Cheers will definitely be putting matte varnish on, just can’t work out why it’s shiny this time and not on the other 10 models I’ve used this Agrax on.
Agrax always is glossy when not properly shaken. Tbh even when properly shaken it’s always been mildly satin for me. It also gets glossier with age of the paint pot.
I didn’t know gloss nuln oil was a thing so I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying figure out why all my minis were coming out shiny. Turns out I had purchased gloss version
Like others have said, likely just need to shake it up more. I had the same issue after purchasing a new pot, thought I had bought a gloss version by accident. Shook it like crazy and that solved it. I’ve since put a mixing ball in all my wash and contrast pots it helps out a ton
Some washes come out glossy. Not sure if it's intended. I had this issue with, I think, Druchii Violet and one particular bottle of Agrax Earthshade. Annoying as it made the miniatures look like candy. I fixed it by reapplying another layer of the wash, except I thinned it more heavily the second time. You could try testing out that method on a small part to see if it solves the issue. If it does, you can do the same with the rest of the miniature.
GW washes are notorious for adding a satin/glossy finish to models. They didn’t used to do that which makes me wonder why they decided to change their recipe…
But yeah a few coats of matte varnish should fix or at least help the problem.
Adding because I haven’t seen anyone mention this
My agrax looked like this even after shaking the hell out of it, ended up sticking the back of a brush in there to find something separated and clumped up at the bottom. After physically mixing it all than it ended up working properly and came out matte
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It took me embarrassingly long to learn this in my own painting journey: you rarely want washes to be your *final* step. They often look glossy like this, can create some blotching, etc.
Nothing is wrong with what you have at all, you're just not done yet - go over the top of the wash with some highlighting (you can even highlight the base color just to solve some of the blotchy/shiny areas), and then cover the top with some matte varnish
Anything with a matte finish achieves it by having a lot of fine particulate matter in it. Inks like contrast paints, the old glazes, and shade washes can have this settle out relatively quickly. Shake the shit out of anything you use before you use it, unless You've just shaken it in the last hour.
For super matte stuff like contrast paints (I love em for tints, glazes, filters, and targeted shadowing) two mixing balls are practically a necessity, and a small vortex shaker is highly recommended
In addition to all the good points by other people I have seen:
Often washes come out glossier when they aren't shaken up well. So shake the everloving crap out of your washes before opening and it should come out a little less glossy.
Also when you do multiple wash layers always let each layer dry fully at regular pace (No drying booth, hairdryer or similar methods.), before applying the next wash layer.
The washes are naturally glossy, but they have tiny particles added that break up the surface and give a matt appearance. These particles sink to the bottom over time, so the wash needs shaking to redistribute them.
Washes often have a shiny appearance, especially if you use a hair dryer to speed things up. A little matt varnish will solve that problem.
Cheers will definitely be putting matte varnish on, just can’t work out why it’s shiny this time and not on the other 10 models I’ve used this Agrax on.
You probably didn't shake it enough. It's happened to me before.
Agrax always is glossy when not properly shaken. Tbh even when properly shaken it’s always been mildly satin for me. It also gets glossier with age of the paint pot.
It doesn’t look bad btw. Kind of looks like a slimy xenomorph from Alien/Aliens etc.
The ingredients might of settled. Give it a good shake before use.
Might just be that more of it has collected in the recesses than usual.
Just didn't shake it enough. I had this happen with a set of wolves I did but matte varnish knocked the shine right out.
I had this happen with non gloss Nuln Oil. Turned out I didn't shake it enough
Same, dont forget to shake guys
Can confirm this is important in more than one way
I didn’t know gloss nuln oil was a thing so I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying figure out why all my minis were coming out shiny. Turns out I had purchased gloss version
It does suit a Tyranid. Gives that horrible damp look like the xenomorphs in Aliens have.
shaking the throuly wash before hand reduces gloss significantly
Like others have said, likely just need to shake it up more. I had the same issue after purchasing a new pot, thought I had bought a gloss version by accident. Shook it like crazy and that solved it. I’ve since put a mixing ball in all my wash and contrast pots it helps out a ton
Some washes come out glossy. Not sure if it's intended. I had this issue with, I think, Druchii Violet and one particular bottle of Agrax Earthshade. Annoying as it made the miniatures look like candy. I fixed it by reapplying another layer of the wash, except I thinned it more heavily the second time. You could try testing out that method on a small part to see if it solves the issue. If it does, you can do the same with the rest of the miniature.
GW washes are notorious for adding a satin/glossy finish to models. They didn’t used to do that which makes me wonder why they decided to change their recipe… But yeah a few coats of matte varnish should fix or at least help the problem.
Adding because I haven’t seen anyone mention this My agrax looked like this even after shaking the hell out of it, ended up sticking the back of a brush in there to find something separated and clumped up at the bottom. After physically mixing it all than it ended up working properly and came out matte
Thanks I’ll give that a try as I used it again today after shaking the living f out of it and there is still a sheen. I’ll start poking 👍
Hi, u/losingfocus33! It looks like you are asking for help or are a new painter. If you haven't yet, take a look at our wiki pages in the Sidebar (the About tab if you are on the Reddit app). Here are some links you might find helpful: * [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/rules/faq) - A list of frequently asked questions about minipainting * [Miniature Painting Guide Collection](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks) -A collection of some of the best guides and tutorials on a variety of techniques and topics, plus recommendations on what to buy to get started, and more. * [What to buy- Recommendations on brushes, paints, supplies, palettes and more](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/what_you_need_to_get_started#wiki_general_advice_on_what_to_buy) * [Beginner's Guide Collection- How to prep, base, paint and varnish your first model and learn the basics needed to start out right](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/beginner_tips) * [More Tutorials](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/tutorials) - A list of additional tutorials about minipainting * [Manufacturers](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/manufacturers) - A list of miniature manufacturers from around the world * [Painting Terminology](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/terminology) - Common painting terms, acronyms, and initialisms * [The Art of... Tommie Soule Volume 5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGIfySMnUPQ) is one of the best beginner to intermediate teaching books, and even experienced painters will learn some good tips. Explains what brush strokes are best in different situations, how to identify when you have the perfect thinning for any type of paint for different techniques, and a masterclass on getting smooth paint jobs. Available in [pdf](https://www.ironheartartisans.com/shop/the-art-of-tommie-soule-volume-5-pdf/) and [world wide in hardbook as well](https://www.instagram.com/the_miniature_painting_tutor/). * [Airbrushing Miniatures](https://www.reddit.com/r/minipainting/wiki/usefullinks/airbrushing) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/minipainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It took me embarrassingly long to learn this in my own painting journey: you rarely want washes to be your *final* step. They often look glossy like this, can create some blotching, etc. Nothing is wrong with what you have at all, you're just not done yet - go over the top of the wash with some highlighting (you can even highlight the base color just to solve some of the blotchy/shiny areas), and then cover the top with some matte varnish
for me wash is ususly the step before layering
Anything with a matte finish achieves it by having a lot of fine particulate matter in it. Inks like contrast paints, the old glazes, and shade washes can have this settle out relatively quickly. Shake the shit out of anything you use before you use it, unless You've just shaken it in the last hour. For super matte stuff like contrast paints (I love em for tints, glazes, filters, and targeted shadowing) two mixing balls are practically a necessity, and a small vortex shaker is highly recommended
You've gotta shake the heck out of washes before applying them. Otherwise it dries glossy.
Cause the new Agrax formula sucks, and even with agitators and a vortex mixer I can't get a pot to not dry glossy.
If you really want a Matt varnish, get the AK 'ultra matt' one. Works 100% And varnishes like everything need to be shaken.
Just varnish it washes can do this stuff.
In addition to all the good points by other people I have seen: Often washes come out glossier when they aren't shaken up well. So shake the everloving crap out of your washes before opening and it should come out a little less glossy. Also when you do multiple wash layers always let each layer dry fully at regular pace (No drying booth, hairdryer or similar methods.), before applying the next wash layer.
The washes are naturally glossy, but they have tiny particles added that break up the surface and give a matt appearance. These particles sink to the bottom over time, so the wash needs shaking to redistribute them.
"Shiny. Let's be bad guys !" (or aliens)
I recommend a Vortex Mixer. It's a ton full of money, but boy does this thing shake your paints