ULTIMATE Guide To Paint Thinning For Miniature Painting!

[@Zir0w...]

Still one of the best "mini painting youtube channel"! Love the Work, love the sense of humour, love the video montage, love the beard. Keep up the great work! =)

[@bluedotdinosaur]

"Two thin coats" has always been safety-net advice for people new to painting. It's good advice in that it drills home the idea that paint shouldn't be expected to create a solid color in one coat and layers must be built up. Without getting into this level of complexity. That said, I think the foundation that most painters learn only through direct experience, is that there is no specific formula to thinning paint. You just develop an innate awareness of how every specific paint (which means every color, from every manufacturer) will behave depending on its current viscosity. An eye for how the paint is going to settle, evaporate, and cure.

[@tungsten_carbide]

OG acrylic user here, active on the forums since the late 90s. This is just to give you an idea of how many questions I've seen about how to use the medium (actually how to do almost everything in the hobby). So once miniature-specific acrylics had established themselves one thing you saw again and again was people who _couldn't_ go beyond the instructions or guidelines they'd read, and it stifled their development to say the least. Admittedly the instructions themselves are partly to blame for this - proscriptive advice is and always has been a major problem for learners. One of the very things that separates those whose work tends to remain static (sometimes for years) from those who improve steadily as time goes by is the ability to learn from direct experience, building up from foundational advice as you say. But it's important to realise this tends to happen with only a minority, and with some difficult media the smallest minority (an issue that goes far beyond this one topic BTW, it's common to all art and craft instruction). Which is all to say that this sort of clear and concise breakdown of a complex and sometimes confusing topic is of so much importance for the _"but I read I can't get away with doing this"_ type of person who make up *the majority* of the beginners and learning painters.

[@philgee486]

Two thin coats was essential for GW box art painting and white dwarf pics, back when some of their most important colours in the ranges just plain didn't cover in one, even straight from the pot. Folks have forgotten, or weren't around when citadel acrylics included some dreadfully pathetic paint, but in time building up colour with multiple passes of semi-transparent paint became a virtue in itself and so the two thin coats method became a valid, effective approach - if a slow one. Some really stunning work has been produced this way. Painting an army two or four times over - ridiculous, use the best paint you can find and afford, so you don't have to. Embrace how you can use oil paints over your acrylic as technical paints. Find all the stuff that works for you, Duncan Rhodes certainly has but it might not be the same constrained approach for you

[@alecmiller5296]

@@philgee486 look at their metallics. GW still puts out some shit paints to this day

[@crowdemon_archives]

​@@alecmiller5296 nah if you want the true shit, it's the whites. >:C

[@l.w.1014]

Another great tutorial. After 4 years of painting, these tuturials have taught me so much and keep teaching me more and more! Thanks!

[@gemlord6]

Where can we get the model at 6:28? Also, Thanks for the great video!!

[@Roguedragonld]

Yes please where can we get that model?

[@user-be7jw2oo5i]

Believe it's Kingdom Death - Pinups of death 4 - nightmare ram

[@gemlord6]

@@user-be7jw2oo5i thank you. Shortly after researching that model I bought most of kingdom death. Absolutely phenomenal model collection, for the small fee of your entire savings.

[@foolsgold3576]

What is the model being painted at 04:15? Looks good

[@claudioduran4477]

I'm impressed with the amount of production value you are currently putting into your videos, really nice job, and also the tutorial is amazing

[@40phon]

This is hands down the most comprehensive, concise and useful video about paint thinning Ive ever seen. Excellent work.

[@tungsten_carbide]

Yes, have to agree and I've seen a lot of them!

[@TKnzSteele]

Your using a wet palette so that's already somewhat watering down the paints is it not?

[@greaterpainter7996]

So glad your channel is about to hit 100k. I've been watching for a while and have known you'd be one of the bigger channels in this niche. Happy for you.

[@Dragongaze13]

Clean, efficient, to the point, funny, friendly 👌 and great skill, while staying in the realm of mortals lol

[@TheJhfkgf]

Whats the model thats in the thumbnail?

[@kaijindono]

Thank you for this video. I often find that a lot of the real basic stuff is glazed over (pun intended). You've made it straightforward and easy. Maybe now I won't get those horrible hard edges on my highlights.

[@lexispapi]

My question is how do you keep your brush so pointed like it has a wax or something.

[@JC.Denton.]

Duncan won't like that thumbnail

[@MrPuzzles]

Next death-battle: Duncan Rhodes VS Zumikito! What is best? Two thin layers? Or edge highlights? THE OCTAGON WILL DECIDE!

[@RuffStuff420]

This may be asking a lot, but I'd love some videos of you painting minis from beginning to end. I think I'd learn a ton just watching your brush control more.

[@IaijutsuRonin]

Oooohhh I spent more than 40h on One Piece...

[@StormcastMarine]

I can do without the click-bait title, would have kept watching if it wasn't for that. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to play the game, must work for the majority. Best of luck.

[@Zumikito]

It's not clickbait if you deliver, but you do you buddy

[@StormcastMarine]

@@Zumikito I intend to :) I won't be missed, like I said, click-bait works for the majority. I wish you all the success in the world with this strategy, seems to be working.

[@brokenheroics8223]

Bro, you have helped me change my ways. I was drinking the Kool-Aide so to speak and using the fastest techniques and it was ruining my craft. I decided to take a huge step backward and return to my roots and I been feeling better about my finished minis. Thanks again for the vid.

[@naphaneal]

I know of starting mini painters, who drown their minis in primer to the point of having a single blob of plastic with some details sticking out of the layers...for them thinning paints isn't the starting hurdle, it's priming...

[@NatesMiniatures]

Fantastic video mate, really enjoy how much information you present in these videos.

[@D00M3R-SK8]

well I learned something. I was not aware we needed a drier paint for edge highlighting. I have never been into the whole 'evay metal style of edge highlighting everything, so not a technique I use too much. I only ever really edge highlight where it makes sense for where the light source is. I didn't realise that you can get better edge highlights with drier paint though. I always assumed you would want it to glide, so would want some moisture.

[@grimmriffer]

"Two thin coats? No." FFS! *Snaps brushes in half and throws paints out the window.*

[@NatsurinChannel]

Spread the paint and avoid drowning the miniature! I have never heard this advice before but it makes so much sense! I never add water when painting vehicles because I get a smoother finish for some reason. Now I understand it’s because the large surface area of the vehicle allows me to spread my paint completely and avoid buildup.

[@olibarrett4283]

An extremely thin clear lacquer coating over top might make all the difference, I find it helps anyway, you can even keep the mat effect depending on the type. It preserves the paint whilst depending the colour.

[@joshrice4709]

Once again, amazingly clear and concise. Any newer painters should start here. Watch the 5 minute video that clearly outlines your next technique, then go practice it for 50 hours! I'm also super sporadic with how much I paint, and your videos are great for bringing me back up to speed after a 6 month break. Love this channel.

[@verluc]

Outstanding! One of the best explanations about the dilution topic I have ever watched! Kudos!

[@crowdemon_archives]

Well, glazes is definitely one of my favorite techniques ngl Ignore the fact I paint my minis in like 300 layers of glazes over black.

[@totalnysmietz8814]

Firstly wonted to share this on fb, but when I saw this ridiculous ""female-warior" mini I decided "no".

[@kudosbudo]

Damn. So there no right way and it depends on what i want. But what if you dont know what you want and dont' know HOW to find what you want? Anybody know avid that just shows you a method to get you started? Clearly this vid is nto for beginners.

[@JawRippa]

Great info all around. Does this channel have info regarding how to work with metals/coloured metals?

[@JSpade85]

Tactical Flexing 🤣🤣🤣 where do you get these minis? I love the variety.

[@TetsugakuSan]

Yes but also no. Everything you said has got one or several caveats to it. Especially around edge highlighting and making your paint dryer which is well. Not true. Don’t make a short video and say you covered everything, make a longer one. And cover them.

[@dougjones3305]

I used to think there where wrong and rite ways of painting but after 30 years of painting miniatures I discovered there are thousands of ways you can skin a cat so to speak. What ever works for you is rite for you and same goes for this guy. We all have different eyes and look for different finished product when it comes to our minis. So I fact the only wrong way to go about it is to say that someone is not correct... Or to say "yes and no, literally everything you said has a caviar." To say the you know better or that your ways is better than this very competent painter. That is the only wrong way to go about it. As long as someone out there finds something helpful in some way then it is one of the many correct ways.

[@ShowerOnceYearly]

Go ahead and try to edge highlight with runny paint brother and tell me how it turns out

[@fabiobassi4373]

for the 1st time i real tutorial where to learn many things. Other painters seem using words without know the real meaning. thanks

[@Smilomaniac]

Very important video, so good. Wish I'd had this way, way back when I started painting and when I picked it up again to refresh. It also gives people permission to use paints unthinned, instead of feeling forced to try and reach some sort of magic ratio that is hard to achieve. Thinning is a topic of feeling and the only way I've found to adequately describe thinning for layers is how the paint applies. For a "real" thinned result, you want it to apply without being watery and without leaving texture on the surface. But then you have the differences in pigments... how to get a nice black layer? Apply 3 slightly watery coats for a matte finnish. Add thin coats for a more satin finish. ...but then more specifically, again, this is mostly true for GW's black base paint (whatever it's called now - used to be chaos then abaddon), as Army Painter's 'Matt Black' seems to work better. Confusing. All you can do is keep painting and actively ask yourself what you're doing right/wrong and how to avoid some things.

[@savagex466-qt1io]

The part were you said all you can do is keep painting. Thats it man. These videos are great and super helpful. You can watch video's all day long but unless you paint and practise you wont get better. I learned at a time before youtube lol You would ask someone or just learn yourself. A codex or white dwarf magazine helped for sure.

[@tylergartner7172]

What miniature is that in the thumbnail?

[@Zumikito]

It's pinup from Kingdom Death - either their 3rd or 4th collection (can't remember)

[@djcree420]

I was gonna ask the same question. That mini is SO dope.

[@savagex466-qt1io]

If Duncan read the title of your video he would paint you 2 thin coats !

[@anthonyh4745]

I’ve always used from the pot if the paint is fresh and not too thick and never had problems. I’m a table top + painter so above average but not a pro by any means, but people are impressed with my paint jobs when I get a chance to show them off.

[@jayward8943]

I went hard on techniques and getting a wet pallet, additives, and eye droppers when I first started because I wanted everything to be perfect and to follow the master painting guides. Now days it's a plastic lid and the paint gets thinned with the water left in my brush after rinsing.

[@TheIntestinal]

i want to base my space marines but they are always streaky or splodgy :(

[@TheYendukua]

But do you recommend it and where can I buy How do I make one?

[@kevinalford]

Hi Zumikito. I love you. Please explain your drybrushing technique as I don't understand the dampening sponge part at all. P.S. I love you.

[@Zumikito]

So the sponge dampening pad is there so you can keep your brush slightly damp. You don't need to keep it wet or moist, but slightly damp will do. This is because you wanna avoid too many dustybrushtrokes, so keeping it just slightly damp will work well for this purpose. You still have to get rid of most of paint however.

[@kevinalford]

@@Zumikito so you do the regular drybrush of dip, wipe wipe wipe wipe wipe, then damp it a little using a sponge?

[@xaviergonzalez4268]

Zumikito your videos are just soo fukking awesome, thanks, i needed to said it. PD: i deduct that sergio calvo paint density (that u showin this video) are more than the spectrum of base (Capibase) than layer and that make quicker paintjob. PD: I said u're videos are awesome? indeed they are.

[@tungsten_carbide]

Hello, new to your channel and just subscribed based on this video! Just to give you some background, I'm a very experienced acrylic user - since 1979 😲- and I think this may be the clearest breakdown of the issue of thinning, when to use it, how much and how it affects coverage/opacity I've ever seen. Bravo 👏👏

[@philgee486]

Two thin coats was essential for GW box art painting and white dwarf pics, back when some of their most important colours in the ranges just plain didn't cover in one, even straight from the pot. Folks have forgotten, or weren't around when citadel acrylics included some dreadfully pathetic paint, but in time building up colour with multiple passes of semi-transparent paint became a virtue in itself and so the two thin coats method became a valid, effective approach - if a slow one. Some really stunning work has been produced this way. Painting an army two or four times over - ridiculous, use the best paint you can find and afford, so you don't have to. Embrace how you can use oil paints over your acrylic as technical paints. Find all the stuff that works for you, Duncan Rhodes certainly has but it might not be the same constrained approach for you

[@syteanric]

Remember, some paints are thinner than others already, some thicker. Vallejo game colour red and black are thick gloop and will affect how much you thin. Gw black really doesn't need much thinning at all

[@zakcl00]

I love your videos, you are inspiring me to keep going through painting my army of imperial fists. Why? Why did I pick yellow marines....

[@JSledge825]

Yah I’m still pretty new. And I’m struggling with different colors to be used for shading, like say under or on a cape. Or maybe hair. It came out really well on one thing I’m painting. And then I tried again on a second one and realized the paint was too bright. So I guess trying to find different shaded paint is my struggle to match together.

[@YaqoubAlTayib]

Where can we get the shown models? I appreciate your knowledge and your time spent to make these videos. Thank you for being a reliable resource.

[@redrooster7371]

Very interesting. I never thought about thinner or glaze medium building up while water dissolves. Good insight.

[@markhickson9087]

Nice video and good point. I liked that you mentioned the build up of layer thickness if using mediums to thin paint. Basically you are putting down thicker layers but with varying levels of transparency if mediums are used to thin the paint. This isn't what most people want but it can help if texture is being created with the painting.

[@stormycatmink]

+1 for correctly using 'solvent' rather than water or medium or whatever. The important part people glaze over (pun intended) is that it's a solvent. Using a medium or water are to change other properties of the paint.

[@RJAMiniatures]

“Tactical flexing” 😂😂.

[@timbob1145]

Dude, this video was excellent. Great info, concise and well presented with perfect visual examples. 👍

[@Strikerkong]

What is the model on the thumbnail?

[@digitallurke7710]

Two thin coats Dry brush and wash Dry brush and wash Victory! ✌ Bonus points if you use shit craft paint

[@Alwaysmp01]

For someone that has been out of the hobby for about 5 years. This is one of the best videos I have seen. Especially since painting is my favorite part. Yes, even over playing with you wonderful nerds.

[@omnito]

Superb advice putting everything into context. Those purple alient bases were sweet as well - will try that one out tonight.

[@philgee486]

Great vid that simply demystifies the general blather that overlays how to get your paint to work for you, and not against you.

[@Gabosamu]

Hahahahaha the Lazy Techniques!

[@UmouMais]

great tutorial! It clarified a lot for me. And I agree, it can be really confusing for a beginner

[@edwardcote2440]

This is actually very helpful and I must admit that I have struggled with dilution all too often.

[@clintseppowitz5642]

This is champion, because - although I am painting for quite a bit - I really struggle with the topic "paint consistency". I will try to keep your stuff in mind the next time I paint and to experiment a bit with different ratios of paint-to-water. Keep up your good work, mate. It's highly appreciated.

[@marcosdotps]

Wow, this channel is pure gold, thanks for all this material!!

[@cellz10111]

I think id recognise the drum line in the background at 5:36... well done Zukimito

[@robertlong2337]

My biggest problem when painting my minis is that I make them look too real and not cartoony enough if that makes sense at least I think that's what my problem is

[@donquimby4128]

Holy crap, such a good explanation of these techniques

[@aegil-]

Such an interesting and educational video! Thank you so much!

[@carlstanford7607]

This is the best video I’ve seen from you. Absolutely crystal clear and perfect tutorial

[@necpwnz]

Thanks. I love your videos. Short, without unnecessary stuff, straight to the deal. And very clear and easy to understand.

[@Sichuanbeef]

This was really helpful. What about a similar video for oils though?

[@ArtemNovikov-rz3ns]

6:25 very thorough work😂

[@_walruseater]

I’m very new to painting mini’s (one week in) and your tutorials are a godsend. Love how you explain things in full detail but plainly and easy to understand. Thank you!

[@jolanlt6678]

Great video ! Thank you for making those sweet tutorials !

[@bear_brush]

This was really helpful! Thanks mate!

[@NordicMiniaturePainting]

Awesome video :) Thanks alot man!

[@Botjer1]

My cheat for thick paint, gloss varnish then matt varnish, this will smooth out most things

[@loltwest9423]

Damn, nice breakdown. I already feel like a better painter because of it.

[@bicskeiz]

Great video! I always struggle with paint consistency, this makes things much clearer.

[@TruthTealler]

that mini looks bad ass

[@robertlasitter5284]

This video was great! Very informative.

[@jonathansherlock]

This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you.

[@chriswilliamson1211]

Thanks for another great and informative video.

[@AlwaysDrawing2012]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you!

[@lukethiel]

Where can I get the mini in the thumbnail./

[@Zumikito]

Kingdom Death Pinups - Nightmare Ram Armor

[@ziomalZparafii]

6:58 whoa! Aside from painting, great shield on that mini!

[@braucsdaddy]

Another thing to note with glazes vs washes is to use gloss varnish prior to washing and matte varnish for glazing. If you varnish, that is, entire other subject I know but I typically end up varnishing a mini at least 3 or 4 times before I finish one.

[@juderudd1711]

I like the term, one spread coat. That’s how I like to paint

[@TheYendukua]

What is that Matt you’re using for your dry brushing?

[@namidaaoki5587]

What's the thumbnail model on the image of the vidéo?

[@Zumikito]

It's Nightmare Ram Armor Pinup from Kingdom Death

[@namidaaoki5587]

@@Zumikito thanks man

[@Piggysl8er]

So so funny. Love your videos! Always funny and full of useful info.

[@MrTyrantSparda]

Great video

[@turtlemop8712]

Algorithm

[@billfromwork7203]

Thank you

[@Crackparty803]

SHE T H I C C

[@paulorego9334]

At last! I've been waiting for another video from you :)

[@Zumikito]

More to come!

[@normstewart546]

I'd forgotten how good your tutorials are - clear and to the point.

[@x0rn312]

Where can I get the mini in the thumbnail

[@Zumikito]

Kingdom death - pinup nighmare ram armor

[@youtousim]

Excellent excursion covering one of the most important, but often overlooked painting basics: color consistency. Combined with brush control, those two form the foundation of painting craftsmanship. Vince has a great video on the latter, but I'd be curious to hear your take on it too.

[@Zumikito]

I will have to check the said video, but I personally feel like brush control is a motor skill that you need to practice rather than learn from watching others. But we'll se after I watch the vid!

[@JohnWaltz]

The part at like 1:45 where you poke the mini with your wash, and it absorbs it was mind blowing. I'd never seen it do that before. I've always kind of, well, lathered on the wash lol. This was a great video, thank you so much!

[@Zumikito]

Oh the wonders of oil washes! As opposed to acrylic washes, they actually break the surface tension easily

[@crazkurtz]

Omg I’ve been thickening my paint

[@waynebellamy4749]

Always so good great vid man🙌