I have recently read a statement about a particular air dry paint brand that is boasting that it is the only paint that gives a translucent skin tone. Comparison is being made as a form of promotion with statements like "unlike other paint, air dry paint and off the shelf paint, it is translucent." I want to refute this statement by saying that it IS quite possible to get nice translucent skin tones with several brands of air dry paints made for reborn dolls as well as artist grade paints to which are being referred to as "off the shelf paints". The inability to get a translucent skin tone is both due to user error and choice of paint colors.
To test the above statement, I purchased this new brand of paints called Ultimate Fusion to try for myself. They are very translucent indeed. They are thinned with only water according to their directions. Based on my experience and extensive research, I have found that water breaks down the binders in paints and thus too much water dilution can lead to color fading. Not knowing exactly what is in these or how much binder is in them I cannot say for sure what the max water load limit would be to thin these. I did find issues with the paints not sticking well in spots on the vinyl when unprimed per their instructions. There is also no statement of light fastness testing or guarantee included with the paints.
My first try with these paints did not go so well due to the paints not sticking well and looking blotchy. I tried a 2nd time and was able to produce a nice baby using colors similar to what I would teach in a beginner's class. I did not find the baby to be any more translucent in final product than my other paints I have been using. I have taken these photos to show the comparison. The baby's head and limbs are painted with Ultimate Fusion paints. The belly plate laying next to the kit here was painted solely with RebornFX paints in my summer ID&TS air dry class I taught. As you can see, the two are exactly alike in both coloring and translucency.
What is my final verdict? I would say the Ultimate Fusion paints do not have the test of time by the average user or documented research of permanence available to guarantee their long term durability. Only time will tell about this aspect. They are also very expensive for what you get. They do produce a very translucent finish. They are appealing for the novice/beginner who likes the idea of using only water to mix them up. I did find there can be issues with adhesion at times painting on unprimed vinyl. Their mediums in the kit consisted of BlendFlow which appeared to be a type of retarder/slow dry and Shine Remover which I found made my kit shiny when I applied it all over. I have since learned their Shine Remover is the same product that was sold under the Miracle Blend label for this and I know many had issues with it leaving sheen under that label as well. Overall, I did not prefer these paints. I know many others who are thrilled with them. It is like everything else, a matter of preference and user compatibility.
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