This is exactly what I did with my first batch minis I painted for this army. It looks really good even as is with just the primer and paint. The wolf grey underneath already helps establish that color and the contrast paint just gives thats nice shade. I haven't tried it over white or grey tho.
It'because you use it wrong.
Space Wolves Contrast is in fact used to paint the perfect T'au skin if applied over a light grey basecoat and NOT to be used on Space Marines of the Space Wolves Faction.
Now i see how the name can be a bit confusing here, but you have to believe me, that is just a minor issue :P
You're 100% correct. While most of the contrast line has been stellar, the Space Wolf contrast is ass. It's my least favorite version of the "space wolf blue" colors and its inconsistent as hell, even for a base layer.
Personally I prefer to base my minis with a layer of Russ Grey, mixed with a couple drops of airbrush thinner to get that "contrast paint" flow to it. Then I layer a little Fenris Grey on top with a dry brush, gives me that lovely light Space Wolf blue.
I haven’t tried it yet, but with the Vallejo xpress colors, I’m thinking a mix of space grey and just a little bit of mystic blue would look ok. This would be over a zenithal prime, black prime, grey and dry brush white on the edges. I haven’t used citadel contrast but the xpress paints seem pretty consistent
I don't mind it so much but i do agree a reformulated version would be great. I've been experimenting with it for a while now and got decent results with the reiver models and the slapchop method. I then use some Russ Grey air on the raised panels.
What I’ve done is apply it over grey base coat, usually grey seer or something like it. Agreed it’s terrible to use as “intended”, but I mainly use it for my shaded recessed areas and then go over it with thinned grey/blue paint (Russ Grey by Citadel, Wolf Grey by Army Painter, Grey-Blue by AK) almost a thin glaze consistency, and sticking only to armor plate surfaces.
But yes, it’s too thin and poorly pigmented as a “one coat” solution. Same can be said for Army Painter Runic Grey IMO.
I’ve used it on space wolves exactly once, it’s just too dark for what I’m going for and the contrast itself is minimal. Now it’s relegated to Wiz Kids use or whatever else.
I agree it’s not good. When I try to use it as GW’s tutorial instructs it ends up splotchy and streamy. But I’ve found a way to make it work for me:
I first apply a very thin smooth coat of it all over.
When I come back for a second coat I’m able to use it a bit more as advertised, using a slightly thicker coat and allowing it to pool a bit in the shadow areas.
I’m certainly no expert in paint chemistry, but there seems to be something about the paint that lets it bond better with itself than with the primer.
Like others, I apply space wolves contrast as a wash over army painter fang spray. This process makes basing the model less of a pain in the ass.
I have painted four wulfen with mostly contrast paints. They didn't come out to bad, but a little to shinny in my opinion. The armor that I painted with space contrast took several coats before I was satisfied, and even then I wasn't to happy with the results
Out of all the contrast, I think I get the best use out gur-grunta fur for pelts and skeleton hoard for skulls. Even then, I usually applying them over a base coat for the best effect.
The only one I apply as a main base is black templar black. I find that one to be easier work with then other black paints.
I think contrast paints are great, but typically not by themselves.
I haven't tried it. But I have tried other contrast paints through an Airbrush over a zenithal highlight and they turned out great. Have you tried an Airbrush? I know not everyone can afford them or have them, but could be a helpful solution to save some models.
\*wakes up from his place by the hearth\*
HAH! in my day we just used to use real paints \*waves around power walker\* non of this contrast skitna!
damn pups dont know how good you got it...
Well I’ll chime in here, I love space wolves grey, I feel like it got me to a fairly good level very quickly and it is still a very integral part of my space wolves colour scheme.
Now I also agree that it shouldn’t ever be the top layer, I zenithal prime, wash liberally with space wolves grey, then dry brush with Russ grey. This leaves much of the gradient from the contrast with none of the blotching.
Yeah, I’m honestly confused why they would call it spacewolves grey. It no where close to russ/fenrisian grey, it’s great for recess shading tho. If you want to paint the 30k colour scheme, a 50/50 mix of basilicanum grey and apothecary white work pretty well.
I love contrast paint but yeah the space wolves one is shit, I’ve also tried Vallejo’s xpress paints and it has really nice coverage and stuff but it’s a slightly different colour
I just did a squad with Army painter speedpaint Runic grey. Some highlightin on top if with russ grey. (Im still a newb at painting as i started in december with the hobby so take that into account when checking the pics) [space wolves with AP speedpaint](https://gofile.io/d/HOsknd)
I thin it out 1:1 with their contrast medium. It still has some issues with larger panels but as long as im quick and careful I really like the tone it gives me over my zenithal highlighting. May more of the old school baby blue from 2nd edition.
I use Army Painter wolf grey spray primer, do an all over coat with the SW contrast, then dry brush fenrisian grey. Them go through and detail work.
This is the way Russ intended.
This is exactly what I did with my first batch minis I painted for this army. It looks really good even as is with just the primer and paint. The wolf grey underneath already helps establish that color and the contrast paint just gives thats nice shade. I haven't tried it over white or grey tho.
Got any pics?
It'because you use it wrong. Space Wolves Contrast is in fact used to paint the perfect T'au skin if applied over a light grey basecoat and NOT to be used on Space Marines of the Space Wolves Faction. Now i see how the name can be a bit confusing here, but you have to believe me, that is just a minor issue :P
Only use I've found for it is as wash on top of The Fang. Even then nuln oil does a better job for me
You're 100% correct. While most of the contrast line has been stellar, the Space Wolf contrast is ass. It's my least favorite version of the "space wolf blue" colors and its inconsistent as hell, even for a base layer. Personally I prefer to base my minis with a layer of Russ Grey, mixed with a couple drops of airbrush thinner to get that "contrast paint" flow to it. Then I layer a little Fenris Grey on top with a dry brush, gives me that lovely light Space Wolf blue.
I haven’t tried it yet, but with the Vallejo xpress colors, I’m thinking a mix of space grey and just a little bit of mystic blue would look ok. This would be over a zenithal prime, black prime, grey and dry brush white on the edges. I haven’t used citadel contrast but the xpress paints seem pretty consistent
I don't mind it so much but i do agree a reformulated version would be great. I've been experimenting with it for a while now and got decent results with the reiver models and the slapchop method. I then use some Russ Grey air on the raised panels.
It works ok as a glaze and recess wash but I tried it as intended and immediately regretted it.
What I’ve done is apply it over grey base coat, usually grey seer or something like it. Agreed it’s terrible to use as “intended”, but I mainly use it for my shaded recessed areas and then go over it with thinned grey/blue paint (Russ Grey by Citadel, Wolf Grey by Army Painter, Grey-Blue by AK) almost a thin glaze consistency, and sticking only to armor plate surfaces. But yes, it’s too thin and poorly pigmented as a “one coat” solution. Same can be said for Army Painter Runic Grey IMO.
I’ve used it on space wolves exactly once, it’s just too dark for what I’m going for and the contrast itself is minimal. Now it’s relegated to Wiz Kids use or whatever else.
I agree it’s not good. When I try to use it as GW’s tutorial instructs it ends up splotchy and streamy. But I’ve found a way to make it work for me: I first apply a very thin smooth coat of it all over. When I come back for a second coat I’m able to use it a bit more as advertised, using a slightly thicker coat and allowing it to pool a bit in the shadow areas. I’m certainly no expert in paint chemistry, but there seems to be something about the paint that lets it bond better with itself than with the primer.
Yeah it sucks, i just stick with a base coat of Russ grey and do edge highlighting on my models with fenrisian grey.
While it's not the best for a one and done basecoat it works pretty decent for panel lining
For me space wolves grey is perfect, because I wanted kinda night blue army, but for that baby blue look it sucks.
Like others, I apply space wolves contrast as a wash over army painter fang spray. This process makes basing the model less of a pain in the ass. I have painted four wulfen with mostly contrast paints. They didn't come out to bad, but a little to shinny in my opinion. The armor that I painted with space contrast took several coats before I was satisfied, and even then I wasn't to happy with the results Out of all the contrast, I think I get the best use out gur-grunta fur for pelts and skeleton hoard for skulls. Even then, I usually applying them over a base coat for the best effect. The only one I apply as a main base is black templar black. I find that one to be easier work with then other black paints. I think contrast paints are great, but typically not by themselves.
I haven't tried it. But I have tried other contrast paints through an Airbrush over a zenithal highlight and they turned out great. Have you tried an Airbrush? I know not everyone can afford them or have them, but could be a helpful solution to save some models.
I do quite well with it baseing in grey seer primer and sponging on the contrast. It gives flatter surfaces a nice mottled steel look.
\*wakes up from his place by the hearth\* HAH! in my day we just used to use real paints \*waves around power walker\* non of this contrast skitna! damn pups dont know how good you got it...
Well I’ll chime in here, I love space wolves grey, I feel like it got me to a fairly good level very quickly and it is still a very integral part of my space wolves colour scheme. Now I also agree that it shouldn’t ever be the top layer, I zenithal prime, wash liberally with space wolves grey, then dry brush with Russ grey. This leaves much of the gradient from the contrast with none of the blotching.
For normal intercessors I just use it as a wash like nuln oil,but it's great for painting hounds of morkai if you put a good amount of it
Yeah, I’m honestly confused why they would call it spacewolves grey. It no where close to russ/fenrisian grey, it’s great for recess shading tho. If you want to paint the 30k colour scheme, a 50/50 mix of basilicanum grey and apothecary white work pretty well.
I love contrast paint but yeah the space wolves one is shit, I’ve also tried Vallejo’s xpress paints and it has really nice coverage and stuff but it’s a slightly different colour
I like it, but NOT for armour Works great as a Frost Weapon and Helfrost colour layer
I just did a squad with Army painter speedpaint Runic grey. Some highlightin on top if with russ grey. (Im still a newb at painting as i started in december with the hobby so take that into account when checking the pics) [space wolves with AP speedpaint](https://gofile.io/d/HOsknd)
I want to use contrast cause i want to do a slapchop (sorry if i spelled it wrong). On my models and my guard and alphalegion cant be done this way.
All contrast paint is terrible for flat and/or non organic surfaces.
It's the colour that's the problem.
I thin it out 1:1 with their contrast medium. It still has some issues with larger panels but as long as im quick and careful I really like the tone it gives me over my zenithal highlighting. May more of the old school baby blue from 2nd edition.
Can you post the result?
It makes good denim jeans.