Undercoat - black or white?

[Vamboozle]

So while I wait for delivery of my new delusion of grandeur project I've been taking a browse through the painting tips and I can see there are 2 schools of thought on undercoating - black or white.

Now I've only ever painted 15mm upwards and have always gone for a white undercoat - never questioned it as it was taught to me by my dad who is a keen model railway type (garden layout capable of carrying tea).

However a 10mm is new to me I thought maybe it's time to reconsider.

So what's the opinion of the wise men / shaman / grand poobahs of the forum? Black or white? And what are the advantages of each?

Thanks.

[paulr]

Grey 

Lets you see the detail like white but doesn't leap out if you miss a bit. Lightens, brightens colours when compared to black...

There are plenty of other options 

[Fenton]

Ummm yeah grey for me to with black Vallejo shade wash over the to bring out the details

Though I don't see any reason it wouldn't work with white

[Luddite]

Brown.

It gives a much more naturalistic tone underneath the colours. 

http://luddite1811.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/seven-years-war-with-maurice-part-two.html

[Ithoriel]

I tend to use black because that way the bits I miss become shading

I've also used grey, black highlighted white and white depending what I'm painting. I'm afraid my technique is a bit "suck it and see."

[Maenoferren]

Black at the moment as that is what I have handy.

[Womble67]

Nearly always white

Take care

Andy

[cbr3d.com]

I prefer grey for the smaller scales of 6mm and 10mm.  But the best way to go is choose a few figures and try white, black, and grey for yourself and see which produces the result you like best.    

[Luddite]

Or brown.   

[Last Hussar]

Grey.  I find white too bright to make out detail, black eats light, plus painting Prussians or Union is a nightmare: dark blue on black.

Also Grey is good for cutting down painting times on Austrians and Rebs.

There you have it. Black, white grey.  Only 3 colours that people undercoat with.  There are not any others. No Sir-ee

[FierceKitty]

I've used a brown for some armies, esp. Zulus. For the rest, do a search here on the subject and you'll find hundreds of posts, since this is a recurrent question.

[WeeWars]

Neither white or black.

I prefer a yellow-brown/khaki. Wash over with a darker brown and most if not all of the natural stuff – like wood, skin, fur, hide, horses, and dirt (plus bottles) – is as good as done.

www.michaelscott.name/1809/1809blogpost80.htm

Cheers, Michael

[NTM]

Grey for me. Found white made things too bright and never got on with painting over black.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

White

[Leman]

White primer followed by black or dark brown wash. Detail leaps out, colours are less muted and there is instant shading.