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Hello Everyone,
As the title states, I am looking to get some advice on Quickshades and Washes. First off, I totally understand the difference between the two . In the past, I have been painting my models and then using quickshade at the end to give them the shading effect. Overall, I have been happy with the results but I have been considering switching over to washes. I am still looking to keep the same method of washing/shading at the end since I don't trust my painting skills enough to wash and then paint other details/areas on the model without screwing it up.

For any of you that wash as the final step, have you been happy with the results? If you have experience in both washes and quickshade, which one tends to give you the better overall effect?

(as a side note, I only have Marine armies. I thought I would put that out there in case someone was wondering what I am painting)

Hi Havok,

I am no expert and I am sure you will get lots of good comments here but I enjoy using both QS and traditional washes and sometimes on the same model. Depending on the color scheme you are using I find a QS varnish to bring a brown shading albiet to varying degrees depending on which QS you use. Some models like a white, grey, or black scheme for instance this may not be as desirable and so I might prefer to use a wash that better matches this scheme. I find the QS provides a very rich finish that can look fantastic and sometimes I selectively apply it to an area of a model. Even with dabbing excess QS off though I think it may obscure detail. Alternatively I think washes usually bring out detail as a rule. And QS can aid as a protectant to the model where washes generally do not. Recently I applied a QS to a whole model in order to provide some overall shading but then proceeded to highlight paint detail and then apply additional washes.

So not a blanket answer I actually like both but use them selectively.

Palmer

I started using Quickshade because I wanted a nice quick way to add a level of shading to my minis. I tried a wash twice and the effect looked blotchy in my opinion. I could have been my technique too.

 Havok210 wrote:
I started using Quickshade because I wanted a nice quick way to add a level of shading to my minis. I tried a wash twice and the effect looked blotchy in my opinion. I could have been my technique too.

If you havent already you may want to look at some videos on how to apply washes. Here is one I think is pretty good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlJVubeExvk Not sure how you are doing it but washes are often applied earlier for shading and definition and then painted further to lighten various areas. This can fix areas that are overly shaded etc. Also you can use various techniques such as dilute washes further or add a layer of gloss varnish to allow washes to naturally pull away from raised surfaces. I do think QS is an easier way of shading as long as you do not let it pool and basically create brown sludge on the model. IMO washes allow for more diversity and greater control in the look sometimes. Since I havent been painting that long I will admit sometimes I would rather just use QS because when I mess with the washes sometimes the greater amount of work still isnt as good lol But I have models where I am glad I tried other things and it came out better IMO.

Have you thought about giving oil wash a go?

I use India, Sepia, or Indigo Ink mixed with Rubbing Alcohol for my washes ..Simple and easy.(one to three drops per ounce of Iso) Colour is dependent on what will look best on the model ..
and then apply a bit of weathering and final step is to spray with flat matte varnish then touch up metal parts with a gloss..


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As to quick shade I would buy minwax shades before quick shade ..cheaper and same product..in a different can ..

PalmerC wrote:

 Havok210 wrote:
I started using Quickshade because I wanted a nice quick way to add a level of shading to my minis. I tried a wash twice and the effect looked blotchy in my opinion. I could have been my technique too.

If you havent already you may want to look at some videos on how to apply washes. Here is one I think is pretty good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlJVubeExvk Not sure how you are doing it but washes are often applied earlier for shading and definition and then painted further to lighten various areas. This can fix areas that are overly shaded etc. Also you can use various techniques such as dilute washes further or add a layer of gloss varnish to allow washes to naturally pull away from raised surfaces. I do think QS is an easier way of shading as long as you do not let it pool and basically create brown sludge on the model. IMO washes allow for more diversity and greater control in the look sometimes. Since I havent been painting that long I will admit sometimes I would rather just use QS because when I mess with the washes sometimes the greater amount of work still isnt as good lol But I have models where I am glad I tried other things and it came out better IMO.

Good looking with the link and watching that spurred this debate.

kronicpsycho wrote:Have you thought about giving oil wash a go?

To be honest, no. I know very little about oil washes.

morfydd wrote: Automatically Appended Next Post:
As to quick shade I would buy minwax shades before quick shade ..cheaper and same product..in a different can ..

Are they the same? I have been told otherwise by some gamers at my FLGS.

Make sure when using quick shade that you aren't just dunking the model in the can and shaking off the excess. This just leads to a splotchy model and wasted supplies. Paint it on like anything else.
If you wanna use both Washes and quickshade, the washes will need to be used first as they won't pool correctly on top of shade. Also washes combined with quickshade generally darkens the model a bit more and dulls highlights and metallics so consider really sharpening the contrasts and using more vivid colors than normal.
If using oil washes, remember that they take a /very/ long time to dry, which is nice for fixing mistakes but notcso great if you misjudge the drying time and paint over it too soon.

In regards to washes/quickshade, do you all tend to highlight before or after you apply? I have been doing before due to the fear of ruining a mini.

I do all of my base coating, shadows, and highlights and then use quickshade which not only gives a nice tint but also acts as a gloss varnish. To recover the highlights, I dip a cotton swab in mineral spirit and roll it over the areas to bring back the highlight just after I finish brushing on the quick shade.

As quickshade also leaves a gloss coat, it also acts as a great base for an oil wash to get all the panel lines etc. An oil wash will will instantly find the lines and not pool as easily as an acryllic wash.

Highlighting one shade brighter than your target color also works well when leaving wash or quickshade behind.