Colour Theory and Bases

[GooseDaMoose]

I've asked this question on my log but I got no answer so I'm giving it its own thread cuz I've been having second thoughts.

 

I was trying to think of what colour to paint the bases for my Sons of Malice (link in sig!) and in the end I turned to Colour Theory to find an answer. I'm no expert but I've read a bit. So anyway, I ended up going with this:

 

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b440/GooseVonMoose/Update001.jpg

 

 

A sort of yellowish-brown base, a warm colour to match the warm tone of the white (Graveyard Earth undercoat) but lately I've started thinking that the warmth of the white (what little there is) doesn't outweigh the neutral black, and the overall effect is just a neutral tone. So then I thought that a neutral base might work better, I was thinking grey with patches of white (snow) and then just use warm- and cool-tone details on the bases (debris, helms, skulls etc) and on the models (cloth, trophies..) for contrast:

 

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa480/GooseElMoose/Newest007.jpg

 

 

 

 

What do you guys think? Anyone know colour theory and is willing to kick my butt and tell me I'm totally wrong?

Thanks in advance guys!

[MagicMan]

I think full snow would look pretty great.

 

 

My dudes are black/white/cream, and the snow bases really seem to rock their world.

[CarbonCopy]

Color theory?

 

I work with color every day at work, testing color matching and tweaking client art to print on weirdly profiled printers.

 

Here's my take on your situation.

 

The base you have is a viable conclusion. However, I think your current train of thought, using cool tones, is equally valid.

 

What I would do is, one of two directions:

1) Muddy and/or dark iron oxide brown tones.

2) Urban basing with a slight bluish tint to the grays.

 

Or both...

 

Also, avoid the snow option as your white/cream will cease to be the focus in that color range. It's all about contrast. Once you do a snow base, you've just lost the contrast that sets the model apart from the base.

 

Also, why did you paint the grenades green on your first model at the top? It sets them apart so much, all I can do is look at them and not the rest of the model. Same for the trophy Tau helmet on the other one. Minimize your pallet. Use two main color and only vary the tonality.

 

Just my $0.02 worth.

[GooseDaMoose]

Alright, I'd like to test out the snow to see how it looks, but I see what youre saying.

 

I painted the frags green mostly actually because frag grenades have always been green in my mind :P are they really that distracting? What if I desaturized the green by glazing with a couple coats of thinned out red to make it more brownish? Otherwise what colour would you suggest I paint trophies on the backpacks, like the Tau helm? And doesn't the blue of the plasma outweigh the Tau helm, what with it being a lot more bright?

 

Please don't think I'm trying to argue with you, I'd just like to learn a bit about this stuff :)

 

But so the bases are good the way they are? (possibly thinking of darkening them up a bit to get rid of the yellowish colour, make it more rust, like you say)

[MagicMan]

I didn't even notice the first guy had frag grenades, so there you go... Lol.

[Boltergeist]

I agree about the snow bases-- it will probably mess up your contrast. My absolute favorite color in the whole range is Charadon Granite-- I use it for a lot of things but especially basing. It's a mix of grey, green, and brown and looks good as a base color for urban rubble, scrubland, and even metal deck plates if done right. I'd suggest rubble, maybe with some sparse static grass around some of the larger rocks. It's simple and fast if you want a decent finish without buying resin ones.

[CarbonCopy]

GooseDaMoose,

 

It's OK, I don't see your comments as arguing, just as I think you see my suggestions as constructive.

 

Yah, just mute the yellow color on the base. Use a purple wash/glaze (the exact opposite complimentary color to the yellow) to mute the color while maintaining saturation.

 

Now that I've pointed out the grenades, everybody's going to look at them and go "oh"...

 

Instead of using red to mute the grenades, use the same kind of brown you used on the whites. Maybe slightly darker. This will help it to be more tied-in with the rest of the model vs. being profoundly separate. Same with the tau helmet. Just hit the recesses and cracks and it should add enough similar color to tie it in with other parts of the model. You already had that idea going with the weathering/damage on the Tau helmet. Just punch it up a bit with more thin layers of color. Maybe even rain-streak the helmet.

 

The blue from the plasma weapon is an implied light effect. It needs some focus to differentiate it from the model. It NEEDS to be high-contrast. As such, I honestly think it's fine.

 

There is one little detail I like very much about your models. The lens effect of the helmeted marine is not typical. You have a semicircle toward the front instead of the usual high edge-highlight effect. In my mind, this implies that some sort of camera optic is beneath the armored glass of the helmet lens.

[GooseDaMoose]

Haha MagicMan! I think, Boltergeist, if I'm gonna redo the bases it'll be to Mars soil, and I can't be assed to remake all the bases but thanks for the advice!

 

Well thanks for all the advice CarbonCopy! So I guess I should mute any and all trophies painted in bright colours? The Dark Angels helmet on the first guy I posted isn't messing anything up? And the red on the models themselves?

 

And I'm glad you like the lens :) it didn't come out as well on other models though..