Hello!

[Ithoriel]

Thanks for the advice. Is it because lighter colours help to differentiate units and equipment in small warriors?

Because of the way the brain process the images from the eye small blobs of colour can look darker than they are, apparently. A slightly lighter shade often looks right, even though it's not.

or "Wot fred said"

[Techno 3]

Welcome, from me, too !

[sultanbev]

Because of the way the brain process the images from the eye small blobs of colour can look darker than they are, apparently. A slightly lighter shade often looks right, even though it's not.

Can't say I've ever bothered or even noticed in 45 years of painting models and wargames figures. I have painting guides I use for Humbrol, Colour Party Paints & Miniature Paints, and I use the same for all scales.

Mark

[Orcs]

Can't say I've ever bothered or even noticed in 45 years of painting models and wargames figures. I have painting guides I use for Humbrol, Colour Party Paints & Miniature Paints, and I use the same for all scales.

Mark

Same here.

[fsn]

Interesting.

I went through a phase of priming in white, but I have to changed black. IMHO it brings the overall look together better than white, but it does give a darker figure.

I agree though, if I'm painting a British redcoat it's scarlet - whatever the size of the figure.

[mollinary]

Welcome! Since we are now in a bit of a discussion of painting techniques I thought I would offer my two-pennorth.  I am very much a journeyman painter, and the bigger the figure, the more it exposes my inability to manage shades and highlights. 10mm and 6mm however play to my strengths. They both repay sharp contrasts, and on a black undercoat this is easy to achieve, as you can leave a little black between one colour and another, and it automatically delineates and shades at the same time. The main skill required, I find, is precision. If you can keep your paint within the beautifully cast details on the figures (not as hard as it sounds, as it is often just a dot of paint, then the technique does the rest. Devote a bit of time to your basing and flags, and Bob's your Uncle! I am sure you will enjoy experimenting and, as others have said, the Painting Competition is really inspiring. Enter, and join the fun!

[Daldnoa]

Thanks for the tip! I'm not sure if I'm going to get my order and paint something decent enough on time for the Painting Competition, though. But I will enjoy watching other people works, for sure.

[fred.]

Welcome! Since we are now in a bit of a discussion of painting techniques I thought I would offer my two-pennorth.  I am very much a journeyman painter, and the bigger the figure, the more it exposes my inability to manage shades and highlights. 10mm and 6mm however play to my strengths. They both repay sharp contrasts, and on a black undercoat this is easy to achieve, as you can leave a little black between one colour and another, and it automatically delineates and shades at the same time. The main skill required, I find, is precision. If you can keep your paint within the beautifully cast details on the figures (not as hard as it sounds, as it is often just a dot of paint, then the technique does the rest. Devote a bit of time to your basing and flags, and Bob's your Uncle! I am sure you will enjoy experimenting and, as others have said, the Painting Competition is really inspiring. Enter, and join the fun!

This is a very good point - I couldn't possible paint what I do (which isn't great) without following the lines the sculptor has created. 


Regarding the 'paint lighter' advice it is interesting how few people follow this perceived wisdom. Perhaps it isn't  really a thing?

[Orcs]

Indeed, but on that other site the young lady with the aversion to clothes was very knowledgeable about the Punic Wars. 

I think there is at least one spelling mistake in that sentence.

[fred.]

I think there is at least one spelling mistake in that sentence.

[paulr]

This is a very good point - I couldn't possible paint what I do (which isn't great) without following the lines the sculptor has created.

Regarding the 'paint lighter' advice it is interesting how few people follow this perceived wisdom. Perhaps it isn't really a thing?

I agree with the first comment, sometimes it feels as if the paint just flows onto that detail you've been wondering how the &^%*&^ am I going to paint that

I definitely paint lighter on 6mm & 10mm

I use a light grey undercoat and use a wash to give the separation and shading (which is another reason I painter even lighter)

Painting is very much about finding approaches that work for you, and remembering you are painting armies not individuals