Help with Metallic paints

What you could try is the technique some aircraft modelers use on bare metal aircraft, which is called pre-shading.  In your case you would apply various shades of browns through yellow tones all the way up to white depending on how much contrast variation you want.  The final step would be to spray on your metallic brass, but apply a single light coat so as to keep the the tonal variations still somewhat visible.

It has been a while since I've read about Shep Paine methods, but I believe he too would not use metalic paints exclusively where it was called for.  Say for instance a figure had a brass buckle - this would first be painted brown and then only lightly dry-brushed with brass.

regards.

Jack

Hey Olde Painter!

Yeah things have changed--been a while huh? True 3o years ago metalic paints were,nt all so great

NOW you have plenty of choices--including those old Humbrol & Testors--still very much in use. As a matter of fact those Wargaming paints (Citadel are quite good,sorry), but you don't sound like a fan of any acylic (So may have missed the metalic paint revolution by Liquatex in th 80's?) Tamiya and Vallejo also make very effective metalics---If its oils you want you'll just have to give some different brands a try and see what you think---or else find some painting articles you admire and read what's in use--

Never met a paint that wasnt mixable-

*INDY

Hey Olde Painter!

Yeah things have changed--been a while huh? True 3o years ago metalic paints were,nt all so great

NOW you have plenty of choices--including those old Humbrol & Testors--still very much in use. As a matter of fact those Wargaming paints (Citadel are quite good,sorry), but you don't sound like a fan of any acylic (So may have missed the metalic paint revolution by Liquatex in th 80's?) Tamiya and Vallejo also make very effective metalics---If its oils you want you'll just have to give some different brands a try and see what you think---or else find some painting articles you admire and read what's in use--

Never met a paint that wasnt mixable-

Agree..Testors makes some great enamels that brush very well. I also like the Citadel for brush painting. If you want to use acrylics, the only ones I have had any luck with is Vallejo. Either way you go there are many choices out there now.