(Space marines) How to make a red and black paint scheme look good?

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**GalacticDefender**

Does anyone have some very good examples of some Space Marines painted a bit like this?:

They still need some washes, but does anyone have any tips on how to make my army look a little better? (Also what is the best way to make washes look good?) Even if it is just generic advice, I'll take it. I've been looking to spend some time improving my painting skills, so I thought I'd start here.

**ScootyPuffJunior**

It is hard to give a good opinion because the picture quality is poor. Try to get a close up of one of the marines, if possible. Just from the picture they look very flat. Highlight both the red and the black to give it some depth. Washes might be a moot point because the dominate color of the armor is black... not much will show up.

As far as highlighting the black, there are a few ways to do it: using greys or blues. I personally use a lot of turquoise when painting black but grey is far more common. With the reds just use lighter shades and some orange-reds if you want.

**jmurph**

Your reds and blacks look flat. Try adding some grey to the black for edge highlighting and some brighter red or even slight orange for the reds. You can also use a flesh color to mix in to the red for highlights. See http://www.games-workshop.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m990126a_99060101459_FTShoulderPads2_445x319.jpg .

**GalacticDefender**

Would mixing the paints to get different shades be a good idea?

Also as for washes, what is the best way to use them without the model looking like a runny mess?

As for highlighting black, does that mean areas around joints or what? Do you know of any examples you could link me to?

(sorry about the picture quality)

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, what kind of brushes are people using?

**AustonT**

Are you married to the idea of a black and red army?

**GalacticDefender**

AustonT wrote:Are you married to the idea of a black and red army?

Yes, absolutely. I'll probably make my scheme a lot more complex, but it will still be black and red. (Why?)

I've got a nearly complete Guard army that I just started painting as well. That's going to be an undertaking.

**SickSix**

One thing I am noticing with my own army (vehicles specifically) is that a Straight-up 'black' basecoat is NOT really a great idea. You will have to go back and do a LOT of highlighting to actually bring out the detail of the model.

If you have an airbrush I would actually suggest maybe a grey primer, then lightly apply the black base coat to the flat areas allowing the primer to show through on edges leaving a natural highlight.

Just an idea. I am no pro. /salt

**FirePainter**

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Angels_of_Vengeance#.T-6I-_XnQQZ

This is a good scheme. It uses the red mostly as an accent but its something to look at. With highlighting black, the way I have done it is to first give a highlight of a very dark grey and then progressively switch to a mix of grey and white and add a black wash after to soften the contrast and help with blending.
here is an example of my style http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/381218-.html?m=2

**heartserenade**

Here's a good guide on painting and highlighting black:

**KingCracker**

My brother paints his marines similar. But what he does is prime white, and then washes the marines in black wash to get his desired effect/colors, and then picks it out with red. Looks SO much better as you can see detail and whatnot. Ill have to have him send me the pics again, because I cant find them anywhere on my PC

**AustonT**

GalacticDefender wrote:
AustonT wrote:Are you married to the idea of a black and red army?

Yes, absolutely. I'll probably make my scheme a lot more complex, but it will still be black and red. (Why?)

I've got a nearly complete Guard army that I just started painting as well. That's going to be an undertaking.

When I first started playing 40k I played a Sprayed Blood Red army with a bare minimum 3 color paint, the first army I painted by hand was an Army of Death, I later abandoned it because black is so difficult to create depth with. It sounds easy but black is very hard to level up from ok to good or great. If you are sticking to it I prefer to use dark brown or blue to highlight black, rather than gray which tends to look like ash. Gloss Varnish also looks good with black.

**Deadshot**

Here is a good scheme for Flesh Tearers I found in an old WD. Being red and black you may find it useful

First, Spray with Mechrite Eed and then Red Gore. Pick out details in Chaos Black and Boltgun MetalThe black areas are highlighted with Codex Grey and the red with Bleached bone. The armour is washed in Badab Black, and the eyes picked out in Skull White

Baal red is applied to the armour to tone down highlights and also to the eyes to tint them red.

Do with that what you will. Some bits may not be applicable, some may be.