-A Painting Tutorial and Resource for A&A Global-

I must say sir, you have some fine minis there  :-D  Love the collars and your terrain turned out pretty cool.  I’d suggest trying the terrain material labelled as ‘fine’ as well, has a dust - like appearance.

Interesting that you used a glue mix, how’s the finish look on that?  Something that can’t truly be gleaned from photos online…  I haven’t tried that because I was worried it would come out too shiny.  No?  Wondering because I just sprinkle directly on the base paint and it seems to hold.

Hope you don’t mind me posting these here, but I think images of the ‘threads’ kinda terrain exhibits better than my previous explanation.

WHoa.  Those came out a little too big on the zoom.  :roll:  But you get the gist.

Would anyone here have experience painting A&A pieces with ENAMEL paints? Seems like everyone is using acrylic, but I wanted to know if there were any issues foreseen in using enamel.

I use enamel paints on all of my miniatures……I have a YouTube video showcasing my figures if you would like to see them… It is in this same customization page under the topic name “Board Game Pieces”. I did not put as much detail into mine as many others do because of the fact that it takes soooo long! And to answer your question I seem to have ZERO issues with enamel paints. I have used them for a long time and will continue to do so. :)

Here - http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=28438.0

@KjBush:

I use enamel paints on all of my miniatures……I have a YouTube video showcasing my figures if you would like to see them… It is in this same customization page under the topic name “Board Game Pieces”. I did not put as much detail into mine as many others do because of the fact that it takes soooo long! And to answer your question I seem to have ZERO issues with enamel paints. I have used them for a long time and will continue to do so. :)

Here - http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=28438.0

Yeah, I started and I am using predominantly enamel paints also. They seem to be working better than the acrylics I use. They don’t dry quite as fast which is actually a good thing. Because of how little paint you use for models of this size, the acrylic paint dries very quickly and gums up your brush and the model. Haven’t had that issue with enamels, even if they sometimes look glossier than I want.

Spray or paint-on matte varnish will cure the gloss.
I usually gloss coat after the wash and then apply decals due to the smoother gloss coat.
I then dry brush and that’s it. Mostly I apply a coat of matte varnish to add another layer to protect the paint but enamels,
once dry, are unbelievably durable. Looking at old pictures of vehicles, you can still see an almost shiny surface on large flat spaces
and I discovered by accident that a matte coat is not necessarily a must. Might be different with ships where a satin finish is more desirable.

(pours a pint and sits down with the rest of the painters)

Enamels?  I’m not a fan - I like the blending and the ‘dry-fast’ of acrylics, and I find it easier to make the unit look like its seen some action.  Though I do use some enamels for select things I want to remain shiny (guns sometimes).  I (personally) like the dullness of acrylics, though I whole-heartedly agree that the enamels are far more durable (I have used them in the past).

If I worked with enamels I probably wouldn’t have the ‘fade out’ problem I get on occasion with acrylics, that is to say, after I give them a protective coat some colors/detail isn’t quite as fine.  At times this is ok, a bonus blending more-or-less.  But then there are other times when it mucks up the detail of the face for instance…  I also like that when using enamels, the sheen of decals isn’t as visible.  Huh… might have to dust off the enamels and give 'em a go.

@Viracocha:

(pours a pint and sits down with the rest of the painters)

Enamels?  I’m not a fan - I like the blending and the ‘dry-fast’ of acrylics, and I find it easier to make the unit look like its seen some action.  Though I do use some enamels for select things I want to remain shiny (guns sometimes).  I (personally) like the dullness of acrylics, though I whole-heartedly agree that the enamels are far more durable (I have used them in the past).

If I worked with enamels I probably wouldn’t have the ‘fade out’ problem I get on occasion with acrylics, that is to say, after I give them a protective coat some colors/detail isn’t quite as fine.  At times this is ok, a bonus blending more-or-less.  But then there are other times when it mucks up the detail of the face for instance…  I also like that when using enamels, the sheen of decals isn’t as visible.  Huh… might have to dust off the enamels and give 'em a go.

Yeah, sounds like you talked yourself into it.

I once thought that all enamels had a gloss sheen to them, but that really is not the case. If they were all glossy I wouldn’t use them either. I have been using Testors and Model Master enamels for some time and quite like them. (Model Master I like quite a lot, especially since they have some great color blends for war painting… Testors is quite a bit more limited, but they work okay.)

Even with my airbrush I think I will like using enamels more, which I did not think would be the case before I started using it. Granted I am a beginner, but cleaning an airbrush full of acrylic paint is a major pain. The paint just dries so darn fast… even acrylic cleaner doesn’t help much, especially in the small space. With enamels on the other hand, just pour some thinner on and the stuff comes right off when you wipe. Acrylics dry while my airbrush or normal brush is still painting, which I find extremely annoying; not to mention the residue gets on the model and gunks up the surface.

That’s what I hate about acrylics. You end up wasting a lot that doesn’t reconstitute like enamels. It does have a much better flatness for a surface.
The advantage of blending with enamels can also be it’s downfall when you need color separation. Each coat has to dry enough so I would do large batches
so that by the time I came back around to the first figure, the coat is pretty much dry. The other advantage though with acrylics is you don’t need to worry about the fumes from the thinner. I’ve heard so many airbrush problems and the PITA setup cleanup process that I’ve only gotten the spray can type
airbrush and have not even used them after 2 years. Model masters spray cans and Krylon Camo sprays have been pretty good for me. I’ve not yet used
Krylon camo on such small pieces as A&A game pieces though. Paint and brushes are a whole investment in themselves.

Yeah… ok, I’m convinced, I’ll give enamels another go. Though - I’m going to have to make a trip to the Hobby store because some of my primaries have dried up it looks…  :-o

Hey Spitfire - let’s see those pics!

Ok, so I tried enamels… nope.  I’m sticking to acrylics.  They just don’t dry fast enough for me, and despite the shiny coat that blends better with the decals, I prefer the acrylics.  To each their own obviously, as I’ve seen some awesome enamel pieces on here.

Fantastico!  Those are awesome - those Soviets and ‘back’sacks’.  eh eh eh - wonderful shading Spit.  And ‘letting loose’ - love it! I have a few of those I’ve been meaning to post.  Hey - are these coated yet?  What do you use to coat em?  I go for the basic clear coat - but notice I lose a little detail sometimes.

Awesome work Spitfire. Great color selection

I tried the brush on varnish once - bad experience, took out more detail than the spray.

You moved overseas?  You didn’t by chance end up in the UK?  Always looking for players…

Spitfire38,

––I really like your Russian Infantry. Nice shading and excellent color separation!
Well done! :-D
----And you’ve hit a home run with the ‘Combat Tuxedo’ on the “From Russia with Love” character. 8-) You have to “let Loose” every once in awhile.

“Tall Paul”