To help muddy the waters concerning the best way to weather models (especially armor) AV Vallejo has just released a new "how to" DVD called "Acrylic Techniques." As the name implies it is a video guide to painting and weathering model armor using acrylic paints & mediums along with some pigments. No oils, no enamels, no plaster. Acrylics and pigments - along with various mediums available from Vallejo consisting of ingredients you can best guess by buying them from Vallejo. If you want to make your own (and thus really understand the chemistry of painting a model) some experimenting is required. Take some of my remarks with this in mind. This may be the best of these efforts and I recommend it highly with reservations.

There are a number of DVDs like this out now which leads me to believe that they have serious advantages over slightly less expensive "how to" books published by people like Osprey. This is the fourth one I've bought and am very sold on the format. Watching how things are done has huge advantages over books and articles. Some of this is inherent, some of this is that modeling people write modeling articles and books and frequently are not very good at putting themselves into the shoes of those that do not understand what they're doing. (I'd like to get paid for reading segments of a "build" article that refer to picture for illustration of a technique discussed in print that leave one with the question of "how did they do that?") With things on video you see it. However things are rushed and a lot of the really important technical details concerning timing, sequence and especially non-paint materials are left up in the air. This defect is largely because companies that want you to buy their products create these DVDs. Which means that you are buying for an advertisement as well as a tutorial. No problem if you trust the company and don't mind that as much possible is done for you and don't mind paying for it. It is a problem if you want to achieve the same results with standard solvents & pigments of a large variety: to do that you need to know what solvents are employed. Much to be said for the later approach. You could save a little money, but it would also help a lot during weathering if you understood what you were dealing with and what the effect the product had under different circumstances. This is not without importance here, because the acrylic paints recommended are from Vallejo which, in dramatic contrast to Gunze or even Tamiya, is very close to a water based acrylic paint. (Fans of these DVDs or You-Tube lurkers might well check out the wonderful site Foley Models - formerly Promodeller from the UK. http://www.florymodels.co.uk/ Phil Foley has about 20 3 hour plus video builds concentrated on single models. They are very good and Foley has the ability to understand that you don't really get what he's doing. It's $2 a month for full use the video builds, photo builds and a remarkably informed and civilized forum.)

This DVD is written by Mig Jimenez who is now talking a very different modeling game than he did in the early MIG days. (MIG has at least two videos by Adam Wilder that show their techniques.) Jimenez last year did a DVD that highlighted the use of enamels in filters/washes and streaking. (I might note that everyone wants you do use acrylic base coats. The question is what to do after that basic phase is past.) Now Mr. Jimenez argues that you can do the whole thing from start to finish with acrylic paints and some standard pigments. The techniques employed are mighty convincing and if it all worked as claimed would undoubtedly save the modeler a great deal of time. Of course the author is one of the world's great armor modelers and I suspect he could do something decent using crayons and sharpies. That said, if you want to do anything under the general category "weathering" you can now do it with Vallejo acrylics guided by Mig Jimenez. You will need some Vallejo goodies however if you want to follow the bouncing ball. First, is "acrylic thinner" which is often used. What is this stuff? It's milk colored and resembles greatly the "airbrush medium" or "airbrush extender" available in art stores. If it was closer to Tamiya A-20 thinner, I don't understand the different color and somewhat denser viscosity. Vallejo varnishes both matte and satin also appear. Here again, they look more like artist mediums than either Tamiya Clear or (certainly) Tamiya Flat Base. (Not going to bet money on it, but I'd guess that Tamiya Flat/Clear would fit better into this scheme than the ISA based Tamiya thinner.) Vallejo now offers a acrylic retarder that is thicker than anything than I've seen, but is used to give a little extra time for streaking etc. That's a new one of me - the acrylic retarders I use are clear and water thin. Even their airbrush cleaner, which appears clear, has some use. All I know is that stuff is clear: might be something like A-20 with a little ammonia in it. (Might add that this DVD alone discusses tip clogging and suggests some good measures to deal with it. As I use this type of acrylics and mediums, I would still suggest lacquer thinner for this and brush cleaning. Water based acrylics are wonderful paints but require a good cleaning or you brush will stick and require surgery the next time. The good news is that if done right away the brush will clean extremely well and be ready two weeks later. The bad news is that water based acrylics can really gum up a poorly cared for brush. (It’s a little like using Future: bad stuff not to get out of your airbrush but easily done if you tend to it.)

I haven't done a model with these techniques yet but I think my next tank (a Dragon PKI - let's see this brown/grey scheme) will work well with it. The advantages are pretty obvious. The more comfortable one is with a paint the quicker you’ll get into its tempo and understand how things will look a few steps down the road. Must say using acrylics, oils and enamels (and pigments natch) on a tank – which I do now, leaves a lot of “let’s see” problems down the road. Lessening that will help a lot of modelers I think. Drying is fast. Clean up easy. If a good model comes out of this maybe there’s good reason for many to put aside artist oils. Might add that because acrylics are the star, Jimenez uses the airbrush for as many tasks as possible – like that or not as you will.

Interestingly, I noticed that the model used in the DVD (a modern PKII) evolved into a kit that was lovely and complex. It was not, however, as “over the top” as I’ve seen from the “heavy weather” gents on Adam Wilder’s DVDs and a host of video builds on the board. Good or bad news as you like.

Eric

Sounds very interesting.
Thanks for the heads up Eric.

I don't understand... you say "has just released"... but isn't this the DVD that was released about a year or maybe two years ago? I know I've had it for quite a long time.... or is this something different on acrylics, also?

Isn't this it?


Hisham

You're close to Europe. To the best of my knowledge this DVD is not available in the US at all: it's PAL format if nothing else and can't be played on most TV attached players. Computer software handles it nicely. This is true with all of the AK and MIG DVDs. I think you must have got this one hot off the presses. Obviously it was done after the break between Mig Jimenez and Adam Wilder: the two of them made "heavy weather" with MIG products and oils a kind of trade mark. After Mig left MIG he's done one DVD pumping the use of enamels for weathering and now acrylics. Compare this to one of the earlier MIG DVDs and you'll see an almost upside down change of emphasis. Probably proves there are lots of ways to make good models. Also selling products: one of Vallejos' washes, something by AK or the original MIG stuff.
Eirc

Eric,

What is the story about Mig and MIG and Adam Wilder? I have heard bits and pieces but, am not sure. Just curious.

Dan

Hello All,
First of all, I want to let you know that the Vallejo "Acrylic Techniques" DVD is available to you in the USA through AK Interactive USA and can be purchased through fine hobby shops & vendors or directly through:

www.ak-interactive-usa.com.

The DVD is in the PAL system and can be viewed on any laptop ( MAC or PC ) and can be viewed on a DVD player with the capability to play PAL. I personaly hook a laptop up to the television...voala! Problem solved!
As for the question about Mig's personal friendships, this is none of my business. The important thing here is that both Mig & Adam W. are extremely talented modelers who are willing to share there work with us in photos, tutorials, & articles. THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART! For a little bit of information on AK Interactive and MIG Production, please read the text below from the AK Interactive Forum:

Just recently we have started to note that lots of modellers and clients are a little confused about the origin and relation of Ak Interactive, with that of other brands and producers.

Those of us here at AK Interactive Spain would like to clarify certain aspects of our business to avoid confusion or misunderstanding. We hope that this explanation will finally put an end to this problem:

Ak Interactive is an independent company with absolutely no relation to “Acrilicos Vallejo” or with “Mig Productions”. The President of Ak Interactive Spain is FERNANDO VALLEJO who has no relation or connection with ALEX VALLEJO, owner of “VALLEJO ACRYLICS” company. Although these two companies have collaborated with each other to produce certain products, like the Modulation Sets, the two companies have nothing in common. It is just a coincidence that Alex Vallejo and Fernando Vallejo have the same surname, nothing more than that.

On the other hand, Mig Jimenez is an independent modeller. He was the founder and proprietor of Mig Productions until 2009, when he left the company for ever. At this moment in time he does not have any type of relationship with his old company, he is not in contact with any of the staff and does not share any of his ideas or DVD’s with them. On the other hand, Mig Jimenez develops all of his ideas, paints, products, DVD’s and techniques exclusively for AK Interactive, occasionally has done some work for VALLEJO ACRYLICS and frequently continues publishing in some of the most important magazines in the world.

Therefore, AK Interactive or Mig Jimenez are not responsible for any of the ideas or quality of the actual products of Mig Productions. Recently some modellers have written to us explaining their disappointment with some of the latest products from Mig Productions, making us responsible for them and asking us for information. We hope that this note will help to clear up this problem and to re-clarify we do not have any type of relation with this company (Mig Productions).
Although Mig Jimenez is the creator of all the ideas and products for both commercial brands, he is only responsible for and therefore can only guarantee the quality of products developed for AK Interactive.

Lastly we would like to clarify that Ak Interactive is not a brand or division of Vallejo Acrylics.

We apologize for the confusion created by the names of the proprietors and authors of the products.


AK Interactive STAFF

I take the AK response to be true. I don't know why Spain has become a center for armor modeling but it has. I have a book published in 2000 about armor modeling (publisher Compendium) that anticipates many of today's techniques. In the MIG production DVDs they specified Humbrol when an enamel paint was wanted. So did AKs first effort. Makes sense from a Euro company. That said, it is self-evident that respective DVDs from MIG (the first two narrated by Adam Wilder, but I believe written by Manuel Jimenez) the later two from AK written by Jimenez represent very different approaches to armor modeling. Both MIG and AK advocate the use of proprietary mediums: pigments washes etc. All of these products are variations on commonly used products that cost considerably less bought at the hardware store. (What, for instance, is "Thinner for washes"? Enamel thinner, mineral spirits, ISPA, turpenoid? Let you nose be the guide. It isn't lacquer - you might not want to trust your nose for a good dose of that stuff.)
So two small companies (Phil Foley has put his hat into the pigment ring: Doc O'Brien from Micromark has been there for years for railroad fans) try to get some traction in what is a very small business. I say good. For what it's worth, the AK DVDs are a little more clear concerning alternatives for their washes etc than MIG. The question is whether their products are worth the money asked. As a Doc O'Brien user, I can say without qualification that per dollar the Doc's pigments are better than MIGs. I can also say that MIG pigments are - in general - better if you want to pay the money. How much money? I suppose someone could get themselves very well equipped with either MIG or AK or competitors for under $100 - far less if you want something specific. The products once bought will last years for most people. And the quality of the products I've seen from Vallejo (washes) Ak and MIG are very high. I don't doubt for a minute that the average armor modeler will get better results using these products than doing things lonesome - and for a price of about one serious kit. So hats off to everyone concerned.
I admit that I think that in the best of worlds a good modeler could produce products better for much less money. (I think the money aspect is insignificant considering the cost of an airbrush or a Dragon Tiger.) But to do so they'd have to master a large range of solvents and through talent & experience figure out the ratios and methods of employment. That could be part of the fun. But the same thing is true with paint itself - I know for a fact that if you learn to use all of the mediums and experiment with ratios on your own airbrush that you can produce your own paint that is at least the equal of Tamiya, Gunze or Vallejo by going to the art supply store and stocking up on acrylics. But why would a modeler want to do that? Fun in making paint is the only sane answer. Most of the world's great modelers trust the gurus from Tamiya, Vallejo, Testors and simply use what is produced with tremendous effect. I'd put the "brand name" washes, pigments etc in exactly the same category. Must admit that I've almost bought AKs streak product because I don't doubt it would work well and save time. The list goes on.

The DVDs then, are, in a way, paid for advertisments. They're also very good. If you can't learn anything from one of the MIG or AK DVDs you should be making your own. I'd guess that for many developing modelers that these efforts would teach one more than an Osprey book dedicated to a specific product.

I don't know whether global capitalism works or not. It does seem, however, that the marketplace is good for budding armor modelers.
Eric

Dear Eric.

First all, thank you very much for all of these feedback and comments about these matters.

About me, I just can explain here one more time that since the begining, my only goal was to develop new and easy techniques for modellers.

You are right that maybe for some modellers, part of the fun is make their own mixtures, paints or stuff. Same with the scratchbuilders,w ho like make a whole tank with evergreen. That is fine, and I respect all of those modellers.

Under my expereince after years of trips and meeting with modellers from the whole world, I can say that almost a 90% of the modellelrs hate to amke their own mixes, or doens't know how, and even if they know how, they haven't enought time. I was making my own mixes and paints when I was very young, because no other products were available. The first time taht use pigments, I took the makeup from my mother!

But after work hard during years, you arrive to the conclusion taht the imp'ortant is not the paint, the toold or how make these ones, but the idea that is in your braind. Only your ideas is the most important and any help recived to go fast is welcome for almost everyone.

New tools and paints help us to go faster, because one more time, 90% of modellers just want to paint a nice Tiger or make a beutiful diorama. For all of these people, the used toold or paints is not the goal.

So, thsi is why many paints and techniques was developed during my years in Mig Productions and now in AK.

During many years I was explaining to the whole world how to make a good wash, mixing this, that color with this ratio. But one day i decide dto make these wash for my self and then i found that many other modellers found interesting that new wash for them selfs.

Ok, it is more expensive and must be, than make the ssame stuff by your self, but it is normal. the time consuming to develop these new mixture and the products used for that purpouse make more expensive that product.

Yes, we can choose the slowly and difficult way mixing our own colors or we can take one that was already tested, which will save us time and problems.

After this, when I made a new DVD I have tow options: use other products or use teh products that I designed. For me is easier and logic use my own stuff. have not sense to use other stuff when I have mine, and I can respond for the quality and problems.

If I modeller have a problem with a AK wash, i can find a soluction,, but if they use another brand or they mix by their self, I cannot help..of will be more difficult.

So, is not a advertising DVD, is a just a DVD showing techniques using some products. Doens't matter if I use tamiya or Gunze, or Life color. In fact, in all of these DVDs you can find that I use another products, and these brands doens't pay any dollar to AK!

Another history was the VALLEJO DVD. It was commissioned by Vallejo to show the complete use of the Vallejo Acrylics. It was another alternative to the enamel weathering techniques, specially for people with ehalth problems, or just for people who want another alternative.

Well, I hope this long text helps to clarify abit more about my thoughts in this subject.

Any question or doubt...please, email me or post here.

Thank you very much

Mig Jimenez

Eric, another clarification:

I don't agree with you taht Spain is the center of the modelling or something like that. In fact, in your own country you have incredible GREAT ARTIST in all areas of the modelling, even better ones than in spain or rest of Europe. Maybe, just in the begining, the spaniards were more focused in painting and weathering, but nowdays, you must feel proud of the great amound of amazing modellers that there are in USA. (and again, in ALL areas of the modelling)

Actually, the world is the only country of the modelling and I think that each day there are less and less differences between differents countries. I am happy that we have internet for that!!!

regards

MIG

Thank Mig

You've been a great inspiration and I'm a huge fan.

Dan

My respect to Miguel - great work and great answers!