You can find my hand-painted colour swatches for Contrast, Speedpaint 2.0, Xpress Colors and Dipping Inks here: taleofpainters.com/2022/12/top-tip-visual-comparison-of-all-61-contrast-23-speedpaints-24-gsw-dipping-inks/
Thats an amazing very needed work, thanks a lot! I'm planning to create a version combining your swatches with the Army painter packs paint list to compare them and see if they worth it or I should go for single pots.
Thank you for the review! Many of the changes made to the new formulation were inspired by your reviews of our initial launch. Our hope is that Speedpaint and Metallics are still a great one-coat solution for painters looking to make painting easier, faster, and more fun while doing MORE for the painters who like to use these style paints as base coats and glazes. We appreciate your feedback and hope that they find a place in your paint arsenal and future projects, Stahly!
@The Army Painter - your social media presence is such a breath of fresh air, thank you for responding to painters and gamers! Am I correct in understanding that you are also reformulating your standard paint range to reduce separation issues? Or has that already happened?
@@MasterShake9000 every type of paint manufacturers have been working on that from the beginning. Need to make a mini stirring setup like they have in automotive spray shops haha
@@LEF3133 true, but from what I’ve seen, AP is particularly bad at separating as well as being a bit stubborn at re-blending. I happened to be looking at an AP paint rack at a local store, and I noticed their regular (non-speedpaint) mixing medium was so thick that it doesn’t move or make a sound when you shake the bottle. I’ve had regular paints (like most GW whites) go “silent” on me from drying or being too thick, but I’ve never seen a mixing medium itself act like that. Related to that, I thought I recalled that AP had responded to some public comments/discussions about the separation issue - I recall people have said that you’re “supposed” to immediately squeeze out the excess medium when you buy a new bottle before shaking it, and I’ve seen TH-cam videos where people are opening up the bottles to add mixing balls and use sticks to physically loosen the paint before adding a lot of water and medium to “fix” it. That just isn’t required for other paint ranges. For GW paints I typically only need to put in 1-2 agitators and a good shake is generally enough to fix any settling or separation. Same with Warcolours, Vallejo, etc. It all just really seems to indicate that the current medium for standard AP paints isn’t working. It appears to be too thick and when it separates it’s really difficult to get it mixed back in compared to GW or other paints. As I said, I thought I’d heard AP state that they were going to fix this issue too.
@@MasterShake9000 the white and one of the greens separates really bad. I have a vortex shaker and 2 types of nail polish shakers. The white speedpaint takes nearly 5 minutes to mix back together. But I do like using it and mixing with other colours.
Great video! This is 100% consistent with what I'm finding so far. As a tester, I saw some intermediate formulations, but I've only recently gotten my hands on the final stuff in this box. It's been fun to play with. I agree with you that the metals won't be getting a spot on my painting desk... but there ARE a whole lot of great colors of slapchop juice. 🙂
Great overview! Also appreciate the “non-snobby” attitude and approach to painting in general. As a new miniature painter, this is most definitely a breath of fresh air. I have a lot to learn and have already made mistakes on the way, but I love the engagement and community in this hobby so far, and knowledge about this and upcoming products are extremely valuable. Thank you!
I massively appreciate these reviews! I've loved my Contrast paints for a lot of what I paint up, but have always had my eyes open for an alternative. I remember when SpeedPaint 1.0 dropped and tried it and hated the reactivation. For me, I was trying to get an army on the table and I needed something I could apply concisely and have that be the end of. With the expanded range, I might have to give 2.0 a try!
If you spray paint a base coat of black and then do a zenithal prime of silver, then do a few layers of slightly watered down metals they turn out much better.
I loved the reactivation feature, im used to painting with oils, and you use reactivation of oils with spirits to add easy edge highlights by wiping the raised area, easy blending and really easy to remove paint if you made a mistake, I always varnished after base colours anyway, so it was never an issue for me, I don't like the new 2.0 anywhere near as much.
Great review sir. I invested in the SP 1.0 Megaset and sadly the reactivation became a hindrance for my style of painting (glazed highlights over Contrast). So to see the SP 2.0 paints not reactivating is fantastic and the colour range looks outstanding. Thanks again for all of your hard work 👏👌👍😊
I feel like Stahly is a really good personality within the community. Always a great source to go to for any hobby opinions. Even when you come down differently on a topic, you can respect the expertise and fair perspective.
I love your meticulous study of the paints and experimenting. Thank you so much for the care and devotion you have given to all of the "quick paints" you have tried over the years. It is very helpful to an old painter like me. I have a ton of gray miniatures that still need work, because my usual method of building layers out of black is slow and methodical, but impractical for doing a huge amount of the same sculpt over and over. So I had been curious about the "quick paints" from all of the various companies and their actual use. I think you have answered my misgivings about trying them and I thank you for your diligence. 🙂
I think I fall into the newbie, casual painter target group that speed paint might appeal to most. Get color on minis quickly. Reactivation? I am not skilled enought to take advantage of it with wet-blending, and I am not such a perfectionist that it matters much. There was one instance where I saw a substantial amount of reactivation on a miniature with speed paint 1.0, where I essentially lost a coat of paint I was trying to touch up. After that I started allowing for long drying times and that solved the issue for me.
Regarding reactivation, I can’t help but think Army Painter is missing an opportunity to essentially re-market the original Speedpaint formulas as an “acrylic oil” for doing washes and weathering similar to the oil and enamel paints/washes modelers use from companies like Abteilung 502, AK Interactive, Ammo by MIG, etc. I can see why most painters probably want a non-reactivating paint so they can work on top of it like you do, but I can also see the draw of a line of acrylic weathering/wash paints that act like oils or enamels but don’t require mineral spirits or such to work with.
My favorite feature of speedpaints is the reactivation. Can wipe away mistakes easily and after everything has been painted, can go through the model using a wet brush to create highlights. I really like the end results of this. Impossible to satisfy everybody but it's a different kind of a product from others which sets it apart. Hope the reactivation is still strong enough for me.
Great review. I absolutely love how the reactivation property of the 1.0 speed paint enabled me to wet blend perfectly with minimum effort. AP stated that 2.0 maintained this property for two hours after application. Sadly, your review as well as Dana Howl's seem to show the contrary. I was ready to shell out the $$ for the new 2.0 megaset, but now I won't.
As someone who didn't even realize my collection had a mix of 1.0 and 2.0 speedpaints, this video is a huge help. Now I finally understand why I was having bleedthrough issues with some paints but not others. I'm planning an upcoming project where I want to use bleedthrough to get some blending and this will be important information. Thanks!
That reactivation was actually my favorite part of painting some ghouls and undead creatures. Blood and stains looked natural as it blended into each other. It made it feel more grotesque and real
I was disappointed in AP Speed Paints for a dozen reasons especially because they were marketed a certain way and don't seem to make things speedier. The extra step of varnishing between layers (weather is a factor when needing to use a spray varnish where I live) and the long 'curing' time (if it reactivates has it actually cured? Genuine question, I am not a chemist) seems to be the opposite of what I would consider 'speed'. When confronted with criticism AP just seemed to chuckle things off and promise their new and improved product could be bought later on. Buying that AP Speed Paint set was my paint budget for a year so the fact I couldn't use it in a way that worked for me was disheartening because I take a long time to paint a model and being able to get things to a level I am happy with quicker helps me enjoy my painting sessions. In the future I can't buy stuff from AP (after buying their stuff since I got into the hobby years ago) because of how they went about their whole SP product line (the new set is $200 + tax where I live). I have managed to find a use for the SP I have and use them exclusively on terrain pieces that I can use a varnish on and do in batches when time is not a factor. But for miniature figures I need something that I can paint and put other layers on without reactivating or needing another product to make it work.
I feel your pain. I did exactly the same thing and spent money I didn't really have and was super disappointed. I stuck with my Contrast and may give Vallejo a go.
@@stephenrenwick8781 Vallejo may be the way forward for an alternative to contrast for me as well and Vallejo is easier to get from my local hobby shops than AP is (having the product in stock is another matter though).
Fair, I feel like you could achieve the same results with just normal feathering and wet blending though. Probably with more controlled results too, a lot of the reactivation-based stuff I've seen people doing looks a bit rough.
Many thanks for the video, new subscriber. I was a fan of speed paints from the off, I've painted more figures in the last 12 months then I did in the decade before, for a bunch of reasons. Being able to get a reasonable figure painted and on the table in an average of 30 minutes each (batching 6 at once taking about 3 hours per batch) has been a game changer for me. I didn't have a major issue with bleed, but wasn't a fan either, I did find ways to use bleed to good effect, but it wasn't an advantage I will miss either. I'm looking forward to trying 2.0, especially the metallics. The biggest thing for me has been that in 30 years of painting figures for the first time I'm actually enjoying painting instead of dreading it. Painting was always a massively time consuming grind but lowering my standard, accepting mistakes are not visible, and taking more joy in the finished product have been quality of life changing.
SP v1 were are a nice tool in my hobby box and I did like the reactivation and had no issue working with it. I use both SP and Contrast depending on the color. Working with both I found I prefer SP Medium over Contrast medium and use it with both. I find it works as a retardant with Contrast and eases so of Contrast's blotchiness over flat areas. I am looking forward to the SP v2 and all the new colors.
Thanks for the video. I am definitely in the no reactivation camp. I was at a point where I was needing to replace my Contrast. I decided to spend money on a set of Speedpaint 1.0 as it was the most cost effective. Sadly the reactivation of 1.0 meant that i was back to square one. The Speedpaint has been sat on the shelf since then. I am back with the Contrast and am going to give Vallejo a go.
Wasn't a fan of re-activation in the slightest. The main idea of speed paints it to allow quick results. Having to add varnish layers took time I didn't want to spend. Haven't tried the 2.0 version yet, but looking forward to picking some up.
Good review. For paints that should reactivate the. It’s not the best e en if some blending can be done. The problem now is the 2 hour drying time is a looooong time to wait especially if you are working on one model.
Excellent work, do you plan on making a composite AP speed collage for both 1.0 and 2.0 and bold the names as you did with Citadel Contrast? Just curios, you make the best qualify visibility swatches online.
What I really don't like about the Speedpaints is that the drying time is far too short. I am very short-sighted and sometimes need a few seconds to set up miniatures and brushes properly. The darker colors in particular dry quickly and I end up with a very blotchy result. My brushes also suffer because I have to clean the brush thoroughly after 2-3 panels as flakes get stuck in the bristles. I have never had such problems with the Contrast colors, but unfortunately the color range is not always to my liking.
I think I'll wait to get better with regular paints before I try any of these types of paints. At the moment though, I think contrast would be the one I would try
Good review. Thank you for the head's up about how they've changed. I quite liked the reactivation property the first run had. Every paint has its quirks, and you can make those work for you. I do understand folks who expected paints that wouldn't reactivate being upset simply by virtue of their expectations not being met.
Great Review! As a beginner coming from Boardgames this is now awesome for me! Really impressed with the Army Painter, their products and engagement with the community, they found the perfect solution in my opinion. It’s refreshing to see a company that cares so much about the hobby and their customers!
Have you tried jell alcohol hand sanitizer to reactivate? I use some on a brush to "erase" mistakes or create effects like fading or highlights on my contrast paints.
I suppose the people who really liked the ability to mix paints on the mini should probably try oil paints. I've also seen a video of sb using water colors, so that may be an option too, but you'll really have to varnish those after you're done. Maybe that would be closer to the old speedpaints?
Great overview! I passed on the first release due to the reactivation property of the 1.0 Speedpaints, but I might pick some of these up when they release. I think that The Army Painter gets a lot of unfair criticism, so I am pleased to see a balanced review like this.
Great overview, I’m glad that the army painter is treating this honestly! But yeah reactivating is annoying when you try to use it as a base coat. I likely will still get the new colors when they are sold separately. Hard to find in Japan though… so I’ll have to wait.
I bought four boxes of this version 1 stuff and never had that reactivation issue makes me wonder what everyone was doing to theirs versus my usage and is great In an airbrush
Great review! I enjoyed the original Speedpaints for boardgame minis as they were. While I will miss the easy blending a little bit, the more stable formula will.make them more usable for minis I want to put more work into. I also love the full range of colors! As for the metals, I think they'll serve the same purpose as the original formula; great options for boardgame minis I don't want to spend time doing layers and highlights on.
I love your honest reviews and I agree totally with your opinion on AP SP v1 personally I didn’t mind the reactivation and I use them as another tool to my painting. V2 though will stop me from forgetting they reactivate and so I wont have to redo stuff. 😂
Really want to see some one trying reactivation as you did 6:20 with contrast paint. It seem GW contrast never get this kind of extreme tests, that would instructive.
I'm in both camps. The reactivation just is another property of the 1.0, sometimes it's amazing and let's you do stuff other paints just can't, other times, it's just really annoying. Love the consistency and behavior of Speedpaints way more than Citadel Contrast. In the best world, I'd just have my 1.0 set and a new 2.0 set, depending if I want to blend or reverse-drybrush or layer/be able to correct mistakes, but that's a bit overkill at the moment. I'll just slowly replace my 1.0 with 2.0 as they go empty, but I know sometimes I'll miss the reactivation.
The honesty and objective stance reminds me yet again that you deserve 10x the audience the algorithm gives you. Please don’t change unless of course you need to
Find out more in this post, I explained how I do my paint swatches there: taleofpainters.com/2021/07/top-tip-make-your-own-paint-swatch-to-organise-your-paint-collection/
Thanks as always for the detailed review. Did you by chance test the metallics over matt black and a flat silver? Imo would give better results, even if it takes longer to paint the mini. I have been using speedpaint 1.0 colours over silver to get some nice metallic like results.
As they are slightly transparent, I think they wouldn't work well over black as the black will shine through, but I think applying them over a bright silver might enhance the effect. Will try!
Great review. I got the 24 pack of 1.0 and already have all the citadel colors, so I might just get the metallics. Where do you get that gridded test plate? Is it 3D printed?
I'm stuck with my barely used 1.0 mega set and wondered if mixing 2.0 speedpaint medium might solve the reactivation issue of the 1.0 paints? Has anyone tested this?
Not yet. It's best to ask Army Painter directly, but based on previous launches, they'll be available a month or so after all the paint sets are out (so in Summer).
Thanks for the review. For the casual amateur painter that I am speedpaint 1.0 was manna from heaven. It stayed workable for a long time and I could paint minis way faster by getting one color on a lot of miniatures at one sitting. I don’t paint busts, or golden daemons, or competition of any kind, it’s about getting minis done. So being able to use one color on 20 minis at a sitting and then coming back the next day and doing a different color dramatically increased my output. Now they made speedpaint for the dedicated painters and I’m on the outs.
I don't know what this means honestly. Only "dedicated" painters cared about wet blending and reactivation. Casual ones who didn't layer paints or glaze are fine. If anything, its even more fool-proof now. Your comment is confusing as heck
I do love your scientific approach, letting us know when opinion comes in to it. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the metalics, personally I am looking forward to them for painting the Resident Evil board game scenery (doors, fire escapes etc.) but it is important to remember that although they are Speedpaint 2.0 they are a world first in the '1 coat and done' sphere and Army Painter have been open about the difference between the matalics and the rest of the range. Finally Contrast/Speedpaint/Express/Dipping Inks are not a product aimed at pro painters and hobbyists, they were for the Gamer who just wanted to slap the 3 colours needed to play at the local GW store, the fact they have become a useful tool in our arsenal is a bonus. Oh and a final final, when 2.0 comes out 1.0 will be discounted at your FLGS for those who loved the reactivation - Dana😀
I was really hyped by SP1.0, but the reactivation killed it for me and therefore I never bought them. If I'll go out now and buy the SP2.0 - dunno. But the metallics looked pretty nice tbh. Thx 4 the video anyway.
Looking forward to this! So difficult to know what's true amidst the hype and marketing Looks like they do what they say on the tin this time, colour me interested!
Im paintig right now with 2.0 Speed Paint Pastel Yellow, and wow i almost could buy a cheap Shade an put a little bit Paint in it. Its way to thin for "Speed Paint" i would need like 4 Layers to achieve a decent Base Coat.
Has anyone had experience using Army Painter on Lego? Will it stick (assuming the pieces have been cleaned with alcohol)? If so, any tips? If Lego can be painted with this stuff, should I get the original or the 2.0?) Thanks!!!
I am not to keen on the speedpaints only being available in sets, thus limiting my choice of colours. So I'll risk ending up with surplus bottles that will never be used.
@@stahly_taleofpainters we used some GW primer - old ones. Now I ordered Army painter primer (a darker grey + white). But the most problem was with an valejo color over the primer and then the speed paint on top. So we maybe have to stick with warpaints fanatics + speedpaints and throw out our old paints from 7 years ago. We just getting back into the hobby....
@Stahly_taleofpainters Much appreciated, very informative review! I rather enjoy your unbiased approach of the differences between their v1 and v2 speedpaints. To @TheArmyPainter, I could see some of these reviews and considerations of various painters, as a way of ReBranding the v1 for painters that understand and like to utilize the reactivations of v1. I can see how there are many more modellers/gamers that would prefer v2 moreso than v1. As for speedpaint 1.0 & 2.0, I see it as a style of paint that can lend its capabilities to a much broader audience than just favoring one side of the masses.
awesome video. small suggestion: your english is amazing but you stress the "Vs" like "Ws" when you speak. I would suggest working on those since they are very prominent :D
You can find my hand-painted colour swatches for Contrast, Speedpaint 2.0, Xpress Colors and Dipping Inks here: taleofpainters.com/2022/12/top-tip-visual-comparison-of-all-61-contrast-23-speedpaints-24-gsw-dipping-inks/
Thats an amazing very needed work, thanks a lot! I'm planning to create a version combining your swatches with the Army painter packs paint list to compare them and see if they worth it or I should go for single pots.
Thank you for the review! Many of the changes made to the new formulation were inspired by your reviews of our initial launch. Our hope is that Speedpaint and Metallics are still a great one-coat solution for painters looking to make painting easier, faster, and more fun while doing MORE for the painters who like to use these style paints as base coats and glazes. We appreciate your feedback and hope that they find a place in your paint arsenal and future projects, Stahly!
@The Army Painter - your social media presence is such a breath of fresh air, thank you for responding to painters and gamers!
Am I correct in understanding that you are also reformulating your standard paint range to reduce separation issues? Or has that already happened?
@@MasterShake9000 every type of paint manufacturers have been working on that from the beginning. Need to make a mini stirring setup like they have in automotive spray shops haha
I have hope Vallejo make more colors fast I love their look when they are dry. Contrast are just too expensive.
@@LEF3133 true, but from what I’ve seen, AP is particularly bad at separating as well as being a bit stubborn at re-blending. I happened to be looking at an AP paint rack at a local store, and I noticed their regular (non-speedpaint) mixing medium was so thick that it doesn’t move or make a sound when you shake the bottle.
I’ve had regular paints (like most GW whites) go “silent” on me from drying or being too thick, but I’ve never seen a mixing medium itself act like that.
Related to that, I thought I recalled that AP had responded to some public comments/discussions about the separation issue - I recall people have said that you’re “supposed” to immediately squeeze out the excess medium when you buy a new bottle before shaking it, and I’ve seen TH-cam videos where people are opening up the bottles to add mixing balls and use sticks to physically loosen the paint before adding a lot of water and medium to “fix” it.
That just isn’t required for other paint ranges. For GW paints I typically only need to put in 1-2 agitators and a good shake is generally enough to fix any settling or separation. Same with Warcolours, Vallejo, etc.
It all just really seems to indicate that the current medium for standard AP paints isn’t working. It appears to be too thick and when it separates it’s really difficult to get it mixed back in compared to GW or other paints.
As I said, I thought I’d heard AP state that they were going to fix this issue too.
@@MasterShake9000 the white and one of the greens separates really bad. I have a vortex shaker and 2 types of nail polish shakers. The white speedpaint takes nearly 5 minutes to mix back together. But I do like using it and mixing with other colours.
Great video! This is 100% consistent with what I'm finding so far. As a tester, I saw some intermediate formulations, but I've only recently gotten my hands on the final stuff in this box. It's been fun to play with. I agree with you that the metals won't be getting a spot on my painting desk... but there ARE a whole lot of great colors of slapchop juice. 🙂
Great overview! Also appreciate the “non-snobby” attitude and approach to painting in general. As a new miniature painter, this is most definitely a breath of fresh air. I have a lot to learn and have already made mistakes on the way, but I love the engagement and community in this hobby so far, and knowledge about this and upcoming products are extremely valuable. Thank you!
I massively appreciate these reviews! I've loved my Contrast paints for a lot of what I paint up, but have always had my eyes open for an alternative. I remember when SpeedPaint 1.0 dropped and tried it and hated the reactivation. For me, I was trying to get an army on the table and I needed something I could apply concisely and have that be the end of. With the expanded range, I might have to give 2.0 a try!
If you spray paint a base coat of black and then do a zenithal prime of silver, then do a few layers of slightly watered down metals they turn out much better.
I loved the reactivation feature, im used to painting with oils, and you use reactivation of oils with spirits to add easy edge highlights by wiping the raised area, easy blending and really easy to remove paint if you made a mistake, I always varnished after base colours anyway, so it was never an issue for me, I don't like the new 2.0 anywhere near as much.
Great review sir. I invested in the SP 1.0 Megaset and sadly the reactivation became a hindrance for my style of painting (glazed highlights over Contrast). So to see the SP 2.0 paints not reactivating is fantastic and the colour range looks outstanding. Thanks again for all of your hard work 👏👌👍😊
when reactivation discovered, everyone complaining, a few appreciating it,
now reactivation reduced, everyone complaining, a few appreciating it. 😂
I feel like Stahly is a really good personality within the community. Always a great source to go to for any hobby opinions. Even when you come down differently on a topic, you can respect the expertise and fair perspective.
I love your meticulous study of the paints and experimenting. Thank you so much for the care and devotion you have given to all of the "quick paints" you have tried over the years. It is very helpful to an old painter like me. I have a ton of gray miniatures that still need work, because my usual method of building layers out of black is slow and methodical, but impractical for doing a huge amount of the same sculpt over and over. So I had been curious about the "quick paints" from all of the various companies and their actual use. I think you have answered my misgivings about trying them and I thank you for your diligence. 🙂
I think I fall into the newbie, casual painter target group that speed paint might appeal to most. Get color on minis quickly. Reactivation? I am not skilled enought to take advantage of it with wet-blending, and I am not such a perfectionist that it matters much. There was one instance where I saw a substantial amount of reactivation on a miniature with speed paint 1.0, where I essentially lost a coat of paint I was trying to touch up. After that I started allowing for long drying times and that solved the issue for me.
Regarding reactivation, I can’t help but think Army Painter is missing an opportunity to essentially re-market the original Speedpaint formulas as an “acrylic oil” for doing washes and weathering similar to the oil and enamel paints/washes modelers use from companies like Abteilung 502, AK Interactive, Ammo by MIG, etc.
I can see why most painters probably want a non-reactivating paint so they can work on top of it like you do, but I can also see the draw of a line of acrylic weathering/wash paints that act like oils or enamels but don’t require mineral spirits or such to work with.
it would be EVEN WORSE, reactive acrylics still stain, something that oil never do.
My favorite feature of speedpaints is the reactivation. Can wipe away mistakes easily and after everything has been painted, can go through the model using a wet brush to create highlights. I really like the end results of this. Impossible to satisfy everybody but it's a different kind of a product from others which sets it apart. Hope the reactivation is still strong enough for me.
I never had a problem with the V1 paints, and loved the workability of them, I really hope they reissue them.
Agreed!!!
now you get 2.0 which cracks! amazing
Great review. I absolutely love how the reactivation property of the 1.0 speed paint enabled me to wet blend perfectly with minimum effort. AP stated that 2.0 maintained this property for two hours after application. Sadly, your review as well as Dana Howl's seem to show the contrary. I was ready to shell out the $$ for the new 2.0 megaset, but now I won't.
I haven't had much problem with reactivation after letting paint dry for a little while before painting over it.
As someone who didn't even realize my collection had a mix of 1.0 and 2.0 speedpaints, this video is a huge help. Now I finally understand why I was having bleedthrough issues with some paints but not others. I'm planning an upcoming project where I want to use bleedthrough to get some blending and this will be important information. Thanks!
I do enjoy wet blending, but I use a retarder medium or oil paints for that. I'll definitely be getting some of the 2.0 speedpaints!
That reactivation was actually my favorite part of painting some ghouls and undead creatures. Blood and stains looked natural as it blended into each other. It made it feel more grotesque and real
I am waiting to try out the metallic speedpaints on minis with zenithal highlighting (black basecoat/ grey and white drybrush).
at my current skill level, i feel i like stable, non blending type. i havent used the new ones yet, def will give them a chance!
I was disappointed in AP Speed Paints for a dozen reasons especially because they were marketed a certain way and don't seem to make things speedier. The extra step of varnishing between layers (weather is a factor when needing to use a spray varnish where I live) and the long 'curing' time (if it reactivates has it actually cured? Genuine question, I am not a chemist) seems to be the opposite of what I would consider 'speed'. When confronted with criticism AP just seemed to chuckle things off and promise their new and improved product could be bought later on. Buying that AP Speed Paint set was my paint budget for a year so the fact I couldn't use it in a way that worked for me was disheartening because I take a long time to paint a model and being able to get things to a level I am happy with quicker helps me enjoy my painting sessions. In the future I can't buy stuff from AP (after buying their stuff since I got into the hobby years ago) because of how they went about their whole SP product line (the new set is $200 + tax where I live).
I have managed to find a use for the SP I have and use them exclusively on terrain pieces that I can use a varnish on and do in batches when time is not a factor. But for miniature figures I need something that I can paint and put other layers on without reactivating or needing another product to make it work.
I feel your pain. I did exactly the same thing and spent money I didn't really have and was super disappointed. I stuck with my Contrast and may give Vallejo a go.
@@stephenrenwick8781 Vallejo may be the way forward for an alternative to contrast for me as well and Vallejo is easier to get from my local hobby shops than AP is (having the product in stock is another matter though).
I liked the reactivation. It wasn't a problem for me. It was a tool to use as I wanted.
Totally fair!
Fair, I feel like you could achieve the same results with just normal feathering and wet blending though. Probably with more controlled results too, a lot of the reactivation-based stuff I've seen people doing looks a bit rough.
Many thanks for the video, new subscriber.
I was a fan of speed paints from the off, I've painted more figures in the last 12 months then I did in the decade before, for a bunch of reasons.
Being able to get a reasonable figure painted and on the table in an average of 30 minutes each (batching 6 at once taking about 3 hours per batch) has been a game changer for me.
I didn't have a major issue with bleed, but wasn't a fan either, I did find ways to use bleed to good effect, but it wasn't an advantage I will miss either.
I'm looking forward to trying 2.0, especially the metallics.
The biggest thing for me has been that in 30 years of painting figures for the first time I'm actually enjoying painting instead of dreading it. Painting was always a massively time consuming grind but lowering my standard, accepting mistakes are not visible, and taking more joy in the finished product have been quality of life changing.
SP v1 were are a nice tool in my hobby box and I did like the reactivation and had no issue working with it. I use both SP and Contrast depending on the color. Working with both I found I prefer SP Medium over Contrast medium and use it with both. I find it works as a retardant with Contrast and eases so of Contrast's blotchiness over flat areas. I am looking forward to the SP v2 and all the new colors.
Thanks for the video. I am definitely in the no reactivation camp. I was at a point where I was needing to replace my Contrast. I decided to spend money on a set of Speedpaint 1.0 as it was the most cost effective. Sadly the reactivation of 1.0 meant that i was back to square one. The Speedpaint has been sat on the shelf since then. I am back with the Contrast and am going to give Vallejo a go.
Wasn't a fan of re-activation in the slightest. The main idea of speed paints it to allow quick results. Having to add varnish layers took time I didn't want to spend. Haven't tried the 2.0 version yet, but looking forward to picking some up.
Good review. For paints that should reactivate the. It’s not the best e en if some blending can be done. The problem now is the 2 hour drying time is a looooong time to wait especially if you are working on one model.
I stopped painting my Blood Angels after expierencing the reactivation on blood red... I hope the 2.0 is better in that regard.
Excellent work, do you plan on making a composite AP speed collage for both 1.0 and 2.0 and bold the names as you did with Citadel Contrast? Just curios, you make the best qualify visibility swatches online.
Will do when I get my hands on the rest of the paints :)
What I really don't like about the Speedpaints is that the drying time is far too short. I am very short-sighted and sometimes need a few seconds to set up miniatures and brushes properly. The darker colors in particular dry quickly and I end up with a very blotchy result. My brushes also suffer because I have to clean the brush thoroughly after 2-3 panels as flakes get stuck in the bristles. I have never had such problems with the Contrast colors, but unfortunately the color range is not always to my liking.
I think I'll wait to get better with regular paints before I try any of these types of paints. At the moment though, I think contrast would be the one I would try
Good review. Thank you for the head's up about how they've changed. I quite liked the reactivation property the first run had. Every paint has its quirks, and you can make those work for you. I do understand folks who expected paints that wouldn't reactivate being upset simply by virtue of their expectations not being met.
Great Review! As a beginner coming from Boardgames this is now awesome for me! Really impressed with the Army Painter, their products and engagement with the community, they found the perfect solution in my opinion. It’s refreshing to see a company that cares so much about the hobby and their customers!
Have you tried jell alcohol hand sanitizer to reactivate? I use some on a brush to "erase" mistakes or create effects like fading or highlights on my contrast paints.
Stahly, fantastic review! Thanks for this.
I suppose the people who really liked the ability to mix paints on the mini should probably try oil paints. I've also seen a video of sb using water colors, so that may be an option too, but you'll really have to varnish those after you're done. Maybe that would be closer to the old speedpaints?
Great overview! I passed on the first release due to the reactivation property of the 1.0 Speedpaints, but I might pick some of these up when they release. I think that The Army Painter gets a lot of unfair criticism, so I am pleased to see a balanced review like this.
Great overview, I’m glad that the army painter is treating this honestly! But yeah reactivating is annoying when you try to use it as a base coat. I likely will still get the new colors when they are sold separately. Hard to find in Japan though… so I’ll have to wait.
Thanks for the review!! I was expecting yours to be fully informed ;)
I bought four boxes of this version 1 stuff and never had that reactivation issue makes me wonder what everyone was doing to theirs versus my usage and is great In an airbrush
I'd like to see the metallics over non-white base coats, like grey for silvers, beige for golds and coppers.
Great review! I enjoyed the original Speedpaints for boardgame minis as they were. While I will miss the easy blending a little bit, the more stable formula will.make them more usable for minis I want to put more work into.
I also love the full range of colors!
As for the metals, I think they'll serve the same purpose as the original formula; great options for boardgame minis I don't want to spend time doing layers and highlights on.
I liked the first iteration and the reactivation.
I love your honest reviews and I agree totally with your opinion on AP SP v1 personally I didn’t mind the reactivation and I use them as another tool to my painting. V2 though will stop me from forgetting they reactivate and so I wont have to redo stuff. 😂
Really want to see some one trying reactivation as you did 6:20 with contrast paint.
It seem GW contrast never get this kind of extreme tests, that would instructive.
Not much happens :)
I'm in both camps. The reactivation just is another property of the 1.0, sometimes it's amazing and let's you do stuff other paints just can't, other times, it's just really annoying. Love the consistency and behavior of Speedpaints way more than Citadel Contrast. In the best world, I'd just have my 1.0 set and a new 2.0 set, depending if I want to blend or reverse-drybrush or layer/be able to correct mistakes, but that's a bit overkill at the moment. I'll just slowly replace my 1.0 with 2.0 as they go empty, but I know sometimes I'll miss the reactivation.
The honesty and objective stance reminds me yet again that you deserve 10x the audience the algorithm gives you. Please don’t change unless of course you need to
Thank you for your wonderful review. What is your testing swatch card?
Find out more in this post, I explained how I do my paint swatches there: taleofpainters.com/2021/07/top-tip-make-your-own-paint-swatch-to-organise-your-paint-collection/
Excellent review! cheers.
Thanks as always for the detailed review. Did you by chance test the metallics over matt black and a flat silver? Imo would give better results, even if it takes longer to paint the mini.
I have been using speedpaint 1.0 colours over silver to get some nice metallic like results.
As they are slightly transparent, I think they wouldn't work well over black as the black will shine through, but I think applying them over a bright silver might enhance the effect. Will try!
@@stahly_taleofpainters they actually do cover pretty nicely over black as mica flake is opaque.
I'm having absolutely no issues with any of these paints
Have you tried mixing the medium with other acrylic paints/inks/unholy alliance with GW contrast?
Will you be doing a review (or color swashes) of all 99 new colors now that they're out ?
Yes, I will update the colour swatch ASAP! Check taleofpainters.com for updates.
Have you tried mixing SP 2.0 with SP 1.0 medium and checking reactivation after that?
Not yet!
I like the original speedpaints. I'm even more excited for the version 2.0. I can't wait to see the vid in full
I liked the reactivation personally.
Great video Stahly… appreciate the revisit to their range and to test old vs. new
I wish they kept both the 2.0 formula and the 1.0
Thanks for the very in-depth and critical review!
Thanks, this is one of the best reviews I have Seen. Very balanced and fair!
Love the review, and I for one want my coats of paint to not reactivate, unless I am wetblending.
Great review. I got the 24 pack of 1.0 and already have all the citadel colors, so I might just get the metallics. Where do you get that gridded test plate? Is it 3D printed?
No, it's just textured plasticard sprayed white: taleofpainters.com/2021/07/top-tip-make-your-own-paint-swatch-to-organise-your-paint-collection/
@@stahly_taleofpainters Fantastic! Thanks.
Excellent and informative, always appreciate the effort you guys take to provide a clear and concise review.
I'm stuck with my barely used 1.0 mega set and wondered if mixing 2.0 speedpaint medium might solve the reactivation issue of the 1.0 paints?
Has anyone tested this?
The more Speedpaint 2.0 medium you add, the less the paint will reactivate. But then it also gets quite thin.
Where do you get those super cool plasticard grids?
Check out this post: taleofpainters.com/2021/07/top-tip-make-your-own-paint-swatch-to-organise-your-paint-collection/ :)
Is there any way you can buy the 2.0 individually? I just can't find them anywhere
Not yet. It's best to ask Army Painter directly, but based on previous launches, they'll be available a month or so after all the paint sets are out (so in Summer).
I had problems with some of the paints (the reds) cracking .
:(
What size gridded plasticard did you use from GSW to make the swashes?
The largest size :)
The Army Painter Airbrush Medium completely strips Speed Paint 1.0, no matter the curing time. So I am very excited to see how it interacts with 2.0.
Weird, I’ve never experienced that! I’ve actually use AB Medium to thin Speedpaint into a more glaze like consistency. How are you experiencing this?
And by how: what are the steps you take to get this reaction?
Thanks for the review. For the casual amateur painter that I am speedpaint 1.0 was manna from heaven. It stayed workable for a long time and I could paint minis way faster by getting one color on a lot of miniatures at one sitting. I don’t paint busts, or golden daemons, or competition of any kind, it’s about getting minis done. So being able to use one color on 20 minis at a sitting and then coming back the next day and doing a different color dramatically increased my output. Now they made speedpaint for the dedicated painters and I’m on the outs.
I don't know what this means honestly. Only "dedicated" painters cared about wet blending and reactivation. Casual ones who didn't layer paints or glaze are fine. If anything, its even more fool-proof now. Your comment is confusing as heck
I do love your scientific approach, letting us know when opinion comes in to it. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the metalics, personally I am looking forward to them for painting the Resident Evil board game scenery (doors, fire escapes etc.) but it is important to remember that although they are Speedpaint 2.0 they are a world first in the '1 coat and done' sphere and Army Painter have been open about the difference between the matalics and the rest of the range. Finally Contrast/Speedpaint/Express/Dipping Inks are not a product aimed at pro painters and hobbyists, they were for the Gamer who just wanted to slap the 3 colours needed to play at the local GW store, the fact they have become a useful tool in our arsenal is a bonus. Oh and a final final, when 2.0 comes out 1.0 will be discounted at your FLGS for those who loved the reactivation - Dana😀
Thanks for the paint charts! Cool work.
I was really hyped by SP1.0, but the reactivation killed it for me and therefore I never bought them. If I'll go out now and buy the SP2.0 - dunno. But the metallics looked pretty nice tbh. Thx 4 the video anyway.
Looking forward to this! So difficult to know what's true amidst the hype and marketing
Looks like they do what they say on the tin this time, colour me interested!
Happy to help!
That's true about board gamers
I am a board gamer and was new
To painting and lo ed how the speed painting looked.
Thank you for this in-deapth analysis. Now I know more.
I like this new Slowpaint 2.0Hours
I've never had the speed paints reactivate. I wonder if environment makes a difference.
This style of review is ridiculously informative.
Nice video! I bought a set
1.0 you dont need to paint over mistakes with white, you just wipe it off with water. how do you fix cracks?
Im paintig right now with 2.0 Speed Paint Pastel Yellow, and wow i almost could buy a cheap Shade an put a little bit Paint in it.
Its way to thin for "Speed Paint" i would need like 4 Layers to achieve a decent Base Coat.
Yeah the Pastel Speedpaints work a bit differently, they are designed to be soft and have a lot of white pigment in them.
I recently purchased speed paint 2.0 mega.
Seems seems like not all of them is labeled 2.0? And also missing the generic name..
Is that normal?
Yeah, the first bunch of labels they printed were the old design, they'll update the labels for future production runs.
Its a features i loved very much
Great review, one of the best I've seen.
Really looking forward to the purples and pink
Has anyone had experience using Army Painter on Lego? Will it stick (assuming the pieces have been cleaned with alcohol)? If so, any tips? If Lego can be painted with this stuff, should I get the original or the 2.0?) Thanks!!!
What really matters is how you prime. You'll want a proper plastic primer and even then be realistic (they'll chip too easily to build / play with)
Can goober town and Dana Howl actually paint well?
again, brilliant assessment. Danke Stahly!!! "these are........ something" hahaha, laughing hard. Can totally understand the feeling ^^
I am not to keen on the speedpaints only being available in sets, thus limiting my choice of colours. So I'll risk ending up with surplus bottles that will never be used.
I believe singles will be out soon!
Good for them. Paint is paint tho. Paint that reactivates is easy to find elsewhere.
they are cracking in our case ... a lot ... any ideas how to fix this. Primer a problem ?
Likely. What are you using?
@@stahly_taleofpainters we used some GW primer - old ones. Now I ordered Army painter primer (a darker grey + white). But the most problem was with an valejo color over the primer and then the speed paint on top. So we maybe have to stick with warpaints fanatics + speedpaints and throw out our old paints from 7 years ago. We just getting back into the hobby....
Title seems pretty unreasonable bordering on clickbait. They absolutely did fix them.
@Stahly_taleofpainters Much appreciated, very informative review! I rather enjoy your unbiased approach of the differences between their v1 and v2 speedpaints.
To @TheArmyPainter, I could see some of these reviews and considerations of various painters, as a way of ReBranding the v1 for painters that understand and like to utilize the reactivations of v1. I can see how there are many more modellers/gamers that would prefer v2 moreso than v1.
As for speedpaint 1.0 & 2.0, I see it as a style of paint that can lend its capabilities to a much broader audience than just favoring one side of the masses.
What an honest and fair review. Great content
awesome video. small suggestion: your english is amazing but you stress the "Vs" like "Ws" when you speak. I would suggest working on those since they are very prominent :D
Very nice review, thanks for the great overview! Mach weiter so 👌
For me the reactivation was a problem.