To use Citadel base paint, you typically start by putting some onto your Citadel paint palette and adding a drop of water to thin it down slightly before applying it to your model.
What Are Citadel Base Paints?
Citadel Base paints are designed to provide a solid, opaque layer of color over a primer coat. They have a high pigment count, ensuring good coverage even over darker primers. They serve as the foundational color for your miniatures, allowing subsequent layers like shades, layers, and highlights to build upon a consistent base.
How to Prepare Citadel Base Paint for Use
Proper preparation is key to getting the best results with Citadel Base paints. Simply using the paint straight from the pot can sometimes lead to thick, uneven coats that obscure detail. The crucial first step involves thinning the paint before application.
Based on the guidance provided:
- Put some paint onto your Citadel paint palette. This allows you to control the amount of paint you're using and mix it properly. You can use a traditional dry palette or a wet palette, which helps keep the paint moist for longer.
- Add a drop of water to thin it down slightly. Adding a small amount of clean water is essential. Mix the paint thoroughly with the water on your palette until it reaches a smooth, milk-like consistency.
The reference notes that you can see how and why this thinning is done in their thinning paints video.
Why Thinning is Important
Thinning Citadel Base paints before application is vital for several reasons:
- Smoother Coats: Thinned paint flows better and avoids brush strokes.
- Preserves Detail: Multiple thin coats build opaque color without filling in the fine details sculpted onto your miniature.
- Better Adhesion: Thinned paint can adhere more evenly to the primer surface.
Starting with a slightly thinned consistency allows you to apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick one, which is the standard practice for achieving a professional finish on miniatures.
Practical Tips
Here are some additional tips for using Citadel Base paints effectively:
- Shake Well: Always shake your Citadel paint pots thoroughly before opening them to ensure the pigments are fully mixed.
- Don't Over-Thin: While thinning is important, adding too much water will make the paint too thin, causing it to lose opacity and potentially pool on the model.
- Two Thin Coats: A common rule of thumb is to apply two thin coats of your base color, allowing the first coat to dry completely before applying the second. This provides excellent coverage without being too thick.
- Palette Choice: Consider using a wet palette for base paints, especially if you're painting for longer sessions, as it helps keep the paint from drying out.
By following these steps and techniques, you can effectively use Citadel Base paints to lay down a solid foundation for your miniature painting projects.
