Cosplay dyeing: What colors can I use?

Things are moving forward. The basic cosplay framework is in place. The work is complete. All the individual parts have been glued together and shaped. The prop looks pretty good so far, albeit still in a rough version – and what's next?

Now you can slowly move on to the next step. Here you'll learn what you absolutely need to do before applying the actual paints .

• Preparing for Cosplay Coloring: Choosing the Right Primer! - Priming Tips

If you haven't thought about priming yet, you should do so now, at the very latest, before you actually start coloring. And once the first few coats of primer have been applied, you can start coloring!

Colors in cosplay: What should I pay attention to?

Everything about cosplay and colors: I'll explain to you here which means you can use, what the differences are, and what else you should keep in mind.

What color should I use for cosplay?

Usually, it's sufficient to choose a regular, water-based acrylic paint . Acrylic paints are great for painting individual cosplay pieces or your props.

And the great thing about acrylic paints is that you decide for yourself which technique you prefer. There are several ways to add color to your cosplay. I recommend taking a look at your own skills and then deciding what works best for you.

Acrylic paints and the good old brush

It's quite simple: You can paint a cosplay the classic way with a brush. Get the appropriate paints and a few brushes in different sizes from your nearest dollar store or trusted online retailer.

Painting with a brush is especially recommended if you are aiming for a certain look that appears more like a brush.

If you don't want to do that at all, you can use the sponge technique instead. Dip a simple sponge into the paint and carefully and slowly smear the EVA foam or other plastic the cosplay is made of with the sponge until everything is covered.

Cosplay coloring by airbrush

The second option is to think a little about the topic of airbrushing and then go in that direction.

An airbrush offers completely different possibilities, as the paint is applied by a blast of air . The diluted acrylic paint therefore doesn't come into contact with any solid material on the blank , which can offer many advantages in the final result.

For one thing, you won't see any brush strokes or other unevenness, if you don't want those "effects" at all. And the spraying process can actually be done quite quickly.

Keep in mind, however: The airbrush technique must be used with the right equipment and the right colors to deliver convincing results. With the right equipment and a little practice, it's not too difficult, but don't expect miracles on your first attempts.

Additionally, the airbrush gun has to be cleaned after spraying , which is quite a laborious process. I'd say airbrushing is n't really suitable for beginners , but practice makes perfect!

Spray cans: Cosplay coloring with sprays

And then there is a third option that works well in practice, and that is coloring with a spray can .

In contrast to the brush technique, spraying has the advantage that it can be done very quickly (similar to airbrushing) once you have prepared your work area accordingly and are ready to go.

All common acrylic paints and acrylic varnishes are also available in spray cans. These cans allow for quick application of the paint thanks to the integrated spray mechanism.

Spraying, however, requires a suitable workspace or spray station where you can work with paint. The simplest option is to use a piece of cardboard as a base and spray outside in the fresh air. However, you should always wear a respirator to avoid inhaling the paint fumes.

Which colors are possible?

If you now have an idea of ​​which direction you want to go, I have put together a small selection of colors that I have already tested and can unconditionally recommend for cosplay.

For working with a brush or sponge , acrylic paints in bulk are ideal, as they save you money in bulk. Look for large 500 ml or 1 liter bottles, for example.

• Acrylic paint from perfect ideaz - 1-liter bottle
• Acrylic paint from perfect ideaz - 12x paint set of 75 ml each
• Acrylic paint from Marabu - 10x paint set of 500 ml each
• Acrylic paint from Ratel - 44x paint set of 60 ml each

I also use acrylic paints from The Army Painter , which offers many sets with very specific shades. This saves you the hassle of mixing the paints.

• The Army Painter Speedpaint Starter Set 2.0 - 10x Colors
• The Army Painter Skin Tones Acrylic Paint Set - 16x Colors
• The Army Painter Metallic Acrylic Paint Set - 8x Metallic Colors

To work with the airbrush gun , you can buy paints that have already been prepared for the airbrush process.

Here I recommend the colors from Vallejo, which, for example, developed the Vallejo Model Air product range especially for airbrush use.

• Vallejo Premium Airbrush - 60 ml bottle (all colors)
• Vallejo Acrylic Paints Model Air in the paint set
• Vallejo Airbrush Thinner (thinner for acrylic paints)
• Vallejo Airbrush Flow Improver
• SigWong Airbrush Colors - 24x Color Set of 20 ml

And then there are the spray cans, which can apply acrylic paint directly to large surfaces. For example, I use the premium paints from edding .

• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - Glossy Black - 200 ml spray can
• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - White glossy - 200 ml spray can
• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - Anthracite matt - 200 ml spray can
• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - Matt Silver - 200 ml spray can
• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - All basic colours - 6x spray can in 200 ml
• edding 5200 Permanent Spray - Pastel Set - 4x spray cans in 200 ml

Keep in mind that it doesn't always have to be expensive. You can also find what you're looking for at your local craft store, where they often have these acrylic paints and spray cans on sale.

Conclusion on cosplay dyeing

Personally, I often use the sponge technique, as it allows me to cover large areas of my armor pieces in a relatively short amount of time. While I have to apply multiple coats, I don't need to go outside if it's raining, for example, or I don't feel like spraying. And when the sun is shining, I like to spray my pieces in the garden. It's quick, and the coverage is excellent.

But what does that tell me? I use multiple techniques, because dyeing individual cosplay pieces or finished props simply offers too many possibilities to ignore. For me, that reflects the hobby as a whole.

And it's wonderful to see that everyone, with their individual abilities, finds a starting point for coloring. So, first, really consider what you're capable of and what techniques you'd like to try.

Here (as so often in life) there are many ways to achieve a goal, and sometimes you don't have to stick to just one option.

If we can help you in any other way at CosplayUp.de , please send us a message and share your experience with us and other cosplay fans!