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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Hammers on 15 June 2007, 09:36:48 AM

Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Hammers on 15 June 2007, 09:36:48 AM
As I am getting older I realize that I have less time...ah, who am I kidding I am getting lazier by the day and I there fore have less and less patience with picking out shadow and hilite colors when I paint (adding black and white seldom does it as you know). I have often thought that I should document what I do with some of the basic colors like kakhi, tan, red cloth etc. by writing down the mixes I use and then perhaps mix a few ready made pots of shadow/hilites. But, perhaps you recognize yourselves here, when I'm in the middle of a the creativity of painting I don't want to distract my self with paperwork. So obviously I currently have no chance to achieve that Teutonic efficiency so many of us seem to lack and envy.

I see that severl people on this Forum use the Foundry system, which, as I understand it, provides you with the shadow and hilite of a basic color in three handy pots. Could this be the answer to all my angst and letargy?

So here are two questions to those of you who use this system:

1) What is the quality like of Foundry? I have been loyaly using the Vallejo ranges (basic, Game Color, Air, and Super) for a long time becaus of the excellent pigment saturation and low gloss medium. These I combined with Iron Winds flesh tones and the occasional Tamaya, Ral Partha, Humbrol and GW for nuances in their ranges I happen to particularely like (like GW Red Gore and teh Ral Partha browns)

2) How is the completeness of the range? If you buy the full set, does it cover all the basics? I am not talking about panting a lot of Warhammer here where pretty much everything makes Ronald McDonald look drab. I mostly paint in a naturalistic style with greens, browns and tans and jollier colors somewhat muted.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Malamute on 15 June 2007, 11:39:22 AM
I will stick my neck out and say I think they are pretty reasonable sets of paint. I use them in conjunction with Vallejo and soem GW paint as well.

I am a lazy so and so and find the idea of mixing batches of paint tiresome, so these presented me with an ideal solution. There is now a complete range of colours and most are well represented.

My only grumble is within some of the colours there is very little contrast between the three pots ie the basecoat pot is not much darker than the highlight one.

I am happy with them.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Poliorketes on 15 June 2007, 12:13:41 PM
I like them. I'm an untalented painter and never thought of achieving anything, but the Foundry system helped me a lot. The Foundry range is definitely not the range you would use if prefering 'knallbunte' (megacoloured) Miniatures, but for 19th/20ies century wargaming it is great.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on 15 June 2007, 01:06:03 PM
I'm a Foundry paint system fan. I'd say, 75% of my painting jobs are done with Foundry colours. I also use GW, Coat'd'arms, Tamiya, Vallejo and some others but just for certain colours/situations. Sure, Foundry ones have some gaps, their red is not really good and often useless but the most of the bottles are must-to-have.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Hammers on 15 June 2007, 01:17:05 PM
Quote from: "Prof.Witchheimer"
I'm a Foundry paint system fan.


Yes, I noticed that from your paint rack in the picture on witchunter.net.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: dominic on 15 June 2007, 01:27:20 PM
I recently shifted to Foundry paints.
I agree with some colours, the contrast is too small (eg Deep Blue B and C), and also it does not completely do away with the need to mix colours.

However, overall, the Foundry colours are brighter and warmer than their Vallejo counterparts.  So I will continue to use them next to my existing Vallejo, GW and Plaka paints!
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: artshiraz on 15 June 2007, 03:28:37 PM
Greetings
I like them too 8)
I found out that they dry a lot more quicker than GW, i-kore or Coat d'Armes. About the only thing which makes me grumpy right now is that fact that -with the recent overall price raising- colors got a lot more expensive too. €15 for a 3bottles-pack(€5,- per bottle) is a bit steep .
As I wrote above, I do like them though. So perhaps I will look for other colors around. But, as with so many other companies in this Hobby, if you found something/someone you like you'll probably won't change and do pay the price.

Quote from: " The Prof"
Foundry ones have some gaps, their red is not really good

Prof, what would be a good red?? I have no Foundry red (but planned to get some prior to the raise)and i-kore Erg red is not so good either (IMHO).
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: dominic on 15 June 2007, 03:38:17 PM
I'm also not totally happy with GW and Vallejo Reds.  I find taht the GW reds don't cover so well (need a second coat), and the Vallejo reds form fine cracks after drying.  Anyone have these problems?

So far, IMHO, the Foundry bright red and scarlet seem best for my purposes.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Hammers on 15 June 2007, 06:14:05 PM
Quote from: "dominic"
I'm also not totally happy with GW and Vallejo Reds.  I find taht the GW reds don't cover so well (need a second coat), and the Vallejo reds form fine cracks after drying.  Anyone have these problems?

So far, IMHO, the Foundry bright red and scarlet seem best for my purposes.


Well, it's good to hear Foundry red is good but I am quite happy with GW. It's got that deep luster I like for a basic red and IMO coverage is alright. That cracking phenomena only occurs at my table when I use too much flow release. Or dillutants. Or beyond "best before" pots.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Hammers on 15 June 2007, 06:16:26 PM
And how is the basic primary colour yellow? I have given up on all the major brand.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: dominic on 15 June 2007, 06:21:15 PM
Yes, I have given up on all yellows!
I am now using "Schminke" artist's acrylics for yellow.  Works far better than any model or wargaming brand that I have tried.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: theoldschool on 15 June 2007, 10:47:58 PM
I have been using the Foundry paints since they arrived and have now just about moved completely away from Vallejo apart from thei WW2 colours. Generally I find the Foundry paints to be excellent, although doing some figures for Bob Murch recently I discovered that they don't work well on a white undercoat. For me the must have colours are Rawhide, Buff Leather, Storm Blue, Night Sky and any of the greys.
I recently picked up the P3 paints and so far have been very impressed. The colours are more muted than the Foundry range and the coverage is better. The reds are wonderful.
Pat
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: artshiraz on 16 June 2007, 08:19:03 AM
Greetings
Quote from: "dominic"
Yes, I have given up on all yellows!
I am now using "Schminke" artist's acrylics for yellow.  Works far better than any model or wargaming brand that I have tried.

You too ?! :lol: I heard the same thing from another just yesterday evening. Hmm. I do have some Schmincke and some Lukas colors around. Might be worth trying it out.
Quote from: "theooldschool"
P3 paints .. The reds are wonderful.

That's right. We do even have a shop here selling them. Whould that be the Khador or Protectorate set?
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: theoldschool on 17 June 2007, 07:23:49 PM
Quote from: "artshiraz"
Whould that be the Khador or Protectorate set?


I use the Khador base and highlight (just a little mixed into the base) and the Skorne reds. Sanguine also makes a really nice base coat. I buy them as singles from Wargames Workshop.
Pat
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: WitchfinderGeneral on 21 June 2007, 04:03:58 PM
The only reason why I haven't yet tried the Foundry paints is because I don't like to mail order every single paint I need.
But I have for most colours 4 or 5 Vallejo paints where I can easily pick the main/shadow/highlight colours I need, without mixing.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Argonor on 26 June 2007, 11:33:04 AM
Not to hi-jack this thread, but has anyone tried out the new 'foundation' (I think they're called) paints from GW?  Rumour has, they should be very rich in pigments?
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Hammers on 26 June 2007, 11:54:26 AM
Don't you worry about no hijacking, son.

I just bought a pot to experiment with. In my not-so-humble opinion GW has been a little below standard with a lot of their colors so I think they are merely catching up. Wherefore I don't thing the price is warranted in comparaison to for example Vallejo.
Title: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Argonor on 27 June 2007, 11:10:02 AM
Well, that was somehow what I suspected... comparing their current range with the original (made by Black Hat, I think), colour density has really deteriorated (was that spelled correct??).... Thanks.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: A_Train on 27 March 2012, 11:44:10 PM
A bit of a necro, and I apologize for that, but I thought this would be a good ace to ask.

What is the best/most useful red from the foundry line, including Napolionic?
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Mindenbrush on 28 March 2012, 12:51:05 PM
I use mainly Foundry accompanied by select Plaka, Cote D'Arms, Vallejo MGC & MGC, Liquitex and GW Metallics.

The original set of Foundry colours are very good though the less used colours - yellow, red, pink - can be thin.

Check out the link below for a list of paint mixes on the Steve Dean site

http://www.sdean-forum.co.uk/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Mister Rab on 28 March 2012, 01:07:47 PM
I've recently taken quite a shine to the Redcoat triad from Foundry, adding a touch of GW blood red or GW scarlet ink wash if I want a bit more 'pop'. Actually, shifting to a grey undercoat (from black) has made the most difference in red coverage in my painting, but I do like the Redcoat tone.

Giving a top highlight of a bone colour, followed by a wash with GW's Baal Red newish red wash, also works (for me, anyway) to give a touch of brightness with a deep red background.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on 28 March 2012, 01:14:12 PM
From my experience unfortuinately Foundry doesn't have good red, no one I've tires did cover well. I always have to paint 2-3 layers over the first one.

I take GW's red.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Remington on 28 March 2012, 01:38:10 PM
I quite enjoy Bright Red (15) by Foundry... Well, except maybe for the Highlight colour. There redcoats were painted using that triad:

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OS74IMR-8PI/SsEUjjVoNbI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KZSpUWt0mng/s1600/Stand1and2.jpg)

Redcoat Red was useless for me. It dried shiny and had the coverage of warm air. Since then I've heard differing opinions on Redcoat and I've come to the conclusion that Foundry can be a bit hit and miss with their quality and every now and again you get a bad batch. Having said that, this only happens occasionally. For the past two years I've only had problems with my Redcoat and my Phlegm Green (which as far as I recall the Professor likes using for his Khaki tones, so his can't be that bad).
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Mindenbrush on 28 March 2012, 01:46:02 PM
When using Foundry or Cote D'Arms paints I add a little bit of TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE to the paint or to my 'thinner' fluid, this takes the 'gloss' off.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Plynkes on 28 March 2012, 01:49:30 PM
Those guys are bloody fantastic, Dimitri. You kept them quiet.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Captain Blood on 28 March 2012, 02:13:48 PM
I take GW's red.

Me too. GW blood red is the best I've found.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: Remington on 28 March 2012, 03:39:48 PM
@ Mindenbrush

That's a neat idea. Will have to give it a try. I wonder if that will improve coverage as well. I've always had the feeling (without daring to feign any technical understanding concerning paints! :D) that the "glossiness" was creating the "bad-cover-ness". (Please note the technical terms!)

@ Plynkes

No, I didn't... :) They are about 2.5 years old tho! Nonetheless, thank you for your kind words. If only we had managed to find a pleasing Nap Ruleset, I'd be painting Napo-Stuff with a vengeance. Oh well...
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: War In 15MM on 28 March 2012, 03:51:00 PM
Vallejo Flat Red seems to cover well for me.
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: King Tiger on 31 March 2012, 07:36:31 PM
Heard no complaints only praise about foundry red down my area, and considering we have 4 or so people currently painting brutes for zulu wars that's allot of red used, and the results I always se. Are stunning
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 31 March 2012, 08:01:33 PM
From my experience unfortuinately Foundry doesn't have good red, no one I've tires did cover well. I always have to paint 2-3 layers over the first one.

I take GW's red.

This.

A base of Bestial brown (that was) and then scab red on top with a couple of lighter tones (scab red with some other red that I can't quite remember but I made a big pot of it so it won't run out for a while  :) )

cheers

James
Title: Re: A ramble on "Foundry Paint System: quality and basic id
Post by: elysium64 on 01 April 2012, 01:41:14 AM
I use Foundry paints almost exclusively, and I really like them, the reds work for me I usually use a base coat of Wine Red shade, built up with the 3 Bright Reds, and finally a glaze of Scarlet highlight, I used this method on the Egyptian Major by Gringo 40, the Red is a lot brighter in reality,tomorrow will see if I can get a better photo so you can see the actual color achieved.
(http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss355/elysium64/011-14.jpg)
I agree that the Deep Blue lacks contrast, and I also find that some colors (Rawhide, still probaly my most used pot paint) have to big a contrast so I have darkened down the highlight pot. I also think the range of Greens, Browns and other muted tones is excellent.
Apart from Foundry I use GW metallics and washes, particularly Devlan Mud wash, I wish they would sell it by the bucketful  ;D I also use their Blacks and Whites as they are easier to get hold of.