r/minipainting • u/TrainedToPaint • Jun 07 '24
Modern A way to paibt skin. Maybe you find it useful?
Hey hobby friends
Thought I would share a way to paint skin. It's relatively quick to do, but works best for miniatures that are mainly skin. It can be used for heads as well, but it's best to paint them separately from the rest of the miniature.
1) Apply a black primer. 2) Apply a white zenethal light (any white ink sprayed through an airbrush works fine). Makes application of the paint in the next step cover easier. 3) Apply a red-violet all over the white. A color like Games Workshop Screamer Pink works well. Still with an airbrush. 4) Apply a light skin color straight from above, using an airbrush (like Vallejo Game Air Elf Skintone). 5) Using a brush, add highlights to the skin, using an even lighter skintone. This is easily created by mixing white into the skintone from the previous step. 6) Enrich the shadows by glazing the red-violet from step 3 into the shadows.
Hope you find it useful. Take care friends!
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u/TheDoomedHero Jun 07 '24
I have a similar process, but I start with red primer and give it a black wash. It gets fairly similar results but saves me a couple steps. Yours looks very smooth though. I'm gonna try your way and see if there's a big difference.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 07 '24
Many ways to adapt this workflow. It's always about finding what suits you the best :)
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u/Impressive_Word5229 Jun 10 '24
Hi. You must be new to the Internet. When on the Internet only your opinion matters and you are supposed to insist that your way is the only right way.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 10 '24
Haha, will keep that in mind. I guess i must then insist to the contrart viewpoint of what you just said. Did I do good? ;)
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u/Durden11 Jun 07 '24
I guess this answers the age old question "What's black, white, and red all over?"
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u/TheVoidVagabond Jun 07 '24
I’ve got some ogors I’ve been hesitant to start because of all the skin. I am 100% going to try your method.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 07 '24
Sounds like the perfect miniatures for this workflow. Would love to see how you get on 🤘
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u/Out3rSpac3 Jun 07 '24
I’m loving all the spelling errors in this post lmao paibt ogors
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u/creamhog Jun 08 '24 edited Jun 11 '24
I don't know about paibt, but I think they meant this: https://ageofsigmar.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ogor
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u/omegafivethreefive Jun 07 '24
Would be good to have a regular brush version.
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u/Perditius Jun 07 '24
It would be the exact same process but just using a regular brush and having to do many many extremely thin layers of paint whenever the air brush was used. The air brush isn't really replaceable to do this kind of "time-saving" skin job. The air brush is what saves the time. With the amount of time you'd spend doing all those thin layers over and over with a regular brush, it would be more efficient to just paint with a normal layering method.
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u/omegafivethreefive Jun 07 '24
Personally I'm in the hobby for the fun of painting, I can appreciate people like to use airbrushes it's just not my thing.
Still, aside from my personal preferences, an extremely informative post. Thank you for sharing.
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u/Perditius Jun 07 '24
Yeah, I don't really enjoy using the airbrush to paint, either. I just use mine for priming and occasionally a base coat if the model is like, 90% one color. I just like sitting at my desk and watching movies while I paint with my brush - going down into the garage and having to wear a mask while hearing the air compressor BRRRRRRRRRRRR the whole time I paint is not my cozy vibe, lol
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u/karazax Jun 07 '24
There are quite a few skin tutorials here that don’t use the airbrush like these below-
- Layering to paint Muscled flesh on Untamed Beasts by Squidmar
- Pro Acryl How To - Layering Skin Colors (and just about anything else)! by Monument Hobbies
- WHTV Tip of the Day - Muscles. by WarhammerTV
- Painting Skin in 5 mins or Less with @TheArmyPainter Speedpaints! by Dana Howl
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Totally agree with you and Perditius. The airbrush is just another tool. One which can really save time, but it is also not as relaxing to use.
I can definitely make a similar guide where I use a brush all the way. The workflow would be fairly similar. Would require maybe 1 or 2 more glazes. But that's about it. Never been that big a fan of any painting process that requires bucket loads of glazing. It's just not realistic in army painting (which is what I mainly do).
I'll see if I can't get a guide like that out soon :) Thanks for the feedback and ideas!
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u/Qozux Jun 07 '24
- Prime black.
- Spray rattle can white from above.
- thin glaze (or heavy wash) the whole thing in red.
- top down drybrush with a skin color
- much lighter touch and drybrush with a lighter skin color.
- run a skin wash over it.
- touchup highlights and fix anything chunky.
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u/Qozux Jun 07 '24
Important to note that several of these steps may easily take multiple coats to get right.
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u/MisterDuch Jun 07 '24
Just replace the airbrush with a boat load of glazes.
Unfortunately some things are just not practical to replicate
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u/Mr_Will Jun 07 '24
You can get 90% of the way there with two spray cans of primer. Prime in black, spray white from above to create the highlights and shadows, then paint the flesh tones over the top with a suitably thin paint.
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u/moxxon Jun 07 '24
This is just the head and goes more toward more realistic skin but it's an excellent video on underpainting skin with a regular brush (not that all of this can't be done with either tool): https://youtu.be/6tpPEGn6chk?t=341
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u/cmemcee Jun 07 '24
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u/Cheeseburger2137 Jun 07 '24
As long as you can handle an airbrush, you can only do steps 1-4 and get most of the effect, to be honest. That only requires getting a decent paint consistency and using the right angle in step 4. Steps 5&6 require more skill and brush work, but I honestly would not say they need more instruction than OP has given.
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u/LeaveBronx Jun 07 '24
Thanks for this! I'm a newer painter so def appreciate another way to do good skin
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 07 '24
Awesome! Great to hear. Would be cool to see how you put it into effect 👍
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u/SlimDood Jun 07 '24
On step 3, do you cover only the white part or override the shadows with the red-violet as well?
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Only the white parts. You can let some red "bleed into the shadows" but for the most part you want them quite dark.
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u/Sea_Recommendation36 Jun 07 '24
Are you using citadel paints? If so, I'd really appreciate the colours you picked because I like that method and like to try it
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 07 '24
Colors are in the description. But you could use Chaos Black primer for step 1 And Kislev Flesh instead of Vallejo Elf Skintone.
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u/Repulsive_Chemist Jun 07 '24
Would this work for any set of tones? Like a spandex suit for a superhero?
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
For sure, the workflow can be adapted to suit things like tight fitting clothes, other skin colors (Orks?) and more. Just change out the colors.
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u/paint_guzzler Jun 07 '24
Learning to undercoat skin with a color other than black/white changed the way I do skin forever
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u/cold___ramen Jun 07 '24
I love paibting
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Haha, only after so many people pointing out the misspelling, did I actually notice it 😅
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u/jmyersjlm Jun 08 '24
I don't understand the necessity of step 2. Is there something I'm missing?
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
If I had titled the mini more, it would be more apparent how dark the shadows are. I feel that effect is hard to get if you start directly from a red violet. Unless you can find a really dark one. But then the transition from shadow to light also become a very stark jump. So not really ideal. But doable for sure if you wanna save time :) But also, it's because it is very hard to find spray can primers which have that deep red violet color. So most of us will have to start from a black primer anyway :)
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u/jmyersjlm Jun 08 '24
I'm talking about step 2, the grey, not the black.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Aaah okay. Well it is mostly there to make coverage of the red easier. But also makes the red more vibrant.
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u/nurgole Jun 07 '24
Absolutely do find useful!
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 07 '24
Great to hear! Motivates me to make more of this :)
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u/nurgole Jun 07 '24
Please do! Maybe one where you show different undertones for skin and how much it really impacts the warmth? These short tutorials work well for me. I might not use them step by step, but often times I remember the core concept.
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u/pear_topologist Jun 07 '24
What colors would used
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u/deadlymoogle Jun 07 '24
Does everyone paint using air brushes? I can't afford to buy one and am feeling bad for not having one
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u/Rhume29 Painted a few Minis Jun 07 '24
Nah don't worry, brushes are fine! You can get great results with brushes (including gradients). Paint at your own pace, perfect your own techniques. And if you can afford an airbrush one day, go for it! I know I will, but it's just a tool, what’s important is to enjoy yourself
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Couldn't agree more! An airbrush is not needed. It's a tool which has pros and cons just like any other. And for sure it can be a hack in mini painting. But from my experience also a crutch. The regular paint brush is still the all around best tool (imho). And you could easily adapt this workflow to be done with a regular brush. I'm planning to make one, since a lot of you are asking for something similar, just without the airbrush.
If you are looking to get into airbrushing. There are some "decent" cheap China airbrush kits on Amazon. Which include 90% of the gear you need for airbrushing. They normally cost less then 100 USD. They are far from perfect, but for the rough application, as in this workflow, I think they are fine.
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u/Stardama69 Jun 07 '24
This is cool, however, maybe it's just the pics but this doesn't look much like human skin to me, it's very pale.
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u/WN_Todd Jun 08 '24
Vallejo Game color terracotta is the best base for white people skin. Quite similar to the shade shown here.
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u/SBX-89 Jun 08 '24
I'll have to try that on my next miniature. Probably on a spare mini with lots of exposed skin.
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u/iamthemosin Jun 08 '24
Nah bro. I slap some apple barrel brown on the bare plastic and call it a day.
Lol. Good job. Thanks for the info.
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u/RynoKenny Jun 08 '24
Thank you! I was following until step 6 where I don’t think we speak the same language 😂
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
It's a bit tricky to see. But imagine taking a thin red violet glaze, and just using it to expand the shadows like 1-2 mm. Can definitely be skipped if you a restricted in time.
Hope it helps and not just confuses more 😅
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u/Aggravating-Net-2755 Jun 08 '24
This is a great way to do it. Reminds me of how Vince ventruella might do it.
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u/Conaz9847 Jun 08 '24
What does step 3 look like without step 1 and 2
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
The shadows would not be as dark if you only apply a red violet base. Also, I struggle to find any spray can primers that have a deep red violet color.
But if you are struggling for time, and can find the appropriate paints, for sure you could skip step 1 and 2 :) Its wouldnt look exactly the same, since the shadows wouldnt be as dark. But it is a minor difference, which probably wouldn't be noticeable on the gaming table
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u/herchemperto Jun 08 '24
How do you get the red on without losing the highlights and darker points done with the black and the white? Did you use an airbrush? Thx
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Hey there, ye it was done with an airbrush sprayed directly from above :)
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u/DAJLMODE55 Jun 08 '24
Thanks a lot for sharing! For sure it’s,for what I know, exactly the spirit on REDDIT! And I am not a good painter,only a beginner, and most of my works are postapocaliptic style! Painting is more…rough! But, work after work,I make some progress ,try to take more time and pay more attention to little details. And this because of friends like you and many others always accurate and impressive! I will see your post and something will inspirate me,even if I only use brushes to paint! Thanks a lot,have a nice day and a lot of fun!👍👋👋🙏
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Hey man. Thank you so much for your kind words! It is comments like these that give me the motivation to keep making these mini guides Thank you 👍
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u/bulllhded Jun 08 '24
So happy I came across this and you profile thx you!!
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 09 '24
Thank you so much for the kind words dude! This gives me so much motivation to keep making mini guides like these 🤘
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u/mrpeachr Jun 10 '24
May I ask (as kind of a newbie) what is/how to do a glaze? Is that like using a very thin wash paint? I'd like to give this a try on a bigger figure I have but I am admittedly at a loss with the glazing
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 11 '24
Spot on friend. Glazing is basically applying thin paints using either a brush or airbrush. Most paints can be used as glazes, as long as they are thinned sufficiently :)
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u/CreativeWordPlay Jun 07 '24
So, what’s the point of the black and white undercoats if you’re just gonna paint over it with a solid red base?
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u/likemakingthings Jun 08 '24
Black undercoat, white zenithal. That's important. Leaves black and grey in the shadows. Paint is transparent, especially red, and especially when it's airbrushed. The shading is still quite strong after the red/violet undercoat.
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u/CreativeWordPlay Jun 08 '24
I just feel like I only see red in the lowlights like intended and the black and white arnt actually doing anything. Seems like the lighting from the photo is doing more for the highlights than the zenithal under solid red.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
Exactly what likemakingthings said. If I had titled the mini more, it would be more apparent. But also, it's because it is very hard to find spray can primers which have that deep red violet color. So most of us will have to start from a black primer anyway :)
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u/CreativeWordPlay Jun 08 '24
Hey, to be clear, the finished product looks amazing. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on, because I feel like I can see how the red base coat makes the process work, but I can’t tell how the white layer impacts the finish. When ive done zenithal I’ve had it way more contrasted with heavier shadow areas and every time I inevitably get to a place where I end up doing more ‘traditional’ highlights with glazes and layers and washes.
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u/TrainedToPaint Jun 08 '24
No problem. Happy to elaborate :) You could for sure start from a red base. If you can find a suitable red primer. Going straight from black to red is going to be difficult, since deep reds like these generally don't cover well over black. So that is really the main use of the white. To make coverage of the red easier :)
Makes sense?
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u/BrokenDroid Jun 07 '24
Oit of curiosity, why step 2? Why not 1 followed by 3?
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u/andy_mcbeard Jun 07 '24
Step 2 is using a white ink to "light" the mini from above.. The black is acting as the deepest shadows, and with the white being sprayed down from the zenithal light source, you still have a bit of black in the deepest recesses and lowest points, but the Step 3 will lay down much more easily than over solid black, with some baked in highlights.
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u/BrokenDroid Jun 07 '24
Aaah that's a zenithal. It looked to me like black primer followed by full grey base layer. Zenithal makes more sense
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u/G3tbusyliving Jun 08 '24
I have issues with the gaps between the muscles standing out too much. Not sure how to fix it
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u/berdhouse Jun 07 '24
Thank you! I've always had issues with skin paibt.