Painting metals

[colinlt]

Are printers inks a good substitute for painting metal subjects or should I mix colours in oils to replicate metals. I ma now painting a Jousting scene in Flats so need to be really smooth in my painting techniquie. I find Humbrol paints too Gritty.
Colin.

 

[Sambaman]

Colin, I think printers inks are a good way to get a nice smooth finish. Be sure to thin them properly and use them while they are good and wet. They should flow nicely in this case. With that said, I almost always combine with my oils to get the differnt shades and colors I desire. You should be good to go! Good luck.

Jay h.
OKC

 

[vergilius]

I use printers inkt too but also "smoke" from Tamiya with a highlight afterwards. I think smoke is X19.

 

[PJ Deluhery]

Particlarly in the "flats world," you can paint armor with various shades of gray and black (ochre and yellow for gold) non-metallic oils. This will give you a more natural looking finish on a flat without all that metallic shine. You suggest shiny metal by light and dark shading on the piece. Take a look at some of the better flats - or works of the Masters - and you will quickly see the technique. It's not as hard as it looks, and IMHO the results are much better on flats.