Primer Color

lvanb · Post by **lvanb** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:34 pm

Sort of OT (at least the subject matter)...
Building a 1/720 USS New Jersey (a palate cleanser after last several models being sci fi). I'm ready to put down some primer, and have Tamiya white and gray. Wondering if anyone has insight on what color is best to use...especially when the paint coat will be gray as well. I'm worried with a gray primer that it will be difficult to see where I've sprayed the different (subtly different) shades of gray, but with white, will it lighten up the overcoating gray so that more has to be put on to cover (sort of like preshading - or reverse pre-shading panel lines)?

I asked this on the ship model forum, but not getting many bites. Thought I'd try here (and besides, there is some grey used on starships, so not totally off topic!)

Thoughts? Preferences?

southwestforests · Post by **southwestforests** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:46 pm

In situations like that I go with the primer where I can tell where the paint went over it.
The hard practicality of that trumps esoteric antishading.

Chas · Post by **Chas** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:45 pm

Yes but if you consider the 'scale effect' or what artists call 'atmospheric perspective' the colour of the model should probably be a little paler anyway. There - you had 6 of 1 and I just gave a half-dozen of the other, So Bob's yer uncle !

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:07 pm

I'd go with the white primer too. As you build up color, with the base coat, washes and filters, etc, the ship will progressively get darker. Best to start out light and work down.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:24 pm

I'd also go white.

Unless you're doing any pre-shading in which case go gray.

Honestly I usually pay no attention to the color of primer as I'll be pre-shading or undercoloring anyways.