How to make a GW Layer Paint into a Base Layer

[sbarnby71]

I use Fenrisian Grey for my Wolves (Russ and The Fang are too dark for me), but as it's a layer paint I find it does not cover as well as a normal base paint.  From my basic knowledge of how the paints work, the layer must have a higher level of transport medium vs pigment.  So is there anything I can mix it with to give more opacity without messing with the colour?

 

An additional question, has anyone had any experience of storing Contrast Paints that have been watered down with Contrast Medium.  I use about a 50/50 mix of the Space Wolves Grey and mix it each time I need it, but if it stores ok, then it would make sense to mix it up 1 time.  But I don't want to mix up a massive batch only to find in 2 months time it's just a thick sludge.

 

 

[Karhedron]

There isn't an easy way to achieve what you want.

 

The closest I can suggest is to mix The Fang and Corax White to get a colour that is close to Fenrisian Grey and use that as your basecoat to get good, solid coverage. Then put on a top layer of Fenrisian Grey to get the shade exactly right. If you are putting it over an undercoat that is a very close shade, it will have an easier job.

 

But there is no way to get a layer paint up to the coverage levels of a foundation paint that I know of.

 

One other alternative would be to prime the models in Halfords grey primer and see if Fenrisian Grey has an easier job covering over that. Try on a one model first though as I have not tried this approach.

[Firedrake Cordova]

The normal advice for paint which is "too thin" is to leave it on the pallet for a couple of minutes to thicken up before using it, or to pick first apply a coat of a similar, but better covering paint. I don't think either of those are an answer to your question, though. :/

 

On the subject of storing Contrast paint, I can't see why it'd be an issue - I have some pots which I've had since the range came out, and there's no obvious evaporation that I can see. Having said that, if you're worried about it, maybe put it into a "known air-proof" container..?

[Cleon]

Another option for an pre painting base spray would be Army Painters Uniform grey, I used to use it under the old 'codex grey' for my Cadian guard and the GW paint liked it - if you do then remember - Army painters need more distnce to the model than the GW prier rattlecans.

[Arkhanist]

As above, coverage is down to the amount of pigment per brushload. You can leave it open to let the paint thicken, but it's mostly water you're losing, not medium, so you end up with a less viscous paint, but not any significantly better coverage. What you'd need would be extra of the same colour pigment(s) as were added to make it in the first place, which we can't get.

 

Pre-covering with a similar base colour (or mix) as suggested so the layer paint has to do less work is the easiest option, or use an airbrush to make laying down multiple thin layers more tolerable.

 

Another normal option would be a different paint brand that's a similar colour, but a higher pigment content, but it's a hard colour to match. Instar blue steel is a very close one according to my paint app (it's intended to be a direct swap for fenrisian, so that makes sense!), but I've found instar standard paints to be roughly equivalent to layer paint coverage, so that doesn't help you any I'm afraid. None of the high-pigment ranges I know of have anything particularly close alas.

 

With regards mixing Contrast with additional Contrast medium and storing it; yes, I've done exactly that (in fact it's a mix of two colours and medium) and it's been fine for 6 months with no sign of deterioration. It is in a standard dropper bottle, but my non-mixed launch date contrast isn't drying out at any appreciable rate (I make sure the lids are properly closed) so an original pot should also be fine. As with most Contrast though, it needs a proper shaking with an added mixing ball after sitting and separating for a while!

[Bung]

An option would be to mix in some artist acrylics. Normaly they are pretty dense with pigments.

Something like Paynes Grey should come close.

Maybe a first layer with Fenrisan Grey + Paynes Grey and a second layer with Fenrisan Grey.

[WrathOfTheLion]

It doesn't answer your question directly, but is an airbrush available? You might just acquire the Fenrisian Grey airbrush paint if so.

I do the same with Russ Grey, I don't have any interest anymore attempting to get coverage using the normal paint.

[MegaVolt87]

2-3 thin coats of layer paint will get the coverage desired by brush. I have used layer paints as base paints and base paint as layer paints. Its just a bit more work. 

[Firedrake Cordova]

Something like Paynes Grey should come close. Maybe a first layer with Fenrisan Grey + Paynes Grey and a second layer with Fenrisan Grey.

Given that Payne's grey is pretty dark, I would imagine if you mix a bit in with Fenrisian Grey to get more coverage, it'll give you a nice shade layer to build up from with the next coat of Fenrisian Grey. 

Edited September 30, 2021 by Firedrake Cordova

[Bung]

 

 

Something like Paynes Grey should come close. Maybe a first layer with Fenrisan Grey + Paynes Grey and a second layer with Fenrisan Grey.

Given that Payne's grey is pretty dark, I would imagine if you mix a bit in with Fenrisian Grey to get more coverage, it'll give you a nice shade layer to build up from with the next coat of Fenrisian Grey.

Paynes Grey and Vallejo Dark Sea Blue are my favorite colors to darken other colors.

But it seems i misjudhed Fenrisan Grey, i thought it would be darker.

[sbarnby71]

Thanks folks for all the options.

 

I do generally use an airbrush and base-coat with Vallejo Mecha Primer Grey and then apply 2 - 3 coats of GW Air Fenrisian Grey and that does work well for me, but there are times it's just not worth setting up the airbrush for maybe a single mini, so that's why I was looking for how to use the Layer as more of a base.

 

I might look at another manufacturer and choose a close match to Fenrisian Grey, then that way I know I have the better consistency of pigment, but then I need to find some who does an Air and normal paint of the same colour, so perhaps Vallejo is the way to go.

[Firedrake Cordova]

I might look at another manufacturer and choose a close match to Fenrisian Grey, then that way I know I have the better consistency of pigment, but then I need to find some who does an Air and normal paint of the same colour, so perhaps Vallejo is the way to go.

Vallejo Model Color Grey Blue (70.943) looks like it might be the best match from Vallejo, although it is a bit darker than Fenrisian Grey. You could make an "air" version of it by mixing it with airbrush thinner and storing it in an empty 17ml/35ml bottle (both available from Vallejo, amongst others) ... it may even work out cheaper by volume in the end.

Edited October 1, 2021 by Firedrake Cordova

[Grotsmasha]

I think the best solution, is if you're doing 2-3 coats with a brush anyway, do first coat with a 2 to 3 or 1 to 4 Base to Layer mix as this will give better coverage for sure, with you're second coat being pure Fenrisian, which over the previous mix coat should cover 100%

 

Per GW's own statement, the Contrast Medium is just uncoloured Contrast, so it should be fine. The only thing I can say for sure, it that it holds well with the traditional washes / shades.

[Bung]

Thanks folks for all the options.

 

I do generally use an airbrush and base-coat with Vallejo Mecha Primer Grey and then apply 2 - 3 coats of GW Air Fenrisian Grey and that does work well for me, but there are times it's just not worth setting up the airbrush for maybe a single mini, so that's why I was looking for how to use the Layer as more of a base.

 

I might look at another manufacturer and choose a close match to Fenrisian Grey, then that way I know I have the better consistency of pigment, but then I need to find some who does an Air and normal paint of the same colour, so perhaps Vallejo is the way to go.

If you look at other manufacturers try to find something like Scalecolors which are made for Brush and Airbrush use and Just need some thinning for the later.