Alternative to GW/Citadel paints

Frogdog

I was going to treat myself to the Mega Paint Set that GW released for the Christmas market only to find out that they sold out of them last week. Both in-store and online. It seemed like a decent enough deal, €200 for all the paints and brushes and a case which would have given me a nice saving then if I had to buy them all separately.

There's no way I'm going to buy them all separately as I can't afford nearly €500 or whatever the cost is, so I've been doing a bit of internet research and it seems the Vallejo paint range comes highly recommended. Apparently it's a better quality paint than Citadel, lasts longer, and is cheaper. Winner all round says I! But I'm a bit skeptical nonetheless as I've never seen it.

Can anyone tell me if they've used this stuff and more importantly, would they recommend the below?

http://www.vallejopaints.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=8_89999157&products_id=458142

Are there shops in Ireland that stock it?

Thanks a million for your time and help.

Mantel

The model shop on capel street in dublin stocks those paints. I tried one or two and found them fairly thick but I was just starting so didn't water them down at all. They seem like good paints and I'd probably use them more whenever I start painting again.

Privateer press have a range of paints as well and I think they do sets.

Frogdog

Thanks for that Mantel, I checked out Privateer Press ad see that they're an American company (shipping costs will be higher) and had a look at their range. The Vallejo range looks better and more varied/specific.

I'll have a look at that shop on Capel Street, thanks. I think it's Games World/Gamers World?!

madrab

P3 paints by privateer press are very good http://privateerpress.com/formula-p3 as are the valejo paints

Mantel

Gamers world have the privateer paints, they might be able to get the sets to order if privateer do them so shipping costs shouldn't be too bad if you can go that way.

The shop on capel street is just The Model Shop they have remote controlled stuff, airfix models and model trains. A good bit of stuff that can be used for converting models or scratching building your own stuff. If you head north from capel street bridge it's on the right hand side of capel street. No 13 I think.

quozl

I really like the Privateer Press P3 paints. And the vallejo ones. If they seem a bit thick that's because they're better with a little thinning.

Go into an art shop and ask for 'acrylic paint thinner'. A tiny bit, and some water, makes the paints:

1) Last longer on a palette before they dry up
2) Much easier to control
3) Generally better

It also deals with the problem that hard-water (what we have in dublin) is not a good diluter of paints. I can't recommend spending a couple of quid on acrylic paint thinner enough.

You can also turn any paint into a nice wash or ink with water and thinner, but you don't get the pooling/rings/blotching you get without thinner, if you use hard water.

Oh, and I would recommend Vallejo and P3 over citadel paints. Except for some of the citadel metallics. I have a soft-spot for boltgun metal when it comes to speed-painting metal.

You can get P3 in gamersworld on Jervis street. They also sell citadel, so they might have the citadel paint deal you want.

RedDragonJack

http://www.waylandgames.co.uk/Games-Workshop/Hobby-items/Paints/Wayland-Paint-Pack/prod_2448.html

You can buy all the paints from the mega set here for only £122(138 euro) but you don't get the brushes and sand.

That set you linked doesn't come with foundations and inks.

Frogdog

Thanks everyone for your advice!