Vallejo Polished Gold vs Glorious Gold: A Comparative Analysis
When it comes to choosing the perfect gold paint for your miniature figures or hobby projects, two names often rise to the top of the list: Vallejo Polished Gold and Citadel's Glorious Gold. Both are highly regarded in the hobby community, but which one should you choose? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding the Basics
Before we delve into the details, let's quickly understand what these paints are. Vallejo Polished Gold is a metallic gold paint from Vallejo's Game Color range, designed for wargaming and hobby figures. On the other hand, Glorious Gold is a part of Citadel's Paint range by Games Workshop, intended for tabletop gaming and hobby projects.
Color and Shade
One of the primary differences between the two lies in their color and shade. Vallejo Polished Gold offers a bright, almost yellow-gold hue, which is perfect for representing ancient gold or gold in a fantasy setting. It's a vibrant and eye-catching color that can make your models stand out.
Glorious Gold, however, provides a more traditional, slightly darker gold shade. It's closer to the color of real-world gold, making it an excellent choice for historical figures or models where a more realistic gold is desired.
Coverage and Consistency
Both paints offer excellent coverage, but they have slight differences in consistency. Vallejo Polished Gold has a slightly thinner consistency, which can make it easier to control and apply in thin layers. This is particularly useful for drybrushing or when you want to create a smooth, even coat.
Glorious Gold, on the other hand, has a slightly thicker consistency. This can make it easier to cover large areas quickly, but it might require a bit more thinning for certain techniques. However, it's still highly versatile and easy to work with.
Metallic Finish
Both paints offer a high-quality metallic finish, but they have a slight difference in the intensity of the metallic effect. Vallejo Polished Gold provides a more intense, almost sparkling metallic finish. This can make your models look like they're made of solid gold, which is great for fantasy or science fiction figures.
Glorious Gold offers a more subtle metallic finish. It's still highly reflective, but it's not as intense as Vallejo's offering. This can be beneficial when you want a more realistic gold finish or when you're using gold as an accent color rather than the main color of your model.
Compatibility and Cleaning
Both Vallejo and Citadel paints are water-based, making them compatible with each other and easy to clean up with just water. However, Vallejo paints are known for their versatility and can be used with both brushes and airbrushes, while Citadel paints are designed to be used with both brushes and the Citadel Air range of airbrushes.
Price and Availability
The price and availability of these paints can vary depending on your location and where you're buying from. However, both Vallejo and Citadel paints are widely available and offer excellent value for money. Vallejo paints are often slightly cheaper, while Citadel paints are known for their high quality and consistency.
Which One to Choose?
Choosing between Vallejo Polished Gold and Glorious Gold ultimately depends on your project's needs. If you're looking for a vibrant, fantasy gold, Vallejo Polished Gold might be the better choice. If you're looking for a more realistic, traditional gold, Glorious Gold would be the way to go.
However, there's no harm in having both in your paint collection. They can be used together to create unique effects, and they're both excellent paints in their own right. So, why not try them both and see which one you prefer?
Happy painting!