🖌️ Painting -

Methods

Painters paint paint.

The act of painting is a dynamic endeavor but here are some broad strokes how all the most common miniature painting methods work.

Check out painting techniques to better understand the terms here.

Sketch Paint Method

Also called "grisaille", "staining", "underpaint", "grayscale", "value sketch" or "slapchop" method.

1. Prime the model with anything between black and dark gray

2. Pick one to establish the mid-tones:

   1. Airbrush from the top with a medium gray
   2. Spray can from the top with a medium gray
   3. Overbrush from the top with a medium gray
   • Only the deepest crevices should stay dark

3. Optionally apply a black wash into the recesses to make them darker

4. Pick one to establish the lightest areas:

   1. Drybrush with white
   2. Add highlights with light gray and edge highlights with white
      • Focus on the brightest edges pointing to the light source

5. Stain in the colors to achieve the basecoats, highlights and shades in one go

   • Use Contrasts Paints, Speed Paints, Instant Colors or thinned inks

6. Optionally use normal miniature paints to add the brightest edge highlights.

   • The previous glazing will dull the brightest values down a notch.

Color lightness comes from the undercoat.
Color hue comes from the staining.
Color saturation comes from the combination of undercoat and staining.

Sketch is my favorite method as it's quick, fun and forgiving.

Using a drybrush gives a rough look while using an airbrush gives a smooth look. Both work.

Citadel Classic / Army Painter Paint Method

1. Apply a single primer paint all over the model; makes other paints to stick. Many people prefer black primer so it also acts as a natural shadow
2. Apply a basecoat for the sections; to give them dominant colors
3. Apply a similar colored wash for each of those sections; to make details pop
4. If washing results in unwanted staining, glaze back some basecoat color
5. Optionally do a light drybrush to bring out more details
6. Optionally add a couple of edge highlights to make the details pop more

Citadel Classic Speed Paint Method

1. Prime the model with the most prominent color e.g. blue
2. Basecoat areas that currently have a wrong base color
3. Apply a black wash selectively to recesses
4. Clean unwanted staining by glazing back the primer/basecoat color
5. Do a light drybrush
6. Optionally add a few edge highlights near the face

Citadel Contrast Method

1. You may dilute your Contrast paints either with a moist brush; but use a Contrast medium if dilute more than that as the Contrast paint properties are important.
2. Apply a coat of the Contrast paint on the desired areas. Be sure NOT to go back and fix areas as it will tear the paint. Slap it on while avoiding pooling on the raised areas, but, I repeat, do NOT go back and fix at this stage.
3. Apply another thin coat of the Contrast paint after it has properly dried.
4. Apply a thin glaze of a similar color non-Contrast paint on large flat areas to even out the finish.
5. Apply dark Contrast paint or dark wash in selected recesses. To add more prominent differentiation between the sections.
6. Apply your highlights as you would normally. To make details pop more.

Army Painter Dip Speed Paint Method

1. Prime the model with the most prominent color on the model.
2. Basecoat areas with the most prominent color if other than the primer.
3. Dip the model into a dip wash and flick away the excess
4. Clean unwanted staining by glazing back the base color
5. Do a light drybrush
6. Optionally add a few edge highlights near the face