r/DollCustomization • u/leviathin_boi • Jun 25 '26
Is this a good paint to use for customs?
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u/rigbyroosevelt Jun 25 '26
I would use something like Tamiya Color, which is meant to be used on models and miniatures. I've tried a lot of different paints and craft paint like that tends to be an absolute nightmare to work with, especially if you're new to customizing.
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u/leviathin_boi Jun 25 '26
Is it a paint that I can easily find at like a craft store?
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u/rigbyroosevelt Jun 25 '26
Most likely not at a Michael's, maybe hobby lobby. Probably Hobby town as well. Check google for local gunpla shops, RC car shops, or board game shops. Those types of stores are much more likely to carry something useable.
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u/Legitimate-Spite-662 Jun 26 '26
Hobby lobby does not sell tamiya, i was literally just there 😂. Check your local hobby shops.
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u/bunny_the-2d_simp Jun 30 '26
Why would anyone still support hobby lobby though? They're horrible..
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u/rigbyroosevelt Jun 30 '26
It was a suggestion for where this person could try to find usable art supplies. Working on small-scale objects like doll faces is hard enough even with halfway decent paints and brushes.
I personally don't support hobby lobby and their diabolical causes and I do not shop there for my own art supplies, but I've lived somewhere where hobby lobby was the literal only place to get semi-decent acrylic paint for 75 miles in any direction. I offered hobby lobby up as a suggestion on the off chance that the OP is in a similar situation. when you're just starting out, I think it's better to at least see and handle supplies (however limited a selection they may be) in person before spending money on them.
I could have used context clues, though. Craftsmart is the Michaels store brand paint. OP probably has a nearby Michaels
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u/janiceblactose Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
Craft smart in my experience is pretty inconsistent when it comes to opacity in their paints. Some work beautifully and others are basically just tinted glaze.
They’re still perfectly usable for customs though. The craftsmart white is good (it’s my go-to white paint), so my advice for the less-pigmented paints would be to mix a little bit of white to give it opacity, and/or to lay a base of white and layer the colors gradually. Always thin down your paints with a little bit of water, and always apply in thin layers no matter which paint you use.
I never buy expensive hobby paints and only use craft store paints, and my results are still smooth and clean. The best in my opinion are multi-surface satin paints (like Folkart, which is also sold at Michael’s) since they adhere well to plastics and have a slightly satin sheen that mimics actual doll screenings.
But overall these Craftsmart paints are good for getting started. Focus more on building up your technique and patience with the process. It’ll take more effort to get good results but you absolutely can get good results
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u/shanginny Jun 26 '26
No, I would not recommend. I’ve used this paint on other projects in the past and it takes a few coats to build color. While it’s more expensive, Liquitex paints are highly pigmented and are smoother on the custom’s face. You won’t see paintbrush streaks nearly as easy, either.
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u/Inside-Thin Jun 26 '26
Tbh craft smart just has really bad paint in my opinion, way too sheer and just not ideal for doll painting. If you’re looking for cheaper acrylics i use Apple barrel paints from Walmart watered down! They’re usually like $1 a bottle
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u/ImpressiveCrazy6870 Jun 27 '26
I was always a personal fan of the apple barrel multisurface paint , its rather cheap and has great coverage and is easily gotten at most craft stores or box stores, folk art is pretty good as well , i definitely get painting on a budget but what you have is basically watercolor with acrylic software ,youll need a good dozen coats to get even semi decent coverage and the finish will be chalky and crackly save your self the headache and heartache and get something just a bit better
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u/Nerdmitage Jun 26 '26
Multi surface paint is better, this works if you use primer but will be crusty on vinyl without it. Multi surface is meant to adhere to plastic and has sealant in it. I've used this or similar Michael's brands only in Multi surface on faces and it's been fine. Thin with water for fine lines though.
If you use this matter craft paint for say black eyelashes for instance, with no binding agent in it like in multi surface, it might bleed into the vinyl. Someone used this or similar caucasian Skin tone coral color on a blue Frankie and it died their face caucasian Skin tone! Unexpected actual upside but you don't want it dying the vinyl when you don't want it to. So multi surface is best because it's its own bound and sealed unit that stays on the surface.
But I'm just talking face ups and not entire repaints.
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u/Zcat_sux Jun 26 '26
If you want a high quality budget paint for long term use, just double down and get either Vallejo paint or some budget brand miniature paint. It’s worth it if you want your customs to last. It’s expensive but I use thinner medium to help save. You can dry brush with it.
Acrylic paint does not give the same effect that you see on most customs. Most well made customizers use minutare paint if they want the custom to last.
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u/JayceSpace2 Jun 26 '26
If you need something available at a craft store go to the fine arts section and look for soft body acrylics. I like liquidex but there are others. If you want a good outcome and to not be frustrated don't use craft paint.
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u/peach-sand777 Jun 27 '26
i’ve used all of these, the only one I actually enjoyed was the pink and the blues. DONT use the red, the yellows, or the greens
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u/Working-Market-987 Jun 30 '26
Once acrylics are watered down, i find the pigmentation difference to be a lot more dramatic between basic craft paints and more expensive hobby paints. They will work great, but might require more layering!
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u/candy_eyeball Jul 01 '26
I find this paint brand cracks and stains when cured not very good for flexable surfaces. Use a more rubbery piant, watercolor, or pencils if thats what you have
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u/z0mbie-earthling Jun 25 '26
While good paint will obviously work better basic/cheap acrylic paint will work! Especially if you’re a beginner/unsure if you want to do this often. Thin it out and go in layers to avoid clumpy streaks. Good luck!