Speed Paint vs Contrast: A Comparative Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video I compare The Army Painters Speed Paint against Games Workshops Contrast Range.
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Mix and match for me. The skin and some materials like the boots on Contrast are just beautiful. But mostly yeah, SpeedPaint's consistency makes it a bit better for most stuff.
i was going to say the same thing the darker colors from speed paint got my vote but i still like the contrast for lighter tones
Agree mate. Mix and match. On that particular Ork model the skin was WAY nicer in contrast IMO but the pants colour grey was better in Speed Paint. If you aren't hell bent on speed painting then I've found two coats of contrast works well for flatter areas. Smooth finish and some shading to boot.
@@huwtindall7096 Exactly this. I do something similar myself where I'll use the contrast paint to blend in deeper shadows etc (akin to Pete's second test) or outright put a second coat to increase the coverage or tone. Both products are great though, doing the same thing just in different ways. All about how you use it which you'll like better for what job :B
I prefer the left side and I think the left side is Speedpaint.
Agree. There are some contrast paints I love and others I won't use. Some colors I use Tamiya, some GW, some Vallejo. Each line has winners and losers.
i prefer left, its seems the paint didnt pool as much in the recess, leaving a easier looking highlight imo
Left colors look nicer. Specially the blue and the leather are way better on the left, but the skin tone is probably nicer on the right miniature, and the black/grey clothes are less flat. Both look great for a quick paint job.
EDIT I see contrast are on the right, that explains why the blue was so dark and bloaty compared to the left, and confirms basilicanum grey is way nicer than speedpaint's gravelord grey, like it was shown in some other videos. What I'm surprised about is dark wood being more consistent than wylwood, one of the best contrast colors. It's warmer, it will probly make a better dark leather, but worst wood color.
The contrast ultramarines blue is awful, undoubtedly one of the worst in the entire range.
I wonder how the lighter Speed Paint gray and brown colors would have compared.
Definitely left. The right one has too many dark spots spread out all over, while the left one atleast seems to have consistency in keeping the darker areas dark, and the highlighted areas light.
Overall, I prefer left with the exception of the ork skin. The right models skin has much more visual interest in colour and shade. The left looks too washed out and artificial by comparison. However, the blues, browns and oranges look so much smoother on the left model. The right has more ‘contrast’ but the coverage on the shoulder pad for instance looks inconsistent and blotchy.
Edit: The agrax shade was an interesting test and I think it greatly improved the look of the left models skin. However, I still think I prefer right for its variety of tones. The blues and brown on the left remain the out and out winner however. Overall I’m not hugely surprised with the reveal (I recognised the rights blotchy finish on the blue from contrast paints) but I’m very impressed with Army Painter’s brown (those boots look amazing in the final model rotation). Very interesting comparison, Pete!
I think that speedpaint reactivates easily and thus the two layered colors approach would have needed a layer of vanish
@@Insane_Kane I have not had any problems with reactivation, you have to brush pretty hard to make them reactivate.
It depends on how long you’ve let the paint dry. But in many instances I use the reactivation as a tool more than a deterrent. Blending is so much easier and cleaner. You can get some really interesting results
the blue looks very blotchy for sure
Before the reveal: Left has the better blue and brown. Right has the better green/yellow combination. But i could have told you that blue contrast can be quite problamatic. Its probably a case of use the best paints from both options^^
I've seen a few reviews for speed paints, but I have to say - I really like your side by side painting guide. It really helps to see how each paint goes on and dries at different stages.
Until the Agrax Earthshade was applied I could not tell the difference. Both work well and seem to do an excellent job of covering the models. But I have to admit the price is a factor for me. Thanks for sharing this as it helps to see the paints compared together.
Not using the paints on a metallic surface feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
I guess it's not what you're "supposed" to do, but it looks cool, and the metallic surface is right there.
The speedpaints are incredible, on metal paint.
I’m glad that these are so closely comparable, I’ve grown to really enjoy using contrast paints for certain things but they are a real hole in my wallet. I’m excited to try out some of these speedpaints for myself.
EXACTLY the information I needed. Thank you and yes I would love to see more comparisons.
Thank you for making this video, these comparisons are really interesting and helpful for understanding how (and if) speedpaints work and their place in one's painting toolbox.
I prefer the right one, as I find the left one to be "monochromatic".
To me it seems the right one had applied subtle glaces, creating more "complex" colours.
Same, I think I’ll stick with citadel Contrast paints, I was about to order the speed paint mega set, but I think I’ll just stick with contrast.
I like right more, the recess seemed darker and it would only take a quick highlight to make it really shine. I feel like the left would need more washes to reach the level of contrast I'd want.
Just use two coats, gobbertown has made a video were he shows that
@@jeskorettkowski2464 oh yeah, I've actually watched a few reviews (including goobertowns) and overall I think I'll get speed paints when they are out. I've got some big boardgames to do that I think they work great on.
My initial comment was just on the side by side diff without knowing which was which
One of the best comparison videos I’ve seen on the product so far👍🏼 Thanks for the info
Personally I'd pick up Speed Paint if they have a colour that Contrast hasn't and vice versa.
Nice comparison test, the best I've seen so far, thanks 🙂
As they look pretty similar to each other, I would prefer the one, that costs the less money. :D
Preferred left. Right just looked to dark in the recesses. I get these were both used as intended but we know contrast can give incredible results if used as glazes
Great video as always Pete - really good comparison of the two ranges. Thanks!
With the Speed Paints having a medium that is included in the large set (or, I would assume, could be purchased individually) you may get a different outcome on how grainy the thinned product applies using that instead of water. May be worth revisiting when we can get our hands on the medium.
Thanks for the review and information.
I think instead of thinking of the speed paint as a replacement for contrast it would be better to see it as another tool in our toolbelt for model painting, they both have their pros and cons
I prefer the green of the one on the right but everything else is really blochy so if I had to pick one it would be one on the left because it actually looks smooth.
So glad you have that section after 9 mins, because "using as intended" really isn't where it's at.
Think you've nailed it really. Its another range of the same things where elements of each range out perform the other in different areas and application. I imagine someone going to come up with some crazy use for them yet!
I prefer the left one, consistency over the surface seems to be better
Great job Pete. I actually leaned towards right. It does seem they are fairly close in comparison, which may mean picking out specific paints in each line to build out a collection. If you do another, I would like to see one with zenthithel and also “prime texture finish” as in chalky, matte, gloss.
A very clear and concise review. I use contrast but think I will try these speed paints now too. Thanks for sharing!!
Great review. Thanks for posting
Great video I would love to see the full range you're just very thorough. I'm really interested in their bone color versus skeleton a horde and And what they have for comparison with plague Bear flesh.
I could easily pick out which was which from the get-go before the reveal. I feel like contrasts have a lot more saturation and tonal variation when applied than speedpaints. It's definitely a look that's not for everyone but if you're looking for that glazing effect contrasts are hard to beat. At the same time if you're looking for consistent shading (e.g. you're painting flat armor panels) you'll probably want to go for speedpaints... and you can't argue with the price difference in that case.
Thank you for including freedom units
I want these damn things to come out already. I've been waiting for so long for cheap 'contrasts'
i'd love to see you do this again and using the speedpaint medium instead of water to thin.
Thanks for this Pete. Really informative.
I really like army painter so I'll almost certainly pick up the full range of these. Better than gws pots and their prices anyway.
I'm mostly curious about the white. Holy white seems to give a grey recess whereas apocathery white is more a blue grey. Both have their uses I think.
Great video Pete thanks for making this. These days I find I'm using contrast more for shading or diluted down to a heavy wash so I don't see that that tool going away anytime soon. But these new paints seem to address a lot of issues I've had with the darker colors in the contrast line leaving spotty or inconstant results when used by themselves. These new paints might make it easier to skip the touchup phase and go directly into highlighting. And that Agrax addition was very welcome as to me showed how contrast needs another step to really pop compared to speed paint looking a bit better before the wash was applied.
This has been very helpful. I have been trying to decide whether it is worth getting the speed paints when I own most of the contrast. But I want my speed paints to be speedy. So it sounds like speed paints might be an investment. I was always frustrated at to how many times you might need to paint contrast to get a good covering. Thanks for the video, love it.
In light of the discovery that speedpaint can be reactivated within 24+ hours I wonder if that's why the speedpaint ork became so desaturated vs the contrast. The water in the earthshade really might have reactivated and almost seaped into the reactivated speedpaint.
Yeah, I think he reactivated and literally brushed away the speedpaint when he added the wash.
@@vincentmuyo It seems like if we want to apply a healthy shade over speedpaints, dropping a quick varnish layer in between is the way to go
I feel like your right on target with this one, I wonder if adding varnish to the speed pain and then leaving it to dry for the 24hrs would provide a more protective ( reactive free) finish.
@@gregmccormack5709 since commenting this, Dana Howl here on TH-cam found out that not only is speed paint medium good for general thinning but also prevents the bleedthrough caused by painting over speed paints. Possibly using speedpaint medium with ink or making a wash by cutting in thinner medium or just straight up thinner could minimize the need for midpoint varnishing.
I'm a bit relieved I preferred left. I used contrast for quite some while now, I like them but I like army painter better as a company and was extremely hyped when they announced their range. And it's cheaper too. I hope the black is comparable, I burned at least 6 pots of black templar so far I'll need a lot of it :D
If you need that much: Black ink : Matt medium 1:1 and add a bit of flow aid. Done.
Thanks for a balanced and articulate review!
I appreciate the unbiased approach and have to agree, each paint has their strengths. In your application it looks like speedpaint did much better with the yellows on the skull, but the contrast handled the end wash better especially on the hide.
I imagine it takes a lot of trial and error to really find out where each brand truly shines.
I find contrast paints useful only in certain scenarios. For example, pre-shading fabric before drybrushing it works nicely. But big panels are a no go for contrast paint. It would end up looking bad.
However, they do airbrush very well and can thus be used on big flat surfaces, but more as a filter than as an all-in-one wash. But then again, Speedpaint is capable of the very same thing. I find that there are certain Contrast paints that are more universally usable than others. I do love Snakebite Leather, Basilicanum Grey, Fleshtearers Red and Black Templar, but care very little for most others. Really looking forward to the more fluid consistency of Speedpaint.
@@dekai7992 Skeleton horde is awesome for a basecoat on uniforms. The shade of Cadian uniform or even Soviet cold war uniform is very easy to achieve with it.
Considering speed paints are almost half the price of contrast that's the clear winner for me, and many other with a limited budget I imagine.
great video, I would like to see a total range comparison. So many of the Contrast colors have very different properties (that leviodon blue is a blochty one etc).
Very interesting. Thanks for the video
right has a more "splotchy" look to the different colours, this works in a way for the skin as it makes it seem a little more "natural" in its shading, but for everything else it makes it seem as though it has just been poorly painted with some areas of simply not painted properly
the colour is als less strong in places on the right, making parts (particularly the yellow parts) much less clear and seem blurred or again, "splotchy", i cant think of a better word for it
overall i would say the left is a better cover, especially as contrasts/speedpaints are not supposed to be the only step but a starting off point, the right looks like i would need to fix a lot of work done, while the left gives me a very clean base coat to work from and build up on
A consistent technique for splotchy skin would not be to use contrast, though. Far better would be to blot on various colors before the "glazing" effect of contrast/speedpaint. Use multiple colors, purples, oranges, etc, and just apply them in patches using stipling or sponges. It's a relatively low skill and fast technique that will greatly influence these translucent paints. Skins prefer to be multiple colors anyway, not a splotchy coverage of one color.
Other reviewers pointed out that speedpaints have better consistency across the range while the GW products vary in consistency per paint, was that your experience too?
also it looks to me like the wash stained over the speedpaint more, maybe they don't play too well with washes due to their medium
I love painting with transparencies, I have the full Contrast range and gave preordered the full Speed Paint set as well. I am also using Green Stuff World Intensity Inks, I would be curious to see a little comparison with those as well (they don't work quite the same way, but are close enough to be useful in transparancy-based painting I feel)
What I find about these two different sets of paints is that I often times find that they compliment each other. Not so much head to head but one set to compliment the other. Contrast is great for glazing like you pointed out, speed paints out of the pot are nice and rich but due to reactivation can be brought down fairly easily as pointed out with the agrax earthshade. Great video! subbed
I'm not convinced the agrax earthshade helped with a clean comparison but I guess it added another dimension. For me the preference is different for different colours based on your mini. However, I think I'll be able to live with the slight differences. So for me the price is the biggest factor AND the bottles will sweeten the deal. I'll definitely be trying a few and maybe even a set of speedpaints.
I prefer right since it show more contrast, specially in the skin tone. I rebottled all my contrast paints in dropper bottles and I mostly use them for airbrushing. Not really sure if adding the army paint speed paint will give me anything new then I already have. Its always good to have more options on the market though. Thanks for the video!
It is very cool and useful! Thank you!
Thank you for this comparison
I think I prefer the right in this case. The one on the left looks slightly smoother which lends it to picking out the details with some further painting, while the one on the right provides more immediate contrast
Concerning that these reviews from months ago do not mention the fact that Speedpaint reactivates if it gets wet, meaning you can't layer, glaze or shade directly over the first coat. You need to put on a clear coat in between. This is an absolute deal breaker for a lot of people, and it is concerning that a lot of independent reviews don't mention this. Given the depth of some reviews it is strange that something like this might be missed!
I've seen success with waiting sufficiently for the coats to dry before applying new ones (and no clear coats), though this is antithetical with the product name and might still be inconvenient for some.
This is a hughe (!) bummer... tbh i wanted to buy some AP Speed Paints but that... is a big no no
It’s made as a one coat solution. Why would you be able to layer or glaze without taking precautions?
@@Ryotsu2112 Because you can with GW contrast and other "one coat solutions"
the reactivation problem isn't really ...well a problem, some people even call it a feature (because it allows for way better weathering, by removeing the reactibated paint). even tho it does accur its not really a problem if your cerfull.
Also sorry if my english isn't the best rn. its 3 am and i watched like 8 videos before this i really need to go to sleep.
Thanks for the comparison! I stopped, and would prefer the left orc, because of less pooling.
Heya Pete, thank you for looking into these paints, I would be very interested in seeing the full range tested, supposedly there's a more opaque colour matched with a more transparant one?
I see no need to exchange my contrast paints, thanks for the video!
Thanks for the conparision! Which it sounds like each does what it says it does! A very good thing.... Also could you do a range review for each so people know how each color fairs and any hard to use aspects?
You've obtained this interesting "Borderlands'esq" result in the post wash step. For that effect alone I'm actually quite intrigued. I have the entire Contrast line and have been trying to help people get into the painting hobby with them. But this is tempting for a guy that already has too many paints.
I like the right one best, the blend on skin looks good for a one coat product
After seeing other comparisment videos, I could point out which one was which.
But I am more interested in the behaviour of the Speedpaints through an airbrush, which is where the dropper bottles excell greatly to other pots (like Revell or Games Workshop ones).
So if you could make a full tryout on how they behave through an airbrush (if possible at different ratios) I would appreciate it.
Left, ArmyPainter speed paints all the way, got the starter set, amazing results. Really should not thin them with water though as they use a special medium sold on it's own, you can use that to thin them a bit better.
Love the synthwave music.
Great video mate. Personally I liked both Orks, maybe the Contrast one a little more after the Agrax Wash, but I usually only use the Contrast Paints for details and as "glazes" .... but now I know to paint my horde of Sylvaneth Dryads, Kurnoths and Treemen I'll rather use a Speed Paint Brown as a starting point.... again thank you for your review 😀
Hey Pete, awesome video! Could you release a high-res still of the unlabeled Ork comparison? Just so I can show others? That would be a handy tool to show off the “intended purpose” differences
Right. I like the bold deep tones.
Right for the unbiased comparison.
I would have been interested in seeing Agrax Earthshade put up against the equivalent Army Painter wash (strong tone I think?), instead of Agrax on both, but otherwise, great video.
If my local stores start carrying Army Painter, I'll definitely be picking some Speed Paints up myself. For now, I'll stick to Vallejo & the occasional GW paint.
right for me, the actual darkness of the shadows tells me itll look great on the table top.
Of the two, I was leaning towards right, and the effect of the agrax really made that one pop. Both models had nicer areas than the other
Right, it looks more shaded and detailed. 😊 I’ll be interested to see which I chose!
When I didn't know which is which I prefered left one (speed paints) but after Agrax application, right one looks more vibrant
Left looks more how i line it, wanna see what paints were used😀 thx. For the comparison!
My first thought was the one on the left however I do feel it was very close comparison.
This was a fantastic and fair comparison.
Id say overall speedpaint seems the better product, however contrast has some better points for certain techniques.
Would have liked to see them both thinned with their respective thinner, contrast medium and the speed paint medium, rather than water.
agreed water breaks the bonds with the pigments and prevents them from working "properly". These are not standard waterbed paints and do not behave well when mixed with water (in my experience)
Depends on the color - The Left blue, black and brown look great, but I'm really not a fan of the green skin tone - it's turned into almost a neon lime green. It feels like the right model is splotching a lot more on even textures.
I know this is an old video, not to mention that the new 2.0 speedpaints came out... But I've always been told to use the right tool for the job you're doing. And if that means to mix and match your brands, then so be it. Because I'll be honest, some areas of both look better than others.
BTW: great video and review!
Right one has more nuance in it's shading and it's more interesting to the eye, definitely a winner in my books
Right! I see more definition in each detail across the colors.
I appreciate you did a multicolored comaprison, rather than 50 single color jobs.
Hey Pete, liked the video. I have a quick question for you. I have an idea for making a Slaaneshi Idoneth Cult and I was wondering if you knew any good third party sites as I don't feel many of the Slaaneshi infantry models work for the theme I have in my head.
I prefer the left's yellow, brown, and blue, but the right's green, grey, and orange. I guess it's the fact that the right is on natural stuff maybe? The later reveal it's contrast on the right and speedpaint on the left kinda makes sense with my prior use of contrast, it works real good for certain things and less good for others
I got in to painting again with contrasts. I hadn't painted for years and the prospect of painting 100's of Night goblins with spears and shields was daunting, but seemed a lot more possible/easy with contrasts. Great "gateway drug" from GW! :-P
Without bias, stopping at 3:44 I'd say: grey and green for the right one, blue and brown for the left one!
I preferred the one on the right in this case. I liked the orc skin of the contrast one a lot more. Before you added the coating of agrax earthshade the models were pretty similar. But after applying the shade, the one on the left look so much lighter.
it almost had a bleached effect, it kinda shocked me
I like the left because it looks less "yellow" all over. Like you have a proper separation of colors.
A full range review would be awesome.
Do you recommend zenithal highlights with speed/contrast paints? Or it it not really a noticable different..
Left looks awesome !!
From my observations in this video;
GW contrast paints - Covers drastic surface changes well, like the cloak and fingers.
Army painter speed paints - Covers smoother surfaces well, like the skin and trousers.
Consider thinning speed with contrast medium it works better than with water for control and finish. Water makes more of a wash and contrast medium acts more of a glaze both looks and works better. Give it a try
Considering you're not supposed to thin contrast paint with water, I have to wonder what adverse effects that had on the paint job.
I’m on the fence. I love contrast paints “pretty much” but you have to practice a bit. E.g. Blood angels red seems to me to be very pigment heavy so you have to use the prime/dry brush technique. I’m keen on using both tbh. I’d like to see comparisons with wraithbone/guilliman and speed paint equivalent on skin (did a load of warlord SPQR gauls so fast) As a very lazy painter the former was a revelation for me. Thanks Pete good video.
A cool and helpful, but compact Video... very nice
I prefer the left one. There isn't much difference however. And another great video. Thanks very much.
I might pick these up just for airbrushing zenathel primed minis
Left! The finish is smoother and there seems to be less stains. Excited to learn which paints were used there haha
I've already decided to pick up the full range for Speed Paint as well the price and bundle just speaks for itself compared to Contrast which has no bundles and you have to buy everything individually.
I was surprised however how quickly I could tell which one was which when the video began and as well the coverage between the two. I was pleasantly surprised how an overall wash changed the look of Speed Paint to something that looks closely to what other higher end painters achieve-which is alright in my books.
Overall I believe Speed Paint did what it was designed to do and is a very strong contender against Contrast.
Even without he customary dead animal bits, a great review. I never have used either of these products, I find them too dear for what they achieve. Instead I use inks, mixed with acrylics and surfactants as needed (ie a drop of washing up liquid).
i need to see how both behave on clear surfaces as i have terrain in the works with stained glass looking windows on it that will be testing out these two and tamiya clear paints
I preferred the model on the left as the colours looked a little better. I've never used contrast paints but will be using speed paints in the future.