How to Make Your Own Contrast Paints

[@Nebuchadnezzar6]

I make my own contrast paints as well, but using inks. For me, I've found the best ratio is equal parts ink to matt medium, and roughly 3:1 matte medium to flow improver (sometimes 4:1 or 2:1, depending on desired results). eg. 9 drops of ink, 9 drops of matte medium, 3 to 4 drops of flow improver. That still keeps the pigmentation of the inks in tact, and inks normally have some tendency to flow into the recesses on their own. Which means you don't need to add as much flow improver as you would other mediums, such as straight paint or pigment. edit: I also use all liquitex products, or Vallejo game colour inks for some specific colours

[@Nebuchadnezzar6]

Also in regards to why the contrast paints are so gloopy, Citadel is using a gel-based medium for them (I'm not sure if it's for all of them, or only some of them, which is why some of them could be better than others? I don't know), which is why it's really thick and viscous.

[@alexaustin6092]

I think it’s really hilarious that a KZbinr, experimenting, produced a better result than gamesworkshop lol

[@vapormissile]

Funny & not surprising. Those money-grubbers are a blight on our imaginations. Positive waves ❤

[@pennyonmyshoe]

Neither funny nor surprising seeing that companies and those who are sponsored get dropped if they recommend anything else than what they are sponsored. With the medium and flow improver, you can even take waxy paints (like rubnbuff or lusture type paints) and make them thin enough for panel lining for gundam builds (trust me, gold or grey lines really help a dark gundam pop in color)

[@jerryhagen9476]

Nail art pigment? Who would have thought about that one. Super cool and good job!

[@johnlanger7852]

I have all sorts of nail art stuff I am using for dioramas, I have foil leaves to use and I also have a bunch of rolls of nail art tape for my model cars that I build. These things are great and can be bought for way cheaper than our hobby stuffs.

[@Hachikii]

👏🏼👏🏼 wow the last mix was the best of all

[@MrDaqar]

Greenstuff World Flourecent pigments looks amazing...Tyranids in that colour with red/orange as eyes that ought to look awesome...

[@ornfreetaa2887]

This video is insanely helpful. Love all the work you put into using different pigment mediums to show the varying results. Will definitely be trying some of these!

[@emanuelcamuglia5984]

oh that last one looks beautiful

[@Duette-1]

Really good comparison, thanks. For the record I use a mixture of ink, matt medium and a little paint to fake contrast paints. Maybe with a little flow aid. Can I request more ink videos please though. Its mu main medium and there aren't enough videos on them. Thanks

[@MTGBella]

Yes! I’m planning on doing a custom wash video, and inks definitely produce a really nice result 👍

[@Whiplash557]

Really like the green stuff world pigments! Gonna try to find a cool application for my soulblight

[@nerdfatha]

This as cool. Since I'm always working in a very low budget, i think i could get some use out of that acrylic Liquitex paint version.

[@lehannaallen]

Love this comparison video! Thank you!

[@matthieud.179]

Nice 👍 Could you explain more your recipe ? Same for your other custom mixes and washes ? Cheers !

[@MTGBella]

My final mix is; 1 teaspoon purple fluorescent green stuff world pigment, 1/2 teaspoon blue fluorescent green stuff world pigment, Approx 10 drops raw umber liquitex ink, Approx 15 drops liquitex flow aid, Then add liquitex matte medium to the consistency you desire 🙂 I usually mix by eye, but I’ll try to keep recipes from now on 👍

[@zyos11]

When I grab a homemade contrast paint I just grab my homemade wash and add some more color and that is pretty much it. Besides, if you know how your homemade wash works you can figure out how much additional color you need.

[@Perram]

A fun video for sure! I've had a lot of luck making my own with inks. It eats a ton of ink though, as it looks like you've discovered.

[@maverickman6486]

Used to use future floor finish to get a very similar result 20 years ago. Made an urban camo for battletech minis using a very light grey base, paint in dark blue and teal splotches for a camo pattern, then paint over a future floor & water& blue paint mix that flowed into the recesses and light the high areas a light blue. The particular blue paint (I don't remember brand or name) used was very rich in pigment and seemed to have a very "inky" property to it too....

[@derv4lurch719]

I will give a mix of Greenstuffworld Pigments and the Nailpigments a try, thx for the Video :)

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@kennethfharkin]

Late to the party here and haven't really been painting for some time although back in the day I had a large W40K 2nd and 3rd edition force and Warmachine force. I have been more and more into boardgames and wanted to start finishing the figures with them. Using this guide I have started on Cthulhu Death May Die Season 1 and am having great success. Airbrushing a zenithal prime was a new thing for me and mixing up contrasts based on this guide has gone great. I feel like I am actually finishing figures and rapidly getting through my goal of completing the whole set with satisfying results.

[@MTGBella]

That’s great! Good luck with your army 😊

[@johnnycooper7019]

Dear Bella, A very informative tutorial indeed. I have just subscribed to your channel! Wishing you and your Family a very Merry and safe Christmas Best Wishes Johnny

[@tojorozombie]

Subbed! This was a really cool comparison segment! Real happy you checked out GSW, as I’ve used their fluorescent range and was stoked with the UV reaction! Big kudos to the budget nail colors! Great results!👍 Thanks for the time and effort!😎 Their red, or rose fluor paint would serve as a fine edge highlight to either!🤘🔥🤞

[@remusventanus5341]

I think the one with the inks turned out really nice. Its not a contrast paint, but it makes a nice wash.

[@TruSuCiO23]

Just got another sub. Really enjoyed this video will definitely try some of these out. Would love to see a make your own wash and comparison as well!

[@dadsrcworkbench1322]

Thank you for the video. I would to see more of these types of videos. So you used matte medium and flow improver with the green stuff world pigments?

[@MTGBella]

Yes! I use matte medium and flow improver with all the mixes 👍

[@dadsrcworkbench1322]

@@MTGBella thanks for the reply

[@jeffjensen8]

Fun / interesting video - thank you for it! I really prefer most of your mixes over GW's. The final paint you whipped up looks like it has much better coverage, isn't as glossy, and is much more pleasing to my eye. The GW paint is far too glossy - it actually reminds me of some super glossy Testors enamels I used to paint model cars with way back when I was little Jeff

[@AnonymousUser-u5n]

thank you for doing this, very helpful.

[@ChonmageXIV]

Nice experiment!

[@HeyVendy]

I love your final colour mix! Could you link the products you used? I'd love to try them for myself!

[@MTGBella]

Green Stuff World Fluorescent Pigments: www.waylandgames.co.uk/green-stuff-world-fluorescent-pigments/76733-pigment-fluor-purple?search_query=Green+stuff+world+fluorescent+pigment&results=16 Liquitex Inks: Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink, Essentials, 6 X 30 ml, Rich Pigments, Non Fading, Non-Toxic Paint for Artists and Hobby Painters www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071WQ9VC4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6KT7TM9A17F3C724S0NE Liquitex Matte Medium: Liquitex Professional Matte Fluid Medium - 237 ml www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PKMFPCMH2K3M8C9PHT38 Liquitex Flow Aid: Liquitex Professional Flow Aid, 118 Ml www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KNPM46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TGV4SKZAM3YAVCYJ27FM Nail Pigment Powders: 12Pcs Nail Powder Nail Art Gradient Powders Neon Fluorescent Nail Glitter Dust Pigment DIY Nail Art Decoration www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NT2QXM9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZPDQ6HE59SRFK04DYFAK

[@HeyVendy]

@@MTGBella Thank you so much! My best friend's favourite colour is purple, and the one you mixed was absolutely stunning. I can't wait to experiment! :D

[@RealKull]

@@MTGBella for the powdered pigment, how is the 'ratio' to matte medium and flow improver?

[@MTGBella]

To be honest I usually go by eye with the matte medium. I would just add medium to the powder until it’s a shower gel consistency, and then add a few drops of flow aid to thin down to a single cream consistency.

[@donaldopedro8148]

Thank you so much!

[@Dash277]

Yah Shyish Purple is one of the thicker ones for sure. The Contrast paints are fantastic, but maybe not for a "one coat and done" method. Army Painter is coming out with their version soon as well.

[@MTGBella]

I’m interested to try the army painter ones. They’ve got quite a lot of hype. So maybe a ‘part 2’ is in order 👏

[@Dash277]

MTG Bella 100% do a follow up. Looking forward to seeing it

[@kgoblin5084]

"The Contrast paints are fantastic, but maybe not for a "one coat and done" method. " That is how they're advertised though, gotta point out - 1 thick coat vs the traditional base - > wash -> detail method. Part of the buzz on the upcoming Army Painter line is it looks like the full range of paints behaves more consistently.

[@kgoblin5084]

@@MTGBella "So maybe a ‘part 2’ is in order" Looking forward to it! If/when you get around to it, something else to potentially try is Games-Workshop's contrast medium technical paint compared to your homebrew mix with the same pigment. Probably the best apples-apples comparison for if you are getting the medium part right vs. variations in the pigment.

[@TheAlfadir]

Bij Wodans baard! I have been in the mini hobby for over 25 years and seriously never encountered one single female wargamer/hobbyist, I know I sound like a simp who just crawled from under a rock, but where I live it's a male-dominated hobby/activity. So that alone made me sub instantaneously. Also, the content is top-notch and cant wait to see more!

[@MTGBella]

Search for #warmaidens on Instagram 😊 Might not be many playing in stores, but definitely lots of us into the hobby 🙌

[@jtabuzz6783]

Hi, great vid! Where do the mixing pots come from?

[@MTGBella]

They’re from Amazon. But they’re rubbish! Don’t buy them, buy these: Sunpet J0100 100ml Small Plastic Food Storage Canisters, Red, pack of 6 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01H2SK7E6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_0GVB6J20PMDAQTD6MDHW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@philiplerch727]

The sheen would look really good on certain models. Looks kinda oily. Might be from your lighting. Your mix though… spot on

[@АрсенийСтоляров-ц6д]

You should have painted with citadel contrast more slowly and more accurately, with less amount of paint on the brush. This is especially seen in on the scythe's blade.

[@tomsawyer227]

very 😎

[@cdeford2]

Has anyone tried adapting acrylic pouring paint? It already has high flow and although it's looks quite thick to start with maybe using some thinner or just water will turn it into a contrast paint. Just a thought.

[@MTGBella]

I haven’t tried myself, but I’m sure it would make a fine substitute 👍

[@shanejackson2062]

Came for the paint, stayed for the Curb reference.

[@sophia_comicart]

That nail powder result is rediculously good. Great video. Can't believe I didn't know about your channel. Found you through your contrast 2.0 kit video. A collab with another painter or a kitbasher would be great to get more eyeballs on your channel. So good.

[@MTGBella]

Thank you! I would love to collaborate with someone 😅

[@Sugar-Foot]

I've been curious about painting with tattoo inks, but they're not any cheaper than regular acrylic inks

[@Bubbowie]

Weird. I'm using Shyish purple for some stormvermin robes at the moment and i don't find it as shiny as in the video. The robes aren't super matt, but absolutely not as shiny as yours. Anyways, Great video and you got yourself a new subscriber.

[@GamingMediocrity]

Your final mix was miles better than the GW one. Will be picking up some flow improver to test this.

[@wilsonjayjames]

Add a touch of dish soap with the ink

[@mogwaiman6048]

Shyish Purple is one of the colors that needs to be thinned.

[@MTGBella]

Yeah, it’s quite strange that they wouldn’t do that themselves, just to get consistency with their products. At least then customers would know what to expect when they buy a contrast paint. 🤷‍♀️

[@kxjx]

I could have just done with some text on the screen to help me understand better whst each one was

[@MTGBella]

Thanks! That’s a good point :)

[@kensaiix]

the contrasts are not washes, they are meant to NOT flow into the recesses so much. you just made a non-translucent heavy body wash. also: contrast: 1 coat your method: 2 coats + varnish = 3x the time. the idea is to be quick and still reasonably good looking. you can always improve the overall outcome by spending more time, but that's not the "contrasts way".