Jolemai Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Have to say, I struggle to paint to a satisfying level with metallic paints. Whilst I can dry brush well enough, actually painting with them to get a nice, smooth finish is something I am havign trouble with. Do you guys have any suggestions? Would you recommend thinning/water down the metallic paint like you would a regular paint? Just slapping in on? Or any other technique? Sadly I haven't got any pictures at hand to show an example Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peredyne Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 If the model in question is primarily metal in color (Minotaurs or Guardians of the Covenant), I keep a base coat mix of 3 parts base color to 1 part flow aid mixed up in a container ready for use. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602179 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicMan Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Tricky, tricky, tricky. Ive found the key to metallics is in the shading. With other colours its easy enough to build them up with highlighting, but metallics need solid coats, washes, and minimal highlights to stand out. If that makes sense... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolemai Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 It does but it's that initial coat that is the problem. If it's not on smooth, the shading really picks out the shoddy paint job. Basically, I'm looking at painting anything from Sanguinary Guard to gun barrels with my metals. Peredyne, how does that coat go on? Smooth? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602225 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peredyne Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 It goes on very smooth, but does require a couple of coats to cover completely. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602307 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forté Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Depends on the metallic and the finish your trying to get. Aged, dark, bright, etc. Silver/ steel colours are also much easier than golds as the colour usually covers well. Golds need more of a brown base to go over. Personally, treat them how you do any other paint. Thin it so you don't get lumpy layers and build up shadows and highlights too. If you're goig to use washes it works better if you really let the base coat have at least an hour to fully dry and the washes will work really well. As for highlights, don't add white. It ends up looking odd. Use silver. Even for gold highlights. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602339 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemal Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 You need to concentrate on building up in really thin layers - and paint in different directions so that brush strokes don't show if possible when doing eh base coat. You don't want the paint to clump or show brushstrokes, but you also want a good coverage. Metals take ages to paint over black if you are painting them to a high level of sheen. It needs 2 coats at least at perpendicular angles to achieve teh desired finish. Gold needs possibly 2-3 coats as well, depending on the quality of the paint (newer metallics are much nicer tbh) Shading is accomplished through directed paints - use the shading paints and add blacks blues greys purples greens etc to silver and add browns purples and greens to gold Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3602422 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicMan Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Gold is very difficult to go on straight over black, try painting... well pretty much any metallic colour, over a base of Leadbelcher (?) I could be wrong on the name, but its the darkest silver metallic, think its a base paint. Use it with a little water (or on a wet palette, if you have one? Does the hard work for you) and it goes on smooth in one coat. Just use a standard brush, and a bit of care. Then you can go nuts with dry-brushing, washes and other quick n'easy methods. Not trying to blow my own horn, but as an example, the metal on these guys is Leadbelcher, wash, and then a highlight... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/287211-painting-metallics/#findComment-3603897 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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