how to get a even base coat

[odd hound]

When I’m painting I notice some parts of the model the colour is darker then some other part of the model. How do I get a even coat.

[velvet citrus]

@odd hound hello! Depending on the paint you are using sometimes they have different painting properties ( so for example - contrast / speed paints) . Wouldn't give you an even coverage.

Now if it's a normal acrylic. Some scenarios may be in effect here

1. Did you wash your minis? Sometimes the mold release agents will will affect paint.
2. Did you prime it?
3. Did you overthin your paints ?
4. Did you do multiple layers? Some paints just suck at coverage and require multiple thin layers and that's alright.

[odd hound]

I use Vallejo model colour and I haven’t thinned the paint down

[velvet citrus]

So normally you'd want to thin your paint down a bit and some colors are worse for coverage ( yellow being one of them)

[odd hound]

So me not thinning the paint is the problem?

[velvet citrus]

Not necessarily but you will get a more even coverage if it's thinned down. ( and it's better practice for most miniature )

You could also end up with brush streaks if they aren't thinned down a bit. It should be roughly the consistency of milk

[rough maple]

Vallejo model colour is very thick straight out of the bottle. Would definitely recommend thinning.

[odd hound]

If I thin the paint down I would get a even coating

[rough maple]

Sure but it will take a few layers before you get there. And always wait for the layers to completely dry before going over with another.

Otherwise you might get unwanted texture

Or remove paint

[solar kayak]

It's not intuitive but think about it this way: if you use chalk on a surface, it will color some parts that are easy to access, but it will have a hard time reaching recesses.
On the other hand, if you use water, it will flow everywhere, but won't color much and may be harder to control if you use a lot.
So in practice, you have to learn (by doing) how thin you need your paint to be. It will flow off the brush better when thinned.

[odd hound]

How can I tell i thinned the paint down properly without painting on the models.

[solar kayak]

My sensei kept telling me I have to try the paint on my thumb before going to the mini. I think you can do that and see if it spreads, a lot or not a lot?

[odd hound]

On the nail right ?

[solar kayak]

on the skin was the advice. This way you can see the paint running in the skin's crevices (or not if not thin enough)

but hey, it's an option, nothing mandatory

try painting something else, is the advice

[odd hound]

Thanks for ur help

[velvet citrus]

Another tip is if you apply paint on the mini. If it's too thick at the edges of your paint stroke you'll see raised edges . If you aren't sure. Do 2 strikes. One first and the second overlapping but off to the side of the first If you still see a raised edge you might need to thin it a bit more 🙂

[subtle kayak]

https://youtu.be/sBDVPoNXyVI

[odd hound]

Thank for ur help