Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

So I am looking into painting the Ravenwing Squad I bought and I was planning on using black primer as the base. I was wondering if black primer is enough for the black color of the armor or do I need to paint over it in black?

I wanted to do a base coat of black primer and simply paint over it in highlights for the logos and such.

The black GW primer is the same color as the the black paint. Generally you can get it, just do some touch up if the primer ended up hitting a bit light anywhere.

Okay and after I finish painting the model, is varnishing an option or does the paint hold fairly well on its own that I really won't need varnish.

For regular guys I'm okay with wear and tear but for guys like Sammael or other HQ's I want to preserve as best as possible

You don't NEED to paint more black on but it well give you a better depth of color to use a darker black in some areas.

Varnish wiuld really be more for the details than the black parts but yeah it can't hurt. Just don't overdo it because to much varnish of any kind can cause frosting. I recommend a few thin coats of matte varnish from vallejo. Airbrushed on if you have it available