Transparent paints?

[Temperance]

I\'m curious -- are there transparent paints suitable for miniatures on the market? Most figure paints seem to be opaque.

I guess the main point is for use with washes; a thin transparent black wash over metal paint, for instance.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I\'d have to say yes:
They are called Varnish(es).

However I think you are talking about Glaze mediums for pearlescent effects.
Windsor & Netwon do some, intended to give a shimmering effect but I\'ve never tried them.

Hmm might be a case for a high elf wizard in glittery robes - --.

 

[sippog]

smoke

Tamiya do a Clear Red, Blue, Yellow,Orange,Green and Black (called \"Smoke\"). They\'re semi-transparent and can be thinned out. Don\'t like their other paints but these are great.

 

[Otter]

Windsor & Netwon

I like the Windsor & Netwon line mentioned by DR. They are not quite as shiny as the standard mini inks - This is a complete guess but I think a bit of the shine is lost because the binding medium is designed for flat and porous works instead of primed and painted surfaces. They work fairly well for washes, especially with some water.

I\'m assuming you\'ve tried the Liquitex pearlescent line? Might be too shimery for a mini, but their \"infused\" colors (http://www.liquitex.com/products/paintinterference.cfm) are designed to be thin layers with a color trace.

- Otter
\"Never send a ferret to do a weasel\'s work\"

 

[Beelzebrush]

For transparent glazes, I usually use Winsor & Newton Liquid Acrylic. The ones I have come in a bottle with a pipette thing. It has a consistency of milk and quite strong pigment.. I think Golden do a similar thing too