Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Painting & Modelling => Topic started by: count_zero99uk on 15 December 2010, 01:45:50 AM

Title: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: count_zero99uk on 15 December 2010, 01:45:50 AM
For medical reasons im not a fan of spray undercoat and have been trying to find a good cheap solution.  Some people have suggested Gesso, the stuff arteests prime there canvas with.  It seems to look ok on 28mm and i was wondering if anyone had tried it on 10mm.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: zaapark on 15 December 2010, 10:21:48 PM
Works ok.  I have been using gray Gesso on some WW1 late war brits, time consuming but does a decent job.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: Derek H on 16 December 2010, 08:59:01 AM
Quote from: count_zero99uk on 15 December 2010, 01:45:50 AM
For medical reasons im not a fan of spray undercoat and have been trying to find a good cheap solution.  Some people have suggested Gesso, the stuff arteests prime there canvas with.  It seems to look ok on 28mm and i was wondering if anyone had tried it on 10mm.

I've used the black stuff on 10mm and it works fine.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: NTM on 16 December 2010, 12:39:47 PM
Considering the switch to gesso myself, currently use quick drying metal primer but as I now use a lot of resin and plastic items which that does not work so well on (if at all) need an alternative. Bit of a shame as my 1ltr tin has lasted about 5 years so far with a lot more left.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: Shedman on 16 December 2010, 02:19:41 PM
I've been using black gesso to undercoat 6, 10 and 15mm figures for a while now.

It really brings the detail out on the figures

It rarely "pools" - at worst I've had a thin film form between legs when I've put too much on

I do have some complaints however

One coat is often not enough - sometime a second coat is required - and I usually have to go over the figures dabbing where I missed holes

Also it flicks everywhere and it seems to rub off at the slightest touch

I think however that my complaints maybe down to me being too quick, clumsy and usually slightly drunk when I undercoat figures as it is very often the last thing I do in an evening's painting session

Therefore I would recommend gesso but I wouldn't recommend me undercoating figures

Alan

Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: count_zero99uk on 16 December 2010, 07:37:59 PM
Cool, thanks for the information everyone.  Looks like ill be grabbing myself some in the new year.

Can any UK people let me know what your paying for how much so i dont pay over the odds.

Thanks
Brian.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: Shedman on 17 December 2010, 09:35:50 AM
I'm currently using Bob Ross gesso which I bought at Hobby Craft for about £8-9

At my local art shop in Stroud they are selling Windsor & Newton black gesso for £8.20 - I'll be trying this out next

Alan

Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: goat major on 17 December 2010, 10:37:59 AM
humbrol matt black enamel for me - thinned down with white spirit. Gives good coverage but it does need to be thinned down otherwise it would be too thick for the underlying detail
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: count_zero99uk on 03 January 2011, 11:03:16 AM
Well ive just undercoated 6 fantasy 10mm figs, they look a little obscured  :o but im told it contracts as it dries :-\ so ill wait till tommorow before upping pics of the undercoated figs.

Its fast to go on, and surprisingly adhering (i know thats spelt wrong you know what i mean)

So now the wait.

Tata for now.
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: Shedman on 13 February 2011, 09:23:49 AM
I have just tried Daler-Rowney's Black Gesso Primer and I am not happy with the results - very shiny and has a "tooth" - not what I really want in an undercoat

To be honest I should have read all of the fine print on the tub - this stuff is good for building up layers and the "tooth" allows paint to grip extremely well

Therefore I might use it for terrain base coats but definitely not for figures

:(

Alan
Title: Re: Brush undercoating with Gesso
Post by: GordonY on 13 February 2011, 09:50:20 AM
Tamiya XF1, matt black, my undercoat of choice, fast drying extremely black and usually only one coat required.

Gordon