Villainy Ink Phase II: grimdark enamels that expand your palette and control
Working with enamels gives you a wider window to manipulate, pull back, and build in layers. In grimdark, that control helps you achieve authentic wear, built-up grime, and distressed skin without overloading the miniature.
Villainy Ink separates products by behavior: Enamel Washes (more fluid, designed to run into recesses) and Enamel Effects (denser or more pigmented for stains and stronger volumes). Phase II builds on Phase I with visible improvements to formulation, consistency, and color range.
What is Villainy Ink and why the Washes/Effects split matters
Born from grimdark needs, the line prioritizes believable texture: grime, rust, sickly skin, and battlefield residue. Washes flow into seams and panels; Effects, being denser, create focal stains like oil, rust, or fresh bruising and behave differently during reductive work.
From Phase I to Phase II
Phase I covered essentials—industrial browns, dirty greens, organic reds—and became a foundation for vehicles, scenery, and figures. Over time, painters asked for tones for lifeless skin, gray dust, aged bone cloth, characterful rust, and cool shadows. Phase II arrives to fill those gaps.
General differences between Phase I and Phase II
| Characteristic | Phase I | Phase II |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Color count | 6 core tones | 7 new tones |
| Formulation | Higher binder, slower dry | Reduced binder, more pigment, faster dry |
| Focus | Grime, rust, patina, basic organics | Dust, cool shadows, complex rust, skin and fabrics |
| Airbrush use | Partial | Fully compatible with moderate thinning |
| Product mix | Washes and some Effects | Refined, stable Washes and Effects |
| Recommended use | Grimdark entry | Advanced expansion of your toolkit |
What Phase II adds
More pigment in fewer passes, reasonable drying, and clean settling by brush or air. The palette adds dusty and ashy grays, bone ochres, muted greens, and earthy purples for damaged skin or drama. A major upgrade is true airbrush compatibility.
Recommended uses by color (Phase II)
| Color | Type | Ideal application | Visual result |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Is Dust | Wash | Overall dust and wear | Gray veil, powdery look |
| Decrepit Filth | Wash | Recesses, folds, panel lining | Deep dirt without over-saturation |
| Blighted Bone Ochre | Wash | Aged light fabrics/leathers | Warm, natural wear |
| Ex-Machina | Effect | Industrial rust | Reddish oxidation patches |
| Vile Tinge Green | Wash | Verdigris and damp organic areas | Sickly, natural green |
| Umbral Nightshade | Effect | Pale skin, cool shadows | Blue-tinged depth and drama |
| Caput Mortuum | Effect | Purple zones, bruising | Earthy violet-red for skin or metal |
Prep before painting
- Shake well (use a vortex if available).
- Work over fully dry acrylics; a satin or gloss varnish helps.
- Allow 24–48 hours before sealing.
Brush application
- Target zones, then remove excess with a thinner-damp brush, cloth, or swab.
- Standout brush colors: Caput Mortuum, Decrepit Filth, Blighted Bone Ochre, All Is Dust.
Airbrush application
- Thin with mineral spirits; 0.3–0.5 mm nozzle, low pressure, light coats.
- Great for atmosphere, dusting, and cool-shadow tinting.
- Recommended through airbrush: All Is Dust, Ex-Machina, Umbral Nightshade.
Cleaning and care
- Clean with white spirits/enamel thinner.
- Airbrush: brief soak of needle/nozzle, then flush.
- Brushes: wipe excess, rinse in thinner, mild soap, rinse, reform point.
Where Phase II fits in your workflow
Acrylic base → satin varnish → enamels (brush/air) → reductive work → rest → final seal.
Practical advantages
| Aspect | Benefit | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Pigmentation | Stronger color in fewer layers | Better yield |
| Drying | Quicker and more even | Easier staging between steps |
| Versatility | Brush and airbrush | One set, multiple effects |
| Flow | Tuned binder | Fewer halos and puddles |
| Color stability | Predictable results | No unwanted hue shift |
| Hybrid use | Brush + air on large pieces | Flexible application |
FAQ
- Are all colors airbrush-friendly? Yes, when properly thinned.
- Washes vs. Effects? Washes flow and unify; Effects give stains and body.
- Varnish first? Not mandatory, but it increases control (for example, an acrylic varnish like Ammo by Mig Hard Rock).
- How long before the final varnish? 24–48 hours.
- Can I mix them? Yes—between themselves and with other enamels.
- Are they good for scenery and vehicles? Absolutely, with excellent airbrush performance.
- Layer order with acrylics? Acrylic below, enamel above.
- What if I applied too much? While fresh, lift or feather with thinner.
- Any special cleaning care? Dedicated thinner and mild soap for brushes.
- Why wait before the final seal? To let the binder set so pigment doesn’t move.
Conclusion
Phase II expands your toolkit without changing how you paint: more useful tones, better airbrush response, and richer pigment for expressive, believable grimdark.