How I found The Best Paint for Miniatures

What started with a review of the new P3 Paints ended is something more than I bargained for.
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#miniaturepainting #miniaturewargaming #52miniatures
Links to things seen in the video:
My LFGS: alphaspel.se/
Longsnout orcs: / the.longsnouts

[@Fran6yo]

A few years ago, I asked an old French man "What is a good wine?" And he simply answered : "A good wine is a wine you like." I guess it's not so far-fetched to also apply this logic to paints...

[@bors7684]

... or life, in general. 😊

[@pauliieb8301]

This video perfectly exemplifies why I keep coming back to your content. You consistently provide thoughtful, well-researched information without pushing products or a specific agenda. Your approach empowers us as viewers to make informed decisions on our own. Excellent work, sir!

[@lemonardodavinci4138]

yes, exactly that.

[@DyingtoPaint]

For someone who doesn’t paint with an airbrush very often, that model looks fantastic! Thanks for the link to the orcs. They’re next in line for my printer too.

[@graefx]

As an aside. I love all the minis you painted in these. They've all got a classic 80s fantasy look.

[@TwospotzArtAndCraft]

What a nice way to end my day before crawling off to bed. A sweet 20 minute storytelling time about the joy of painting fantastic little figurines. :-)

[@Snikrot40K]

That goblin on the dog is hilarious

[@Shadoweyed09]

I'm with you. I started with Testors Enamel paints, progressed through craft paints and P3 was one of the first acrylic model paints I bought, along side late 90's GW paint pots. I've devoted a lot of space to Reaper Miniature paints, and have many Army Painter paints that rarely get used, but I still have some original P3 that come out for some projects. I would agree by expanding that it isn't the paint manufacturer range, but the specific paints that do what you want them to do together. Great commentary and experiment, these are fun.

[@torn.blue.sky101]

Watching this, I realised something... I don't need to sit on my P3 stash anymore 😅 Genuinely to this day love using this range and you can bet I'll be investing in the full refresh. Excited to try some of the colours that would separate quicker or come out chalkier... Perhaps there's that familiar tinge of nostalgia, but they genuinely are just a joy to paint with. As you mentioned you sort of remain in the flow and just want to keep going, that's a hallmark of greatness.

[@Not-a-fancy-name]

Really do enjoy your videos, one part review, one part art house entertainment, one part philosophy lesson another part therapy session. Thank you for what you do and how you do it!

[@srhavik]

Very nice honest review of nostalgia… I also keep my old paints and actually still paint with some of them. Keep up the good work!!

[@dougquinn9705]

I love how you can take a basic review video and turn it into a enjoyable story. I found this entertaining and a little nostaglic. I still have quit a bit of p3, I might have to reconstitute some of it and compare. They had such interesting colors..

[@paulhempenstall5463]

Your scripts for videos are top notch! I have ended up with a mish-mash of paint ranges, as I experiment and find paint that I like.

[@euronymoos]

Great video as always. Must be a tricky balance to come across as balanced when it’s a sponsored review but you also genuinely like the product, but I think you nailed it.

[@Starstrykerx]

More video greatness Alex. Thanks for the nice well researched review. My journey recently landed me on AK as my primary paint, but if these become widely available I will certainly give them a try. Boy I wish I had a hobby store like Alphaspel near me...wow.

[@wietsesartsythings969]

All I can say is "Yes and amen". Paint is very personal relation. Also those Orcs are some amazing models indeed.

[@marklindsey4112]

Absolutely love those Moonstone miniatures, and your paint job totally sells them. I'd love to see a wet blend tutorial from you. I know we get to see what you do in this video, but would be interested to understand why you make the choices you do and how you choose which colours to use together. Great stuff as always.

[@LukeSteichen]

Awesome video as always, and I love the message. The skin on that battle friar is absolutely stellar!

[@GiverThought]

Thank you, Alex! I remember mentioning a request for an airbrush test on your discord because I love my old P3 pots and the Golden SoFlat paints better than my other paints (mostly vallejo, which I'm totally happy to paint with, but they don't inspire me like the Golden paints do) yet I hesitate to airbrush the Golden paints for 2 reasons: 1) I have little airbrushing experience, and 2) the potentially hazardous ingredients in some pigments. And hesitate to airbrush the P3 because I wouldn't have been able to replenish them if they ran out. Thank you for running the new formula through its paces. As ever, I'm proud to be a patreon of 52 minis. I pulled the trigger on that just after the Space Wolf diorama video and haven't looked back.

[@TheRedMisterChow]

Man, seeing the 4 orcs come together was cool! I think you could repeat that test another 3 times, using each paint brand as the lead paint and determining the approach for that colour in that section of the mini. Then you'd have 4 all painted in the way that suits the paint, and a cross-section of all the in-betweens. But like you said, it's more about you than the paint, and you can easily see which paint suited you best. It was great fun to watch

[@jamiem9490]

This is a lovely and thoughtful video as ever. As i live in Nottingham i guess almost all my paints are Nottingham paints, but some are more particularly Nottingham than others... i have to agree they aren't really my cup of tea either - and as im so old theyve chnaged the recipes several times since my youth they dont even have nostalgia on their side

[@Brevikesq]

The old P3 Beast Hide and Ryn Flesh were two of my favourite skin tones for years (decades maybe?). So glad to see this line pop back in to existence. Great video Alex (as always), the Moonstone models are fantastic 👍 Definitely agree that the best paints are the ones that get you painting - I recommend to everyone trying as many paint lines as you can, there are so many good paints out there now!

[@hobbybobley]

Absolutely loved this vid, 52! Brilliant - thanks! Hope you're very well 😊

[@ODonnchadhaBrian]

As ever, your day job shines through in your use of colour, lighting, set "design" and shot arrangement. The excellent script is only enhanced by you mentioning how bad it is. The paint jobs are superb (despite some of the paints being rubbish). You also managed to give me the same impression of these paints as others have done in a unique way (as others did not). Also, I find those british paints you mentioned have five or six colours I can't do without and that they also go in one end and come out the other end of an airbrush.

[@Chopperkelly73]

Nicely done. I’ve recently picked up a few of Duncan’s two thin coats range, a few warpaint fanatic and scale 75 paints, and have enjoyed using them. Duncan’s range are my cup of tea, they make me want to use them. I usually use “Nottingham paints” as they are easily available in my area, but I’ve had them a few years now and have noticed more and more that they dry up, go chalky and really are not as vibrant based I’d like.

[@dwightneal4624]

A while back, I became fascinated by an early book review you did that included four of my favorite authors and one I'd never heard of. I got one of his books and found another favorite author! Since then you've given us excellent videos of a unique type. And now we get the Alex approach to paint reviews, also revealing some Moonstone minis! I have just found this game, and really enjoyed your color experiments here. P3, therefore, might need to be looked into.....

[@MrRoyalfalconer]

Great video as always mate, completely irrelevant to me as after 40+ years of being a miniature painter I only use professional grade acrylic gouache and oils for the exact reason that pros use and rely on them… to make a living. I do understand that you can get really excited about a new colour but don’t forget that every colour you see in a pot became that colour through mixing. IMHO more mini painters should learn colour theory, then every colour imaginable is right at your fingertips. That being said I still watch and enjoy reviews such as yours. Anything that see’s more people starting this great hobby journey is 10 outta 10 in my book. Bonza mate top stuff👍👍

[@GreenChkn]

Yeah, you had me locked in when I saw Moonstone models. ❤

[@thorikstoneshield3716]

Hi Alex, watching you paint, makes me want to paint, your calm, and your technique, are wonderful, I agree with you, often you just sit on what you know that works for you, but to try something new can be a nice surprise, I'm giving it a try to some AK that I found at my hobby shop, and I'm quite happy

[@jasonrhome710]

I do like how mottled the Nottingham orc skin turned out, but that also does a good job of demonstrating the lackluster coverage some of the line has.

[@gregmccormack5709]

A wonderful review and perspective. Many Peeps need to hear this. ❤👍

[@markfrommontana]

Ah hah, comparing the relationship between a miniature painter and his/her paints to other long term (short term?) relationships is audacious but gives me something to ponder this morning in the greater scheme of life and the mysteries of the universe. 😉 I don't buy paints with fantasy names (not going to name names here) not because I'm biased against those brands or companies, but rather because at my advanced age I don't have a hope in hell of learning a new language and memorizing clan or other strange names to understand which shade of blue, red or green is brighter, darker, bolder, paler, etc. This reminds me.. I still have to find the right shade of claret or maroon... hopefully from a company that uses standard English to name its shades. An amazing video with your usual superb story line Alex.. thank you.

[@Bloodfencer1990]

I went all in on the new Army Painter line and been loving it way more than other rbands I've tried. But I am looking forward to these new P3 paints, because you can never have too much paint.

[@nguy0699]

Another wonderful video! Great shots and a lot of thoughtfulness. Love when your script gets philosophical. I'm also impressed how patient you are with grouchy comments here in the comments section!

[@pavelalfimov]

This was inspiring and elegantly done:) thank you, Alex!

[@jordanhoggart3415]

Great and insightful commentary as always. I suppose the only downside to finding your own way is you have to accept you'll sometimes veer down a path that's a dead end. You can always walk back, if you enjoyed the time is of little concern, but you still spent the time and effort walking. I think a lot of people get caught up in "the best" when as you say its about finding "the right for you". Though it makes sense that its natural to look for the best when you only have (or think you have) one shot. Rather than buy a few sets you'll buy just one and that has to see you through. In that case you want whatever people say is the best. Though again I guess the secret there is you'll rarely end up making a bad choice anyway, so long as it gets you going.

[@FlynBroc]

A fan from Aotearoa. Love your painting style and video style.

[@thatdudepaints]

What I enjoyed most about the experiment at the end is when they are all lined up like that, viewed at a distance on a monitor or phone, they all just look like good fightin' orcs! Super close the differences might be much more obvious, but on the table where these things are mainly intended to be viewed, it all becomes much of the same.

[@scannerbarkly]

Beautiful work, as always.

[@52Miniatures]

Thank you very much!

[@tobiasweyer5063]

fantastic video and those minis are just lovely, especially Doug the Flatulent!

[@philgee486]

This was a very balanced test of P3 vs mass market hobby paints that most folks wouldn't shrink from having a few of on their desk. P3 did however run away with it for me, the better coverage preserved the saturation when colours were adjacent or wet blended and that made for the best orc hands down. i love wet blending so much I've moved all the way over to oils for it and then texture and detail over the top with acrylics, so not the usual need to run out and buy them I'd otherwise have, but I will need a few to try out and to produce wet blended ed and blue uniform bits very quickly Great vid, and a very worthwhile watch

[@ThorekIronbrow]

Great point that paints often have personal feelings attached for reasons that are somewhat illogical. I'll take "Teclis Blue" and "Blue Horror" over Pro Acryl "Blue" and "Grey Blue" any day.

[@isisnmagic1812]

Another great video Alex, and you have left me asking myself " do I add these to my Spain Belgium and Nottingham paint collection, of which many colours I do not use but have because why not?". Thank you for the conundrum plus you have shown these paints in a way more easily digestible than others who have done videos on these paints.

[@IlanDavid]

I've been watching you for a while. you became a much better painter.

[@chadkittleson5447]

Great video. Thanks for some good realistic comparison and advice.

[@visuellegedanken]

What an absolute gem of a video! ❤

[@NikkiAnnMarie]

I'm surprised you like the paints so much given their satin finish with you normally tending towards an ultra matte, nice to see you trying something new :)

[@JohnCharlesBetts]

I enjoyed the review, although I pick my paints across ranges; I was interested to see the Moonstone miniatures painted, as the exact same ones are waiting for my attention; but best of all, this nice, relaxing video was just what I needed after a long day of work - thank you!

[@NewSquallor]

Haven't painted anything since March. The call has been getting stronger but there is so much to do work-wise. Perhaps I shall allow the clarion call of fun paints to lure me towards the rocky shore of my hobby table once more. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@snap2cb777]

The bug-dog mini looks amazing

[@johnnyexponential7229]

Man, the Paul Bonner influence in those orcs is clear as day. How odd to find images from my youth made physical twenty-plus years later. Good odd, though.

[@sovietbear1917]

That P3 green is pretty sexy. I'll stick to my art paints, but might pick up a pot of that when it hits retail.

[@bors7684]

Love your videos man. Can't quite figure out why, but they bring relaxing peace and are a gentle urge to go grab your brush... congrats and thanks 😊 well, not YOUR brush, I mean MY brush... wait... anyway, nevermind, you know what I mean

[@ZacSheehy]

Very inspiring,im currently working on the same moonstone miniatures.

[@TheEnd]

Thanks Alex, hope you’re doing well bro!

[@ElpredatorGYRO]

I was thinking about an experiment for the Nottingham paints : Paint an undercoat of the complementary colour of the colour you want (redish for a green ork), then use their contrast paints on top (Green in that case). Could save some time while keeping rich colours.

[@PaintsAreOp]

I like to think there are 3 kinds of paints, good, decent and bad. Most paints, GW, Vallejo, Army Painter Fanatic, old P3, Ammo by Mig Atom, AK 3rd gen... they're all great. As long as they're good paints, no need to fight which brand is the best. But I definitely think there are or have been bad paints.

[@samlivera4915]

Great video as per usual, very enjoyable watch. Who's orcs are those I love em

[@baalnf]

I wish i had a game shop like that near me! ours are just really small and dont have much, which is weird because 500k people live here.

[@SgtMaj22]

Great video as usual.

[@6TypoS9]

Moonstone minis look amazing

[@sztachu]

I think it is true with why so many people paint with Citadel, not because they are amazing paints, but don't get me wrong, they aren't bad as well, it all depends on you, and on what colors you get and use, I still use some of them. But the main thing with them is alot of people have nostalgic feelings about them, me including. They were with us from the beginning, when all of us started painting little sci-fi toy soldiers when we were younger. And another true statement from this video is that there isn't the best paint brand or collection/line, or the worst, it all depends on you, and how you use them, and what you like and don't like.

[@howardcoates6985]

Liking what I am seeing from the P3 reviews so far. Backed the kickstarter so I am happy for the decent reviews. I agree with you on the Nottingham paint line, overpriced and IMO inferior product. Been favoring the 'Denmark' paint lately, but I also use Pro Acryl, Scale 75 and AK 3rd gen too. interesting video, keep up the good work.

[@alternate3787]

I think the P3s are nice, but a bit expensive where I live. I shall wait to see if they hit the local store and at what cost (for me)

[@jonnil1997]

I gotta test that Orc skin painting method

[@Dan_Does]

Best painter!

[@graefx]

I'd like to think I've moved away from the tribalism of my youth, as much as I want to still support smaller producers, I end up going with what's most accessible and economical. But I'm a slave to nostalgia, I had to get pots and this will be the first large paint set I've ever had. Curious to see how my color choices and approach will chain if I'm not longer limited by my habits and how much initiative I have to go out to the store for a new color. Blighted Gold only being in the most expensive set was a bit of a bummer. I appreciate the tool analogy. I look at these paints as toys and feel like that a core bit of tension in the hobby. Are these things collectibles and professional artist tools. Or are they all different toys that I just wanna have some frivolous play time with.

[@Nekorook]

I appreciate your renaming of the paint lines. I think that is what they should just be called now.

[@zippy5131]

At the moment I'm using three different paint lines for histerical minainatures..(Sorry Historical) When I get back to some fantasy it will be four different lines with Denmark thrown in. Used Nottingham once didn't like it and they stopped making my favourite colour... 'ORC BROWN'.

[@DollaJames]

P3: Pre-Production Paints

[@sin721]

fun

[@toadsicle1200]

God I hate P3 Paints, the new fanatics are fantastic, affordable and easy to get.

[@52Miniatures]

Have you tried the new paints T? I’m curious to hear why you don’t like them.

[@toadsicle1200]

@@52Miniatures no but until I see them consistently in stock everywhere I’m not interested. , the old paints were never in stock and I’ve had mixed dealings with steam forge before. It’s an easy pass for me as someone with a large paint collection already.

[@calross5008]

🖌🧙‍♂

[@jeremiahembs5343]

The most important requirement for a paint brand is that they produce the same paints year after year without any changes whatsoever. P3 absolutely failed that test. Back to Coat D'Arms.

[@52Miniatures]

Have you tried the paints J? I think they are pretty fun

[@jeremiahembs5343]

@@52Miniatures No. And I won't. I had order some of the last batches of P3 paints just before they completely pulled them off the market before reintroducing them switching them over to the dropper bottles. Unlike the ones I had before they were super thin like water and completely useless until I had allowed them to thicken in the open air for an hour. The flesh was the worst, but they were all really bad and that's not how they were in any previous batch I had order. It was obvious to me that the mixture was thinner to accommodate the new dropper bottles they were planning on switching to. Paint should be capable of impasto and the new batch certainly was not. I don't want every paint to be a glaze. I want to be able to modify the paint as I work. But either way it doesn't matter. As a production artist I need paint lines that never change. These companies do the exact opposite of what the users want. We just want CONSISTENCY so that if we like a paint it remains on the market unchanged throughout our lifetimes and can become a staple of our palette. Both Games Workshop, Vallejo, and now P3 has betrayed their customer base by making formula changes that literally nobody asked for except talking heads on youtube and they've admitted they've done it for marketing purposes as youtubers will review their new lines which they hope will temporarily boost sales. It's a bad business practice as whatever you gain in new customers you lose in old ones.

[@tinyfishhobby3138]

@@jeremiahembs5343 I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about, P3 was never "completely pulled off the market before reintroducing them switching over to dropper bottles". P3 has never been available in dropper bottles. Maybe you're mixing up your hobby paint companies.

[@jeremiahembs5343]

@@tinyfishhobby3138 The new P3 paints are available in both dropper bottles and paint pots. And yes, the original P3 paints were pulled off the market for a while and were unavailable as they went out of production for a while until this new reformulation. I got some of the last of the original line and some of the paints I ordered were not available even though I ordered some of them in boxed sets so they refunded my money for the ones that weren't available. The paint has been reformulated according to the interviews given to the owners to carry more pigment. As an artist I stay pretty well informed about the availability of my supplies.

[@jeremiahembs5343]

@@tinyfishhobby3138 "P3 has never been available in dropper bottles." They are now as I said. Check the crowd funding site.

[@edwardnigma7332]

P3 have been terrible for 15 years . not giving them a second chance. neither are my FLGS . zero interest

[@52Miniatures]

As I said in the video, it’s not the same formula :)

[@6TypoS9]

Also, you are now a hipster.

[@jamiem9490]

He looks a lot like my yoga teacher now. Though less tattooed. Equal zen however. No judgement on either front or capacitative quality or manner of ones chosen hairstyle.