Which paints to buy?

[PhilB]

Bonjour, y'all,

I've just moved from France to Florida for half the year (snowbird!) and all my extensive collection of Foundry paints stayed in France. I need to get a full set of paints to work while I'm here in Florida, so I thought I'd ask the collective hivemind:

What are the best paints to use, painting medieval-fantasy figures, and where can I get the best deal on a big set of them?

While I'm at it, are any of y'all located in the Palm Beach area of Florida? Now that I'm back in the US, I'd love to hook up with some other miniature gamers.

[Dags]

Ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different answers as to what is 'best'. I've just done a quick count up and found 15 different types of paint on my desk  Different brands are better for different things....

However, if you're used to using the Foundry system, CdA (made by HMG, who also make the Foundry ones) will offer a cost effective alternative.

[Codsticker]

Were you using the Foundry triad system? If so, I would consider going with Reaper paints as they also have a triad system. The few I have tried worked very well.

[PhilB]

Thanks guys, I know that opinions on paint vary wildly. I do like the Foundry triad system (though I often mix a bit to get intermediary shades) but I'm not married to it.

Some 15-20 years ago, when I got back into miniature painting after a long hiatus, I ordered a bunch of Foundry figures and decided to splurge on their paints as well. What I want is a big set of paints that I can use for most purposes. I usually use craft paints for terrain projects, but so far have stuck with the Foundry sets I ordered way back when, for figures.

FWIW, I always use flat black spray-on primer prior to paining, and generally like the results. I know some folks complain about colors being a bit duller when they go on over black primer, but IMHO a bit duller colors isn't a bad thing. Earthy.

[Cubs]

I buy 20ml pots (usually from these guys https://www.ampulla.co.uk/shop/plastic/plastic-jars-with-screw-lids/20ml-plastic-paint-pot-push-lid/ but no doubt the US has a bunch of options) and then blend my own shades from mostly Vallejo, who are great quality, cheap, but come in dropper bottles which I don't really like. I usually do 4-stage blends (base, 1st midtone, 2nd midtone, highlight) but then for things like skin tones I might do a 6-stage blend.

It means an investment of time and effort to start with, but then it saves a lot of time and money in the long run.

[FifteensAway]

Well, being in 'snowbird' status, you might give those Craft Paints a try for your figures - save a LOT of money.  I've been all in on craft paints for years and they work just fine for me.  Granted, I'm just going for high rate of production game table standard rather that 'works of art'.  So, you have to ask what your personal painting goal is - really high quality paint jobs or mass production?  (I think, in the end, there really is no difference if the point is to put figures in a game - 3' rule and all.)

[PhilB]

Thanks, guys, I've placed my orders:
- FolkArt 99445 24 Bottle Acrylic Craft Paint Set and
- Vallejo Model Color - Acrylic, 72 Basic Colors Set

Hopefully, this will do me for a while. Now to order a new lead pile to paint up!

[carlos marighela]

Miami might be one of the few places where the population can actually pronounce Vallejo.  You will need to check your order though as recent legislative measures in Florida have banned the sales of rainbow colours along with all shades of pink. lest small children become vegans or communists or something.

[FifteensAway]

48 ounces for $31 craft paint = .65 per pounce
41 ounces for $170 for hobby paints = $4.14 per ounce. (assuming that is the right set - might be about half that)

Either way, you can see why I like craft paints on a cost per unit basis. Or maybe I'm just cheap! 

Now, for figures, I say go to Old Glory 25s, get their Army Card, and buy whatever you want at a 40% discount (well, almost on everything on the site) - pays for itself really, really fast.  You have 10 mm, 15 mm, 25 mm, and 28 mm to choose from.  And you can go to Old Glory 15s and get volume discounts, too, but have to spend a lot more to get there.

Best of luck.  Especially in Florida!  Can you tread water!? 

[PhilB]

Thanks for the helpful comments. And the jokes, makes the place feel homey.

Amazon should be delivering a few townsfolk and tieflings today or in the next few days, and I'll get started again.

28mm is my scale, although a lot of companies seem fixated on what they call "heroic 28mm" which means 32mm. Which is a real shame. I really prefer some consistency in the figures on the tabletop.

Next stop is the craft shop, for some balsa, foam and assorted doodads to get back in the terrain building vibe. My collection of terrain doesn't fit in suitcases.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=125356.msg1608722#msg1608722

[majorsmith]

The majority of my paints are foundry, perks of working for them! But I do use valegio, which I’ve also found are good especially their reds and more earthy tones, games workshop are hit and miss, avoid all their white paints!!! Very lumpy, but their washes are brilliant, even if they have changed a bit over the years

[PhilB]

Thanks, Major.
I have a huge set of Foundry paints I got over 15 years ago (back in France) and the thing I like the most about them is that none of them have dried out on me, in all that time. I like the 3-tone approach, even if I do sometimes blend intermediate tones as well.

My Valejo set should arrive in a couple days, so I'll see how they compare.

[Glitzer]

In our local wargaming group I'm the total oddball. I use small acrylic craft paints by Plaka, Hobbyline and Kreul and the Revell Model acrylics line as my main coats and the GW contrast paints for some instant magic. For specific colour tones I also use Olive Drab and Russian Uniform Green by Valejo Model Color and for some diversity in skin colour I use a variety of skin tones by Valejo Game Color and GW.

As you might see I'm a fan of high pigment paints that cover well in one layer (great for those white and yellow "metals" in medieval heraldry)

In the past I made some good expiriences with Coat'dArmes and Reaper too but those are not available near me anymore.