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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: LazyStudent on August 22, 2019, 03:53:15 PM

Title: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: LazyStudent on August 22, 2019, 03:53:15 PM
Hi all,

I am searching for some advice from the assembled expertise! I plan to start a Napoleonic project in 6mm, and I am reseaching the unifroms etc at the moment.

One piece of advice I have seen a lot is to artifically 'brighten' the colour pallet that one uses for 6mm to make the figures stand out from the table. I understand the priciple and have no problem with doing it except the question of what should one do when the troops in question wore black uniforms?!? Lightening the colour pallet leads quickly into gray, which is then not correct. 

Any advice is gratefully received.

Thanks in advance,
LS :)
(Edited for spelling correction!)
Title: Re: Painting black unifroms for 6mm minis
Post by: Calimero on August 22, 2019, 03:57:03 PM

I’ve seen people using blue or pink to highlight black… I don’t know if it will work on 6mm minis though... :?
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: Vanvlak on August 22, 2019, 04:46:11 PM
Try a very dark grey with a heavy black wash. I have not tried it, but that would be my choice. You would probably have to pick brighter, lighter colours after the wash.
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: Brandlin on August 22, 2019, 04:51:54 PM
Try a very dark grey with a heavy black wash. I have not tried it, but that would be my choice. You would probably have to pick brighter, lighter colours after the wash.

This ^^^

Black is the absence of light and no object you look at is truly black. Fabric in particular will have lots of shades of grey.
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: Shahbahraz on August 22, 2019, 06:22:54 PM
Yes, I don't have any minis to hand, but that's what I do. I use a Vallejo dark grey, then wash with GW Nuln Oil wash.

If I am feeling particularly enthusiastic, and the figures have large enough areas of black and sculpting to suit, base coat Dark Grey, drybrush Basalt or London grey, then add the wash.
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: LazyStudent on August 23, 2019, 09:42:57 AM
Thanks all!
I knew the LAF would be able to help :D

I will attempt the dark grey and wash aproach and report back! I have also found that Foundary do a triad for black, which includes a couple of very dark greys. I might look into getting these as well.

On the topic of highlighting black, can someone expand on the point mentioned by Calimero about highlighting it with pink??! I have never seen that, but it sounds interesting!

THANKS AGAIN!
LS :)
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: Daeothar on August 23, 2019, 10:11:57 AM
As the others already said. Except, if you want a bit of colour in there, you might want to start with (for instance) a dark blue as the basecoat, before the black wash.

I mainly use Vallejo Model Colour German Grey for this, and it works a treat. It's a dark blue grey. If you want things a bit brighter, try VMC Luftwaffe Grey. If the result is too bright, just add a second wash... :)
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: 6milPhil on August 25, 2019, 05:23:15 PM
I never use black on 6mil preferring a dark grey. I use the Vallejo of the same name #70.994, and very often dry brush it with a medium, or darker, grey depending on what I'm after. Have a play and see which you prefer?
Title: Re: Painting black uniforms for 6mm minis?
Post by: grant on August 26, 2019, 01:19:57 AM
Agreed as above - 6mm needs a pop to bring out the detail.