Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: Story on October 21, 2025, 10:27:05 PM

Title: Monochromatic painting
Post by: Story on October 21, 2025, 10:27:05 PM

Anyone have experience and tips on how to do a subject only in black, white and greys?

This is General Shehab back when he was a Cavalry LT in WW2. I want to do an interpretation of the photo w/ Tamiya 1/35th bits.

(https://i.imgur.com/NvV3KXW.jpeg)


Found this, FWIW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buArQAx7OKw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buArQAx7OKw)

See also chiaroscuro (noun) - the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting.

Title: Re: Monochromatic painting
Post by: Story on October 21, 2025, 10:41:11 PM

I have my notions on what to use from the black <- grey -> white palette but I'm soliciting suggestions.

(https://i.imgur.com/rz4KH6E.jpeg)

Title: Re: Monochromatic painting
Post by: Old Wombat on October 21, 2025, 11:41:10 PM

My suggestion would be to use just one type of black & one type of white paint, & mix them to the desired tone, as different grey paints will have different base tones which will spoil the B&W aesthetic.

Looking at the photo an off-white may be a better starting point than a pure white & a charcoal black, rather than a pure black.

Title: Re: Monochromatic painting
Post by: Frank3k on October 21, 2025, 11:58:06 PM

What guy said - mix the grays. That video wasn't great.

Starting with an all black figure and building up the lighter grays may make the job easier, since the image is mostly black or dark gray.