Dusting off my painting gear, could use some help

[DEL 707]

I'm in desperate need of a hobby, so I did some digging around and found some of my old painting gear, which I don't think has been touched in nearly 5 years. Also I think I lost a few bits and bobs in a house move.

 

At the moment I have:

• A mix of citadel and series 7 brushes.
• Range of citadel paints.
• Spray paints.
• Basic tools, cutters, drill and files.
• Artists Acrylic Flow Improver.
• Tamiya Color Acrylic Paint X-20A Thinner.
• Arylic Varnish, matt and gloss.

 

My 1st concern is that my paints look pretty solid, is there a way to salvage them?

 

I can remember the importance of needing to thin my paints, but I can't remember what I used, I'm guessing the thinner, but what the hell is the flow improver?

 

Can anyone link me a decent starters guide, for anything other then Space Marines? Everytime I've painted in the past I've got bored because all I've ever painted are Space Marines, I'd like to have a go at an Ork or something different.

 

I'm sure a few similar questions like this in the past when I last painted, but I can't seem to find any of my threads.

[Major_Gilbear]

My 1st concern is that my paints look pretty solid, is there a way to salvage them?

 

Try adding a few drops of distilled water and a drop of flow improver to the paints, and stirring them thoroughly. It may take a few re-applications of the water/thinner and some elbow grease to get them to a usable state again, but as long as they are not actually dry, you should be able to bring them back.

 

If they are solid, or if they are gritty, toss them and buy some new ones. Whilst Citadel is the obvious recommendation, I find Vallejo to be really great paints and much better value. However, there are lots of brands, and it's worth maybe getting a few pots of different brands to see what you prefer.

 

 

I can remember the importance of needing to thin my paints, but I can't remember what I used, I'm guessing the thinner, but what the hell is the flow improver?

 

Some clean water is the usual thinner for most acrylic miniatures paints.

 

Flow improver is added in very small amounts to help break the paint's surface tension. This allows the paint flow into small recesses and heavily textured areas better.

 

 

Can anyone link me a decent starters guide, for anything other then Space Marines? Everytime I've painted in the past I've got bored because all I've ever painted are Space Marines, I'd like to have a go at an Ork or something different.

 

You might like the tutorials on Tale of Painters. They are very detailed, and they cover Marines (of course!) and a lot of other models besides.

 

For what it's worth, you may want to search YouTube for some tutorials too, as I find actually seeing people paint is also helpful in terms of understanding technique. In this regard, Games Workshop have uploaded rather a lot to their Warhammer TV channel, and you may find them useful.

 

 

I'm sure a few similar questions like this in the past when I last painted, but I can't seem to find any of my threads.

 

Here you go. It looks like these may answer why you have thinner and flow improver in your paints collection too!

 

 

Hope that gets you back onto the horse, but feel free to ask for more help if you need it or have any questions.

 

[DEL 707]

Thanks a bunch for finding those threads.