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One thing I never understood well is how does models that use lots of black are suppose to be?
I see they are highlighted with side brushing of what I am guessing a metallic but in order for it to look good it cannot simply be just plain old black to be called a pro paint job.

So what is the trick to making really good black models? Like if I want the burna bomber of mine to be yellow and the engines to be black. Should I be doing very light edgings of silver or is there something more to it?

Weathering and proper edge highlighting, and he devil is in the details

Also google "barbarosa crusade" for some truly magnificent black painting.

My trick to making black on black look good is german gray. Its a vallejo model color (not game color). Its just a shade lighter than black so you have deep recesses in black then the normal areas in german gray, then highlight with cold gray to finish off the look.

Don't use black to make it look black.

I like Paitryn use a variant of black. I use vellejo Black Gray as a base, and highlight it. If you really look at things that are black they tend to reflect a lot of grays. So start with a very dark gray (almost black), and work on highlights.

You'll find that things don't look so polished and fake. They will tend to look more natural.

Paitryn wrote:
My trick to making black on black look good is german gray. Its a vallejo model color (not game color). Its just a shade lighter than black so you have deep recesses in black then the normal areas in german gray, then highlight with cold gray to finish off the look.

This is what I do expect the highlight is cold grey mixed with german grey so that it's not too sharp. Works pretty well.


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And I just googled that barbarossa crusade. Makes you want to give up.

I agree with those who say a dark grey (or German Grey) is the best option. Whether you are going to highlight, dip or wash, the results will likely be more effective than plain black.

I almost never use black now, and it's something I wish I'd learned alot earlier.