Paintings

Acrylic Oil

AFV Acrylic Techniques DVD review

I have just sat through one of the most enjoyable and well presented modelling DVDs I have seen for some time.

AFV Acrylic Techniques available from the Scale Models Shop (SMS) is a demonstration using a model of a Panzer II

from priming to finishing via weathering, chipping, pin washing, filters and pigments with a hint of modulation.

Quite simply, it is the most complete demonstration on how to paint a tank I have ever seen.  There are many sources that describe bits of how to do this and if you gather all the info together you will generally find it to be multi media in the paint department.  Oils paints for washes, enamel based pin washes,  acrylic colours and various types of primer.

The beauty of this DVD is that is superbly demonstrates that all these techniques using slow drying oils and smelly enamels can be done with fast drying and easy to clean up acrylic paints.  OK, it is a plug for Vallejo products but who cares.  The demonstrations are very clearly shown and explained not only how but why.

By using acrylic retarder, thinners and airbrush cleaner as vehicles for the paint and pigments exactly the same effects can be achieved without the need for multiple paint types.

Having just started getting into using oils for filters and pin washes, I am amazed to see how it can be achieved in exactly the same way using my favourite paint type mixed with retarder.

There are a couple of products used that I was not aware of.  In particular, they have a "Dipping Wash" which is, much as the name implies, designed to dip parts into.  However, this dark umber wash is used on the DVD for pin washing to really great effect using water, thinner and airbrush cleaner to blend and cut back in exactly the same way that low odour oil paint thinners is used with oil paints.  The main difference is going to be the drying time, much quicker than oil so productivity is increased.

The other product I have never come across is their own water colours, some of which are used to filter and wash small parts.  The DVD states that using water based is better for smaller parts but doesn't really explain to me as to why. The use of pigments (I believe any pigments would work the same way) using Matt Medium and acrylic varnish is also very interesting.

The use of three shades of primer covers pre shading, the use of multiple colours mixed to achieve all the main colours covers scale colours and post shading, also a bit of modulation but not described as such.  Many of these subjects get asked about on the forum and this is one of the best answers I have seen to questions about those effects.

Brush painted chipping and wear on panels is so well covered and explained, it takes all the mystery out of achieving a really effective look and when finished with washes and filters, the look is as good as any I have seen using masking, hairspray or any other technique.

The DVD runs for 56 minutes and includes a short video of a preserved Panzer II being driven about with some useful, if predictably Panzer Grey, paint work.  Also included is a six page booklet as reference to what is covered in the DVD.

Anyone new to painting armour or anyone wanting to take their work up a notch cannot go wrong by learning the techniques demonstrated on the DVD.  Buy it, you will not be disappointed.  If you only ever buy one such DVD, this is the one, it is by far the most complete demonstration of painting a kit I have ever seen.

I cannot recommend this DVD enough.  It covers an AFV but in reality, the techniques demonstrated will work on aircraft as well.

About the Author

What's best for a newbie painter: Oil or acrylic paints?

I am very new to painting, but I love the look of oil paints and acrylic paints, and have always wanted to work with either medium. Which is easier for absolute beginners?

There are difficulties with both, but acrylics might be better. Acrylics are more versatile in the fact that you can make your paintings look like oils or you could make them look like watercolors. The clean up is much easier as all you need is water. The only thing about acrylics is that you have to be quick since it dries quickly. There are medium you can buy though that will slow down the drying process. Through acrylics you can learn about glazes too, which is a technique widely used by oil painters. In short your best bet would be acrylics. But once you feel more confident after practicing with acrylics then buy some oils. You have to do some reading up about the subject before you start though. You don't want to go out and buy something and start kicking yourself with frustration later. There is so much to learn when it comes to oil painting, but there is no way to learn how to paint with oil than to paint with oil. Sorry can't go into detail about this here. There is too much to state. As I said start with acrylics. You can paint on anything at all with acrylics; from stones to paper, the choice is yours. Enjoy!
P.S Don't give up if you hit a wall. Just punch through! Find help, but don't give up. Bye!

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Tags: acrylic oil based, acrylic oil based paint, acrylic oil paint, acrylic oil painting, acrylic oil watercolor, art, artist, design, illustration, painting

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 4:49 pm and is filed under paintings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.