SHADE: AGRAX EARTHSHADE (18ML)

Tutorial: Shade Paints

Shade paints are designed to bring out depth and shadow in your miniatures, making them look more dynamic and realistic. They are an essential tool for enhancing the details of your models by adding natural-looking depth to the recesses and undercuts.

Key Features:

• Formulated to Draw Out Details: Shade paints are specially designed to accentuate the recesses of your models, drawing attention to fine details and giving them a more three-dimensional appearance.
• Natural-Looking Depth and Shadow: When applied, shade paints settle into the crevices of your model, creating a shadow effect that highlights the contours and depth.
• Smooth Matt Finish: The paint dries to a smooth, non-glossy finish, ensuring a matte look that is ideal for realistic models.
• Water-Based Formula: Like other Citadel paints, shade paints are water-based, which makes them easy to apply, clean up, and mix with other paints for customized effects.

How to Use Shade Paints:

1. Prepare the Model:

   • Basecoating: Ensure the model is fully base-coated with the main colors before applying shade paints. It's ideal to have a clean base layer and highlight for the best effect.
   • Drying: Make sure each layer of paint you apply before the shade is completely dry to avoid unwanted mixing of colors.

2. Application:

   • Pick Up Paint: Use a clean, medium-sized brush to pick up the shade paint. The consistency should be smooth and not too thick.
   • Apply Generously: Apply the shade paint over the model, focusing on the recessed areas like folds in clothing, under armor, or around joints. The paint will naturally flow into these areas.
   • Control the Flow: Be careful not to flood the raised areas with shade. If this happens, use a clean brush to absorb the excess or move it back to the recesses.

3. Blend and Smooth:

   • Avoid Harsh Lines: If you notice any harsh lines where the shade pools, use a damp brush to smooth the paint, blending the transitions from shadows to highlights.
   • Layering: If you want a deeper shadow effect, you can apply a second layer of shade once the first layer has dried. This will darken the recesses for even greater depth.

4. Drying Time:

   • Let the shade paint dry completely before moving on to other stages of painting. Shade paints typically dry faster, but depending on the thickness of the application, it can take several minutes to fully set.

5. Post-Shading:

   • After the shade paint has dried, you can add highlights or further details to bring the raised areas of the model back to life. This contrast between shadows and highlights adds a more realistic appearance to your miniatures.

Best Practices:

• Work in Small Sections: Apply the shade in small, manageable sections to control the flow and ensure you can remove excess paint before it dries.
• Don't Overapply: It's better to start with a lighter application and build up the shade gradually. Too much shade can obscure details and make the model look overly dark or muddy.
• Use a Fine Detail Brush: For more intricate models, you may want to use a finer detail brush to apply shade to specific areas like eyes, weapons, or small accessories.
• Experiment with Multiple Shades: You can use different shade paints on different parts of the model for a more varied and dynamic result. For example, using darker shades on armor and lighter shades on skin or cloth can give your model a more natural and believable look.

Conclusion:

Shade paints are an essential tool in any painter's arsenal for adding depth and contrast to your miniatures. With their ability to create realistic shadows and accentuate intricate details, they are perfect for bringing out the full potential of your models.