Hi guys,
This time I have a different question. I am strongly thinking to switch from acrylic paints to something else. I have only painted with acrylics so far and I am happy with them, but I heard that making a wash using acrylics is not very easy or impossible. Correct me if I'm wrong. Which would be the best way to go and why?

Making washes from Acrylics and water-based paints is definitely not impossible. I do almost all of my washes with artist grade water colors.

First of all, practice on a painted kit you don't care about.

Second, buy good quality acrylics or water colors.

Third, know that surface tension (the physical property of surfaces - a resistance based on texture) is an issue. The best way to reduce or eliminate surface tension is to add a very small amount of dish or hand soap to the water you are using.

Fourth, for acrylics, try "Future" or "Kleer" or other acrylic media for thinning acrylics. You can also use other substances.

HTH,

Scott

Right. But if I would switch to enamels which would be the best choice in terms of paint quality, colour selection etc.

Sebastian,

Others will disagree with me, but that is definitely the way I feel about it. Enamels are easier to control, flow better, and thin and clean up easier than acrylics, IMHO.

People who use acrylics swear by them, but I just find that enamels are better for me.

My .02.

Scott

Hi there.

I do almost all my painting with Testor's Model Master Enamals.. they come in just about every color you would want........ and airbrush great, I've also never had a problem with their quality..

but thats just my opionion.. you will prob get a lot of others..

I tend to use a mixture of painting mediums,oils enamels and inks all on the one figure,there is no one medium better then the other,it's just what you get used to,and as long as you are happy with the results,that is all that matters.
Arthur

I totally agree with Arthur, I paint with everything possible, I have gone right off enamels for example for airbrushing and now use acrylics which have been specially formulated. For items such as leather, I still feel that enamels offer the best choice although I a m gradually using more and more oils.....you pays your money you makes you choice.... Jim

Those Scottish chaps have hit the nail on the head. Why switch? All mediums have their own advantages and dissadvantages. I used to use only enamels and then some oils for washes. Now I spray mostly acrylics, brush paint details with enamels or oils or mixtures of both, wash and dry brush with both enamels and oils. I think a little experimentation is good and add to your medium choice rather than limit to one only