Similar to Pure Achromatic (Greyscale) schemes, are Near-Neutrals. Since Grey is Neutral, Near-Neutrals are Colours that have so much grey (light or dark grey) that it's almost impossible to tell what the original colour was. "Earthy" is another term given to these colours due to how many browns comprise these tones. Painting in Neutrals can feel pleasing as they're not aggressive, even when you're using a lot of darks.
"Sepia" is a term you might be familiar with for an art style that uses mostly Yellow Neutrals. However, a painting style that uses a single colour is called "Monochromatic", which I'll look at next.
Any of the other art styles I've covered can be used when painting with Neutrals. The mixes of Hues, contrasting lights and darks, softer blended ranges, etc.
The chart here is a good guide on colour intensity. To create Near-Neutrals, you really do want to go past the "Dull" colours, where the colour really starts to disappear and the grey tone becomes apparent.
Colour Theory: Near-Neutral Achromatic
From the desk of
Dave Garbe
on
Friday, April 24, 2015
|
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Colour Theory: Pure Achromatic (Greyscale)
From the desk of
Dave Garbe
on
Friday, April 17, 2015
|
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Remember when I said colours of equal value look like the same shade of grey? Look at the Colour Wheel now. |
The normal reasons for painting like this is for environments like stone formations or cities, either for terrain or for bases. A practical reason for painting greyscale on a miniature would be some form of camouflage, either natural (mountain beasts) or man-made by people living or fighting in these areas. You'll also find these schemes in nature for general reasons: wolf pelts, seals, whales, polar / black / panda bears, etc.
Some reasons you'd paint these compositions would be if you're painting an object that's normally White and/or Black, painting something that's normally composed of Greys or painting something that should have colour artistically.
There are different ways that you can paint a greyscale miniature or scene, each which has a strong impact on the way it comes across to the viewer.
When you're choosing the amount of Black, White and Grey to use, here's some things to consider:
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Colour Theory: Colour Contrast and Context
From the desk of
Dave Garbe
on
Friday, April 10, 2015
|
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Comparing light, dark and grey contrasts. http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/color_context.htm |
Another important part of Colour Contrast is when we look at people who are colour blind. (A topic I had a buddy write about once - Colour Blind Modellers.) You can convert 2 different colours to greyscale and they become the same grey, causing details to literally disappear. There are a bunch of websites dedicated to testing how well colours contrast.
When we paint miniatures, we want to make colours "pop". Try to remember:
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
Getting Started: Removing Mould Lines
From the desk of
Dave Garbe
on
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
|
Topics: basics / getting started / hobbying |
If you don't clean mould lines from miniatures, they'll be REALLY obvious when you paint them. There are a couple ways to approach them. I prefer using a hobby knife (X-Acto) but this can also be done with files if kids are involved. However, a file leaves a rougher surface while a knife lets you smooth it out.
I've talked about cleaning mould lines before, but this'll use more practical examples.
I've talked about cleaning mould lines before, but this'll use more practical examples.
Topics: basics / getting started / hobbying |
Colour Theory: Square Tetradic Colours
From the desk of
Dave Garbe
on
Friday, April 03, 2015
|
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |
I'll be looking at two Tetradic Schemes - Rectangular and Square.
In both, we use 2 sets of Complementary Colours for a total of 4 colours. The difference between Rectangular and Square is how far apart the colours are spread. We have the benefit of more colours to paint with, however it becomes harder to balance all of them cleanly.
Created with painter from Bolder & Chainsword |
Topics: colour theory / painting / techniques |