Shades of Doom for Dark Fantasy Minis

Quick answer

Use Scale75's Shades of Doom paint set to build up deep, layered shadows and dark armor on your dark fantasy miniatures, applying thin coats for a durable, matte finish.

Step-by-step: Painting dark armor with Shades of Doom

1. Prime your miniature: Apply a thin, even coat of black or dark grey primer. This ensures the Shades of Doom paint adheres properly and the black tones read as deep, not muddy. Common mistake: using a white primer under dark colors, which forces you to apply extra coats and can dull the finish.
2. Basecoat with the darkest shade: Shake the bottle thoroughly, then apply a thin basecoat of the darkest black in the set. Let it dry completely before moving on. Checkpoint: If the paint looks patchy, it's too thick. Thin with a drop of water or medium until it flows like skim milk.
3. Layer midtones for depth: Mix a small amount of the darkest black with a lighter grey or blue from the set. Drybrush this mixture onto raised areas to create a subtle gradient. Common mistake: applying too much paint, which obscures the underlying black and flattens the shadow effect.
4. Highlight edges and details: Use a fine brush to apply a near-black grey to the sharpest edges, such as armor rims and weapon blades. Keep the paint consistency thin to avoid a chalky look. Checkpoint: If the highlight looks too stark, glaze over it with a thin wash of the darkest black to re-integrate it.
5. Seal with a matte varnish: Once fully dry, apply a matte varnish to protect the paint and maintain the non-reflective finish that dark armor requires. Common mistake: using a gloss varnish, which creates unwanted shine and ruins the grim, matte appearance of dark fantasy minis.

Product facts

• SHADES OF DOOM: Designed for painting all types of miniatures, but especially for wargame miniatures. Its formulation allows us to achieve a finish that is resistant to handling of the figures for use on the game board. Valid for brush and airbrush. You can paint dark armor that stays intact during gameplay, whether you apply it with a brush for control or an airbrush for smooth gradients.