AK 3rd Generation is the third generation of water-based acrylics from the Spanish maker AK Interactive – matt acrylics made for figures, busts and plastic model kits. Compared with the older ranges they use more finely milled pigments, cover better and thin more predictably, so they work equally well by brush and through an airbrush.

What the range covers

• Standard (orange circle on the label) – the core of the range, over 180 shades from flesh tones through earths to uniform colours.
• Intense (yellow circle) – shades with higher pigment purity and concentration; more saturated and better covering, such as White or Deep Red.
• Color Punch – ten ultra-pigmented shades that keep their strength through thinning and mixing, such as Sun Red and King Purple.
• Pastel – muted light shades for delicate clothing and cool highlights.
• Metallic (dark blue circle) – ultra-fine pigment metallics that read as metal on a figure rather than as glitter.
• Ink (light blue circle) – thin acrylic inks that flow into recesses on their own and shade detail in a single pass.
• Auxiliary – the mediums: Retarder, Glaze Medium, Matte Medium, Gloss Medium, Metal Medium and Crackle Medium.

How to choose

For figures it pays to start with the shades you will use on every model: a flesh tone, a brown for leather and wood, a grey and a black for metal and kit. Every area needs at least three tones – shadow, base and highlight – so buying in threes within one colour family makes more sense than picking single shades across the whole palette. For shading, the Ink range is the fastest route; for smooth blends, Retarder and Glaze Medium.

Frequently asked questions

What should I thin these paints with?
An acrylic thinner or Glaze Medium. Plain water thins the binder too – the paint then tidemarks and can be wiped off once dry. AK thinners and varnishes are in the Thinners and Varnishes categories.

Are they suitable for an airbrush?
Yes, once thinned. Metallics and inks need more care – never thin a metallic with water, the pigment will separate.

How do I seal the paint?
With a matt varnish at the end. A matt finish is almost always right on a figure, because shine eats detail.