Quick answer
To paint deep purple and neon green effects, basecoat with Warpaints Fanatic Diabolic Plum and Vivid Volt, then shade selectively with Dark Skin Shade wash to add depth without dulling the brightness.
Why these colors work together
Deep purple and neon green are complementary on the color wheel, creating strong visual contrast. Diabolic Plum provides a dark, rich magenta-purple base, while Vivid Volt offers a brilliant greenish-yellow that reads as neon green when layered over a white or light grey undercoat. The key is to keep the green bright and the purple deep without letting them mix into mud.
The role of a wash for shading
A standard black wash can kill the vibrancy of both colors. Instead, use a targeted shade like Warpaints Fanatic Wash: Dark Skin Shade, a deep reddish-brown that adds warmth and shadow to purple areas without turning them grey. For the neon green, avoid washing the raised surfaces—apply the shade only into recesses to preserve the glow effect.
Step-by-step painting process
- 1. Prime and basecoat: Prime the miniature with a light grey or white primer. Apply a smooth basecoat of Diabolic Plum to the areas you want deep purple, and Vivid Volt to the areas you want neon green. Use thin coats and let each dry fully. Common mistake: applying Vivid Volt over a black primer will make it look more yellow than neon. Always use a light primer for the green areas.
- 2. Shade the purple areas: Apply Warpaints Fanatic Wash: Dark Skin Shade selectively into the recesses of the purple sections. Use a fine brush and let the wash flow naturally into shadows. Wipe away any excess from raised surfaces. Checkpoint: if the wash spreads onto a flat area, wick it away immediately with a clean damp brush to avoid staining the purple base.
- 3. Highlight the green areas: Mix a small amount of Vivid Volt with white or a pale yellow to create a highlight tone. Apply it to the upper edges and raised details of the green sections to enhance the neon glow effect. Common mistake: adding too much white can make the green chalky. Use a 2:1 ratio of Vivid Volt to white for a clean highlight.
- 4. Reinforce contrast: If the purple and green areas meet, use a fine brush to clean the edge with the original base color. This prevents color bleed and keeps the contrast sharp. Checkpoint: let all layers dry completely before cleaning edges, or you will lift the paint underneath.
Products used in this guide
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Warpaints Fanatic: Diabolic Plum: Warpaints Fanatic: Diabolic Plum is a diabolically deep purple, the darkest magenta tone in the range, with the Practical Colour Name 'Deep Purple'. It gives you a rich, dark purple base that needs only one or two thin coats for full coverage, saving time on layering.
Warpaints Fanatic: Diabolic Plum
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Warpaints Fanatic: Vivid Volt: Warpaints Fanatic: Vivid Volt is a brilliant greenish yellow, the second-lightest tone from the 'Vibrant Greens' Flexible Colour Triad, with the Practical Colour Name 'Brilliant Greenish Yellow'. Its high pigment load means you can achieve a bright neon green effect without multiple layers, even over a dark undercoat.
Warpaints Fanatic: Vivid Volt
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Warpaints Fanatic Wash: Dark Skin Shade: Warpaints Fanatic Wash: Dark Skin Shade is a deep reddish-brown wash for applying a shade and reinforcing details on your miniature. Unlike black washes, this reddish-brown shade adds depth to purple areas while keeping the color warm and natural-looking.
