Quick Answer
Use Pro Acryl Blue Black as a versatile shading and mixing color: thin it for smooth glazes, apply it to recesses for deep shadows, and mix it with other paints to create cool, muted tones.
Why Blue Black Works as a Shade
Blue Black is a dark, cool-toned paint that reads as a natural shadow on many surfaces. Unlike pure black, it keeps some color depth, so shaded areas don't look flat or muddy. This makes it a strong choice for recess shading on blue, grey, or neutral armor panels.
Because it dries to a matte finish, it also reduces unwanted shine on shaded areas. That matters if you plan to photograph your miniatures or apply a single varnish coat at the end.
Trade-Offs to Keep in Mind
Blue Black is not a neutral black. On warm reds or yellows it will pull the shade toward a cool, blue-grey tone. If you want a warm shadow, mix it with a touch of brown or use a dedicated warm shade instead.
The paint is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way. Undiluted, it can overpower lighter base colors. Always test the consistency on a sprue or palette before applying it to your model.
Step-by-Step: Using Pro Acryl Blue Black
- Shake the bottle well: Shake the Pro Acryl Blue Black bottle for at least 30 seconds to ensure the pigment is fully mixed. Pro Acryl paints have a no-clog cap, but proper shaking still ensures consistent color and coverage. If the paint looks separated or watery, shake longer; a uniform consistency prevents streaky application.
- Thin the paint for glazing: Mix one part Blue Black with two to three parts water or a glaze medium on your palette. The consistency should be like skim milk. Apply it in thin layers over the base color, building up the shade gradually. If the glaze pools or forms visible edges, your mix is too thick; add more medium or water.
- Apply to recesses for shadows: Use a fine brush to place the thinned Blue Black directly into recesses, panel lines, and under-armor shadows. Let it flow naturally, then clean up any overflow with a damp brush before it dries. Working in small sections prevents the paint from drying before you can correct mistakes.
- Mix with other paints for muted tones: Add a small amount of Blue Black to your base color to create a darker, desaturated version. For example, mix it with a mid-grey for a cool, shadowed steel, or with a blue for a deep navy tone. Start with a 1:4 ratio (Blue Black to base color) and adjust gradually; a little goes a long way.
- Let it dry completely before layering: Wait for each layer to dry fully before applying the next. Pro Acryl dries to a matte finish, but layering too soon can lift the previous layer or create a rough texture. Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to speed up drying if you're in a hurry, but avoid overheating the paint.
About Pro Acryl Blue Black
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Pro Acryl Blue Black: All Monument paints are a premium high-density pigment in superior acrylic mediums, providing great coverage right out of the bottle and drying to a beautiful matte finish. You can apply Blue Black straight from the bottle for solid coverage, and it will dry matte, which is ideal for shading and basecoating.
Pro Acryl Blue Black
