Hello from North London

Started by senormeek, 08 February 2017, 12:18:40 PM

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senormeek

Thanks Zippee - that's very helpful. I'm still finding my range, so to speak, after returning to the hobby. I'm not unhappy with my trial efforts so far but they are a bit dark when you stand back from them. I've been using the black undercoat, as it seems all the range these days. However, I was always a white undercoat / inks man when I painted GW stuff back in the day. I think I'll try a few out to see how they compare. And potentially some with grey undercoat and black undercoat but drybrushed with grey or white. Lots to experiment with...


Techno

Regarding the undercoat........Definitely have an experiment or two, before you decide SM......

I think you'll find that there's no absolute consensus between those on the forum.
There are those that use white, those that use black.....a few grays, and even a few browns (I think).

Just find what you're happy with.

Cheers - Phil.

Zippee

13 February 2017, 07:59:59 PM #32 Last Edit: 13 February 2017, 08:13:25 PM by Zippee
Yep, opinions on undercoats tend to be very, erm. . . black and white (with the odd outsider, voting for brown, grey or flesh tone).

Experimenting to find what works for you is very worthwhile.

For the record, others produce fantastic results working from black - I can't: I just cannot obtain the layered 'bright' highlight but that says more about me than the technique.

Try for instance here
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=7622.0
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,7199.0.html
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9636.0.html
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9654.0.html
Yeah I know depressing innit   :'(

All that aside, one of the things to check is your basing - I use a very pale sand with grey (nearly white) ballast-chips and a bright 'spring' static grass - if your bases are dark the figures will be, no matter how light your painting.

Just been comparing your cuirassier with the pictures of mine - I don't think there's a major difference. What I do detect is:

1) My cuirasses are much brighter - that darkens the centre of your figure (the belt stands out more so win some-lose some)
2) The paint on yours looks duller - I think that's the undercoat, it's the problem I have. I believe it means you need to add more (and brighter) layers.
3) You've used black for the boots and such not grey - changing this to grey and highlighting viciously will have a major impact
4) Because yours is unbased and lacks socks and such on the horse and the base is black the whole thing looks dark - that's misleading. And good basing will change it all (as would socks  :D)
5) I took my picture in a light box with 4 daylight lights, yours is a snapshot from your painting desk . . .



fsn

I'm doing the same experiments n some Prussians.

Normally, I undercoat black, then dry brush white before applying base coats.

I'm trying white undercoat with a brown-black wash before base coat.

Think the colour ping better with the white undercoat. 

Lord Oik of Runcorn (You may refer to me as Milord Oik)

Oik of the Year 2013, 2014; Prize for originality and 'having a go, bless him', 2015
3 votes in the 2016 Painting Competition!; 2017-2019 The Wilderness years
Oik of the Year 2020; 7 votes in the 2021 Painting Competition
11 votes in the 2022 Painting Competition (Double figures!)
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paulr

Some very good advice from Zippee there :)

Particularly avoiding black and light basing

I think it is partly due to the small size of the figures that you need to paint a shade or two lighter than you would on larger figures

PS I'm one of the 'few greys' when it comes to undercoat ;)

http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg107226.html#msg107226

http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10663.msg139026.html#msg139026
Lord Lensman of Wellington
2018 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!
2022 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!
2023 Painting Competition - Runner-Up!

Subedai

You know the saying 'when you've tried black you won't go back', it was invented by a wargamer wasn't it?  ;)

I'm a devout black undercoat man after trying all the other colours mentioned by others. I looked at your picture of the cuirassier and concluded that the only problem is that at the moment the horse is dark which continues onto the unfinished base making the whole figure look dark to you. Once you paint some white socks on the horse and use a light colour for the base like myself and others do, you will notice a marked difference. Try it.

MickS
Blog is at
http://thewordsofsubedai.blogspot.co.uk/

2017 Paint-Off - Winner!

Zippee

Quote from: Subedai on 14 February 2017, 05:23:27 PM
You know the saying 'when you've tried black you won't go back', it was invented by a wargamer wasn't it?  ;)

Wargamers don't invent, they plagiarise . . .

And like most sayings I've managed to prove it wrong   :P

So is the problem with the sayings or with me?  :-

DFlynSqrl

Quote from: paulr on 13 February 2017, 08:52:01 PM
PS I'm one of the 'few greys' when it comes to undercoat ;)

I prefer a grey undercoat as well.   m/