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So, I have a few big, show piece models in the paint queue that would benefit from some good quality metallic work. I've been looking for an excuse to try VLM, and I think this is it, but I have a few questions about their use before I purchase.

1) I'm thinking old gold, gold and silver as a starting point, thoughts?
2) do they mix with each other (so can I lighten the gold by adding silver, as with normal acrylic metals)
3) do they benefit from an appropriate brown, black or grey base coat, or is their coverage sufficient to go straight over the primer?
4) is there any benefit to highlighting/shading/washing them as one would normally, or does the metallic finish take care of that in the same way as highlighting a gloss-finished area of a model is largely redundant?
5) what are you having for tea?
6) There isn't a 6 (there wasn't really a 5 either)

Thanks in advance!

 azreal13 wrote:
So, I have a few big, show piece models in the paint queue that would benefit from some good quality metallic work. I've been looking for an excuse to try VLM, and I think this is it, but I have a few questions about their use before I purchase.

1) I'm thinking old gold, gold and silver as a starting point, thoughts?
2) do they mix with each other (so can I lighten the gold by adding silver, as with normal acrylic metals)
3) do they benefit from an appropriate brown, black or grey base coat, or is their coverage sufficient to go straight over the primer?
4) is there any benefit to highlighting/shading/washing them as one would normally, or does the metallic finish take care of that in the same way as highlighting a gloss-finished area of a model is largely redundant?
5) what are you having for tea?
6) There isn't a 6 (there wasn't really a 5 either)

Thanks in advance!

1) seems good, but imo too much silver will really spoil the effect. I might do a 2:1 silver:gold 'spot' highlight at certain very reflective and featured areas.
2) yes - but they do not mix well with anything else in my experience - they CANNOT be touched by water, and therefore water-based paints. Do not wet your brush when you put it in the pot either. You must use alcohol or proper thinner only; for this reason I stopped using these despite how nice they look.
3) they can go straight over the primer
4) definitely yes - but just make sure the paint in very dry before you start adding water-based paints/shades/washes etc.
5) I'm American ...so likely an herbal or berry "tea".
6) have you tried Vallejo Model Colour Gold? ...the VMC brass, gold, silver combo is really quite nice. I would say the same about the Andrea gold set. I did this some time ago, it might help: http://atticwars40k.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-gold-rush-quest-for-best-gold.html

Good luck and show us your results!

Thanks for the reply, I should clarify that in point 1) I was referring to initial purchases, rather than a scheme, and would indeed use silver to lighten the gold, rather than use it pure, except for some very high spot highlights.

 azreal13 wrote:
Thanks for the reply, I should clarify that in point 1) I was referring to initial purchases, rather than a scheme, and would indeed use silver to lighten the gold, rather than use it pure, except for some very high spot highlights.

Gotcha - well you could buy the 'set' which comes with all 3 plus the brass or copper color. I find a little brass/copper mixed with old gold makes the best base coat.