Now a days, we as painters are spoiled. Everything we want or need is available at the click of a button on some web page and in a few days it shows up on your doorstep. Back in the mid-90s things where a bit different. You either were lucky and had a hobby store or a train shop close by that sold what you were looking for or you overcame and made your own. Growing up in Kentucky the closest hobby shop was Hobby Crossing in Bowling Green, but that was over 30 miles away, which is pretty average living in Kentucky. In the mid-90s we have The Nexus and Time Vault gaming store to buy models, such as Warhammer 40k and or course the Citadel paint line (hexagon bottles, miss those) which included some washes. But ultimately if you wanted some unique colors you have to make them yourself.
Now in this article we are going to be going over making washes. Typically for me, washes consist of me going over to www.secretweaponminiatures.com and ordering what color I am running low on. So washes must be difficult to make right? No, not really. Honestly you need 3 things to make a good wash.
- Thinner
- Flow agent
- Paint or pigment
A thinner is anything from water to acrylic medium. For this tutorial we are going to use water since it’s readily available. You can also use Future floor wax (Kleer in the UK) if you have some laying around since it’s an acrylic for wax.
A flow agent is something that breaks the surface tension of the paint, allowing it to flow easily into the cracks. Professionally we have an additive called Flow Aid. Now you’re probably wondering what you have laying around the house that will fulfill this? Dish washing soap, I have found Dawn works best.
If I am going to be doing washes I’ll typically combine the thinner and flow agent first to make my wash medium. So for the wash mix I would add one drop of soap to an ounce of water. If it gets too sudsy even you shake it add a bit more water. Now you have a wash medium. Typically when I need a wash I add 2 parts medium to 1 part paint. This way you control how intense you washes are. I have used these for very large tables and on small models. The paint can be any type. Hobby or craft paint. Typically I just grab a bottle of Vallejo and add a couple drops. If you use dry pigments, you’ll need to seal it afterwards unless you use an acrylic medium.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Please check us out on our podcast modelsworkshop.libsyn.com. Check us out on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MWAHpodcast and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheModelsWorkshop