Contrast is generating a lot of hype and questions in the community. But here’s a paint idea that could be even more useful than Contrast!
By now you have seen all the cool tricks you can do with Contrast paints. No matter what you use them form, at the end of the day, it looks like it’s a paint that sits somewhere between a layer and a wash. It’s designed to be put over a model primed in a light color like white or tan. You just apply one coat all around the model and let it dry.
It’s an awesome idea for someone who is brand new to painting and wants to get an army done quick. However, there are a few problems that have already come up!
You Can Get Streaks on Non-Organic Surfaces
Chris Belleau on Youtube tested out the Contrast paints on a Rhino, what he got was an uneven, streaky mess. While some pro-painters out there might be able to alleviate the streaks, we’re sure some new painters will be running into this problem eventually.
One Thick Coat Applied To Rhino
There is a key point to make here. We know some of you might be thinking “just apply another coat”. However, it’s probably easier said than done. Contrasts are thin and semi-transparent, which means that if you apply another coat stroking the brush in the other direction, you’ll just get cross streaking which could make it look even worse.
Some models with fleshy organic surfaces, like this Great Unclean One, look great with Contrast. Mainly because there’s no overly large flat surface like an armor panel to increases the chances of your paint globbing up. We think we need to see more added to the Citadel paint line that’s designed for large flat surfaces.
Airbrush In a Can
It’s no question that the easiest, fastest way to achieve a smooth coat on a flat surface is by use of an airbrush. While dry brushing is a cheaper alternative to dumping $300+ on a new airbrush and compressor, it still doesn’t do the same job as an actual airbrush.
If you’re patient and apply layer after layer of thin paint, you can get a fairly even colored surface. However, this takes a lot of practice and there’s a chance you could still see those brush stroke lines after the paint dries.
What would be a cool idea for Citadel to come out with is a type of canned paint that we can apply over a primed model to give us a uniform color. At first, you might think we’re talking about a primer. However, we’re talking about another kind of rattle can paint that would go over a coat of primer. It would give people who don’t have access to an airbrush a way of putting a different shade of uniform color to their minis.
We Need a Broader Color Selection Canned Paints
For example, Imperial Fists are a brighter yellow. The closest thing we have to that yellow in a can is Averland Sunset. (It’s really more of a toned-down yellowy-brown that looks too dark for the way an Imperial Fist should). To brighten up the Averland Sunset on a Tank, there could be a lighter yellow that Citadel could release. All we would do is apply one (maybe two) coats worth of spraying onto the primed model to give us a uniform color.
Of course, the real value of this paint would be from its extensive color line.
Small rattle cans of Alaitoc blue, Flash Gitz yellow, Evil Sunz Scarlet, etc. could go a long way in the community, and also slot in well for use with contrast on the more organic stuff as well!
Do you think some paint in the form of a rattle can help you paint things like sides of armor plating? What color do you find yourself needing the most? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group.
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
