Craft Paints vs. Model Paints: A Brutally Honest Beginner's Comparison
Craft Paints vs. Model Paints: A Brutally Honest Beginner's Comparison
Subtitle: Can that $1 bottle from the craft store really do the job? I put both to the test so you don't have to waste your money.
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https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png The contenders: The affordable craft store staple vs. the professional's choice.
So, you’ve picked out your first miniature, you’re excited to start painting, and then you see the price tag on those tiny pots of "model paint." Your wallet lets out a silent scream.
I’ve been there. My first thought was, "I have a million of these little acrylic paints from the craft store. Why can't I just use those?"
It’s the million-dollar question for a beginner on a budget. To find the answer, I grabbed a handful of miniatures, my cheap craft paints, and one premium model paint pot I splurged on. Let's break down the results.
Round 1: The Price Tag (The Knockout Punch?)
This is where craft paints deliver a devastating blow.
Craft Paint (e.g., Apple Barrel, FolkArt): $1 - $2 for a 2oz bottle.
Model Paint (e.g., Citadel, Vallejo): $4 - $5 for a 0.4oz pot.
Let that sink in. You get five times more paint for a quarter of the price. For the cost of one pot of model paint, you can get an entire rainbow of craft paints.
Winner: Craft Paints. No contest.
Round 2: Pigment & Coverage (Where Things Get Interesting)
Pigment is the colored powder that gives paint its color. More high-quality pigment means better, smoother coverage with fewer coats.
I painted two identical plastic army men. One with white craft paint, one with white model paint.
Model Paint: It covered smoothly and evenly in just one or two thin coats. The color was vibrant and consistent.
Craft Paint: The first coat was watery and translucent. It took three, four, or even five coats to get a solid, even color. It required more patience.
https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png The difference in coverage after one coat was stark. The model paint (right) was already winning.
Winner: Model Paints. Their superior pigment density means less frustration and faster coverage.
Round 3: Consistency & Flow (The "Feel" Test)
This is about how the paint behaves on your brush and model.
Model Paint: Is specifically formulated to have a smooth, thin consistency that flows easily into the tiny cracks and details of a miniature. It’s designed for this job.
Craft Paint: Is thicker and can be gloopy. It can obscure fine details if you don't thin it down. Speaking of which...
The Secret Weapon: Thinning Your Paints
This is the most important technique you will ever learn, especially with craft paints. You must thin them with a little water to get a milk-like consistency. This prevents gloppy details and ugly brush strokes.
Thinned craft paint behaves much better than straight-from-the-bottle craft paint.
Round 4: The Final Result (Does the Difference Show?)
After thinning my craft paint properly and applying multiple coats, I finished both miniatures. I then applied a "wash" (a super-thin, dark paint that flows into recesses) to both.
Here’s the truth: From a distance of 2-3 feet (on a gaming table), the difference was minimal. Both looked perfectly fine.
But up close, the model paint miniature had a slightly smoother finish and crisper details. The craft paint finish was a tad rougher.
https://i.imgur.com/placeholder.png Can you tell which is which from across the table? Probably not.
The Final Verdict: Who Wins?
It’s not a simple answer. It depends on you and your goals.
You should use Model Paints if:
You value your time and want smoother, faster results.
You are painting highly detailed, expensive models.
You want access to a specific, curated color system (like Citadel's).
You can absolutely use Craft Paints if:
Your number one priority is your budget.
You are willing to be patient with thinning and applying multiple coats.
You are practicing, painting bulk army men, or terrain.
You're a beginner just learning the basics of brushing and thinning.
My Recommendation for Total Beginners:
Start with craft paints. Don't invest a fortune before you know if you even enjoy the hobby. Pick up a few primary colors (Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, White) and a good brush from a craft store for under $10.
Practice thinning them and painting on cheap toys or plastic spoons. Learn the fundamentals. Once you're hooked and want to level up your results, then invest in a few key model paints for your most important projects.
What do you think? Are you Team Craft Paint or Team Model Paint? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear about your experiences.
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