Compatibility Test between AK Interactive and Tamiya Acrylics - A "Highball" Experiment

In early May, I ran an experiment to test the compatibility of Tamiya acrylics with AK Interactive’s 3Gen and Quick Gen paints. It led to some interesting discoveries, which I'd like to share with you.

Tamiya acrylics have been a market staple since the 1980s, yet they’ve always been notoriously difficult to brush paint—mainly because a second coat usually strips the first. Using AK Interactive 3rd Gen Thinner (AK11500) completely solves this. It thins the paint beautifully while subduing its corrosive properties, enabling seamless layering over previous coats.

Pair that with using AK’s Ultra Matt Varnish as a medium to boost translucency and eliminate watermarks, and the workflow transforms entirely. This discovery has allowed me to yield better results in a fraction of the time.

The test subject is a 1/35 scale figure from Tamiya's German Infantry Set (Mid-WWII, item 35371). The figure was primed using AK Interactive’s Real Colors lacquer-based Flat Varnish (RC801) to create a porous tooth without adding unnecessary paint thickness.

• Tunic: Undercoated with Tamiya XF-65 Field Grey. Shading was done with Quick Gen Field Grey (AK17072) thinned with 3rd Gen Thinner. Highlights were applied using a mix of XF-65 Field Grey and Ivory (AK11004), thinned with Ultra Matt Varnish (AK11252).

• Trousers: Undercoated with Tamiya XF-63 German Grey. Shaded with Quick Gen (AK17071), and highlighted with a mixture of XF-63 and Ivory (AK11004) thinned with Ultra Matt Varnish (AK11252).

• Helmet: Undercoated with a 3:2 mix of XF-63 German Grey and XF-65 Field Grey.

• Collar: Undercoated with XF-61 Dark Green and shaded with Quick Gen Space Dark Green (AK17019).

• Webbing & Ammo Pouches: Undercoated with Tenebrous Grey (AK11026) and shaded using Quick Gen Black (AK17047).

I will elaborate on the painting of the web equipment on the next update, so stay tuned.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - Panzerschütze, LSSAH, Kursk 1943 - 2

 Coming soon from Alpine Miniatures. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Tamiya 1/35 scale U.S. Combat Group Set

Here is a long overdue update on this figure that was completed back in April. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Dynamo Models - SS-s Pz.Abt., 101 Normandy, 1944

After some unforeseen delay, I finally managed to complete the final figure from this set. 

The set provides six additional heads to choose from, making it an excellent value for any modeller wishing to recreate this iconic subject. These are painted using AK 17526 Painting Skin Tones - Made Easy by Calvin Tan. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Tamiya - US Combat Group Set

Old but Gold: This is a vintage Tamiya figure from 1975. Just for fun, I am painting this one straight from the box and directly on the sprue! To ensure the best adhesion on the vintage plastic, I’ve applied a flat varnish base followed by AK 3rd Gen and Quick Gen acrylics.

Cheers,

Calvin

红色娘子军 - 中国工农红军第二独立师女子军特务连

One more evening spent deepening the shadows with AK Interactive's new Acrylic Washes. I'm seriously impressed—the flow is perfect for glazing straight from the bottle. No thinning, no fuss, just great results in record time before the Mrs. gets jealous. 😝

Cheers,

Calvin

红色娘子军 - 中国工农红军第二独立师女子军特务连

Here’s something a little different for me: a 1/10 scale bust from MD Models. The subject represents the Women's Special Service Company of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (中国工农红军第二独立师女子军特务连) during the Sino-Japanese War.

The painting process was fairly simple. I achieved the smooth skin tones by brush, using AK Ultra Matt Varnish as a medium and 3Gen thinner for dilution. It took about three evenings from start to finish—a fun, easy exercise that I’d highly recommend.