Dur Colour Tranparent Colour

What it is

A modeling paint from Heki, from the Dur Colour range, in a transparent version. Unlike an opaque paint it does not hide what lies beneath it: the surface underneath stays visible and the coat only softens, subdues or deepens it. The volume of the package and the way it is thinned are stated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

What a transparent paint is good for

A transparent coat is a tool for fine tuning, not for the first layer. It comes into its own wherever you want to change something without losing the detail underneath: to unify two shades that do not sit well side by side, to subdue a surface that is too loud, to deepen the shadow in the recesses of a relief, or to give a finished scene a layer that ties the individual parts together. Because the effect adds up with every coat, the result can be dosed far more finely than with an opaque paint.

How to work with the paint

• Shake the bottle thoroughly before use, otherwise the settled pigment stays at the bottom.
• Apply thin coats and let each one dry; the strength of the finish is controlled by the number of coats, not by their thickness.
• On an absorbent surface the paint comes out stronger than you expect, so start with a smaller amount.
• Try the effect first on an offcut of the same material, especially on foam surfaces.
• Wash the tools right after work; dried paint is considerably harder to get out of a brush.
• Close the bottle carefully after use, otherwise the paint thickens in an open container.

Terms of supply

The paint alone is supplied. The model, a brush, thinner and varnish are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.