Vallejo Game Ink Review

A paint review by Daclaud Lee.

Vallejo Game Ink paint set

Vallejo Game Ink is a premium line of highly pigmented, water-based inks designed specifically for miniature painting, including Warhammer, D&D, and other tabletop miniatures. These inks are perfect for enhancing details, adding vibrant colors, and creating smooth transitions or washes. They are highly regarded by both beginner and professional painters for their versatility and ease of use.

No, Vallejo didn’t pay me to write this, and I don’t even sell their products on my website. This is an honest review of my experience with Vallejo Game Ink and what I thought about it. All of the photos are real results using the products that I purchased with my own money.

My Experience with Vallejo Game Inks for Skin Shading and Washes

I recently had the chance to experiment with Vallejo Game Inks, and I was genuinely impressed with how they performed for shading and washes and the results were fantastic. The ink brought a rich depth to the miniature, making the miniatures stand out in a way that felt dynamic and lifelike.

Check out my review of Vallejo Game Color Extra Opaque Paints.

What I appreciated most was how smoothly the ink flowed into the recesses, creating natural shadows with minimal effort. Even without adding highlights, the contrast and definition were striking. I can only imagine how much better the miniature will look once I add a layer of highlights to really bring out the details.

Overall, Vallejo Game Inks delivered excellent results, especially for creating that extra “pop” in the shading process. If you’re looking to enhance your miniatures with vibrant washes, this combination is definitely worth a try!

Painting Pig Orcs: Vallejo Skin Wash Over Heavy Skintone

When it comes to painting Pig Orcs, I wanted their skin tone to reflect a raw, fleshy aesthetic with a slightly grotesque yet vibrant appeal. I started with Vallejo Heavy Skintone as my base coat. This Extra Opaque color provided excellent coverage with just one or two thin layers. The shade itself had just the right level of warmth to suggest orcish skin while giving me a versatile surface for washes.

Once the base coat dried, I applied Vallejo Game Ink Skin Wash over the top. This wash worked beautifully, flowing into the crevices and recesses of the Pig Orc’s muscles and facial details. The ink added a rich depth, giving the skin a dynamic and shadowed appearance without overwhelming the base color.

The result was surprisingly effective—fleshy tones with dark, almost bruised undertones, giving the Pig Orcs a menacing and grotesque aesthetic. While I haven’t added highlights to these miniatures yet, I can already tell that a layer of lighter highlights on raised areas will make the skin pop even more.

Painting Green Orcs: Vallejo Green Ink Over Heavy Khaki

For my traditional green-skinned Orcs, I took a slightly different approach to achieve a vibrant and earthy tone. I began with Vallejo Heavy Khaki as the base coat. The slight greenish tint in this color made it a fantastic foundation for orc skin, especially for those wanting a more muted, natural tone compared to bright, cartoony greens.

After the base coat, I applied Vallejo Game Ink Green liberally over the miniature. The green ink deepened the greenish undertones of the Heavy Khaki while adding a glossy, richer hue that made the skin look dynamic and lifelike. The wash settled into the grooves, accentuating the musculature of my Orc Crossbowmen (from Rudlug’s Armored Orcs in the Dogs of War set) and giving them that rugged, battle-hardened appearance.

I particularly loved how the ink transformed the Heavy Khaki base into something more vibrant and sinister. While still in its early stages (no highlights added yet), I can already see how layering a lighter green on the edges of muscles and facial features will create a stunning effect.

Warhammer Orcs with Pig head conversions. Skin Tone

This is an example of skin shading using Vallejo Game Ink. The are Orcs from the Warhammer 6th edition boxed set as well as some Orc Boyz with conversions using the Pig Orc heads by Puppetswar Miniatures.

Colors Used: Vallejo Game Color Heavy Skintone and Vallejo Game Inks Skin Wash 

Rudlug's Armored Orcs painted with Vallejo Extra Opaque paint and Game color inks

With Rudlug’s Armored Orcs, I used Vallejo Heavy Khaki as the base coat and then gave them a wash of Vallejo Game Ink Green.

Features of Vallejo Game Ink:

  • High Pigmentation: Delivers vibrant, intense colors with just a small amount of product.
  • Translucent Formula: Perfect for glazing, washes, or enhancing details without obscuring the underlying base colors.
  • Water-Based: Easy to thin with water or acrylic medium for various techniques.
  • Wide Color Range: Includes bright primary colors, earth tones, and black for mixing or shading.
  • Fast Drying: Ensures quick layering without smudging previous coats.
  • Satin Finish: Provides a slight sheen that adds depth to miniatures.
  • Dropper Bottles: Convenient for precise dispensing, minimizing waste.
  • Compatible with Other Paints: Can be mixed with Vallejo paints or other acrylic brands for custom effects.
  • Non-Toxic and Odorless: Safe for extended use in indoor environments.
  • Ideal for Effects: Great for creating shadows, highlights, and special effects like glowing or bloodstains.

Pros of Vallejo Game Ink:

  • Versatility: Suitable for shading, washing, glazing, or even airbrushing when properly thinned.
  • Easy Application: Flows smoothly into recessed areas for effortless detail enhancement.
  • Vibrant Colors: Adds life and dimension to miniatures with bright, intense tones.
  • Blending Capability: Makes blending and transitioning colors seamless for advanced techniques.
  • Durability: Once sealed, the inks provide a durable finish that resists wear.

Cons of Vallejo Game Ink:

  • Requires Practice: Beginners might need time to master the translucent and flowy nature of inks.
  • Potential for Overuse: Can easily flood recessed areas if not applied sparingly or controlled.
  • Shiny Finish on Some Colors: Certain inks might appear shinier than desired, requiring matte varnish to tone down.
  • Thinning Required: For certain effects, additional thinning may be necessary, which can be tricky for new users.
  • Not Enough Color Variety: Of the 8 colors, most painters will really only be using the Skin Wash and the Black Ink mostly and the other colors depending on the situation (such as Green Ink for the Orc flesh wash). I really don’t see much use for the yellow ink, as a darker sepia tone would have been a better alternative to a yellow ink. Although this is more of a subjective complaint more than anything. 

Concluding Thoughts About Vallejo Game Ink

Vallejo Game Ink is an indispensable tool for miniature painters looking to enhance their craft. With vibrant colors, smooth application, and versatile uses, it’s ideal for glazing, shading, and adding striking effects. While it may require a bit of practice to master, the results are well worth it. For those seeking to elevate their miniature painting, Vallejo Game Ink offers an excellent balance of quality at a premium cost. In spite of the higher cost, you do get what you pay for (in a good way) and I think Vallejo Game Ink is worth the higher cost.