This weeks video from The Quarantined Wargamer discusses the apparently controversial subject of Undercoat and how it gets some painters quite worked up. This is a 'discussion' that has a long pedigree, certainly its been a subject of heated discussion for as long as I have been painting and looks set to continue for many years to come. I discuss some of the issues around what colour your undercoat or primer should be, and why I think a lot of the debate is actually just as a matter of definition. As always, my conclusion is that whatever works for you is the best choice.
From next week The Quarantined Wargamer videos will be broadcast on Sundays rather than Fridays. I decided on the change for a variety of reasons, mostly to do with my own workload and time constraints. Since April I have been sticking to a fixed timetable for publishing on my blog and the videos and it's really helped instil a bit of routine at a time when in all other aspects of my life (especially at work) nothing has been routine. So from next week, TQW will be released at midday on Sunday with a simultaneous announcement post on my Blog. I'll continue to post a weekly article on the blog on Wednesday at noon, but now I have space in my schedule to do a second Blog article on a Friday if I have something to talk about.
As usual, I'd ask that if you enjoyed the video please hit the like button and of course consider subscribing to my channel. Next week I'll be taking a tongue-in-cheek look at how we throw dice and ask, are you doing it wrong? Until then, stay safe, and keep rolling high!
Sorry, Lee. I'll not take advice on dice rolling from someone who always rolls ones!
ReplyDeleteQuite right too. :)
Delete2 coats of either black or grey Vallejo primer for me. Works wonders!
ReplyDeleteWhatever works for you mate...your work speaks for itself.
DeleteI find that a coat of Halford's grey primer followed by matt black works perfectly well for me. For light colours I simply apply light grey first for white, or an ochre for yellow. Having worked as a professional modelmaker for some 33 years, thin colours such as red and yellow require a specific undercoat colour, which most people don't realise. Without these it's very hard to get the right colour, hence my use of ochre as a basecoat etc. In the end whatever works for you is all that matters!
ReplyDeleteI've got a few cans of Halford's Primer around. Always useful.
DeleteI undercoat with the majority colour mostly , usually in enamels (well I am old skool) , however 45 years of it working that way is good enough for me to not chamge!
ReplyDeleteIf it works for you that's all that counts.
DeleteOh my, some wargamers just want to argue about everything and anything don't they? Your conclusion "whatever works for you is the best choice" is so darned simple and obvious. Live and let live and get on with it. I was introduced to Payne's Grey a few years ago and won't look back, but I ain't gonna try to convert someone who likes to use white, or black or even grey or pink!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, James
I expect most painters are influenced by where or how they learned their art and consequently methods may vary quite a lot. No one option is 'correct' because it all depends on your painting style, what you are painting and even the brand of paints you prefer.
DeleteWas not aware it was controversial. Personally I do not undercoat as never felt need but know plenty that do (Black, grey or white). Suppose the same might apply to shading/highlighting/dipping ?
ReplyDeleteLike just about everything in wargaming "to each their own"..........
I'll admit I'm being deliberately provocative in my use of title, but I have come across several forum chats where there seems to be a degree of argument on the subject. To vary the mantra of the above comments; if your happy with your results, no one has any right to tell you you're doing it wrong?
Delete