VMC Gunmetal Blue

[feanorthenoldor]

hey guys, been getting interested in trying out a blue metallic color for some elves I have.

Has anyone used this color before?

If so, did you like or dislike the outcome?

Lastly, when it comes to highlighting this color, because it seems a tad on the dark side, could I just highlight using like a Mithril Mail( old GW metal paint)?


thanks guys

 

[Dragonsreach]

I'd suggest using Vallejo Airbrush Metallic Steel then Chrome as highlights.
The metallic particles are much finer and the paint is really great to use via a Sable brush.

 

[shponglefan]

I've used Gunmetal Blue, but in a very limited capacity. I used it to paint the eyes of an iron golum (along with two different shades of black). The effect was good, but TBH, it was such a small application that you can't really appreciate the gunmetal color.

 

[Oboe Concerto]

I'd suggest using Vallejo Airbrush Metallic Steel then Chrome as highlights.
The metallic particles are much finer and the paint is really great to use via a Sable brush.

That's a good idea, but irrelevant. He's looking for a blue metal look and that recipe will just come out grey.

 

[gohkm]

You can tint with a blue shade after applying Steel and Chrome. Or you could mix VMA Steel with a blue colour to achieve a blue tint. Or use VMA Metallic Artic Blue right off the bat - but that is a very deep blue shade, though.

 

[Wyrmypops]

I've always found a greater problem with separation of the paints constituent parts when using coloured metallics. If you return to a paint that has separated what you'd be putting on to the mini' could look different to the area you last painted so it's something to be mindful of occurring.
The metal flecks don't seem to want to settle as much as the coloured parts so your palette may need a brush wiggling through it a few times, or be prepared to work on small areas at a time with fresh paint.

I have enjoyed blue metallic on elves before. Way back, when GW had coloured metallics, the 90's I think.
Can highlight with whatever silver or pure metallic medium you have added to the base coat. If you're planning on spraying them with a matt varnish, be prepared for it to dull the metallics. To the extant it may be worth saving the final pure silver highlights until after the varnishing is done.
Shading on metallics works best when the darker areas aren't just darker but have less metallic flecks reflecting light too. Can either get a mix of the metallic and black in the shadows, or just dull the flecks down with some ink layered on top.
Exclusively using blue as the shade can make it start to look cartoony. As can pure black, which can also look dirty. A mix of blue and brown has served well when going for a gritty realism style.

 

[SoulBringer]

I've always found a greater problem with separation of the paints constituent parts when using coloured metallics. If you return to a paint that has separated what you'd be putting on to the mini' could look different to the area you last painted so it's something to be mindful of occurring.
The metal flecks don't seem to want to settle as much as the coloured parts so your palette may need a brush wiggling through it a few times, or be prepared to work on small areas at a time with fresh paint.

I have enjoyed blue metallic on elves before. Way back, when GW had coloured metallics, the 90's I think.
Can highlight with whatever silver or pure metallic medium you have added to the base coat. If you're planning on spraying them with a matt varnish, be prepared for it to dull the metallics. To the extant it may be worth saving the final pure silver highlights until after the varnishing is done.
Shading on metallics works best when the darker areas aren't just darker but have less metallic flecks reflecting light too. Can either get a mix of the metallic and black in the shadows, or just dull the flecks down with some ink layered on top.
Exclusively using blue as the shade can make it start to look cartoony. As can pure black, which can also look dirty. A mix of blue and brown has served well when going for a gritty realism style.

Hi,

Thanks a lot for this tip.
Have you try with paint like Gunze Mr Metal Color ?
I use it a lot on car's motor but I haven't a good result on mini's.

Cheers

 

[Wyrmypops]

I haven't. My fave metallic products so far are the Vallejo Model range. They've finer metallic flecks than other ranges, and the Model Air line are thin enough they can be used for smooth layered highlights. Scale75's metallic are getting a lot of praise so I have to give them a go.

 

[SoulBringer]

I haven't. My fave metallic products so far are the Vallejo Model range. They've finer metallic flecks than other ranges, and the Model Air line are thin enough they can be used for smooth layered highlights. Scale75's metallic are getting a lot of praise so I have to give them a go.

Thanks for the precision.

 

[Oboe Concerto]

Lifecolor does a set of polishable acrylic metallics in variety of different colours, including blue.

 

[Jhigga15]

I am going to do blue metallic armor when I paint "Krell". I just did a test on a test mini and mixed VAC Steel (71.065) with VAC Blue (71.004) with a 1:3 ratio to make a darker blue and I like how it came out.

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

That's a good idea, but irrelevant. He's looking for a blue metal look and that recipe will just come out grey.

Nay, it is a relevant and good idea. You can and will achieve a blue steel look if you base in GM Blue and the highlight with the recipe that DR provided. You want a mix of the blue and then highlight metals to ease the transitions, but it would work and probably quite well.

 

[Oboe Concerto]

Nay, it is a relevant and good idea. You can and will achieve a blue steel look if you base in GM Blue and the highlight with the recipe that DR provided. You want a mix of the blue and then highlight metals to ease the transitions, but it would work and probably quite well.

Dragonreach didn't say that. He was recommending to avoid the VMC metallic and base and highlight with VMA silvers instead, which won't come out any like blue.

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

Dragonreach didn't say that. He was recommending to avoid the VMC metallic and base and highlight with VMA silvers instead, which won't come out any like blue.

Hmmm...I am reading it differently than you, then. Although I can see how you'd read it as he said use steel then highlight with chrome. I read it as use steel and then chrome as your highlights. He used the plural here, which implies the use of two highlights. DR?

 

[Dragonsreach]

I'd suggest using Vallejo Airbrush Metallic Steel then Chrome as highlights.
The metallic particles are much finer and the paint is really great to use via a Sable brush.

Dragonreach didn't say that. He was recommending to avoid the VMC metallic and base and highlight with VMA silvers instead, which won't come out any like blue.

NO I didn't.
As I've quoted above I said "As Highlights".
You have Mis-interpreted me.