Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Just wondering what undercoat you're all using.

I used to use a neutral grey, but now use white artist's Gesso. For bigger jobs where I can't be bothered brushing it on, I still use a neutral grey spray primer - Army Painter by preference.

Formerly white, but since switching to acryllics, I've had my moment on the road to Damascus.

I use black.  I tend to paint acrylics like you would oils, rather than like watercolours.  
I only thin the paint enough so it loosens a bit.  I like to leave shadow in the recesses and build up highlights toward the higher points on the figure.
I find I see results more quickly that way.

I also, apparently, like to type 'I' quite a lot.  Sorry about that.

All of the above, plus a variety of browns from deep chocolate to light yellow-tan sand. And sometimes green/olive drab.

Does that help?!

Currently on the work bench are figures in the yellow tan/sand, white and black undercoats!

A girlfriend once remarked sarcastically that my manual typewriter (late 70s, this was) stuck a lot on the vertical vowel. The implication still bothers me, three and a half decades later.

Undercoat colour varies a lot depending on what I'm painting - scale, period, troop type all have an impact on the colour used.

Black, white and grey are most common but some of the sci-fi waiting to be painted at the moment were undercoated red, for example.

I clicked on white because that is my main undecoating colour and I follow it with a black Magic Wash. For 6mm I use black.

Dark brown as a dark undercoat:

www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809blogpost27.htm (http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809blogpost27.htm)

Khaki or yellow brown as a light undercoat:

www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809blogpost65.htm (http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809blogpost65.htm)

Halford's camouflage spray range has both dark brown and khaki. However, a more yellow sandy colour like Army Painter's gives a warmer glow.

Brown is my main colour (usually Halfords 'camoflage' range brown).  Its so much more 'natural' than the harsher black/white/grey.

http://luddite1811.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/in-grim-darkness-of-far-future-there-is_6440.html (http://luddite1811.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/in-grim-darkness-of-far-future-there-is_6440.html)

I may use black if the model warrants it.  

For models with a predominant colour (or tone), i'll try to use that colour, e.g. i did my 2nd Boer War British undercoat in khaki / tan. (Dabbed on the details, ink washed and done).

I'm finding myself becoming increasingly abstract in my quest to get the little chaps onto the table asap, so minimising colours is good, and if i can ink wash over an undercoat that's a real plus!

:D

white, always white

Depends. Black, white or grey.

I use light brown or black, depending on the final colour.

White - it makes colour glow

I then paint a black undercoat for white metal and brown for yellow metal and flesh

Does that mean both?

Nope white it is, and paint in washes

Nearly always white

Take care

Andy

Black is the only way to go.....

IanS

I'm rather taken aback by the preference for white. I thought the great majority had gone the other way by now.

Colors are brighter over the white undercoat.  They get muddy over a dark undercoat.  At least with the paints I use.  It has worked for me for about 50 years.

It varies on what I am painting and the scale.

Normaly black for anything mechanical or that has mail or plate armour.  Also where I want a dull finish.  White for smaller scales or brighter uniforms.

I am just experimenting with Vallejo grey primer, as I find Vallejo paints very soft and easy to rub off while you are painting the figure.

I agree, I'm genuinely surprised that black isn't the runaway winner...

Quote from: FierceKitty on 09 July 2014, 02:38:26 AM
I'm rather taken aback by the preference for white. I thought the great majority had gone the other way by now.

Never be taken in by a vocal minority - there's always a silent majority.  :-\

In this case the ones who prime in green  ;D

I don't use underwear ... I go Commando ...

All AFVs should be sprayed in pink, of course. Ask Peter Sellers.

Black for me too. It camouflages all the areas I've missed.

Oh, and most of us seem to use "I" a great deal. I tried (see what I mean?) using the upper class "one", but it sounds so pretentious.

Always use black.   I find that it makes my limited ability look better and that I can
achieve a passable result without having to cover the figure in paint.  I've tried white
but find that it takes longer (every part of the figure has to be covered to avoid white
poking through).

I do agree, however, that black u/c leaves the figures darker.   The way I get round
this is simply to paint each colour a shade lighter.

Cheers,


Phil

White, then washed black so the detail stands out whilst still creating shadow.

I always use black on my 10's.

Brown of one sort or another

always black

Undercoat black, drybrush with brown to help show me the detail, paint in main colours, wash with artist's burnt umber (dark brown) acrylic, add highlights and detail, job done ready for basing!

I undercoat also in black, and then "wet brush" a basic color, brown most of the time.