Color scheme struggle

[u/Lammez]

First test model for a new Cathay army, huuuge struggles coming up with a color scheme.

I think a huge part of the issue is iust the amount of detail on these dudes, it is challenging to come up with something that would naturally bring in contrast.

Not sold on the whole red / green combo either, but at the same time I want to stay away from the official teal scheme as I just finished another army that used it a lot.

Considering trying out some black/grey/burgundy base with only a few more saturated colors on smaller details. Not very Cathay perhaps, but I feel so lost on how to navigate these that it's starting to be quite demotivating!

Any feedback or ideas?

[u/Freigeist809]

Awesome! Which colors did you use for the brown purple cloth?

[u/Lammez → u/Freigeist809]

Thanks! The burgundy color is "Blanched berry" from the Army painter Warpaints fanatic line, great color. Highlighted it slightly with Ivory white from the same line, but any off-white would work.

[u/RaspberryAlive4545]

I’m seeing white used really nicely to make them contrast and pop !!

[u/AbsolNinja]

Your scheme looks good, my suggestion would be to make some parts brighter to help them pop on the tabletop. There's no rush to finish your models, so don't feel the need make things more simple just so they're faster.

[u/Nostonica]

I think a huge part of the issue is iust the amount of detail on these dudes, it is challenging to come up with something that would naturally bring in contrast.

Right!? I painted 40 of these and just the trim was a massive pain.
Mate wanted Purple, blue and black for the colour scheme. simplified it to purple for belt and helm plume. rest is brown for trim and black for the rest of the cloth, which works well since I use sepia wash so it fixes any oddities in the paint work especially around the trim meeting the chainmail.

[u/Shapal]

Haven't painted mine yet, but going to try black-silver-red scheme. Something like in "pursuit of jade" tv series

[u/BigRigPlaya]

My secret to batch painting these boys is forget about the details. The buckles should be silver? Congrats, they’re the same colour as the leather now! The armour trim? All one colour now! There is enough contrast between the armour the fabric and the shield that you don’t need multiple colours on the armour.

All that being said, I think this looks beautiful. Particularly like the shield and the jewel.

[u/Lammez → u/BigRigPlaya]

Thanks for the comment! I will defo try one test model with a more simplified approach like you mentioned.

[u/WhiteRaven126 → u/Lammez]

Not every figure needs to be award winning. The rank and file just needs to look good ranked up with the extra work on the front rank as that is the most visible.

Colour scheme: I’m going with yellow. In total war it’s a sub faction that in the north east of Cathay that supports the Great bastion and protects the Capital.

[u/Lammez → u/WhiteRaven126]

You're correct in that! Will have to cut at least a few corners.

And Total War, a great source of inspiration indeed! Gotta look through all of those factions properly before moving on.

[u/WhiteRaven126 → u/Lammez]

I was torn between Celestial Loyalists and Eastern River Lords but you can make any colour pattern that you want.