How to Thin Your Paints in 2 Minutes

[@jarcuadanantus28]

Finally! ****in someone explains the difference between too thick and too thin in a way that makes sense!

[@dustinzaccaria7644]

Totally agree. None that bullshit about “trying to get the consistency of milk” or trying to gauge the thickness of the paint on the pallet. The trick Jay mentions in this video about painting a line on your hand and being able to still see the texture of your skin while still maintaining opacity is golden. Makes so much sense and now anytime I need to thin paint I’ll be doing this. If anyone ever asks I’ll be directing them to this vid too.

[@Zeromusicmm]

Right?! Finally.

[@gavinwilliams302]

Holy moly, I've struggled with understanding consistency. Thin it down to milky consistency is dreadful advice for someone who is learning but painting on the skin is really easy to apply as a principal.

[@semondice4831]

I know right?! "It's gotta look and feel like milk"... Dafuq does It mean ?! (In the extremelly anxious context of the first minis, when you feel like every movement could be a huge mistake)

[@UnvarnishedTarnished]

Don't think of thinning to any specific ratio or example. I completely agree it's terrible advice, the main reason being all paints are different from brand to even different colours and some need more thinning that others and there's some that need none at all. My advice is simple but effective - practice. With enough experience you're going to naturally learn how thick or thin you want paint, sometimes you may want a thicker consistency if you're blending or thinner if your glazing. Keep a little test mini that is primed next to you and if you're unsure about how something might look on the actual thing you're painting, test it out. Cheers 🤟

[@karmaq8462]

Thin it down to milky is for glazes ... for regular painting , you only need 1 -2 drops of water .

[@Velcraft]

"Milky" is terrible advice. Go with the medical viscosity chart, paint straight up is honey, basecoats work well with a sourmilk/light cream consistency, highlights need to be more like skim milk, washes along the lines of coffee or juice concentrate, and glazes need to be tea/juice.

[@nparsona]

What is so hard about thinning it down to a milky consistency? They mean skimmed milk like I drink right? Or do they mean semi-skimmed, or full fat? Or extra creamy? Actually I don't really know the consistency of milk, I drink it, I don't rub it on myself!

[@troyeberle7112]

Thank CHRIST someone FINALLY explains how to thin my freaking paints!

[@weebsarecringe2102]

Thank JAY.

[@GoobertownHobbies]

Always squeeze paint as hard as you can.

[@NathanielWinkelmann]

These are the secret truths im here for.

[@axelmauritzon3098]

Instructions unclear, now I main T'au

[@OgreOnSprue]

Gotta show that paint who’s boss!

[@pazuzu_666]

That's right. Squeeze it like it owes you money.

[@grantfoster8833]

@@pazuzu_666 It does 😟

[@senorcapitandiogenes2068]

Step 1: Open paint container Step 2: Curse Citadel paintpots for existing (not optional even if you dont use citadel) Step 3: Thin your paint Step 4: Praise the Emperor

[@dragonzbreath2353]

Lol

[@samrivers2419]

u are an unfunny, attention seeking loooser.

[@dragonzbreath2353]

@@samrivers2419 Not cool

[@samrivers2419]

@@dragonzbreath2353 just pointing out this narcissists loser behaviour. not giving the looooser the attention and admiration he so desires.

[@dragonzbreath2353]

Captain Diomedes don’t listen the this bully

[@SgtBotBot]

This is so so useful for beginner painters, thank you for making it! Everyone said, thin your paints and then mumbled something about the consistency of milk and never elaborated beyond that. It took me hours of experimentation to get comfortable with this and acceptable results. This cleared things up for me even more!

[@Jimalcoatl]

I've been painting, and thinning my paints for almost two years now and I still found this video useful. Good one Jay.

[@JadeCatMinis]

I think this has been the best explanation of how to properly thin your paint. Almost everyone else says just thin it to the consistency of skim milk. Just do it and you'll figure it out. So not helpful. Your explanation on your hand totally makes it so much easier! Thank you

[@BaerNDice]

Thank you! Finally someone who explained it in a way that i can understand. I swear to God, if I hear skim milk one more time I'm going to go crazy.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

It was this simple all along? How the buggerall are you the first to just explain it! THANK YOU!!!!!

[@Lizard0911]

The paint on your skin tip is amazing! People always try to say thin to the consistency of milk which is wildly different and to me always to thin. I will for sure try that out, but just hearing it makes me feel like I know the ideal consistency now.

[@1IGG]

There are a billion different milk types. Unprocessed directly from a cow? 0.3%, 1,5%, 3.5% etc.. That's worse than using a banana for scale.

[@Old_Shatterhans]

Thank you so much, finally someone explained in simple words how the paint should act, not that vage "it should be of milky consistency", one hears everywhere. And also a fine new way to use your skin as canvas besides testing if the amount of paint on your brush is right for drybrushing.

[@Old_Shatterhans]

Woah getting

[@emceha]

So this is why all mini youtubers have paint on the back of the hand or fingers. Thanks for detailed explanation :)

[@sebytheman]

I had a huge breakthrough in my paint understanding last week when I realized the tip you gave in this video RE: skin texture, that is an EXCELLENT tip that I wish someone had told me when I was starting out. Excellent content as always.

[@adrian_0451]

If your paint bottle is clogged, I've found that a paperclip is the ideal size to clean the neck of the bottle.

[@mata218]

I've found a toothpick works for army painter droppers.

[@jdeltaalpha5195]

Just squeeze it until it unclogs. Nothing bad will ever happen. That paint bottle popping open is just cg.

[@tm5123]

Yeah, and just removing that "sleeve" thats dried around the nozzle of the paintpot might be enough already. I think everyone does that hard squeeze once in their life at least with dropper type bottles. You can suck quite a bit of paint in by having the paintpot upright, and squeezing air out of it, and then holding it squeezed, you put the nozzle into the spilled paint, and suck it up, works like a pipette :D

[@samrivers2419]

paperclip you say? well in your case, you could just use your wang.

[@oliverp3545]

@@samrivers2419 Yours would be much better.

[@ChaseCrossing]

Wow. I've been puzzled by this despite watching many vids/browsing reddit and this video instantly clicked for me. Finished watching, went straight to my wet pallet to paint and bam. It works. Paint is going on so nicely and evenly, amazing video!

[@onlyhuman3]

I didn't know about the drop staying wet thing! That will help a lot! No one ever explains this stuff, then they mock you for not knowing. Imo, learning how to fundamentally use paints and how to properly care for your brushes and use your brushes are the main things anyone should learn. I'm learning now and it is making learning how to paint anything much easier!

[@TheEr910]

This is the best paint thinning video.

[@semondice4831]

Uh... The texture of my skin... That's actually pretty usefull... Cheers mate! Thanks for another good idea!

[@loudawgg69]

This is THE definitive tutorial for thinning your paint.

[@Zeromusicmm]

Best thinning tips I have heard yet - - - and I have probably watched about 5 videos on 'thinning your paints" and most of the time the answer is just "feel your way through it" . . . the simple skin technique is something I have seen people do but never got the "why" of it. Excellent guys, thanks!

[@Auridus]

You're the first person I've heard explain why some people put paint on their hand. That is probably the best explanation for paint thinning I've heard!

[@BEASTmodeontheRoad]

Finally someone explained why people paint their thumb

[@Harry-nc5td]

Thank you for this! I've just started in the hobby and I've been struggling with paint coverage. This tutorial has confirmed that for me and taught what I'm actually looking for. Can't wait to test this out! :D

[@CoolHatTom]

I can't give this video enough likes. I've seen mini painters paint their thumbs all the time but no one's ever explained exactly why until now. Thank you so much!

[@TheKarp]

Wow that bit on checking paint thickness was great. Most tutorials always mention it but not really how, rather, they just say its a skill to develop over time.

[@eugenioconti4688]

The skin method is priceless!!! Everyone I heard is like "easy peasy - milk consistency", which to me is like WTF is milk consistency? Now THIS is relatable - paint covers the skin but you still see its texture. Perfect. Thank you so much!!

[@ijskender]

This is EXACTLY the thing I needed to see! Thank you!!!

[@Vallarthis]

Holy scrap thank you! Most useful (and concise) tutorial video I have seen on all of KZbin.

[@wadeland4]

the skin painting trick is amazing!

[@solitairemask7754]

Thanks Jay, this quick and concise guide will help a lot of fledgling hobbyists!

[@Hateweek1984]

I've been struggling so much with this.....thx for the easiest tips on this!

[@KhroweDontYouKnow]

I love the amount of basic videos you have, just getting into the hobby its hard to find videos about the fundamentals, more experienced painters take for granted. Thank you!

[@allandaunheimer5831]

Thank you! I've watched hundreds of mini painting videos and so many "Beginner Tip" videos... and I finally feel like I understand how to properly thin my paints. I think you are my new favorite mini channel.

[@TallCommander]

Probably the most to the point and best paint thinning tutorial there is. Can't believe this doesn't have more likes

[@captainstupendo]

Awesome tutorial. I'm super guilty of spreading out colors all over my pallet and then I wonder why they get dry out and get harder to paint with so quickly.

[@jpick8245]

great!! I started painting a decade ago but this 2 mins tutorial make my day thank u man

[@ryanwheeler8005]

my god, you're an actual life saver! I cant thank you enough for this. I've been struggling for days to get my paints right.

[@MoMarinePrepper]

Loved it! A true 2 minute how-to - that works. Thank you - Thank you! I’m going to go through your video’s to see if you have one for acrylic metallics - they always give me a rough time lol Thank you again!

[@Themustangturtledude]

Honestly the best explanation for thinning paint Ive seen.

[@ZombieApocalypse09]

I've definitely had the over squeezed bottle explosion. It went eeeverywhere. My wife was not happy that I had decided to selectively repaint the wall. Great concise summary of how to manage paint thinning. The texture but not the color of skin showing through the paint is a great rule of thumb.

[@JayAndNightASMR]

Very useful video, I see people asking all the time on Facebook groups. I'll definitely show them this, as it's the clearest video as it can be tricky to describe

[@ramonosuke]

Excellent, and to the point. Too many times I hear about the consistency of milk, which never made any sense to me. Appreciate this

[@thepassenger6499]

As a beginner: That was a great video! 🤘🏼 Thanks a lot!!

[@nikborz1039]

😄The best and simplest video on this subject🍉

[@tallperson0892]

thank the emperor I found this channel, I've been looking for an extremely good explanation on how to thin paint for a month now and I think this one might just be the right vid thinks :)

[@nn-hx8oe]

There's literally no other video like this oue there unless you go into a 15 min video and watch every bit of it, good job man and thank you, started painting a couple months ago and there was things such as keeping the paint in a drop in the pallet that i didnt know, i actually thought i was making my pallet with the wrong paper haha

[@vladkriuk5156]

Great format. Super informative and demonstrative, very cohesive and to the point.

[@lucianofiore2795]

YYYYEEEEEEESSSS, I've been struggling with getting the hang of painting. This really helped me to find where I can start to learn more how to work with this "colorful glue"

[@dustinzaccaria7644]

This a fantastic tutorial Jay.

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

Remarkably clear and easy to understand, I appreciate it.

[@Scooge420]

This is THE BEST paint thinning tutorial I've ever seen! Will be sending this to ANYONE asking me how to get into mini painting

[@smadjaraphael]

Man thank you so much! Brief, easy to understand, straight to the point, perfect 👍👏🙂

[@kingpotato120]

Thank you!! Just started panting and this was actually reqlly helpful! All the other step by step videos dont really explain stuff in depth so this is very helpful

[@iTxip]

I wish I could like this twice, perfectly explained in 2 minutes in a very simple way for non artsy people like me

[@cameronchandler7861]

The tip with the skin is a huge game changer you're a legend

[@Screamingmanta]

You just helped me properly understand my wet pallete.

[@RJAMiniatures]

Great video! Thank you so much! You did in 2 minutes what others spent 10+ at and did it better.

[@dezipher6770]

Thanks, was struggling getting the right consistency but the tip for painting on your skin sounds really helpful.

[@can9161]

Your videos are high quality, funny and very professionally produced. I always enjoy, watching them. Keeep doing what you do

[@JoeGunn42]

Thank you for making this. My cousin has taken interest in customizing Transformers recently. This will definitely help him.

[@knife1406]

thank you for the no fluff right to the point video, holy moly

[@StofferinoDK]

Perfectly explained! Thank you, Jay!!

[@crispy2802]

Three years later, on the day of AoS 4, this video saved the day. Thanks from a brand new painter.

[@fartooeasy7315]

this single video made my Adeptus mechaniboys look way wayyy better. ty jay

[@derek9218]

The video we all needed. Thank you!

[@blusun6981]

This was the most helpful video for painting I've ever seen! I couldn't thin my paints right to save my life before this. Thanks so much man you've saved my kriegers :)

[@Guardsman156]

This is actually extremely helpful, thanks!

[@laffing_hwhitee]

Very concise enjoyed the professional look & feel of the presentation -

[@NeoReziel]

As a noob just about to start painting, this is indeed really usefull, thanks!

[@Mr.Mortality]

Wow I love that hand texture trick! Great video

[@guyproton384]

Excellent video Jeff! Not just this one, but your entire video library! I'm in the process of getting a new apartment, and have to repaint everything there. The paint I'm using (acrylic) has in its instructions that for the first layer the paint must be thinned with 20% of water, and the next layer with 10%. I noticed that you don't thin your paints, and use the out of the box. Should I follow the paint's documentation or leave it as is, I'd love to hear your thought about it! Thank you

[@jjcc8379]

Some paints don't like water thinning too much (a.k.a some metallics). The flakes like their original medium, and too much thinning will separate them. Fortunately for me (and fellow necrontyr players), leadbelcher spreads just right.

[@crazy808ish]

I was wondering wth was going on! That explains it. Thank you

[@andrewpepper-parsons9630]

Great little video, a really hard thing to master. I've found a lot of painting videos cover this but shy away from saying what the consistency should be. This was really useful. Quick question Jay do you thin with just water or some kind of medium or flow improver?

[@Jalexlaw]

Quick and fantastic advice thanks. Would love a video on good brush care as well, mine end up a complete mess!

[@Aigismetis]

what an awesome and informative tutorial, thank you fro the content Jay!

[@sburbtube6766]

Also while it's a bit more expensive, especially for beginners, a medium works so much better than water when thinning paints

[@DailYxDosE]

like citadel lahmian medium?

[@diabetical_levitater]

I'm new to painting, I haveb testors "automotive" color themed paints and it came with thinner. Is that considered a 'medium'? Thanks.

[@sburbtube6766]

I am not familiar with those paints, but a medium is basically paint without color pigments that give the solution its color. @@diabetical_levitater

[@Lamefoureyes]

This is great! Lyla Mev also did a great video on blending, which touched on using the wet palette if you're looking for something a bit longer.

[@megamanx2006]

Wow, I learned somwthing that quick! Thanks!

[@Wargamersmusic]

Simple and easy to understand!!!! Thank you

[@mikepatterson6416]

FANTASTIC EXPLANATION!

[@grasshopper1153]

Great video. Concise and informative.

[@artistpoet5253]

1:45 and for those with a bit of sensitivity to paint on their skin I suggest picking up a swatch of faux leather in a light beige color. Easy to find at most crafting stores and sometimes the fabric department has scraps for way cheap. Clean up is just a bit of soap and water and your test surface is ready to go again. Enjoy.

[@yoole._.2323]

0:28 my favourite flavour's gotta be abaddon black

[@lemoscrack]

Everyone knows the brighter paints taste better.

[@Auridus]

Miniac has entered the chat

[@dustinzaccaria7644]

I like the OG hawk turquoise, goes great with a pie and chips. Lol.

[@Selzor]

God abbadon black is the simplest paint ever but I love it it comes in every gw paint set so it’s fucking everywhere and it mixes well with other colors.

[@KabinMiniatures]

Huh, I thought I was pretty good at wet palettes and paint consistency, but after 20 years of hobbying, even I learned something today!

[@dcandstarwarslover378]

Your short video has been more helpful than the entire reddit server, thank you so much!

[@azulcerulean]

IK its late but im a fan of glaze medium for thinning especially when newer. It helps with flow without the risk of separating the paint.

[@jayna3721]

Awesome vid, very helpful!

[@Akuseru123]

”back of the brush”. Why have I never thought of that :O

[@MangoFandangoBB]

Crikey! The perfect video I didn't know I desperately needed for painting minis! Subbed.

[@esc9869]

That thickness testing by skin is really useful~!

[@wakcedout]

Ok this was helpful for how to get paint out of a gw pot for use with a wet palette. I’m still going to switch to Vallejo because dropper bottles, but good to know the correct or better way to get gw paint out as a drop.

[@nintendeir0]

This is the best advice i've seen The milk one is aweful for those are begining in the hobby Thanks

[@rifflesby]

Thanks for this. Back in the day, we'd just crack open a pot of Citadel paint and water the whole thing down until a toothpick dipped into it dripped appropriately. Coming back to the hobby after years, all my paints are in dropper bottles and I realized I had no idea how to test them for consistency.

[@cesargimenez1288]

This is the tip as easy as it is that I need it

[@alangriffin8146]

Great, concise video. Thanks!

[@hemibell]

Love the concise video. Should I use water to thin Tamiya acrylic? I'm painting Metal Gear Rex

[@pho7020]

Thank you for these guides jay! Your format is so nice and really enjoyable to watch, appreciate it.

[@slobiden.2593]

Great video. I need help with high lighting lines on smooth surfaces. Such as on a Space Marines shoulder pads and the round circles on his knees. I realised I hadn’t twisted the brush to get the tip as pointy as possible. But there’s something I am just not getting. They come out too thick

[@Engarde6875]

This was super useful thank you!