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Being new to the Space Marines, I wanted to start with the Raven Guard because they look cool, but I find myself wondering: how black can I paint them?

most images show them pure black (lets call it ivory black, that`s how oil paint producers call it). Right now, mine are a more anthracite color: slightly lighter and more dull, but it
has potential to use a darker black for shadow areas and pinwashes. Does anyone who has experience with black (RG, BT) got any tips on this?

thanks in advance

I always think pure black should be reserved for the receses of a mini, so black armour should be a very dark grey (or blue, for that matter)

It sounds like you're on the right track with yours.

I think Ivory Black is the wrong word because Ivory is another shade of White not Black....Maybe you thinking Onyx Black or Coal Black
But in any case Raven Guard Is Pure Black you don't use shading you use highlights grey's to be exact
but in the end it is all up to you if you like the really dark blue with black shading thats up to you really

this pic is directly from the GW site

Thanks for the replies. Most of my paint stock is geared towards historical modeling, so I mostly use Lifecolor and Vallejo paints. Currently my troops are in Lifecolor Panzer Uniform, which is WWII german tank uniform black but slightly lighter for scale effect (i.e. stuff gets lighter the farther away you are from it). I`ve gotten myself some black glaze which I`ll use to tone it down, but all black and highlights just doesn`t sound right to my ears. I guess painting wargaming miniatures is a different ball game?

 razieltemplar wrote:
I think Ivory Black is the wrong word because Ivory is another shade of White not Black....Maybe you thinking Onyx Black or Coal Black

Yeah it`s a funny choice, but the oil paint brand I use (royal talens) distinguishes between Mars black, Lamp black and Ivory black, of which Ivory is the darkest.

I`ll try and post some pics soon