!:]
 
S

supervike

Super Moderator
try an acrylic extender...

Here are a few things I have tried, hopefully it will help thinning your metallics instead of using water...

FOLKART Extender (number 947) relatively cheap, but it does work..

LIQUITEX FLOW-AID (not so cheap, but very effective)

Good luck!!
 
M

mouse

Member
normally...

i add extender as what supervike said...or metallic medium from vallejo...it helps to lighten the metals too.
 
Valander

Valander

Member
Originally posted by mouse
i add extender as what supervike said...or metallic medium from vallejo...it helps to lighten the metals too.
Click to expand...

I\'ve been playing a lot with that metallic medium lately, and it\'s definitely helpful. I\'m finally getting used to the Vallejo metallics, too. ;)

With the GW metallics, you can usually slop them on right out of the bottle and be ok. Even if you add a touch of water to them, they\'re usually fine.

Vallejo metallics are weird, though. Straight out of the bottle they\'re like paste, and don\'t work well. Thinned to the \"normal\" Vallejo thinning amount, they\'re not that great at coverage. The best effects with Vallejo metallics I\'ve gotten have been from two to three very thin layers. It\'s a little odd, in that GW metallics cover anything with a single coat, to use a couple of coats of metallics to get an even finish, but you can actually do some cool stuff this way.

For example, if you paint VMC gold over white primer using a thin paint, you\'ll have a semi-transparent gold finish. Wash that area with smoke, then do another coat of gold. The result is pretty nice, and you can add a touch of metallic medium to the gold and apply some highlights if you want.

I\'m thinking that I may be able to get some cool effects by \"undertoning\" the metal areas; e.g., base coat a green then apply 2-3 coats of copper. I\'ll let you know how it comes out. :)
 
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