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Military figures of all shapes and sizes.
Figure Primer Color
cutigerfan
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: February 21, 2010
KitMaker: 133 posts
Armorama: 85 posts
Posted: Friday, February 07, 2020 - 11:24 AM UTC
What color figure primer do to you prefer & why?
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Friday, February 07, 2020 - 11:38 AM UTC
If I'm painting miniatures (54mm and up) I generally use white primer because it will reflect the painted colors better - they will be more vivid. For 1/35, grey primer will do as it will mute, or dull, applied colors which will look better for figures in a dio. But that's just my preference.
Removed by original poster on 04/13/20 - 03:57:30 (GMT).
Removed by original poster on 04/13/20 - 03:53:06 (GMT).
Lewis-Mrotzek
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 16, 2016
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 15 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 12, 2020 - 03:57 PM UTC
I start with black for a few reasons.

1- It reveals errors in your build.
2- If an area is missed during base coat, black looks better the white or red.
3- Pre shade.
4- Sets you up for Zenithal Highlight.
5- Gives you the option to build up your undercoat without having to commit to a stronger color.



Now sometimes black can kill the vibrancy of your base colors if not handled correct.



Zenithal highlight with White/cream/skin acrylic ink. Much smoother then any white paint I have ever used.



Cheers
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2020 - 02:27 AM UTC
Actually, white is better primer for checking errors - it will show the shadow of mold lines and seams, divots, etc. Black just masks the shadows.
phil2015
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Illinois, United States
Joined: July 27, 2015
KitMaker: 502 posts
Armorama: 325 posts
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2020 - 03:10 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Actually, white is better primer for checking errors - it will show the shadow of mold lines and seams, divots, etc. Black just masks the shadows.



I agree with this.

I have primed white, corrected errors in assembly, then laid down a black base coat for painting, which hides errors in my painting....

But lately I have started using washes on everything, which also hides errors in my painting (usually crevices that I miss), so I've settled on priming with mr surfacer gray, which is a pale gray color.

I have done black base with zenithal highlighting on smaller figures (28mm for wargaming) and find that it's a little too subtle for that scale, but I bet it would be great for 1/35th. Now that I think about it, I may try it on my next set of figures.
Venko555
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Bulgaria
Joined: December 07, 2013
KitMaker: 908 posts
Armorama: 698 posts
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2020 - 03:10 AM UTC
I agree with black primer plus white ink for highlight. Daler Rowney FW Ink are very nice inks also.
But this works on 1/35 and above
Lewis-Mrotzek
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 16, 2016
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 15 posts
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2020 - 07:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Actually, white is better primer for checking errors - it will show the shadow of mold lines and seams, divots, etc. Black just masks the shadows.


I agree 1000% Compared to no primer black still does a great job with the right lighting set up!

Its most likely the reason why the Mr.Surfacer start white/grey and end black

Cheers

Try it out its great to help map out your paint flow.
All_You_Can_Kit
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Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
Armorama: 527 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 10:51 AM UTC
Each modeler goes with their own experiences along with their various reasons and we can't say that one alternative is good and the others are bad. I like to try almost everything and uplifting my skills, indeed.

Then choose the most preferable way with each of us. Love every great opinion from each of you.

So many ways, lots of color
11Bravo_C2
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Texas, United States
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 11:24 AM UTC
Zenithal Priming with black and white (or light grey).

Black from below the figure for shadows and white from above the figure for highlights.

Still my figures look like junk, because i'm not an artist, and don't understand much on selecting the right colors, blending, etc... (even with flesh tone kits)

barnslayer
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New York, United States
Joined: July 29, 2002
KitMaker: 102 posts
Armorama: 102 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2020 - 11:51 AM UTC
I still have some light gray Floquil primer. I don't know what I'll use once I'm forced to switch from enamels.
Removed by original poster on 05/02/20 - 00:48:11 (GMT).
All_You_Can_Kit
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Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
Armorama: 527 posts
Posted: Friday, May 01, 2020 - 12:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text



Still my figures look like junk, because i'm not an artist, and don't understand much on selecting the right colors, blending, etc... (even with flesh tone kits)




Of course you're not alone, man

That's like chewed gum under my shoe when making a diorama.

One of my basic reference is an old valuable short article from James Caan, especially how to prime a figure (more details on page 2 subsection "Painting: Skin Color")

"Figure painting with Acrylics (a painting guide by James Caan)"
11Bravo_C2
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Texas, United States
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Friday, May 01, 2020 - 03:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text



Still my figures look like junk, because i'm not an artist, and don't understand much on selecting the right colors, blending, etc... (even with flesh tone kits)




Of course you're not alone, man

That's like chewed gum under my shoe when making a diorama.

One of my basic reference is an old valuable short article from James Caan, especially how to prime a figure (more details on page 2 subsection "Painting: Skin Color")

"Figure painting with Acrylics (a painting guide by James Caan)"




Oh, thank you for that article. Since the time I've been on the kitmaker network, I've never come across that specific article.
southpier
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: December 11, 2009
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 316 posts
Posted: Friday, May 01, 2020 - 08:09 PM UTC

Quoted Text

… you're not alone...



nice link; thanks
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