The color black.

[Roc]

After much experimenting ,and trial and error,I finally came up with a colour mixture for black,that seems to work well for me.

If you permit me I would like to share it with you.


I mix Burnt Umber + Prussian blue + Magenta in equal proportions to create a
beautifully pleasing black.

Now that I've posted my mix,I would like to know your mixes or which manufactured black works well for you .

Roc.

 

[Lou Masses]

Roc,

I can't say that I have ever really thought of mixing my own black. I use Ivory black, Lamp Black and Mars Black in oils. Which one depends one whether I want a cool or warm end result. Acrylics Vallejo, Black.

Just a question out of curiosity, why would you want to mix your own? Is there an effect you can get or better highlight transition or something?

Lou

 

[Roc]

Hey Lou,
Excellent question and thanks for responding.

I like to mix my own black beacuse it gives me full control on the amount of warmth and allows me to cool the down the mix as much as I wish.
It allows me to achieve better highlights and deeper shadows.
For example To highlight I would add a bit more Magenta and Burnt umber to the base mix
To shadow I would add more Prussian blue to the base mix.
I have tried all the commercial blacks but to me they seem too dull and lacking vibrance.
This is only my way ,there are many other methods and techniques used by the membership that are probably as good or better.
Roc.

 

[Joe Hudson]

Roc,

I too mix all my blacks. I did it when I painted in oils and I use different mixes with the acrylics. I am not sure if it helps but here a re a few.

Vallejo black + sunnyskin tone (base)
Highlight more sunnyskin
Base black (Sometimes I add a touch of oil mars black for the deeppest)

My favorite black is burnt umber + black then add more of each for highs and lows. Then the highest is brown sand.

I have a a couple more and will share them if you want later.

Joe

 

[Kamil Feliks Sztarbala]

I'm not mixing blacks but i'm using different paints- each one has another features- humbrol, testors, pactra, revell.. when it is painted allover with gloss, matt or satine cote there are following differences..

 

[Patrick Kirk]

Roc et'all,
How would you highlight that? Would you use a little mars orange?

All the best!
Patrick

 

[pkess]

When I paint black, I never use a base color of black. Instead, I will use: Blue Black, Indigo, Green Umber, Sepia, etc. In some instances, I may add a little Lamp Black or Mars Black to the base color. The reason that I do this is so I can use a "pure" black for the shadows. The base color will not look black on your palette, but it will look black when applied to the figure. If you observe actual items of clothing in various lighting situations, you will notice that what we percieve as black always has a slight color cast: violet, blue, green, etc.
I paint white the same way. I never use a pure white for a base color, instead I mix in a little: Mars Yellow, Raw Umber, Green Umber, Indigo, etc. Just enough to tint the white. This allows me to use a pure white for the highlights.
Another useful technique is to add more black shadows to black after the initial painting has dried. Same for white, except repaint the white highlights after drying.
Keep in mind that I paint in oils, so these are wet on wet methods. However, the info about using tinted base colors will work with any medium.

 

[Lou Masses]

Ah, ok makes sense.

WHen I paint with black I usually highlight with a "fleshlike" color as it doesn't then look like a faded garment (as it does with white). But I've never tried mxing my own.

I will have to try that and see how it works. Thanks for the tip!

Lou

 

[Robin]

My Old art teacher way back at school told me there was no such color as black, unless you were in a room with no doors or windows.

I tend like Phil to use black as deep shadow color, better advice from a master like Phil than a trying to get ok numpty like me .

Robin

 

[Roc]

Hey Joe,I would really appreciate it if you would share with us the rest of your mixes for black. The results you achieve are superb,you pics speak a thousand words.

Hey Patrick,
I highlight my Black by adding a bit more Burn Umber and Magenta to my base mix, for extreme highlights I use Naples yellow.I work wet on wet.

Phil, in my opinion you are one of the greats in the hobby and a humble and helpful individual.I have learned a lot from you.


Hey Rob,
You are not a numpty,be real, you know you're talented.

Hey Sztarby,
I'm sorry but I don't understand yiour post.


Roc.

 

[KeithP]

Good subject for me as I am painting the surcoat of VL Black Prince now.

I had planned on using MarsBlack. But, I also like lamp black for the fine pigment. Not familiar with Ivory black.

Which gives the warmest base tone?

Keith

 

[Anders Heintz]

When I paint black I always use black mixed with something light as a base color. I have used light blue, yellow, flesh tone, and light brown mixed with the black, the main thing is to get a base color that is black but a 'light' black so it allows for shadows. To highlight just add more of the color that you used with the base mix and more black to the shadows.

 

[TomRiddle]

I pretty much do the same as Lou, but I will add some red, blue, Raw Umber to change the temp. of the color. I will highlight with some flesh color, orange, warm grey.

You are right, Phil is the Man!

Tom R.

 

[mikec55]

It sounds like you can mix black with anything. For acrylics, I like to mix in a little Vallejo brown rose & use pure black for shadows.

Mike

 

[Kamil Feliks Sztarbala]

Roc- sorry for my english.. ;> ok, i try one more time- each black color have different tone- acylik, oils, from different produsers are dsifferent tones

 

[Roc]

Hey Kamil,
Thanks for the clarification,I now,understand.

Roc.

 

[gforceman]

I always start with black and old rose (all vallejo). To this I add a third colour to obtain a different shade of black (dark Prussian Blue, confederate grey, yellow, green, royal purple, etc...) to highlight I increase the amount of Old Rose, white is used for some carefully chosen xtreme highlights. Shading is done with pure black.

Gino

 

[Roc]

Hey Gino,
Interesting color mixtures and technique.I've seen your work,so I'm sure it works well.



Roc.