How to thin Acrylic paints. A beginners guide for miniature painters

How to Thin Acrylic Paints for Miniature Painting: A Complete Guide

Miniature painting is a rewarding hobby, but to achieve smooth, professional results, understanding how to thin your paints is essential. Acrylic paints, while versatile and easy to use, often need thinning to flow better on a miniature's surface. In this guide, we’ll cover the importance of thinning acrylic paints and how to do it properly for stunning miniature painting results.

Why Thin Acrylic Paints for Miniature Painting?

Acrylic paints straight from the bottle can sometimes be too thick, causing uneven layers, obscured details, and brush strokes that ruin the appearance of your miniatures. Thinning acrylic paints helps:

• Improve consistency: Thinned paint flows smoothly and evenly across your miniature, ensuring that all details are preserved.

• Prevent clumping: Thick paint may clump and leave blotchy areas. Thinning prevents this issue, providing smooth, even coats.

• Create better coverage: Thinning allows for controlled layering, helping to achieve realistic shading and highlights.

• Extend drying time: Adding a bit of water or medium can slow the drying process, giving you more time to work on fine details.

You will find this is more common in paints that are not designed specifically for miniature painting. Brands include AppleBarrel, and other craft paints you can find at Walmart or other stores. These paints tend to be thicker out of the bottle but can still be used especially if you are a beginner, just be sure to thin them down to make them easier to work with.

My general rule of thumb for getting my own paints thinned down is to get it to feel like the consistency of skim milk. It should be thin enough to flow off the brush and create thin lines on your palette.

What Can You Use to Thin Acrylic Paints?

There are several options for thinning acrylic paints for miniatures, each with different advantages:

1. Water:

   • The most accessible thinning agent, water is great for beginners. Adding a few drops of water to your paint can make it more fluid and easier to control. However, be cautious: too much water can break down the acrylic binder, leading to weak coverage or glossy finishes.

How to Use: Add water in small increments (about 1-2 drops) and mix well until the paint reaches the desired consistency.

2. Acrylic Thinner:

   • Designed specifically for thinning acrylic paints, acrylic thinners maintain the strength of the paint’s binder while improving flow. This is an ideal choice for those looking to preserve the paint’s durability and finish.

How to Use: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually, you’ll want to mix in a ratio of about 1:1 or 2:1 (paint to thinner).

3. Flow Improver:

   • Flow improvers are additives that enhance the flow of the paint without reducing its opacity. It helps in keeping the paint smooth without breaking the pigments.

How to Use: Flow improvers are usually used in small amounts (a drop or two). Mix with your paint to achieve a smooth, consistent flow without over-thinning.

4. Acrylic Medium:

   • Acrylic mediums, such as matte or glaze mediums, are a great way to thin your paint while retaining its properties. These mediums help you achieve thin layers without diluting the pigment strength.

How to Use: Add about 1 part medium to 1 part paint for thinning without compromising paint quality.

Steps for Thinning Acrylic Paint for Miniatures

1. Prepare Your Paint: Squeeze a small amount of acrylic paint onto your palette. It’s better to start with less paint, as thinned paint goes a long way.

2. Add the Thinning Agent: Add a few drops of water, thinner, or your chosen medium. If you're using water, start with a 1:1 ratio and adjust from there. For acrylic thinner or flow improver, refer to the product instructions.

3. Mix Thoroughly: Using your brush or a mixing stick, stir the paint and thinning agent together until they’re fully blended. The consistency you’re aiming for is smooth, like skim milk. If the paint still seems thick, add more thinning agent in small amounts until you reach the desired consistency.

4. Test on a Surface: Before applying the thinned paint to your miniature, test it on a piece of scrap plastic or paper. The paint should flow smoothly and not clump or drip. If it’s too thin, add a little more paint; if too thick, add more thinning agent.

5. Apply in Thin Layers: When painting miniatures, it’s best to apply multiple thin layers instead of one thick coat. Thinned paint allows for precise control, ensuring that every detail on your miniature remains sharp.

Common Mistakes When Thinning Acrylic Paints

1. Over-thinning: Too much water or thinner can cause the paint to lose its pigmentation, leading to weak, transparent coverage. Stick to small amounts of thinning agent at a time.

2. Not Mixing Enough: Inadequate mixing can leave lumps or inconsistent textures in your paint. Make sure your paint is fully blended with the thinning agent. This happens quite a lot when using the cheaper craft paints so just pay attention to how it flows off your brush before applying to the model. I made this mistake a few times before I got it down in my own painting process.

3. Ignoring the Type of Paint: Some paints are designed to be used straight from the bottle, while others are meant for thinning. Be mindful of the type of acrylic paint you’re using.

Tips for Thinning Paints for Different Techniques

• Dry Brushing: For dry brushing, you’ll want to use paint that’s only slightly thinned or even undiluted. Thinner paints won't produce the desired effect for this technique.

• Layering: When layering, aim for a thinner consistency (around 1:1 or 2:1 paint to thinning agent) to build smooth transitions between colors.

• Glazing: For glazing, use an acrylic medium or thinner to create a highly diluted mix that allows for subtle color changes over a base coat.

Final Thoughts on Thinning Acrylic Paints for Miniatures

Learning how to thin acrylic paints properly is a vital skill for anyone serious about miniature painting. The right consistency makes a world of difference in the quality of your work, allowing you to achieve smoother, more detailed miniatures. Experiment with different thinning agents and find the balance that works best for your style and paints.

With these tips, your miniatures will look cleaner, more professional, and ready for the tabletop battlefield!

FAQs

1. Can I use water to thin acrylic paints for miniatures?
   Yes, but use water sparingly to avoid breaking down the paint’s binder.

2. What is the best acrylic thinner for miniature painting?
   Many hobbyists recommend Vallejo or Citadel thinners as reliable options for thinning acrylic paints.

How thin should my paint be for glazing miniatures?
For glazing, you’ll want a very thin consistency—almost like tinted water, which you can achieve using an acrylic medium.