Micro-Mark Basic Acrylic Paint Set – Color Use, Tips Guide, Mixing Guide, and FAQs
Perfect for miniatures, models, terrain, and diorama builders, Item #29269.
The Micro-Mark Basic Acrylic Paint Set is the best-selling set in the Micro-Mark paint line. The reason is because it includes 16 basic and primary colors making it versatile for almost any projects. We will describe the colors and give some idea of where to use them. We also will provide some questions and answers ranging from beginners to experts. Finally, we provide a mixing ratio guide to create 50 other colors.
29278 Micro-Mark White Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Snow, armor trim, cloth, magical effects
- Tips: Ideal for mixing and edge highlights.
29279 Micro-Mark Black Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Shadows, weapons, tires, base coating
- Tips: Layer with gray for highlights. Great as a primer alternative for darker tones.
29280 Micro-Mark Medium Gray Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Concrete, stone, fatigues, mechanical parts
- Tips: Drybrush over black for subtle highlight. A strong neutral undercoat.
29281 Micro-Mark Grass Green Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Foliage, military uniforms, fantasy creatures
- Tips: Mix with Buff for realistic earth tones. Excellent for nature bases.
29282 Micro-Mark Buff Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Wood grain, bone, desert terrain
- Tips: Perfect drybrush highlight over browns. Great for aged or natural effects.
29283 Micro-Mark Light Skin Tone Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Human miniatures, elves, exposed skin
- Tips: Apply over white for better coverage. Shade with brown washes for realism.
29284 Micro-Mark Sky Blue Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Skies, magical effects, armor, water
- Tips: Highlight with white for glowing effects. Great over silver or gray bases.
29285 Micro-Mark Orange Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Flames, jumpsuits, hazard stripes
- Tips: Use over yellow or buff for vibrancy. Highlight with lemon yellow.
29286 Micro-Mark Olive Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Military models, reptile skin, camouflage
- Tips: Blend with Buff or Grass Green for added realism. Great for vehicles and fatigues.
29287 Micro-Mark Flat Brown Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Leather, wood, belts, pouches
- Tips: Highlight with Buff or Tan. Basecoat for weathered or rustic effects.
29288 Micro-Mark Flat Red Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Capes, banners, insignias
- Tips: Build up layers for richness. Highlight with orange or buff.
29289 Micro-Mark Flat Blue Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Armor, robes, deep skies
- Tips: Highlight with Sky Blue. Works beautifully for sci-fi or fantasy themes.
29290 Micro-Mark Lemon Yellow Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Energy effects, armor trim, warning signs
- Tips: Apply over white primer. Highlight with white or mix with orange.
29291 Micro-Mark Yellow Ochre
- Use it for: Rope, dirt, aged parchment
- Tips: Natural color for terrain and gear. Mix with brown for deeper shadows.
29292 Micro-Mark Rust Oxide Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Corrosion, weathered metal, pipes
- Tips: Sponge over metallics for rust effects. Mix with brown or black for aging.
29293 Micro-Mark Purple Acrylic Paint 20 ml
- Use it for: Magical elements, monsters, royal cloaks
- Tips: Highlight with white for lavender tones. Pairs well with yellow for contrast
29295 Micro-Mark Acrylic Paint cleaner 20 ml
· Use it for: Cleaning brushes, airbrushes, and ultrasonic cleaners. High-strength and without ammonia, bleach, or phosphates. Made in the USA
· Tips: Clean Immediately: soak brush bristles, scrub gently, and rinse. Flush the airbrush right after use to avoid drying inside the nozzle or passages
· Also available in an 8 oz bottle Item #29266
29294 Micro-Mark Acrylic Paint Thinner 20 ml
· Use it for: Reduce brush marks and clumping of paint. Eyedropper tip for precision drops
· Tips: Start with a 10 one paint to thinner at first and test
· Also available in an 8 oz bottle Item #29277
Modelers Love Micro-Mark Basic Acrylic Paint Brush Set
- Smooth brush and airbrush performance
- Water-based, low odor, easy cleanup
- Made in the USA – consistent quality
- Perfect for beginners and experts
- Pairs with Micro-Mark primers, thinners, and cleaners
FAQs for Beginners, Moderate Level Users, and Experts
Beginner-Level FAQs
1. What is included in this paint set?
Answer: The set includes 16 acrylic colors in 20 ml bottles, plus a thinner and a cleaner. It’s everything you need to get started with figure or model painting.
2. Can I use the paints right out of the bottle?
Answer: Yes! You can brush them straight from the bottle. Shake well before use. For smoother results, you can optionally add a few drops of thinner.
3. Do I need to use a primer before painting?
Answer: It's recommended. Using Micro-Mark White, Gray, or Black primer helps the paint stick better and makes colors more vibrant.
4. How do I clean my brushes after painting?
Answer: Use warm water and the included Micro-Mark Acrylic Paint Cleaner to rinse your brushes thoroughly. Always reshape the bristles after cleaning.
5. What surfaces can I paint on?
Answer: These paints work on plastic, resin, metal, foam, and wood—ideal for miniatures, scale models, terrain, and dioramas.
6. How long does it take for the paint to dry?
Answer: Paints are typically touch-dry in 15–30 minutes and fully cured in 24 hours. You can apply additional coats after 1 hour.
7. Is this paint safe to use indoors?
Answer: Yes! Micro-Mark acrylics are water-based, low-odor, and non-toxic—perfect for indoor and family-friendly use.
Moderate-Level FAQs
1. What’s the best thinner-to-paint ratio for smooth brushing?
Answer: Start with a 10:1 paint-to-thinner ratio. Add more thinner for blending or glazing techniques.
2. Can I use this paint in an airbrush?
Answer: Yes. Start by mix the paint with 20% Micro-Mark Airbrush Thinner and spray at 20–25 PSI. Apply in thin layers for the best finish. You can use with any airbrush including Micro-Mark’s Mini Airbrush Item #89747
3. Can I mix colors to make custom shades?
Answer: Absolutely. All colors in the set are intermixable. Use a palette or wet palette for custom blends like olive, peach, or turquoise.
4. How do I clean an airbrush after using these paints?
Answer: Flush with Micro-Mark Acrylic Cleaner immediately after painting. For deeper cleaning, disassemble and soak parts before rinsing.
5. What’s the difference between Buff, Tan, and Light Skin Tone?
Answer: Buff is a light yellowish-tan great for parchment or bone; Tan is browner and good for terrain or leather; Light Skin Tone is ideal for figure painting.
6. How can I reduce brush marks?
Answer: Thin the paint slightly, use high-quality synthetic brushes, and apply multiple thin coats instead of one thick layer.
7. Will these paints work on 3D printed models?
Answer: Yes, they work well on 3D prints, especially when you prime first. Use light coats to preserve detail.
Expert-Level FAQs (7 Questions)
1. Can I use these paints for zenithal highlighting?
Answer: Yes. Prime in black, then spray white from above. Apply thinned Micro-Mark acrylics as glazes to preserve light and shadow contrast. Micro-Mark paints will work with virtually any water-based acrylic paint primers. Micro-Mark’s White Primer is Item #29272, Gray Primer is Item #29271, and Black Primer is Item #29273
2. How do these compare in pigment load to Vallejo or Citadel paints?
Answer: Micro-Mark paints have strong pigment load, similar to Vallejo. They dry slightly slower than Citadel, allowing more working time and easier blending.
3. Can I replicate specific Citadel or Vallejo shades with this set?
Answer: Yes, through color mixing. For example, mix Sky Blue + Lemon Yellow for a bright turquoise or Buff + Flat Red for salmon tones.
4. How thin should my layers be to preserve miniature detail?
Answer: Aim for ultra-thin coats—20–30 microns max. Thin with water or acrylic thinner and use multiple layers.
5. Can I use flow improver with these paints?
Answer: Yes. Micro-Mark Flow Improver extends open time and enhances detail brushing or glazing techniques.
6. How does the finish behave under varnish?
Answer: The paints dry matte to satin. You can adjust finish with matte, satin, or gloss clear coats depending on your needs.
7. Are they suitable for wet blending or advanced layering?
Answer: Definitely. Their open time and consistency support both techniques. For best results, thin slightly and work in controlled humidity.
Mixing Colors to make New Colors
The 16 colors of the Micro-Mark Basic Set can be mixed to create many other colors. Below are 50 additional colors and the mixture ratios using the Basic Set.
Micro-Mark has 20 ml empty bottles with precision emitter tips that can be used to store mixed paint.
