Xpress Color | Vallejo

Xpress Color | Vallejo: colour, shadow and light in a single coat

Xpress Color Vallejo are highly fluid acrylics designed to paint miniatures fast and with contrast. Their translucency controls highlights and shadows in one pass, with a matte finish and 18 ml dropper bottle. Great with a brush and, diluted, also compatible with an airbrush.

A light base for maximum contrast

• Prime in white or light grey to boost the effect. See primers.
• If you do zenithal pre-shading, you'll get smoother transitions before applying Xpress Color.

Combine them with inks and washes

• Boost saturation and create glazes with inks.
• Define recesses and panel lines with washes without losing brightness.

Auxiliary products that make a difference

Optimise flow, drying and finish with auxiliary products and the Auxiliary Products | Vallejo subcategory:

• Xpress Medium to cut intensity and create controlled glazes.
• Thinner/flow improver for smooth coats when airbrushing.
• Retarder for longer brush transitions.
• Airbrush cleaners and brush restorer.
• Permanent matte, satin or gloss varnishes to seal the work.

Recommended accessories

• Brushes for detail, base coats and dry-brushing.
• Airbrushes and compressors for even glazes.
• Masking tape for crisp lines.
• Sandpaper and putty to prep the surface.
• See all accessories.

How to start (step by step)

1. Prep the mini: remove flash, apply putty and light sanding; clean off dust.
2. Apply light primer in thin coats.
3. Paint with Xpress Color in light coats, letting the paint settle into relief and recesses.
4. Reinforce with inks or define recesses with washes.
5. Protect with varnish depending on the finish you want.

Frequently asked questions

Which primer works best under it? Light bases (white or grey). Check out the primers collection. Can they be used with an airbrush? Yes, by diluting and working at low pressure. Use Xpress Medium and thinner for a stable flow, and clean your equipment afterwards. How do they differ from "classic" Game Color? Xpress Color is translucent for fast, high-contrast painting; Game Color offers more opaque colours for traditional base coats and highlights. They work great together.