FALBERG vs ASH: Grey vs Black for Miniature Shadows
By SCALE75 - HOBBIES & GAMES – SCALE75 - Hobbies & Games | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: Comparisons
Compare FALBERG grey resin figure and ASH black pigment for creating shadows on miniatures. Learn which works best for your painting style.
Quick answer
For natural, nuanced shadows on a grey base, choose FALBERG. For deep, pure black shadows or terrain weathering, choose ASH pigment.
Understanding the difference: grey vs black shadows
Grey shadows (like FALBERG) give you a subtle, realistic transition from midtone to shadow, ideal for figures where you want to preserve color depth. Black shadows (like ASH) create stark contrast and are perfect for dramatic effects or darkening terrain.
The choice depends on your desired contrast level and the scale of your project. For a 75mm figure where details matter, grey shadows keep the sculpt readable. For large terrain or grimdark styles, black pigment adds instant depth.
When to use grey (FALBERG) for shadows
FALBERG comes as a 75mm resin figure, meaning it's a physical model you paint. Its grey tone works as an excellent base for building shadows with washes or glazes. The unpainted resin lets you control every shadow from scratch.
If you're painting a single centerpiece figure, grey gives you flexibility to layer shadows gradually without jumping to black too early.
When to use black (ASH) for shadows
ASH is a pure black pigment powder. You can mix it with paint or apply it dry to darken recesses instantly. It's ideal for terrain, bases, or weathering where you want a matte, opaque black.
Because ASH is a pigment, it can be diluted with water or thinner, giving you control over intensity. Use it to darken any shade in your paint range by mixing small amounts.
Trade-offs at a glance
- FALBERG for subtlety: Use FALBERG when you want soft, realistic shadows that don't overwhelm the base color. The grey resin figure gives you a neutral starting point.
- ASH for intensity: Use ASH when you need pure black shadows or want to darken existing paints. It works great for terrain, bases, and grimdark effects.
- Combining both: You can use FALBERG as your midtone figure and apply ASH pigment in recesses for extra depth. This gives you the best of both worlds. Experiment with mixing ASH into washes for controlled black shadows on grey resin.
Product facts
- FALBERG: 75mm scale Figure made with high quality resin. Unpainted figure Assembly required. You get a blank grey-toned resin surface that naturally suggests shadow placement, ideal for practicing layered shading.
FALBERG - ASH: Pigments for terrain Natural black pigment. You can darken any shade in the range by mixing them. ASH lets you create custom dark tones without buying separate paints, perfect for weathering or deep shadows on any project.
ASH
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Painters who want a grey base figure to practice layered shading
- Artists seeking natural, low-contrast shadows on display miniatures
Not for
- Projects requiring pure black shadows or terrain weathering
- Painters who prefer instant high-contrast effects without mixing
