Wargaming | Modelling
Shading with Vallejo Model Color Paints

Posted 2 Jul 2008

I use the black undercoat painting method and and so do War Modelling (Spain). Their style was a little different to mine - they use a highlight colour on all the big areas. Given I wasn't too familiar with the Vallejo Model Color range I asked Luis Santigosa from War Modelling (Spain) for some advice. He offered some colours combinations from the for shading. I've extended this a bit further as I've experimented. Unless notes this is proper painting rather than dry brushing.

Colour	Vallejo Base Colour	Vallejo Highlight Colour	Comment
White (including white horses)	Sky Grey 154 or Light Grey 155	White 001
Black	Black 169	Black 169 + Neutral Grey 160
Grey	Dark grey 166	Neutral grey 160
Sky Blue	Dark Blue 053	Andrea Blue 065
Blue	Prussian Blue 051	Dark Blue 053
Red	Cavalry brown 137	Vermillion 028
Yellow	Yellow Ochre 121	Deep yellow 014
Yellow (Luis's suggestion)	Clear Orange 025	Golden yellow 016	I didn't find the combination too successful
Light Green	German Camouflage Dark Green 097	Deep Green 072
Dark Green	German Camouflage Dark Green 097	German Camouflage Dark Green 097 mixed + White 001
Brown	Burnt umber 148	Flat earth 143 And for variety: Flat brown 140 or English Uniform 141 or US Tan Earth 134
Beige	Desert Yellow 125	Desert Yellow 125 + White 001
Buff	Yellow Ochre 121	Yellow Ochre 121 + White 001
Horse tones (dark)	Burnt umber 148	Choice of : Hull Red 146 Flat Earth 143 English Uniform 141 Flat Brown 140
Horse tones (pale)	Light Brown 129	Tan yellow 122
Negro Skin Tones	Paint the facial features (forehead, nose, checks, chin, ears) and other flesh (hands, arms, legs) with Vallejo 149 Chocolate Brown (Coat D'arms 216 Negro)	Dry brush the flesh with Vallejo 139 Mahogany Brown
Wood e.g. carts or buildings	Heavy dry brush Vallejo 145 German Camouflage Mid Brown (Cote D'arms 534 Dark Leather)	Dry brush Vallejo 113 Khaki Grey (Cote D'arms 524 Tan Earth)	Finally Light Dry brush 50:50 mix Vallejo 113 Khaki Grey (Cote D'arms 524 Tan Earth) and White.