Sorry for multi-posting guys... But I've painted the black for Dire Avenger test-model and though I should present the step-by-step in its own post.
DarkstormUlthwé's guide to painting black armour:
1. First paint all areas that are to be black with Chaos black:
2. Then add some Codex Grey to the black and use this mix to highlight the armourplates and raised areas:
3. Add more Codex Grey to the mix and build up the highlights more, focusing on the hardest edges and most raised areas:
4. Repeat step 3 with ever more Codex Grey and smaller highlights, narrowing the focus even more on the hardest edges.
5. Add a final highlight of pure Codex Grey to extreme edges.
And there you have it. I'll do the same walk-through when I get to the bone and the red on him later. If you hadn't noticed, he's slightly converted. On this squad I've cut and repositioned the legs closer to each other to give a more arrogant/regal/relaxed look. Tell me what you think. I might update the guide for the black later, as I feel that I should've had a couple more, darker, layers in the build-up.
UPDATE: TV deciding to show Midsomer Murders followed by Football A-Z with John Cleese gave me a few hours to paint. Decided to do a step-by-step on the bone. Note that I did try out a new approach to the bone this time around. I very pleased with how it turned out. The kharandhil, is this something in line with what you had in mind?
1. Basecoat the areas that are to be bone with Vomit Brown:
2. Apply a wash of Gryphonne Sepia in the recesses and touch up with Vomit Brown where necessary.
3. Mix some Bleached Bone with Vomit Brown (about 1/3) and paint over most of the previous layer, showing some of the Vomit Brown closest to the Sepia wash.
4. Add more Bleached Bone to the mix (about 2/1 Bone/Brown) and continue building up the colour as in step 3.
5. Step 5 is pure Bleached Bone applied like the previous coats.
6. Add a little Skull White to the Bleached Bone and lightly feather the paint on towards the areas which will receive most light.
7. Add a little more Skull White to the mix and repeat step 6, with smaller highlights.
My apologies for the crappy pictures, light wasn't the best last night and the lamp hit a bit harshly. The last pic is taken just a few minutes ago i better, natural light and shows the gradients much better.
DISCLAIMER: I use Vallejo Paints, but used the GW-name for them for the ease of any one wanting to use this guide.
Cheers.