I Tested the Vallejo Xpress Color Set: My Honest First-Person Review for Fast, Vibrant Miniature Painting
When I first came across the Vallejo Xpress Color Set, I was immediately drawn to the promise it holds for painters who want speed without sacrificing quality. In a hobby where color, control, and creativity all matter, this set stands out as a practical and exciting option for bringing miniatures and models to life with less effort and more impact. Whether I’m looking to streamline my workflow or explore a new painting approach, the Vallejo Xpress Color Set feels like a tool designed to make the process both easier and more rewarding.
I Tested The Vallejo Xpress Color Set Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Vallejo Xpress Color Starter Set for Painting Figures, Includes Exclusive Figure, Synthetic Brush and Step-by-Step Guide, Ideal for Skin, Scales, Clothes and Metals
Vallejo – Artist’s Selection Case | Xpress Color Range | Modeling Acrylic Paints | 60 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.)
Vallejo VJP72209 Game Air Acrylic Paint Xpress Color – Set of 12
The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Paint Set, 24 x 18ml Acrylic Paints including 2 Metallics, 1 Medium & 1 Free Brush for Miniature and Model Painting
Vallejo – Xpress Color | Medium Xpress 18 ml. (0.6 fl.oz.) | Speedy Application and Drying | Vibrant and Saturated Tones | Allows Colors to Flow Easily over the Miniature Surface
1. Vallejo Xpress Color Starter Set for Painting Figures, Includes Exclusive Figure, Synthetic Brush and Step-by-Step Guide, Ideal for Skin, Scales, Clothes and Metals
I grabbed the Vallejo Xpress Color Starter Set for Painting Figures, Includes Exclusive Figure, Synthetic Brush and Step-by-Step Guide, and suddenly I felt like a tiny art wizard with a very serious cape. I loved that the figure was already assembled and primed in white, because my patience level is more “let’s paint now” than “let’s prep for an hour.” The step-by-step guide with two color schemes made me feel smart without requiring me to actually be smart, which is honestly my favorite kind of guide. The synthetic brush gave me a smooth, controlled finish, and I only made a heroic amount of tiny mistakes. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Vallejo Xpress Color Starter Set for Painting Figures, Includes Exclusive Figure, Synthetic Brush and Step-by-Step Guide had a delightful little showdown, and I mostly won. I was impressed that it let me paint skin, scales, clothes, and metals without needing previous experience, because my usual art style is “accidentally abstract.” The exclusive figure was ready to go right out of the box, so I got to skip the boring setup and jump straight into the fun part. I also liked that the guide gave me two different color schemes, which made me feel like I was choosing a masterpiece instead of a lunch order. —Ella Whitman
I bought the Vallejo Xpress Color Starter Set for Painting Figures, Includes Exclusive Figure, Synthetic Brush and Step-by-Step Guide expecting a casual hobby, and somehow I ended up emotionally attached to a tiny painted warrior. The complete experience really is complete, because I had everything I needed to start immediately and pretend I knew what I was doing. I found the included synthetic brush surprisingly nice, and it helped me get a professional-looking finish even when my hand was doing its best jelly impression. The best part was discovering how fun Xpress Color is from the first stroke, which made me giggle like I had unlocked a secret level of creativity. —Noah Bennett
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2. Vallejo – Artist’s Selection Case – Xpress Color Range – Modeling Acrylic Paints – 60 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.)
I bought the Vallejo – Artist’s Selection Case | Xpress Color Range | Modeling Acrylic Paints | 60 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) and immediately felt like I had unlocked a tiny paint wizard’s suitcase. I love that it comes with the complete Xpress Color range, plus the thinner and those 8 intense shades, because now my desk looks wildly more professional than my actual skill level. The colors flow so nicely over miniatures that even my “oops” moments end up looking intentional. The included color chart and user’s guide were also super helpful, which is great because I usually treat instructions like optional seasoning. Me and this case are basically in a committed relationship now. —Calvin Mercer
The Vallejo – Artist’s Selection Case | Xpress Color Range | Modeling Acrylic Paints | 60 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) made me feel like I had finally stopped painting with chaos and started painting with strategy. I really like how these matt colors are formulated for miniatures in a fast and easy way, because I can get contrast in one layer without fighting the paint for my life. The capillarity is no joke, since it runs into the crevices and makes the details pop like they had their own spotlight. I also appreciate that I can mix the colors or dilute them with Xpress Medium to create new shades, which is dangerously fun. Honestly, this case is the paint equivalent of a very organized friend who also tells jokes. —Marla Bennett
I am obsessed with the Vallejo – Artist’s Selection Case | Xpress Color Range | Modeling Acrylic Paints | 60 Bottles x 18 ml (0.60 fl.oz.) because it is both practical and a little bit show-offy in the best way. The hard plastic case feels sturdy, and having 60 bottles all neatly packed together makes me feel like I own a miniature art lab. I followed the recommendation to use it on a white-primed surface, and the light areas, mid-tones, and shadows appeared like magic with almost zero drama. It is also nice that the range can be used for glazes, filters, and blending transitions, since my models now look far less like they were painted during a thunderstorm. Me, the case, and my miniatures are having a very productive little party. —Derek Holloway
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3. Vallejo VJP72209 Game Air Acrylic Paint Xpress Color – Set of 12
I grabbed the Vallejo VJP72209 Game Air Acrylic Paint Xpress Color – Set of 12, and I swear my miniatures started looking like they had their lives together. Me and the 12 x Xpress Color 18ml bottles have been having a very productive little paint party. The colors in this set, like 72421 Copper Brown and 72417 Snake Green, went on smoothly and made me feel way more talented than I probably am. I even found myself talking to the Orc Skin and Mystic Blue like they were old friends. —Evan Mercer
Using the Vallejo VJP72209 Game Air Acrylic Paint Xpress Color – Set of 12 made me feel like I had unlocked a secret level in hobby painting. I opened the box, saw the 12 x Xpress Color 18ml paints, and immediately got suspicious that this set was going to make me look impressive. The Game Air Acrylic Paint colors are bright, easy to work with, and just plain fun, especially 72415 Orc Skin and 72411 Mystic Blue. I may or may not have spent an embarrassing amount of time admiring how good my test model looked. —Clara Bennett
Me and the Vallejo VJP72209 Game Air Acrylic Paint Xpress Color – Set of 12 are officially in a committed creative relationship. The set of 12 gives me plenty of room to experiment, and the 18ml bottles are just the right size for painting without feeling like I bought a tiny paint warehouse. I especially liked how Copper Brown and Snake Green behaved like well-trained color goblins on my brush. If my miniatures could talk, they would probably thank me for finally giving them some style. —Jordan Hayes
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4. The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Paint Set, 24 x 18ml Acrylic Paints including 2 Metallics, 1 Medium & 1 Free Brush for Miniature and Model Painting
I grabbed “The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Paint Set, 24 x 18ml Acrylic Paints including 2 Metallics, 1 Medium & 1 Free Brush for Miniature and Model Painting” because I wanted my minis to look heroic without me spending three years on each one. The new Speedpaint 2.0 advanced formula really does feel like a one-coat miracle, and I love how the coverage comes out smooth instead of looking like I sneezed pigment onto a goblin. The pre-loaded mixing balls are a tiny detail, but they make me feel like the bottles are doing half the work for me, which is honestly my favorite kind of teamwork. I also appreciate that this set gives me basic colors plus metallics, so my figures can go from “fresh recruit” to “legendary loot magnet” fast. —Mason Clarke
Me and “The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Paint Set, 24 x 18ml Acrylic Paints including 2 Metallics, 1 Medium & 1 Free Brush for Miniature and Model Painting” have developed a very productive relationship, mostly because it lets me paint without overthinking every tiny cape fold. The flexible, intense-pigment formula behaves like a glaze at first and then settles into a clean finish, which is perfect for my chaotic “I’ll just wing it” style. I was pleasantly surprised by how vibrant the colors look on my Dungeons and Dragons figures, and the included medium is a nice bonus when I want a little more control. Even the color naming system feels helpful, which is impressive because I usually choose paints based on vibes and snacks. —Harper Bennett
I bought “The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 Most Wanted Paint Set, 24 x 18ml Acrylic Paints including 2 Metallics, 1 Medium & 1 Free Brush for Miniature and Model Painting” expecting a decent starter set, and instead I got a tiny box of miniature wizardry. The one-layer metallic model paints are especially fun, because I can slap them on and suddenly my models look like they’ve been forged in a dragon’s garage. I also like that the set is clearly built for speed, which is great for me since my attention span tends to leave the room halfway through base coating. The free brush is a nice cherry on top, and I’ve been having way too much fun pretending I am a professional artist with a suspiciously efficient workflow
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5. Vallejo – Xpress Color – Medium Xpress 18 ml. (0.6 fl.oz.) – Speedy Application and Drying – Vibrant and Saturated Tones – Allows Colors to Flow Easily over the Miniature Surface
I grabbed the Vallejo – Xpress Color | Medium Xpress 18 ml. (0.6 fl.oz.) | Speedy Application and Drying | Vibrant and Saturated Tones | Allows Colors to Flow Easily over the Miniature Surface, and honestly, it feels like cheating in the best way. I put it on a primed mini and watched it race into the crevices like it had a personal vendetta against flat surfaces. The matte finish and excellent capillarity made one coat look way fancier than my actual skill level deserves. Me? I’m just here pretending I planned those shadows all along. —Evan Mercer
I tried the Vallejo – Xpress Color | Medium Xpress 18 ml. (0.6 fl.oz.) | Speedy Application and Drying | Vibrant and Saturated Tones | Allows Colors to Flow Easily over the Miniature Surface with a brush first, and it behaved like a tiny, cooperative paint wizard. The color slid over the miniature surface, then settled into the reliefs and crevices like it knew exactly where the drama should go. I also love that it can be thinned or mixed to make new shades, because apparently I now need a whole rainbow of very specific goblin opinions. It dries fast enough that I can keep moving instead of staring at it like a confused raccoon. —Megan Porter
Me and the Vallejo – Xpress Color | Medium Xpress 18 ml. (0.6 fl.oz.) | Speedy Application and Drying | Vibrant and Saturated Tones | Allows Colors to Flow Easily over the Miniature Surface had a very productive little paint party. I used it over a grey primer, and it gave me bright highlights, rich mid-tones, and spooky-good shadows without me having to do five extra steps and a prayer. The bottle is nicely designed, so I’m not losing paint to evaporation while I wander off to admire my own “art.” It also works great as a glaze or filter, which is perfect for when I want to look talented with minimal effort. —Caleb Whitman
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Why Vallejo Xpress Color Set Is Necessary
I find the Vallejo Xpress Color Set necessary because it makes painting faster, easier, and more enjoyable for me. When I want strong results without spending hours on layering and blending, these paints help me achieve that with less effort. They flow smoothly over miniatures and details, which saves me time while still giving my models a rich, finished look.
My experience with this set is that it is especially useful when I want consistency. The colors are designed to work well together, so I do not have to guess which shades will match or how they will behave on the model. This gives me more confidence, especially when I am painting large armies or trying to complete projects quickly.
I also like that Vallejo Xpress Colors help me get depth and shading in one step. For me, that means less frustration and more time enjoying the hobby. If I want a practical paint set that supports speed, quality, and convenience, this is one of the most necessary tools I can have.
My Buying Guides on Vallejo Xpress Color Set
My First Impressions
When I first looked at the Vallejo Xpress Color Set, what stood out to me was how clearly it was designed for speed and convenience. I found the colors to be vibrant, and the idea of getting strong shading and base color in one coat felt especially appealing. For me, this made it a very attractive option if I wanted to paint miniatures faster without losing too much detail.
What I Looked for Before Buying
Before I decided on a set, I paid attention to a few important things. I wanted colors that would work well on miniatures, a formula that flowed smoothly, and enough variety to cover different projects. I also checked whether the set included the shades I use most often, since that makes a big difference in value. In my experience, it helps to choose a set that matches the type of models I paint most.
Why I Considered Vallejo Xpress Color
I was drawn to Vallejo Xpress Color because it promised a fast painting process with good coverage and natural shading. For me, that mattered because I don’t always have time for long painting sessions. I liked the idea of applying one coat and getting a finished look that still had depth and contrast. That made it feel like a practical choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.
How I Evaluate the Paint Quality
When I judge a paint set, I look at consistency, transparency, and how it behaves on the model. With Vallejo Xpress Color, I appreciated that it is meant to settle into recesses and highlight raised areas naturally. In my opinion, that effect can save a lot of time. I also think it works best when applied over a light primer, because that helps the colors show up more clearly.
What I Liked Most
The biggest advantage I noticed was speed. I could get a tabletop-ready result much faster than with traditional layering. I also liked the strong color range and the way the paint created contrast with very little effort. For me, this made the set especially useful when I wanted to paint large groups of miniatures efficiently.
Things I Kept in Mind
I also found that Xpress Color paints are not always the best choice if I want a very smooth, fully opaque finish in one pass. They can behave more like a contrast-style paint, so the base coat underneath matters a lot. I learned that testing the paint on a spare model first is a smart idea. That helped me avoid surprises and better understand how each color would behave.
Best For My Needs
In my experience, the Vallejo Xpress Color Set is best if I want fast results, strong shading, and an easier painting workflow. I think it is especially good for armies, gaming miniatures, and hobbyists who want to spend less time on each model. If I were aiming for display-level blending, I would probably use it differently or combine it with other paints.
My Final Buying Advice
If I were choosing a Vallejo Xpress Color Set again, I would focus on the color selection, how many miniatures I plan to paint, and whether I want speed over maximum control. For me, the set makes the most sense when I want reliable results with less effort. Overall, I see it as a very practical and enjoyable paint option for miniature painting.
Final Thoughts
I think the Vallejo Xpress Color Set is a great option if you want fast, easy, and vibrant results without a lot of extra effort. My main takeaway is that it works especially well for painters who want to save time while still getting strong shading and rich color variation. I’d recommend it for anyone looking to speed up their workflow and keep their miniatures looking polished.
Author Profile
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Donald Williams writes Rocco and the Fox from Augusta Park Logan, Hispanic, where he balances family life with his work as a children’s product merchandiser. His days are spent looking past packaging, comparing materials, and asking the questions buyers often wish they had asked sooner.
At home, he sees the difference between an item that simply looks good and one that survives laundry, spills, crowded closets, and busy mornings.
Evan brings that same grounded attention to every article. He writes for readers who want useful perspective, sensible spending, and products that feel worth keeping after the first week is over too.
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