Reply To: Contrast Paints, is everyone really using them and are they actually quicker?

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(Repost from Dakka)

Only took me two years ~8) but I finally looked up Contrast paints on Reaper Bones, and lowly linked Goobertown Hobbie’s not-quite recipe for Contrast paints:

* 50% matte medium (a squirt or two)
* 50% acrylic ink
* A few drops of flow aid

I’m sure there are other YT videos and web pages with more concrete recipes. But those of you who have used Les’ Wash recipe know that the ingredients are almost the same. Not surprising, since contrast paints behave similarly to washes. Flow aid is what sucks the wash into the recesses. Les’ recipe for washes uses more water and thus is actually a little more work to make.

If you dislike DIY as much as I do, I only recommend making your own wash (and thus contrast paints) if you need a batch of it for a larger project, such as terrain or an army. No point making a few ounces when you only need a few drops for a cape. If you’re a fantasy gamer with dungeon and wood terrain, try making your own black and brown washes and see what you think. OTOH, If you’re used to mixing with mediums, I figure you could just mix up whatever contrast paint you need right in a bottlecap, instead of bothering with mixing cups.

IIRC, You can get acrylic inks, matte medium, and flow aid at Michael’s or an arts and crafts shop, and use that online coupon. Obviously, the initial cost is more than a few bottles of hobby paints, so the premade stuff may still be better for new painters, those who don’t need more than a bottle of a color, and the convenience.

Les’ Washes : https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/261541.page

Goobertown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU0rc0EOOys

HobbyHo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inbnZxOX69Y