If I'm doing an all black subject, such as a night fighter, I don't use black, I use a very, very dark gray. Then I'll use pure black as the wash for panel lines and such. If doing clothing on a figure, I'll start with a very dark gray and use pure black in the folds and creases and dry-brush a slightly lighter shade of my base color for highlights.



Like any other color, black will appear lighter or darker depending on how the light hits it. Black will also fade like any other color. The upper surface will usually appear lighter than the undersides. Hope this helps. Al

I have seen some aircraft painted "Black", but with black in the panel lines and around rivets.
I will try to experiment with some dark grey before I will give it a go at a complete model.