I'm looking for recommendations of a good paint (specific brands and paint names) for base edges for a project and in return I can share some of my own.
... and, I talk too much:
About me: I perhaps take base edge color too seriuosly, but I think it's one of the most important things about a a mini and a bad base edge will spoil my ability to appreciate an otherwise fine paintjob even as consciously I struggle against it.
One of my favorite base edge colors is an OOP GW "Foundation" paint called Charadon Granite, which is a wonderful dark gray-brown. I have been able to maintain my pot of this and I pretty much reserve it for base edges for my D&D collection.
For my Mordheim figures I use P3 Battlefield Brown, which is a dark brown but slightly less saturated than the other P3 dark brown, Umbral Umbar. I was quite taken by the gestalt of the presentation of Mordheim in the rulebooks and White Dwarf with so much brown and the brown edges to match. If I find something darker I might switch to that (suggestions welcome).
For general use in a number of collections including my Talisman and historical figures I mixed a 50/50 pot of P3 Battlefield Brown and Guncorps brown. This is OK, but I would rather have something I can buy that is consistent. Generally P3 is my favorite paint range. I also might want a slightly more green cast, not sure. But suggestions on medium brown welcome.
For my nascent Middle Earth project I want a very dark gray-brown and that prompted the post here. But I'm flexible enough to want to consider other military colors including olive drab and "yellow-green" (which looks like neither to me). Charadon Granite would do, but this collection is so big I would use the pot up before finishing, and I want to save it. There is a craft paint by Americana called Charcoal but I want to stick to a premium paint. I don't have evidence the craft paint doesn't adhere as well but I don't want to chance it. I also want a nice smooth paint that will stay smooth and be ready "out of the pot." Also, I'd be happier with something just a bit different in one direction or another as a change of pace.
In exploring paints, I have been drawn generally to ranges geared to military subjects and the train crowd as they tend to be more neutral and wide-ranging, and sensitive to nuance and special needs, and drawn specifically to AK interactive mainly, but also Revell Aqua Color and enamel Email Color.
But I am also intrigued by the idea of using an enamel paint and doing the base edge first instead of last, and possibly taping the base edge through painting and varnishing so to preserve the original sheen of enamel, which presumably would be tough enough on its own without a protective coat. Would love to hear thoughts and experience on this.
So, I have spent a lot of time looking up paint color names in google images to find examples of things painted with the color. This has not lead to a clear choice but a few contenders have emerged.
AK 11026 Tenebrous Grey (leading contender)
AK 11023 Lead Grey (seems too grey)
AK 11125 Grey Brown (seems too brown and not dark enough)
Revell Email Color 32186 Olive Brown Matte (the only enamel on the list so far)
To sum up, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions (again, specific brands and paint names)!