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.

I was at a shop the other day and saw a very nice looking IG army that was all tactical dark colors and camouflage. Very realistic style.

His opponent was a "see it clearly from space" neon green space marine detachment. The style leaned into the bright Rogue Trader era of colors. (It was the same green the Seattle Seahawks use).

Not realistic, but had a style of its own.

But when it hit the table, the IG player's dark green and brown blobs. Became so camouflaged, that the players on both sides lost track of a unit.

I watched for 4 turns as Kasrkin unit hung out in the ruins of a building, never moving, shooting, or being shot at.

When the game was over I asked about the Kasrkin, and both players said, "what? where?" The unit had hid from both enemy and ally alike.

The Green Marine player said, "That's why my boys are painted like this, I can't lose them."

Which is a good point.

Which way do you prefer for your armies?

For fantasy I have a fairly limited palette I tend to go for. Leathers and subdued colours, with usually one brighter colour as a contrast - often red for my evil factions (for Sauron!).

For 40K I do favour brighter colours these days, or at least, very vibrant colours. I don't mind griming those up afterwards with some washes and stuff but generally I'll want something bright on the mini in every case. But it varies a bit - my Space Marines are very vibrant dark blue and dark red for crimson fists with a very high gloss to represent shiny ceramite. But my Imperial Guard are grey and brown with the weapon casings and armour casing being picked out in a brighter blue-green and eye lenses and goggles in beer bottle green. The guard look like a much grimier force on the table.

My running joke is that I paint camouflage like Hollywood makes movies based on real life events. You can tell where they are coming from, but with more car chases and explosions.

So yes, drab colors and blotches to break up the silhouette, but also polished gold buttons and bright orange and yellow hoses/wires.

That doesn't happen nearly as much if the terrain on the board is painted in super dark colours. My choice has been early on to make terrain very dark and almost monochromatic, this makes the models "pop" against the backdrop even if they aren't painted in super bright colours. My backlog on the terrain is in shambles though!

I try to make the models a bit subdued but dont necessarily shy away from bright colours, especially whenever that suits the faction's "attitude". However, I do not edge highlight so the details might not come across well on the tabletop

YMMV as usual