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Hi all

I'm looking for a paint, that straight out of the pot, is a dark grey, almost black, but will allow me to put a wash of Agrax Earthshade or Nuln Oil over it to define the shadows, but the model will still look as though it's very near to being black. It will be used for doing the skin on a Minotaur, so it'd be nice if the paint is just grey enough that putting a wash over it gives a good highlight effect as well as shading.

I don't think GW do such a colour so can anyone here recommend me such a paint from other acrylic brands (like for example Vallejo)?

Thanks in advance.

GW does do such a color!

Eshin Grey.

Vallejo's "almost black" is German Panzer Grey, also available as a paint on primer. Its pretty close to the old charadon granite. Away from paint set right now, so can't recall if the stormy grey and co I usually use for the next step up is reaper or vallejo game color, might be another option.

We have Three, Slate Grey, Steel Grey and IV-02 (Charadon Granite replacement)

 Kanluwen wrote:
GW does do such a color!

Eshin Grey.

Looks too dark to me, I've also seen on the web that it doesn't work too well with Agrax or Nuln Oil, there just isn't enough contrast.

Vallejo German Panzer Grey also looks too light looking at photo's via google where it's been used.

Perhaps I'm approaching this from the wrong angle.


Basically I would like the Minotaur's skin to look like it's been painted black, with shadows in the recesses to define the muscles, but I don't want it to look grey, and I want to avoid having to do highlights as much as possible as I'm useless at highlighting skin.

Is there another way of doing this, a glaze to darken a grey that has been shaded perhaps?

VMC German Grey.

Although even that is too dark tbh, after wash end result would probably be too dark. But try that if you want dark, it's almost matte black.

Luftwaffe Unif. WW2 might also want try that.

So we're clear:

You want the Minotaur to look as though he's got body paint or the like on the normal flesh tone?

Rob Lee wrote:
Hi all

I'm looking for a paint, that straight out of the pot, is a dark grey, almost black, but will allow me to put a wash of Agrax Earthshade or Nuln Oil over it to define the shadows, but the model will still look as though it's very near to being black. It will be used for doing the skin on a Minotaur, so it'd be nice if the paint is just grey enough that putting a wash over it gives a good highlight effect as well as shading.

I don't think GW do such a colour so can anyone here recommend me such a paint from other acrylic brands (like for example Vallejo)?

Thanks in advance.

I'd just suggest painting it black, drybrushing it with Mechanicus Standard Grey and then hitting it with Nuln Oil. That way you get your highlights. This was done with IIRC Codex Grey/Dawnstone and the old GW black wash years ago:

VMC German Grey is good, but they also do "Black Grey" which is a bit darker, makes a nice "black" with a wash over it.

if you go for a heavier wash German Grey is ok (wouldn't use it for larger flat surfaces, but a marine say would be fine), they also have "Dark Grey" if you want a "faded black"

Also, even darker is "Nato Black" from the "air" range

Vallejo game colour extra opaque heavy charcoal. It’s a fantastic paint, great coverage and a dark flat grey that would take a black or brown wash great. Two washes of bulb oil has to looking almost black.

I have used it a lot and love it. Hate painting black and it’s my go to dark grey.

Andykp wrote:
Vallejo game colour extra opaque heavy charcoal. It’s a fantastic paint, great coverage and a dark flat grey that would take a black or brown wash great. Two washes of bulb oil has to looking almost black.

I have used it a lot and love it. Hate painting black and it’s my go to dark grey.

Seconded. This is how I tend to do "black". That reminds me, I need to order another bottle...

OK thanks gentlemen. How well do Vallejo Game Colour paints thin for airbrushing? I'm not familiar with them.

Can't seem to find Heavy Charcoal in the Game Air range!

I intend to airbrush the skin colour as my base/undercoat and work from there...

Rob Lee wrote:
OK thanks gentlemen. How well do Vallejo Game Colour paints thin for airbrushing? I'm not familiar with them.

Can't seem to find Heavy Charcoal in the Game Air range!

I intend to airbrush the skin colour as my base/undercoat and work from there...

Per the Vallejo Model Paint FAQ the Game Color Heavy paints are relabeled Model Color paints. According to the Vallejo Equivalent Values document it's Model Color equivalent should be Black 169. I'm not sure what paint it would be in the Model Air line.

I have no idea how it airbrushes but it’s an “extra opaque” similar to GW base paints. Lots of pigment and good coverage. Prob going to clog an airbrush a bit. Use the charts above to find it’s equivalent. Mind you everything clogged my cheap Chinese copy of an airbrush so you never know!