What does pigment concentration mean
- Thread starter cookster
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lahatiel
New member
Quite literally, it\'s the concentration of pigment within the paint. 
Now, being less of a smart ass this time and in simplest terms, it refers to the amount of actual color -- the pigment -- found within a given amount of liquid -- the medium -- in a paint. Having a higher pigment concentration means that you\'ll tend to get better coverage from the paint than you would from a paint with a lower concetration, as there\'s more color contained within the same amount of liquid. Thus, good coverage should be maintained longer even as you start adding more liquid (be it water, medium, magic wash, whatever) to thin the paint as well, because you\'re starting with a higher color-to-liquid ratio to begin with.
Now, being less of a smart ass this time and in simplest terms, it refers to the amount of actual color -- the pigment -- found within a given amount of liquid -- the medium -- in a paint. Having a higher pigment concentration means that you\'ll tend to get better coverage from the paint than you would from a paint with a lower concetration, as there\'s more color contained within the same amount of liquid. Thus, good coverage should be maintained longer even as you start adding more liquid (be it water, medium, magic wash, whatever) to thin the paint as well, because you\'re starting with a higher color-to-liquid ratio to begin with.
Shawn R. L.
New member
Some of the thinner, cheaper, paints can be good for doing sort of a \'thick\' wash. You can use the transparentness of the paint to your advantage.
lahatiel
New member
What they said.
It\'s certainly better for basecoats, for one. But there will be times when you want less pigment -- the use of the layering technique of blending is based on a degree of transparency in your layers, thus allowing a bit of the color from the layer below to come through to give a smoother transition between the layers.
Essentially, it\'s always going to vary based on what you\'re trying to do at a particular time, whether it would be better or worse. Some times, like the above examples, are simple to distinguish -- more pigment is better when basecoating, less can be better in layering. But it\'s in getting the overall feel for it in which the learning process comes into play.
It\'s certainly better for basecoats, for one. But there will be times when you want less pigment -- the use of the layering technique of blending is based on a degree of transparency in your layers, thus allowing a bit of the color from the layer below to come through to give a smoother transition between the layers.
Essentially, it\'s always going to vary based on what you\'re trying to do at a particular time, whether it would be better or worse. Some times, like the above examples, are simple to distinguish -- more pigment is better when basecoating, less can be better in layering. But it\'s in getting the overall feel for it in which the learning process comes into play.
Shawn R. L.
New member
Take whatever paint you have and simply try it. See what it does, see what it dosnt do. In the arts, words only go so far. It\'s in the doing where the learning REALLY happens. DIVE IN!!
Shawn R. L.
New member
For what it\'s worth. I believe that paints with higher pigment also have a finer grind of pigment which should make it visually smoother.
TAB Studio
New member
all I can say is Vallejo
Einion
New member
What lahatiel said: the proportion of coloured matter in the liquid. There are other ingredients in paint but as far as opacity goes (how well the paint covers) the coloured pigment is essentially what\'s important.
Einion
No. Generally you do want opaque paint for most jobs in mini painting (see below) but semi-transparent and transparent paints are needed for some jobs, e.g. like how inks are used.
This is the important part. Only two thin coats to get a solid basecoat over black primer as an example, versus maybe six or seven if you have a weaker paint. When it comes to building up highlights in very thin layers like most of us paint, it just makes the job so much easier, as you can see if you try the same task with two similar paints, one of which is opaque and the other not.
Einion
QuietiManes
New member
I\'d say YES. You can always thin down the paint if you need some transparency as EricJ stated. I believe it\'s alot cheaper to buy some acrylic medium and mix up your own \"transparent\" paints when needed.
I\'ve never heard of anyone going out and buying an entire line of transparent paints to use for their layering and whatnot.
Legacy Account
Active member
They\'d be really useful if someone brought them out. I\'d buy a set. Then again I\'m a lazy sod and get bored of opening lots of pots and mixing colours...
Many painters use glazes almost exclusively, choosing to paint from light down to dark. (Semi) transparent paint that doesn\'t leave a sheen is pretty desirable in this case.
Many painters use glazes almost exclusively, choosing to paint from light down to dark. (Semi) transparent paint that doesn\'t leave a sheen is pretty desirable in this case.
