Generally, I use a combination of Vallejo, GW & Liquitex paints
Black can be tough to use for some. So for anything black, I prefer using Vallejo German Grey (dark grey) and over-washing with black. This provides more depth, richness, contrast and a more realistic look. If you want a more faded look, use a medium grey such as GW Codex Grey with a bit heavier black wash.
Washes (General use): I do not believe in dipping or slathering one wash over the figure. It’s a cheat for bad paint jobs and makes the entire paint job way too muddy looking. Also, because I’m a bit lazy, I try to minimize going back and highlight areas if possible. As a result, I use a variety of washes and selectively apply them on different areas of each figure to achieve the contrast and the look I want. For general use, brown washes such as GW Devlan Mud and sepia (has a tint of yellow) are my favorites. I also create variants of color washes and opacities depending on the color scheme of the uniform or bits that I am painting.
Primer: I prefer priming my figures a mid- to light-grey for a variety of reasons: It allows the details of the sculpting to “pop” more than black; the paint colors and washes dry brighter for more contrast than on black. The issues with I have with white primer are that, if you miss a nook or a cranny, that area stands out like sore thumb, and if you are using washes to form the foundation color, it usually takes a coat or more to get the color you want compared to grey. Grey primer is a nice middle-ground.
