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Hey Dakka,

I'm just wondering how to paint black...without it looking black? I understand that makes no sense whatsoever But I mean that, for example, a Chaplain is black, but painted examples look awesome. When I paint something black, it just looks like it's half painted. Can you see where I'm coming from?

Thanks,
TheFatElf

Try highlighting upwards, especially at the top of the model that would receive the most light. Start with a dark grey and mix it with the black that you've used as your base and start lightly highlighting all the edges and then then tops of curves and armor that would be hit by the light. Then use unmixed gray and highlight a little less. Put a thinned black wash over it to bring it back down.

That sounds like a plan, I'll have to try it. So, for example:

Abbadon black (base)
Abbadon Black/Mechanicus Standard Grey
Straight Mechanicus Grey (?)
And then lighter...

I use Adeptus Battlegrey and then use several washes of Nuln Oil to darken it down for a nice black but not black styled effect.

For a painted color to look natural, you need to be able to shade down from your midtone, as well as highlight up - black paint doesn't let you do that. Edgelining with gray is the "quick and dirty" method, since it only works in one direction. If you really want your blacks to look natural, start with a dark color - gray is good for worn or rough cloth, blue for a cooler, silky look - mixed with black and highlight using progressively less black in the mix. Hit it with a black wash (or shade down the old fashioned way) to further darken the recesses and you'll end up with a convincingly not-black black.

Grab a bunch of grays. I dunno what paint line your using. grab a dark gray then a slightly lighter one then a quiet light one. 3 stage highlight it then glaze or wash it back with something to bring it together.

It also depends on the kind of black you are aiming for. Highlighting up to a blue is also an option... And so is any other color, especially in object source lightinh