Black - depth of shade question

[peej]

So I want to paint up some inquisitorial stormtroopers for a little project I've got going on. Rather than a flat black, I wanted to try and reproduce an effect I've seen in the past. This is the best image I could find of it;

View attachment 57899

Disclaimer: (Obviously - not my work).

Am I right in thinking you achieve this with the following method;

- Charcoal Grey base.
- Black wash.
- Tidy up with thin (translucent) layer of Charcoal Grey for the main mid-range colour.
- Highlight with layered lighter grey colour thinned with medium.
- Edge highlight with lighter grey.

If that is not the case, what is the magical method of getting this progressive depth of shade change on models?

Cheers xx

 

[Ghool]

What you have there should about do it.
You also just start with black and highlight up. Just make sure at least 50% of each surface you highlight is black.

 

[Zab]

You can also use blue purple or red to deepen your blacks. In addition, a glossy or satin black in the shadows can make things look darker too.

 

[MAXXxxx]

You can also use blue purple or red to deepen your blacks.

works only if about 50%+ remains pure black. Otherwise it will be a glorified greyish something.

peej: for blacks I'd go up from pure black, just making a small transition on the glare part.
So something like:
- base with black
- on the top paint with a drak grey and feather it out to the black
- do the same with lighter greys as needed / liked (you can even go up to pure white but it's a bit tricky)
- if you went overboard with the greys and it looks more like grey than black, then you can knock the color back to black with glazes of black.

or you can cheat a bit with pigments:
- base dark grey with white and black pigments applied to it. It's fast and nice, but not so clean and good looking as some of the pro blacks out there.
+ if I remember Bailey03 had a tutorial posted on his website about painting black, worth checking)

 

[Ghool]

 

[Zab]

MAX is right, I should have clarified. Add blue red or purple inks to your blacks or glaze over them to get more depth.

 

[Ghool]

MAX is right, I should have clarified. Add blue red or purple inks to your blacks or glaze over them to get more depth.

Or just start with black and keep your highlights small.....

 

[MAXXxxx]

Or just start with black and keep your highlights small.....

that's the beauty of this hobby. There is no one correct way, but many.
Still I'd go with the small highlight one, less work/hassle.

 

[Ghool]

that's the beauty of this hobby. There is no one correct way, but many.
Still I'd go with the small highlight one, less work/hassle.

I certainly agree. There's a million ways to do everything.
Just pick the one that works for you best.

 

[peej]

Thanks for the input and videos guys, I shall try something a bit more adventurous than just edge highlighting on my next set of minis and post the results.

Cheers lovers xx