White and off white paint

[Jack Jones]

Hi All

I am struggling with Vallejo’s Game Color Dead White and Off White acrylic. Both are lumpy (no matter what I do, even nozzle off and stirred) and thinning isn’t usually an option because I need the opacity (eg for webbing).

What are your recommendations for good smooth, opaque, bright white and off white acrylic?

It’s sooo bad I am thinking of returning to enamels for these.

Cheers
JJ

[Ranthony]

Not sure of you'd be willing to move over to vallejo model colour for the off-white but if so, 70.993 white grey is great.
In the 2 bottles I've had, both have been smooth and free flowing, with enough depth in one coat.

Admittedly, it's not as hardy as game colour but a matt varnish over it deals with that.

[Jack Jones]

Ah! I am using some of thee model colour range … I will be varnishing, of course.

I shall have a look.

Thank you!

JJ

[LazyStudent]

If you live near an Art Shop I can recommend getting hold of some Golden Artist Colors heavy body acrylics. The titanium white is great and they have several off white shades as well.

[has.been]

for webbing etc. I use white gel pens (from most Art shops)
over an 'undercoat' of (usually) grey.

[Dags]

Scalecolor white and off-whites are very good

[Ranthony]

for webbing etc. I use white gel pens (from most Art shops)
over an 'undercoat' of (usually) grey.

I've never tried this, can you varnish over the gel after?

[Jack Jones]

Thank you for your suggestions.

I’ve ordered Model Color, since my experience of these is much better.

I’ll let you know how I get on … I’m painting Victorian Naval Brigade shortly, so the varieties of white are important.

Cheers
JJ

[has.been]

I've never tried this, can you varnish over the gel after?

I have, often. Just make sure it has fully dried.
I tend to leave it for at least a day.

[fantasticlegions]

Have you tried a Vortex mixer?  I just got one and find it does an incredible job with heavy body acrylics like Vallejo.

But if you are looking for other off whites, take a look at Vallejo Model Color Pale Sand, Ivory, and Off-White.

[Jack Jones]

I haven’t used a vortex mixer … the two colours mentioned (both Game Color) are the only ones I have had any difficulty with.

I am hoping that the Model Color versions will be just perfect.

Wait to see …

Cheers
JJ

[pistolpete]

My favorite off white is vallejo deck tan. In fact it’s one of my favorite colors as i mix it with flesh tones to be less pinkish.

[Major_Gilbear]

Of the Vallejo lines, the Model Air white is probably the best in my opinion - it's pre-thinned, yes, but that also helps to keep it from clumping in the bottle so much. A good-ish shake by hand before you use it, and you're ready to go.

Failing that, a tube of high-pigment artists' white paint - something like Schmincke Primacryl Titanium White (link) for example. Scale 75 also do their own as well, labelled as their "Art" range.

These tube paints do not have the problems of most miniature paints, in that they don't separate, go gritty over time, or require frequent re-mixing. As a result, you just get a smooth solid white every time. I will however point out that they still need some thinning on a palette, and note that they are particularly-well suited to use with a wet palette. Other off-white colours are also available too.