Great tips Ian, really like what you're saying.
The one thing that trips me up is what colors to use against the base but I guess that comes from experience. I always wondered if there is some formula used, or some standard guide.
:hmmm
Your first base color can be whatever you want.
Lighter colors will then make your follow-up color lighter and vice versa I usually start with an Acrylic grey of some kind.
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Light grey if i want to check for imperfections in the finish.
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Dark grey for everything except German dark yellow [factory applied - not field over-spray]
Sometimes I airbrush some pre-shadow in corners or on panel lines -just depends on how dark the first tank color will be. If is going to be quite dark I don't bother. IE: really dark grey or green.
You must also have a good knowledge of the subject's range of colors and history etc. - this is then added to the standard effects like stains , rust and wear.
As stated ,you just use the base color and go darker for variations in the color or staining and lighter for highlights. This is why I use oils over the Acrylic base coat as they give you mega control over a standard one color base. You won't be able to get the effect with acrylics as they dry to quick and interact completely differently.
But this is only my way, other people use washes /filters extensively from the base coat to achieve the result from a different angle.
Just to confuse you sometimes I mix it up - and I haven't mentioned pigments yet.
It is very involved and I can only compare it to any trade or skill that cannot be mastered without a good control over the whole effect, having a understanding of varied techniques and where they will lead you for the final result.
As I stated in my Stug build, I always get a satisfying result when I go in knowing what I want at the end. This actually helps the experimentation because you have color direction.
My Uboat was like that; I had never done a waterline U-boat with white water combined with deep ocean colors and a dark steel surface, but even though it was new ground I knew what I wanted in texture and color and could go forward with that as my target.
Does that help?
