Xpress Gloomy Violet

A grayed violet is the color of dusk

The shade deliberately holds its saturation back: it has a gray component in it, and so it does not read as a festive violet but as the color of evening light. On a model that means it does not fight with its surroundings and can be used where a saturated tone would look out of place, that is in shadows, on faded fabrics, on stone and on cool transitions between dark areas.

The role a ready-made package will not fill

In a classic set of paints the shadow role falls to the darker member of the same family. With self-shading paints it works differently: the whole bottle becomes the shadow, applied thinly and over a coat already finished. This grayed tone suits that best of the whole violet group, because it cools without changing the color beneath it beyond recognition.

Where to use it

Shadows on white and gray cloth, mist and smoke on a base, the transition between a night sky and the horizon, mildewed wood, cool reflections on polished metal and tarnished armor. It also works well as a unifying glaze over a figure that has turned out too varied.

A recommendation on application

For the shadow role apply it sparingly and only to the places where the color is meant to stay, not over the whole area. For a full area, by contrast, apply it generously over a light base. Let both dry without interference, as going over them afterward creates blotches.

• A violet pitched toward gray-green, without festive saturation
• Usable as a color over an area and as a cooling glaze alike
• It finds a use in shadows, in mist, on stone and on weathered wood
• It evens out a figure that has turned out too varied without covering it