To thin Citadel paint, you primarily use water. The goal is to achieve a consistency that flows smoothly over your models, preventing a thick, goopy application.
Why Thin Citadel Paints?
- Smooth Application: Thinning allows paint to flow nicely over the model's surface (0:26), avoiding a thick, textured look (3:01).
- Avoids Goopiness: Direct application from the pot can result in a thick, uneven, and goopy finish.
- Preserves Detail: Thinned paint allows details on the model to remain visible instead of being covered by a thick layer of paint.
How to Thin Citadel Paints
Here's a basic guide on thinning your Citadel paints:
- Prepare your workspace: Have a palette or dedicated surface for mixing paints, along with a brush and some water.
- Dispense paint: Put a small amount of Citadel paint onto your palette.
- Add water: Use a clean brush to add a small amount of water to the paint.
- Mix: Thoroughly mix the water and paint together.
- Assess Consistency: The mixture should have the consistency of milk. It should flow smoothly and evenly.
- Repeat: If the paint is still too thick, add more water and mix again. If you've added too much water, dispense more paint, and mix.
- Apply: Apply the thinned paint to your model using your chosen technique.
- Multiple thin layers: Apply a few thin layers instead of one thick layer. This avoids obscuring details.
Practical Insights
- Start small: When adding water to the paint, start with a tiny amount and add more incrementally.
- Don't over-thin: Too much water can make the paint runny and difficult to control.
- Use clean water: Always use clean water to prevent contamination of your paint.
- Multiple layers: Apply multiple thin layers to achieve full coverage. This also helps avoid visible brush strokes.
