"?/ on "Blacklining"" Topic

I usually paint figures a very dark brown/black and leave a space to emphasize borders, folds, etc. I'm doing black leather straps on my figures -- is there any need to leave a border? I wouldn't think so, but just asking in case there's some different opinions out there. Thanks.

If you can paint the entire strap black then use a dark grey to paint the middle. This will give you a 3D effect with strap borers clearly seen.

I agree, especially when the straps cross over one another.

Agree as well – they really help to make the cross-belts pop out!

Don't use black. Mix it with a touch of light blue (sky) and paint the strap with that color. Add a little more light blue if you want to highlight it. You can then leave the black/brown edge that sets off the strap.

Black lining Black will just make them look very wide. Agree with the suggestions…some add "flesh: to black to lighten it.

Thanks, will do and it will save a lot of time too. Interesting about the sky blue, Phil. I've been using flesh to make a black highlight. Will try the sky blue and see how it works.

Update for what its worth -- the sky blue makes a very cool (as in tone) highlight for black. I'd use it for cool-colored miniatures like ACW union. For warm=-colored schemes I'll stick with flesh or tan added to the black.

When adding a color to black to make a highlight, please check the base tone of the black first. Some blacks "carry" a lot of blue making them somewhat cool. Other blacks "carry" a lot of yellow or brown making them warm. The sky blue trick works with the cool blacks. The flesh trick works with the warmer blacks.