whats the right wash ?

[Ric]

Ric, re your Dark Tone wash on the napoleonics, impressive,  was that a 'splash it all on everywhere' technique or did you do selective inking to avoid hitting certain parts?

Cheers, I just splashed it all over! My initial basecoat was rougher than a badgers behind and felt that a liberal helping of the dark tone would help cover any little mistakes! I did at one point go through a phase of using soft tone on flesh, strong tone on reds, yellows and greens, and dark tone on blues and other dark shades, but now I don't have the time or patience haha!

[Ric]

I should add that I brush on the ink from the bottles, I don't use the tins and dipping malarkey!

[burnaby64]

Much must be forgiven a man approaching promotion.

I know! And it was the wrong historical period to introduce Garibaldi!

[toxicpixie]

I'm a firm believer in washes these days. Depending on style and size, either the poor mans Army Painter - wood stain varnish from B&Q (I sh*t you not, didn't get on with Future Floor Wax so tried the above and it worked really well!), or Games Workshops' Reikland Flesh for a more muted, dusty/dirty look. Have a look in my painting thread for some piccies - my recent ottomans are done with the GW wash over block colours over a sand base coat.

I've experimented with different wades as well for different areas of figures but life's a little too short as others else point out!

[Fenton]

It took me several versions of the mix and much bad language at the results I was getting before I got it right

Another way is to coat the figure in pure Klear then add the wash to the figure once it was dry

[Luddite]

God wash.

Games Workshop's Agrax Earthshade.  Works on everything.

[Subedai]

I use the AP Strong tone ink not the dip

Finger on the pulse, me. I'll be honest, I didn't know that AP did inks since I dropped their digital newsletter about two years ago.

[Fenton]

  Its the same colour and consistency as Devlan Mud if that helps at all

[Leman]

Just started using Agrax Earthshade on some 6mm ACW figures as a final all over wash, including the base (initially in sand yellow) before doing the hand painted matt varnish from Windsor and Newton. Works a treat. I also use the Warlord Games ink shades.

[Genom]

Its the same colour and consistency as Devlan Mud if that helps at all

Devlan mud, oh how my life changed when I discovered that. Only a tiny bit left in my tub then I need to find a replacement so that statement is a godsend.

[Fenton]

you might find this useful

http://youtu.be/fuwwPGTd1T8

[Norm]

Army painter do three 'non-colour' inks. They are soft tone ( like a sepia) strong tone (apparently very similar to Devlan mud) and dark tone ( a sort of blackish ink).

I have just covered some WWII Russian infantry in strong tone and it really dirtied my figure too much. However a very quick touch up with some highlights did an excellent rescue job, with overall contrast now improved.

[Leman]

Have to admit that, given the previous post, I have found the WG inks do cover rather than just find the folds. WG Agrax, on the other hand, does tend to flow into creases with very little adherence to the high points.

[Fenton]

you do have to water the AP one down I have found

[Zippee]

Have to admit that, given the previous post, I have found the WG inks do cover rather than just find the folds. WG Agrax, on the other hand, does tend to flow into creases with very little adherence to the high points.

What are WG inks?

[Fenton]

I was presuming a mistype

[Hussargeneral]

I use the Vallejo dipping formula as a wash, not a dip. Black or Sepia depending on the colour I am shading. Devlan Mud smells awful but does work well. A  bottle of Black Pelikan Ink (for Fountain pens) works very well when thinned down enough....basically trial and error. I found the Army Painter dips to be too dark and thick textured to be suitable for me.

[Zippee]

I was presuming a mistype

Ah right Agrax is the new Devlan I guess. Just too expensive for the quantity I use - I did cry when I finally had to admit my last pot of Devlan Mud was empty

I now use the  Cote d'arms washes  which with 6mm and 10mm I find slightly better as they are thinner than GW . Nowhere near as good for large scale or multi-colour shade washing on 28mm but seem to work fine as a brush on dip in the smaller scales.

[Leman]

What are WG inks?

Sorry. Meant GW.

[civvycivvy]

The wash I keep coming back to is a mixture of thinners and burnt umber oil paint. Mix to suit, don't overfill the brush.