"A different way to undercoat..." Topic

I thought I would let you know about a new method of undercoating that I am currently trying out (and am very happy with). Bear in mind that this is new to me but the idea might be older than the hills !

Previously, every discussion on undercoating has focused on using either black or white, with each having their own benefits and drawbacks. My preference has always been black u/c but I recognise that this doesn't always result in the bright colours that are important for smaller scales.

Anyway, I've recently started to paint up some 10mm Pendraken War of the Spanish Succession figures. As many of the uniforms are based on 'light grey with colour facings' scheme, I wondered whether there was a way I could reduce the painting burden.

This led me to try out a new idea : start with a white undercoat but then add a heavy wash of Army Painter Dark Tone ink. This results in a grey finish which provides some of the benefits of both black and white u/c. Firstly, it adds great definition to the figure (something that can be an issue with black u/c). This makes painting so much easier. Secondly, the colours are brighter. Finally, and something I very much appreciated, every separate part of the figure is 'black lined' (or dark grey lined).

I've now painted up 40+ figures and am very happy with this technique. It feels particularly useful for the horse and musket period when so many Regiments wore light grey (+ facing colour).

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has already tried this or has some better ideas.

Phil

Sounds interesting and clever idea.

Old idea. The inverse is to prime in black, then heavily dry-brush white over the figure.

I have used a grey prime followed by a black ink wash for years.

It is good to see that people are still experimenting with the basics though, shows that craftsmanship isn't dead yet !!!

I used to paint from black undercoat but the details are becoming ever harder to see, either today's sculptors put far more detail in or I'm getting middle-aged…….

This sounds like a good solution!

Hiya buddies,

As a speed painter, that is pretty much my modus operandi since I started in the 80's.
I also use Flashman14's inverse on undead/beastmen/fur clad figures.

So for bright colored figures: prime white or grey, black ink, basic colors, black ink again, drybrush.

But for undead: prime black, drybrush white, basic colors, inks, final drybrush.

@MarsMiniatures: for undead, how does your system compare to first priming white, then black ink, then drybrush highlghts, then maybe a last wash? I am thinking of the standard all-bone skeleton in this case.

With a black undercoat you should be 'damp brushing' rather than dry brushing. This simply requires leaving more paint in the brush: enough to give a solid coat of white on the raised surfaces, rather than the light dusting you get with dry brushing.

I've been painting a looooong time and I hadn't thought of that until last week when I was painting Greek Hoplites for the first time.

Thanks for the reverse idea and the revelation I'm not the only one. It's nice to know that an idea you have is 'mainstream' and I'm not some maverick :-)

I've tried three variations of this:

1. black undercoat and damp brush white highlights
2. white undercoat and black wash over the top.
3. black undercoat and mist white spray paint from about 2' up.

of the three I've stuck with 3. as the first is often too harsh and for the second it is too subtle (!), if you are going to use a wash, you might as well just wash the finished figure.

3. gives nice tooth to the paint as well as highlights on the upper surface

I've been experimenting with the black prime/white drybrush for a while too, then "stain painting" on top. Mixed results, but good enough for getting out masses of figures.