Roguescape

Before I go into how I paint metal, there I few things that I would like to let you know.

You should really have two separate brushes for painting metals. One for detail and base colors, like a 3/0 and one for drybrushing. These paints have metal flecks running through them, and can get into your normal colors if you use your normal paint brushes between pots.

Always rinse your metal brushes in separate water from that of which you clean your normal ones, so that you keep the metal flecks out of your other brushes and paints.

Make sure that each metallic color is dry before applying the next highlight. They take longer.

So, how do I paint metal? Well I use this method for large areas only, as I have another method for smaller ones. You will be able to see this on the 'Kwik Tips' page soon. Firstly, if I am painting large metal areas I prefer to start with a Chaos Black undercoat. Metallic paints can have problems with getting smooth and solid tone if applied over a white undercoat. Using this large axe below, I will show you the steps I use.

Chaos Black

The base coat that I apply to the undercoat is called Boltgun Metal. It is a very dark metallic, and you may find it difficult to see it in the following picture. Just look for the shine and you know it's there. This coat I make sure is uniform and as solid as possible, as this is going to supply the axe with dark tones in the nooks and crannies.

Boltgun Metal

Once the Boltgun metal is completely dry, I then use the drybrushing technique to apply all the highlights. The first highlight is done with Chainmail Silver, and is applied thoroughly to the axe head, but leaving the Boltgun metal in the corners of it.

Chainmail Silver

Again, once the Chainmail Silver is completely dry, I then apply one more drybrush with Mythril Silver, and apply them to the outer edges of the axe. Such places are the blade, the hook tip and the clamp that holds it to the shaft. You can tell the difference with them next to each other.

Armour Wash

So that's it. Pretty simple if you follow the steps. This technique is great if you use it on the Bulkheads that come with a lot of GW's terrain, such as Necromunda scenery, the Bastion, the Firebase and the Gorkamorka Fort to name just a few.