Black, White and Grey.

[vexx]

I admire it: I've hit a rut in my painting.

Normally, I prime black because I love dark and gritty looks for my troops. It drive me nuts when I see warriors who have been through various battles and wars and they look like they've just gotten their armor back from the dry cleaners.

That was then. This is now. I'm actually trying to get my miniatures to be cleaner and smoother in terms of blending and smoothness.

I've been told that a grey primer with a Ctiadel Colour's black was will help me tonnes. Then to apply a mid tone as the base coat and work my way up and down from where it needs to be.

Normally, I prime black and basecoat the darkest shade and work my way to the highlights.

Has anyone tried the grey and black wash technique? If so what did you think? Also, Black Primer vs White? I'm tempted to try the white. But I've heard so many good things about grey?

Any input would be hugely helpful!

Thanks,

V.

[muddypaw]

For a clean smooth finish I personally go with white primer every time. It gives a crisp bright finish to the colours.

I'd go with a mid tone then a darker wash and then go over with the original colour again leaving the wash in creases/borders with other colours. Finally highlight upwards to taste with lighter shades. Try not to use white too much in the highlights or you get a washed out bleached look. It's a relatively quick technique between simple wash/highlight and full colour blending.

I use black for quick and dirty, white for good tabletop and display standard.

My current models are a range from a British comic book, and the bright crisp look is what I am going for too. White undercoat for me.

[varagon]

I agree with Muddy. Use white for cleanness. Black for a darker, grittier tone. I suppose a grey primer would be the happy medium, though. I used grey on my Trollbloods, but that was because the P3 colors sort of worked with the grey primer I used.

[dijit80]

For as long as I can remember I use white, then a black wash before I apply any colours, this gives me clean bright colours and dark edges. I've also tried experimenting with different coloured washes with differing effects. I tried black primer, but found it a pain to get the lighter colours (white and yellow I'm looking at you!) to sit right without needing so many coats that the surface got ruined.
Duncan

[Darkson]

Try the "Zenith" style priming. This is a base of a black prime all over followed by a whith prime from the top. The black stays in the cracks and crevasse and the white highlights the raised areas.

This is what I do most of the time now.

[varagon]

Dec 20, 2010 21:54:00 GMT -5 Darkson said:

Try the "Zenith" style priming. This is a base of a black prime all over followed by a whith prime from the top. The black stays in the cracks and crevasse and the white highlights the raised areas.

This is what I do most of the time now.

I've tried this with a few of my Pulp City minis as well and works nicely.

[dijit80]

Dec 20, 2010 21:54:00 GMT -5 Darkson said:

Try the "Zenith" style priming. This is a base of a black prime all over followed by a whith prime from the top. The black stays in the cracks and crevasse and the white highlights the raised areas.

This is what I do most of the time now.

I've not been brave enough to try this yet, but it seems to be gaining popularity.
Duncan

[evernevermore(john)]

Primer is the base of any painting you do with minis so picking the color to support your goal is as much as any other paint choice. Black is good for dark colors and dark figures, so it should probably be the basis for guys like the SS SHOULD be primed black.

White makes your colors brighter and cleaner, but is no longer a prerequisite for painting light colors like white, yellow or red. With some of the newer high opacity colors like GWs Foundations line and Vallejos Foundation White you can paint right over black primer.

Grey is a compromise rather than a solution, at least in my experience. Without preparation colors are still muddier than true white, and you still have to paint in shadows.

Personally I paint up from a black Gesso/Future floor wash base - its worked nicely for me. And I pretty much wont paint without using a wash of some sort, GWs new washes and Tamiya's Smoke being my go to washes

[vexx]

Ok, i admit the Zenith style sounds fascinating. I'm going to have to experiment on some minis I can afford to strip down if I'm not into it. I'm also taking a look at the Darkson Book for painting. It's got a couple of interesting suggestions I"m going to try out. Just glad I found a place that has Vallejo and testors.