Ive tried so many new techniques after just letting go of all hang ups. At somepoint i just told myself, “go for it, 3d printing means you have as many models as you want give it a go!” Felt a lot more confident in myself and accepted that what i want out of the hobby might not be what various, more experienced painters can achieve…..at least currently.
Occasionally painting eyes that don’t suck maybe 😅 Completing a squad, or a single mini that represents my current skill and a bit of luck is the best. Also my niece loved the ranger girl from Vae Victis I gave her. 🥳
My greatest miniatures painting success? Grokking the notion of wet blending and the Shaolin 2-Brush Kung Fu of feathering/2-brush blending and getting somewhere with it. NMM is really driving me mental at this time because of the notion of grasping where the lights and shadows should be, but it's in the back of my mind as something I will perfect over time.
my biggest success was putting brush to mini and taking the plunge after being wishy washy about starting the hobby for almost six months, I am not going to give it up even if I never play another RPG.
I think the most aggravating factor is „the gap“. It describes the gap between your expectations (What you want to achieve) and your skills (what you can achieve) This is especially true in our hobby where we are surrounded by all this high end work all the time - and ist can be a very frustrating experience to train and wait for your skills to develop.
ah yes, "see your model" kinda implies i should be able to mentally picture what it should look like vs. what i managed to make, as an "artist" (literally refuse to call myself that but others do) Aphantasia seems to be a recurring problem. good thing i keep clearly labeled ugly minis around to remind me what does not work out well.
"Slow the Fuck Down" should be an entire video on its own. I often have to stop myself from "painting impatiently", which never yields anything but frustration later. If I'm in an impatient mood it usually means I should switch models or go do something else for a while.
LOL that's a good point. I think the trick is many of us wander into this trap of going too fast. Seems like two things you gotta do (1) Recognize when it is happening and (2) Stop yourself. I think (1) is much harder than (2), and this current video already gives some clues (stop and take a photo, stop and ask others what they thing, etc). I wonder, do you have other tricks to catch yourself when you've fallen into the trap of going too fast?
It's important to gage the amount of fun you are having, and if the frustration you feel is a "challenge," or a "fun ruiner." Once the problem is not a fun exciting challenge to overcome, put it down.
@@LylaMev There was a famous psychologist (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi) who coined the idea of "being in the flow" that state of extreme focus and performance. He made a chart you can see if you google "skill vs difficulty and flow". He has a wealth of other research related to this (mostly about how to optimize the chance of being in the flow, and how it relates to happiness).
re: practice- i cannot stress, enough, how much better my painting became when i began regularly practicing my entire skillset (from the most basic to most difficult.) i think we tend to think that skills stay sharp and honed when they really need constant whetting. (also! getting a 3d printer and printing a ton of basic practice models has helped, so much.)
Sounds kinda like a negative, but my biggest hobby success has been accepting that someone my miniatures just look donk. Accepting that I'm not going to do NMM as well as you the first time I attempt it, or glazing as well as Ben Komets, really allowed me to do the best I can, unhindered by unrealistic expectations.
I believe it was Miniac in an episode of Trapped Under Plastic who said it best: Mini painters are trying to rush to level 60 in the mini painting game, when they aren't even level 2 yet. People just want to "git gud" so they can paint all of these amazing things that they see. However, we all need to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We all have to learn how to paint at our own pace and try not to rush things.
The most useful thing I've learned by studying for 6 years is the zone of proxinal development. It is basicly the theory of stepping out of your comfort zone. But instead of comfort zone, you have 3 zones in concentric circles. The inner one is what you can do without help. This is your comfort zone. Outside of this is out of your comfort zone. In here you know what you're doing, so you don't develop in here, but need to get out of it. But if you go too far out, you'll be so confused that you won't be able to learn. So there is a zone outside the comfort zone, but close to it that we call zone of proximal development. Here you will be confused, but with some help you'll be able to master it. This is where you learn. My point is, try to find your zone of proximal development, and don't step too far out, and you'll understand your own learning a little better.
That's a good balance to this as the "slow down" advice is only useful to people rushing ahead too fast. Many people I talk to are scared to leave their comfort zone. My usual approach is to have one new skill or technique per project. I've never really picked up wet blending and will try it next time I have an excuse.
That's actually a similar concept to one used in language learning. It's how we learn new words by proximity to other words we know contextually. It's why reading as a child during the developmental stages are so important to fleshing out a good vocabulary, and why "vocab quizzes" in Class are absolutely pointless. One is using the proximity to form a bridge. The other is a leap!
"See your model" sure does have way more involved in it than I would have thought at first. Really good breakdown of what to look for! As usual, a great video; thanks Lyla!
Texturing has been the 'most consistently mastered' technique this year. Adding a filter over the final 'textured' highlights just makes it all better. Best practice tip: Reaper Bones minis are cheap - while a lot of the older white ones lack detail, some of the newer siocast sculpts are right up there with the evil empire from Nottingham and that low cost means you worry less about 'ruining' a mini if the technique doesn't work out.
One thing that may help is this- don't feel like you have to use X technique. All painters have their own style and tools in their belt and not all styles and techniques work for all painters or models. Just because "Everyone" is using a certain technique doesn't mean that you have to use it too! If NMM is driving you nuts... maybe rather than torturing yourself to get it to look just right- try something else. You may find that you are better suited to a different technique and that you get more satisfying results without all of the self-torture.
Another big mistake I see people make is painting in poorly lit rooms with yellow light, which is typical of house bulbs. Models can look deceptively good in that sort of lighting, especially the blends, because you're 1-2 meters away from the light source typically if it's hanging in the middle of the room, which softens everything and tricks the eye. Then as soon as you get it near a window, outside, or under a daylight bulb you'll notice a million flaws because the lighting is harsher. Since I started painting directly under a daylight desk lamp, the look of my models drastically improved.
Again, there is this emphasis on Critical Thinking in your work. A very mechanical breakdown that breaks the process down to constituent parts. Using an almost scientific approach to art likely does not work for some but speaks to me. I know a lot of fellow hobbyists can do this completely by feel. I cannot. I personally feel like I am always starting over each time I have a few hours to paint. Thank you for your continued diligence to this approach.
This video got recommended to me at just the right time, got into miniature painting a few months ago and was overwhelming myself with wanting to learn all the techniques immediately and being good at it all. Just need to focus on enjoying it first!
I probably watched 20 hours of painting videos (You, Ninjon and Miniac primarily) before I even touched a miniature... My first set of Skitarii turned out incredible and I have received so many compliments (positive feedback as a beginner is extremely important)... Knowing the process and understanding WHY things are done a certain way will result in miniatures that you can be proud of! Thank you for your tips and tricks!
I love this video. You do a great job of explaining the frustrations many of us feel when starting out in the hobby. I know before I started I watched a ton of video tutorials, and felt like I could easily replicate what I saw. Lol that's really not the reality. I've been painting a couple months now and am still in the "thin your paints" and "add more contrast" stage. But your video does a fantastic job of explaining why. As always great job, and thank you for your content.
What helped me so much when I was back painting was using a model with lots of details to practice all different methods. I have a nurgle demon I've used literally everything on. Oils, NMM, Glazing, Stippling, Layering, Weathering it's so fun !
One good trick to "git gud": It feels like you've watched over 9000 youtube tutorials on mini painting and it still doesn't look like it should? Start watching oil painting tutorials, watercolor tutorials, color theory tutorials, anatomy tutorials... I the end miniature painting is also _painting_. There is so much you can gain from broadening your perspective!
I've learned a lot from your videos. As a beginner, are there any miniature figures that you'd recommend - aka something simple & not too expensive to help develop my skills? Perhaps a model you've demonstrated in the past. The subject doesn't really matter, it's about practice.
The most annoying thing for me is I did art in high school for four years and had a teacher that I realised now was only interested in teaching those he believed had talent. Until I could access the net, my best efforts were looking at other peoples work and trying to decide how they achieved that finish. But I once painted 120, 1/72 scale British Napoleonic figures to build a fighting square. This included the Black Watch Highland regiment. I got to tell you, when that square formed, it gave truth to the statement, "Quantity has its own quality". Art teacher didn't accept it as art though.
I cannot recommend watching as many different people do a technique highly enough -- I tell my students that, if how I am explaining it isn't working, they should ask someone else for this very reason. In other words, it's not you, it's the instructor. When I was a student, I was on the other side of this, confused and not understanding anything my instructor was saying. I asked some of my classmates if they knew what was going on -- one of them said yes, and explained the concept to me in a slightly different way which unlocked everything. In other words, it wasn't me, it was the instructor. 🙂 And thanks for being one of mine, Lyla...
wow just found this channel ( been watching miniac, ninjohn, Goobertown, squigmar, Ebay mini rescues, + more) for years. how the hell did this channel only get suggested to me now? lol well nice work witch Ur mini painting + utube editing is nice "Bing sesh incoming"
Excellent advice delivered unpalatably. Your gratuitous cursing at 0:47 limits the audience I might share this video with (like younger hobbyists struggling with their painting) and sets a pejorative (rather than supportive tone) that pervades your entire presentation. It’s your choice, but I have seen you do better.
You could have put this video out 2 weeks ago when I was failing super hard at glazing. Now I'm just going through the points and going "yeah, made that mistake" over and over
I disagree when it comes to practicing on bases. In my opinion (and that is just my opinion) stopping yourself from painting your minis, and spending a lot of time just sitting down and practicing on bases has the real danger of killing your enjoyment of miniature painting. Painting minis is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, grinding out 10 wet blended bases is neither of those things, it's a chore. Its homework, it feels like an obstacle you must complete before you get to the fun part. Tattoo artists, or aircraft mechanics, or doctors, etc practice on fake disposable analogs because it's difficult and costly to practice on the real thing. That doesn't apply to us, there are tons of super cheap miniatures you can practice on, and get a cool model at the end. You can have test models to try stuff out as well. Not only that, but painting on a flat surface like a base does not translate well to the realities of painting a 3D object, it'll give you incorrect expectations on how difficult or easy it'll be to to it on a real mini, and you'll develop a flawed muscle memory. Training on imperfect analogs is something you do when the alternative is too costly, when you have no other choice, we do. Just paint your minis. I learned all that I know on real miniatures and I loved doing it, and I have a collection of miniatures showing my progress as an artist. I would not have that if I just sat there and painted bases all day.
Can I get a comprohesive outlineing of the basics, everyone talks about them but I feel like they never get clearly outlined. What are the core fundamentals,
I don't understand what ruining a mini is, if you can't easily strip the paint off the model then you are already using the wrong paint. Non etching or "Doesn't Adhere to Paint" are paints like Citadel and Tamiya acrylics, some brands eat into the plastic/resin and should never be used by new painters or even intermediate painters. Citadel may not be the best brand for some but it's stupid easy to remove the paint back to plastic or primer if you used some nasty Army painter or self etching Krylon lawn furniture paint crap. When you are good enough to start getting asked to paint for money that's about the time you can move up to a more less forgiving brand of paint. Till that time stick with the stuff you can easily erase and keep on practicing without fear.
to copy Ninjon somebody need at least 10 years on their belt, dude. is very skilled but hard work over time and experience is the only way to make it. we can't really expect paint like these dudes only having a couple of months painting models
Best advice i ever got is, do it wrong, but do it. As jacke the dog said "sucking at something is the first step at being sort of good at something." Just try layering if you want to learn it, if you mess it up, great, now you know how to do it wrong.
The photo one is so real, I just started this hobby and then get all excited about the mini I've painted, cause it looks good to me, then I want to show it to my friend who's been in the hobby for some time. Take a photo and boom it suddenly looks like a piece of garbage XD
I,m just a beginner in this painting of these models and after seeing this video i now know i am still having trouble where the shadows go but i have taken a picture of the model I,m doing so I,ll be tryiny the shadows out tonight,and thanks
As always a great video. This is such good info, this is what I needed today. I need to practice more. I have been mini painting for 5 years now. I have made great advances thanks to amazing channels like yours! Thank you so much! Plus, hope your finger is ok?!
Thank you for all the excellent suggestions on improving our work. One “seeing your work” technique that usually helps me is to go into various bathrooms in the house (each has different lighting) and holding the model so I can view it via the mirrors…..this gives me a new perspective and help me see the flaws (or areas of improvement) a lot more easily than simply looking at the model in my hand. Thanks again for your great tutorial!
My greatest painting success? Learning things about painting miniatures and painting at all that I can use without thinking about them while I paint. Now I can use this energies to think about wider horizons. Teaching this to other ~3500 painters hands on in the last 15 years in workshops and coachings thaught me how to explain things in an easy, approachable way. Knowing where my student is at when I see him paint helps me to go back at my own journey and see where the "issue" lies. Combining this with the personality of the painter in front of me I learned to give the right lessons in the right moment. This is I would say my greatest painting success :)
Dont forget if you dont like your paint job you can either strip it and start again or….. use what you have done as base coats and paint over it. Or…… just move on to another model/project. Just keep painting.
its the 'understanding light and dark' that I don't get. Like I know how to practice blending, glazing, etc, but how do you practice light and dark? I can do all the techniques but I'm not great on getting the lighting just right, especially NMM surfaces.
you know in all the videos of yours ive watched i think this is the first time ive heard you swear, but good tips ive gone back to basics on my models with just bascoating washing and highlighting/layering slowly i struggle with this stuff cause im colourblind and cant really see shades of colours very well if at all, good video as always look forward to the next one
Thanks for the videos! One idea, I have seen you use a tablet for testing color schemes. I searched hji n low for tips on this and found nothing. What to use, how to use etc. That would make an interesting video, at least for me. :)
Your skill is amazing! You made not only my least favorite Sisters of Battle look great, but I actually thought that was the worst model GW has released in years.
I was wondering which model would be good to practice on and using the bases is a great idea. Now I am wondering if there are kids toys at Daiso that I could prime and practice on too.
Honestly the biggest thing I tell people is that there is always trial and error. Get some cheap little things. hit those things to figure things out. And push forward.
I thought I was done with the model for this video, looked at the footage and ended up redoing the eyes because I didn't like them 😅 it happens to everyone!
As a color blind painter the part about watch as many tutorials you can find, 1 million percent agree. I cant tell you how many times I've thought I understood what needed to be done only to watch a few more videos and realize maybe I didn't understand as well as I thought I did.
HI Lyla, thanks for your content. Very inspiring. If you take ideas on next videos - I am having problems with varnishes. I work with models that often times have metal and gems. So when the miniature is done I have the problem - I can not spray varnish the model with matt varnish, it will kill the shiny metal paints and gems (I use gem technical paints often), and going over the model with brush applied varnish also does not give good effect. Now, the only technique I found for myself is to paint the model to 90% of completion with all matt parts done - varnish it with spray, then come back with metal paints and gems and then seal it with gloss varnish on only those parts. This is painful and very time consuming sometimes. Can you advise on better techniques or maybe even make a tutorial on varnishing models with different materials? Maybe this problem is not common, but I could not find any good varnish tutorials on RUclips.
My go to varnish is testors clear coat. It leaves matte matte and metallic metallic. Otherwise, there are different types of varnish like gloss and metallic that you can paint back over specific areas it need be.
Thank You for all the great tutorials. I havent painted a mini in 30 years seriously. The hardest think for Me is mixing paints on my pallet. Example lighteninga paint to the shade I need it to Be. I thin fine I just cant seem to mix them together properly.
What's been your biggest miniature painting success?
Ive tried so many new techniques after just letting go of all hang ups.
At somepoint i just told myself, “go for it, 3d printing means you have as many models as you want give it a go!”
Felt a lot more confident in myself and accepted that what i want out of the hobby might not be what various, more experienced painters can achieve…..at least currently.
Occasionally painting eyes that don’t suck maybe 😅 Completing a squad, or a single mini that represents my current skill and a bit of luck is the best. Also my niece loved the ranger girl from Vae Victis I gave her. 🥳
any paint job is a success.
My greatest miniatures painting success? Grokking the notion of wet blending and the Shaolin 2-Brush Kung Fu of feathering/2-brush blending and getting somewhere with it. NMM is really driving me mental at this time because of the notion of grasping where the lights and shadows should be, but it's in the back of my mind as something I will perfect over time.
my biggest success was putting brush to mini and taking the plunge after being wishy washy about starting the hobby for almost six months, I am not going to give it up even if I never play another RPG.
Thank you. I've getting back into miniature painting after take a decade or more off. and watching you and your cats has helped keep me focused.
I think the most aggravating factor is „the gap“.
It describes the gap between your expectations (What you want to achieve) and your skills (what you can achieve) This is especially true in our hobby where we are surrounded by all this high end work all the time - and ist can be a very frustrating experience to train and wait for your skills to develop.
I did a video on this concept!
ah yes, "see your model" kinda implies i should be able to mentally picture what it should look like vs. what i managed to make, as an "artist" (literally refuse to call myself that but others do) Aphantasia seems to be a recurring problem. good thing i keep clearly labeled ugly minis around to remind me what does not work out well.
"Slow the Fuck Down" should be an entire video on its own. I often have to stop myself from "painting impatiently", which never yields anything but frustration later. If I'm in an impatient mood it usually means I should switch models or go do something else for a while.
I'm not sure what a whole video on that would look like!
LOL that's a good point. I think the trick is many of us wander into this trap of going too fast. Seems like two things you gotta do (1) Recognize when it is happening and (2) Stop yourself. I think (1) is much harder than (2), and this current video already gives some clues (stop and take a photo, stop and ask others what they thing, etc). I wonder, do you have other tricks to catch yourself when you've fallen into the trap of going too fast?
It's important to gage the amount of fun you are having, and if the frustration you feel is a "challenge," or a "fun ruiner." Once the problem is not a fun exciting challenge to overcome, put it down.
@@LylaMev There was a famous psychologist (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi) who coined the idea of "being in the flow" that state of extreme focus and performance. He made a chart you can see if you google "skill vs difficulty and flow". He has a wealth of other research related to this (mostly about how to optimize the chance of being in the flow, and how it relates to happiness).
@@oakes3902 thank you!!
Many beginner painters do not know how to thin their paint...
re: practice- i cannot stress, enough, how much better my painting became when i began regularly practicing my entire skillset (from the most basic to most difficult.)
i think we tend to think that skills stay sharp and honed when they really need constant whetting.
(also! getting a 3d printer and printing a ton of basic practice models has helped, so much.)
3d printers are pretty amazing
Sounds kinda like a negative, but my biggest hobby success has been accepting that someone my miniatures just look donk. Accepting that I'm not going to do NMM as well as you the first time I attempt it, or glazing as well as Ben Komets, really allowed me to do the best I can, unhindered by unrealistic expectations.
That is not negative! That is a great mentality to have
I believe it was Miniac in an episode of Trapped Under Plastic who said it best: Mini painters are trying to rush to level 60 in the mini painting game, when they aren't even level 2 yet. People just want to "git gud" so they can paint all of these amazing things that they see. However, we all need to remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We all have to learn how to paint at our own pace and try not to rush things.
Such great advice
The most useful thing I've learned by studying for 6 years is the zone of proxinal development. It is basicly the theory of stepping out of your comfort zone. But instead of comfort zone, you have 3 zones in concentric circles. The inner one is what you can do without help. This is your comfort zone. Outside of this is out of your comfort zone. In here you know what you're doing, so you don't develop in here, but need to get out of it. But if you go too far out, you'll be so confused that you won't be able to learn. So there is a zone outside the comfort zone, but close to it that we call zone of proximal development. Here you will be confused, but with some help you'll be able to master it. This is where you learn.
My point is, try to find your zone of proximal development, and don't step too far out, and you'll understand your own learning a little better.
That's a good balance to this as the "slow down" advice is only useful to people rushing ahead too fast. Many people I talk to are scared to leave their comfort zone. My usual approach is to have one new skill or technique per project. I've never really picked up wet blending and will try it next time I have an excuse.
That's actually a similar concept to one used in language learning. It's how we learn new words by proximity to other words we know contextually. It's why reading as a child during the developmental stages are so important to fleshing out a good vocabulary, and why "vocab quizzes" in Class are absolutely pointless. One is using the proximity to form a bridge. The other is a leap!
"See your model" sure does have way more involved in it than I would have thought at first. Really good breakdown of what to look for! As usual, a great video; thanks Lyla!
Texturing has been the 'most consistently mastered' technique this year. Adding a filter over the final 'textured' highlights just makes it all better. Best practice tip: Reaper Bones minis are cheap - while a lot of the older white ones lack detail, some of the newer siocast sculpts are right up there with the evil empire from Nottingham and that low cost means you worry less about 'ruining' a mini if the technique doesn't work out.
I really like the new reaper models!
One thing that may help is this- don't feel like you have to use X technique. All painters have their own style and tools in their belt and not all styles and techniques work for all painters or models. Just because "Everyone" is using a certain technique doesn't mean that you have to use it too! If NMM is driving you nuts... maybe rather than torturing yourself to get it to look just right- try something else. You may find that you are better suited to a different technique and that you get more satisfying results without all of the self-torture.
Another big mistake I see people make is painting in poorly lit rooms with yellow light, which is typical of house bulbs. Models can look deceptively good in that sort of lighting, especially the blends, because you're 1-2 meters away from the light source typically if it's hanging in the middle of the room, which softens everything and tricks the eye. Then as soon as you get it near a window, outside, or under a daylight bulb you'll notice a million flaws because the lighting is harsher. Since I started painting directly under a daylight desk lamp, the look of my models drastically improved.
Good to know,thank you!
Absolutely. A bright table top light is an amazing tool everyone should invest in.
But you can't be grim dank and edgy in a well lit room 😂
I love your optimism that I am only making 4 mistakes in my miniture painting! All joking aside, another really great video. Thank you.
That is a very good joke
💪Awesome Sister of battle! Great job!
Thank you, Zumikito! It means a lot coming from you!
Again, there is this emphasis on Critical Thinking in your work. A very mechanical breakdown that breaks the process down to constituent parts. Using an almost scientific approach to art likely does not work for some but speaks to me. I know a lot of fellow hobbyists can do this completely by feel. I cannot. I personally feel like I am always starting over each time I have a few hours to paint. Thank you for your continued diligence to this approach.
It means a lot to hear that!
This video got recommended to me at just the right time, got into miniature painting a few months ago and was overwhelming myself with wanting to learn all the techniques immediately and being good at it all.
Just need to focus on enjoying it first!
I probably watched 20 hours of painting videos (You, Ninjon and Miniac primarily) before I even touched a miniature... My first set of Skitarii turned out incredible and I have received so many compliments (positive feedback as a beginner is extremely important)... Knowing the process and understanding WHY things are done a certain way will result in miniatures that you can be proud of! Thank you for your tips and tricks!
I'm glad to be in the top of your selection!
The best way to find mistakes in a miniature paintjob is to think it's done and post it to social media.
Oh absolutely
I love this video. You do a great job of explaining the frustrations many of us feel when starting out in the hobby. I know before I started I watched a ton of video tutorials, and felt like I could easily replicate what I saw. Lol that's really not the reality. I've been painting a couple months now and am still in the "thin your paints" and "add more contrast" stage. But your video does a fantastic job of explaining why. As always great job, and thank you for your content.
Thank you, it means a lot!
Great video. One thing I picked up from Wappel is setting your photo to black and white to better judge contrast.
OH GOOD ONE
Thank you. This is the same advise I give others, and keep telling myself. Learn the basics and stop trying to jump into the advance techniques.
What helped me so much when I was back painting was using a model with lots of details to practice all different methods. I have a nurgle demon I've used literally everything on. Oils, NMM, Glazing, Stippling, Layering, Weathering it's so fun !
"SLOW. THE FUCK. DOWN." 🤣🤣🤣 I love this channel!
Thank you! I try not to swear too much, but some times it is very necessary.
@@LylaMev perfectly fine deployment of the f bomb
One good trick to "git gud":
It feels like you've watched over 9000 youtube tutorials on mini painting and it still doesn't look like it should?
Start watching oil painting tutorials, watercolor tutorials, color theory tutorials, anatomy tutorials...
I the end miniature painting is also _painting_. There is so much you can gain from broadening your perspective!
I've learned a lot from your videos. As a beginner, are there any miniature figures that you'd recommend - aka something simple & not too expensive to help develop my skills? Perhaps a model you've demonstrated in the past. The subject doesn't really matter, it's about practice.
The most annoying thing for me is I did art in high school for four years and had a teacher that I realised now was only interested in teaching those he believed had talent. Until I could access the net, my best efforts were looking at other peoples work and trying to decide how they achieved that finish. But I once painted 120, 1/72 scale British Napoleonic figures to build a fighting square. This included the Black Watch Highland regiment. I got to tell you, when that square formed, it gave truth to the statement, "Quantity has its own quality". Art teacher didn't accept it as art though.
I cannot recommend watching as many different people do a technique highly enough -- I tell my students that, if how I am explaining it isn't working, they should ask someone else for this very reason.
In other words, it's not you, it's the instructor.
When I was a student, I was on the other side of this, confused and not understanding anything my instructor was saying. I asked some of my classmates if they knew what was going on -- one of them said yes, and explained the concept to me in a slightly different way which unlocked everything.
In other words, it wasn't me, it was the instructor. 🙂
And thanks for being one of mine, Lyla...
I'm collecting Adepta Sororitas. The models are awesome but they're super intimidating to paint.
wow just found this channel ( been watching miniac, ninjohn, Goobertown, squigmar, Ebay mini rescues, + more) for years. how the hell did this channel only get suggested to me now? lol well nice work witch Ur mini painting + utube editing is nice
"Bing sesh incoming"
Excellent advice delivered unpalatably. Your gratuitous cursing at 0:47 limits the audience I might share this video with (like younger hobbyists struggling with their painting) and sets a pejorative (rather than supportive tone) that pervades your entire presentation. It’s your choice, but I have seen you do better.
You could have put this video out 2 weeks ago when I was failing super hard at glazing. Now I'm just going through the points and going "yeah, made that mistake" over and over
I disagree when it comes to practicing on bases. In my opinion (and that is just my opinion) stopping yourself from painting your minis, and spending a lot of time just sitting down and practicing on bases has the real danger of killing your enjoyment of miniature painting. Painting minis is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, grinding out 10 wet blended bases is neither of those things, it's a chore. Its homework, it feels like an obstacle you must complete before you get to the fun part.
Tattoo artists, or aircraft mechanics, or doctors, etc practice on fake disposable analogs because it's difficult and costly to practice on the real thing. That doesn't apply to us, there are tons of super cheap miniatures you can practice on, and get a cool model at the end. You can have test models to try stuff out as well. Not only that, but painting on a flat surface like a base does not translate well to the realities of painting a 3D object, it'll give you incorrect expectations on how difficult or easy it'll be to to it on a real mini, and you'll develop a flawed muscle memory.
Training on imperfect analogs is something you do when the alternative is too costly, when you have no other choice, we do. Just paint your minis. I learned all that I know on real miniatures and I loved doing it, and I have a collection of miniatures showing my progress as an artist. I would not have that if I just sat there and painted bases all day.
Can I get a comprohesive outlineing of the basics, everyone talks about them but I feel like they never get clearly outlined. What are the core fundamentals,
Thanks for this. I like the suggestions on order of learning. What would you recommend for the order of learning for air brushing?
I don't understand what ruining a mini is, if you can't easily strip the paint off the model then you are already using the wrong paint. Non etching or "Doesn't Adhere to Paint" are paints like Citadel and Tamiya acrylics, some brands eat into the plastic/resin and should never be used by new painters or even intermediate painters. Citadel may not be the best brand for some but it's stupid easy to remove the paint back to plastic or primer if you used some nasty Army painter or self etching Krylon lawn furniture paint crap. When you are good enough to start getting asked to paint for money that's about the time you can move up to a more less forgiving brand of paint. Till that time stick with the stuff you can easily erase and keep on practicing without fear.
An alternative to practicing with bases is plastic spoons. They are dirt cheap, you can buy a box of 100 for $5.00.
to copy Ninjon somebody need at least 10 years on their belt, dude. is very skilled but hard work over time and experience is the only way to make it. we can't really expect paint like these dudes only having a couple of months painting models
Best advice i ever got is, do it wrong, but do it. As jacke the dog said "sucking at something is the first step at being sort of good at something." Just try layering if you want to learn it, if you mess it up, great, now you know how to do it wrong.
The photo one is so real, I just started this hobby and then get all excited about the mini I've painted, cause it looks good to me, then I want to show it to my friend who's been in the hobby for some time. Take a photo and boom it suddenly looks like a piece of garbage XD
i use this youtuber (Doctor Faust's Painting Clinic) i love his work and advice
Counterpoint: practicing on bases is boring as hell and will just make you less interested in the hobby. Just paint models.
I,m just a beginner in this painting of these models and after seeing this video i now know i am still having trouble where the shadows go but i have taken a picture of the model I,m doing so I,ll be tryiny the shadows out tonight,and thanks
its been hard for me to use bold colors my military mind keeps me in cmo base colors
Choose a color palette and make a rule that you're not allowed to stay from it!
TbH i Think Vince Venturella has the best tutorials hands down. *shrugs* your ok too!
As always a great video. This is such good info, this is what I needed today. I need to practice more. I have been mini painting for 5 years now. I have made great advances thanks to amazing channels like yours! Thank you so much! Plus, hope your finger is ok?!
Thank you, my finger is doing great!
Thank you for all the excellent suggestions on improving our work. One “seeing your work” technique that usually helps me is to go into various bathrooms in the house (each has different lighting) and holding the model so I can view it via the mirrors…..this gives me a new perspective and help me see the flaws (or areas of improvement) a lot more easily than simply looking at the model in my hand. Thanks again for your great tutorial!
Thank you for your advice!
"Slow the FUCK down"
I snorted LOUDLY.
Great video, with the photo looking at it in black and white and with other filters can make a lot of difference as well.
Haha I’m gaining the courage try my first nmm 😅😅
Great video , loads of tips and I want that female mini lol
Really great video as always.
Thanks again!
My greatest painting success? Learning things about painting miniatures and painting at all that I can use without thinking about them while I paint. Now I can use this energies to think about wider horizons. Teaching this to other ~3500 painters hands on in the last 15 years in workshops and coachings thaught me how to explain things in an easy, approachable way. Knowing where my student is at when I see him paint helps me to go back at my own journey and see where the "issue" lies. Combining this with the personality of the painter in front of me I learned to give the right lessons in the right moment. This is I would say my greatest painting success :)
It took some practice, but the first time I was able to do highlighting in a way I was proud of was glorious!
Learn the rules so you can break them properly
0:48 No need for profanity. Please keep it clean. Otherwise, love your videos! Keep them coming!
I swear so much in real life. This is toned down.
What are you using to practice on?
Do you have a video teaching the basics
Good video. One point of criticism...I don't think your videos need music. Infact I think they would be better with out it. :)
interesting!
I disagree, practice, muscle memory, be happy with what you paint and know when to quit
I disagree with your disagree
Hope your finger is doing better
Dont forget if you dont like your paint job you can either strip it and start again or….. use what you have done as base coats and paint over it.
Or…… just move on to another model/project. Just keep painting.
That's this week's video!
its the 'understanding light and dark' that I don't get. Like I know how to practice blending, glazing, etc, but how do you practice light and dark? I can do all the techniques but I'm not great on getting the lighting just right, especially NMM surfaces.
Zenithal highlight!
My greatest miniature painting success was deciding to go back to miniature painting after a 25 year break. #NoRegrets #NotificationSquad
Welcome back!!
Seriously, what's with the F bomb? Totally unnecessary. Don't know why people think they need to talk that way.
You should hear me talk in day to day life, I swear a lot!
Don’t forget to like and comment to appease the almighty algorithm 😁❤️👍🏼
You're the best!
Thank you. V. Helpful
you know in all the videos of yours ive watched i think this is the first time ive heard you swear, but good tips ive gone back to basics on my models with just bascoating washing and highlighting/layering slowly i struggle with this stuff cause im colourblind and cant really see shades of colours very well if at all, good video as always look forward to the next one
In real life I actually swear all the time! But I tone it down a lot for RUclips.
"Slow the fuck down"
Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?! Subscribed!
Well, it worked!
New thumbnail? I like it.
Thanks for the videos! One idea, I have seen you use a tablet for testing color schemes. I searched hji n low for tips on this and found nothing. What to use, how to use etc. That would make an interesting video, at least for me. :)
I made that video! It's something like "how to improve without painting"
@@LylaMev thanks!
Great video. I would add use a flash to your picture to give you natural highlight locations.
thats a new one for me!
Your skill is amazing! You made not only my least favorite Sisters of Battle look great, but I actually thought that was the worst model GW has released in years.
Honestly, when I got her in the mail my first thought was: "wait.... why did I buy this model?" But the conversion at least made it better.
I was wondering which model would be good to practice on and using the bases is a great idea. Now I am wondering if there are kids toys at Daiso that I could prime and practice on too.
Chibi models are also fun to practice on!
How do you work out if you have a smooth base coat? What are you looking for on the model to determine you have achieved that first step?
Great question! Full opaqueness of the paint color, no texture. (So paint it and DON'T TOUCH IT. Let it dry.) If it's patchy, apply a second coat.
Love ya work Lyla, keep it up
i could add something, when you want to see a miniature, wait a week or two, things are really differents when you started to forgot them
That is completely true
You’re so beautiful
My greatest painting success was this fawn Druid I did for a campaign I was in. I’m forever so proud of how she turned out 🥺
Tag me me on Instagram!
wow you are so particular, that probably would stop me from improving
I paint too a very high standard!
Slow down? Never!
Don't get pulled over!
@@LylaMev THEY WILL NEVER CATCH ME!
I always was the absolute worst at art in general. But watching this gave me hope and inspiration
You got this!
Honestly the biggest thing I tell people is that there is always trial and error. Get some cheap little things. hit those things to figure things out. And push forward.
Absolutely!
Girl you got my sub.
The part about using photo to review your work is true. You will really get to spot mistakes that way
I thought I was done with the model for this video, looked at the footage and ended up redoing the eyes because I didn't like them 😅 it happens to everyone!
haha! great video
Another great video as always, clear, concise and gives great tips, thank you :)
Thanks!
First time coming across your channel, solid video
Thank you! It means a lot!
Another great video! I love how you tackle approaches and mindset as well as painting techniques.
Thank you!
great tips ty
love it 🤠
Thank you Lyla…I never thought to print bases to practice on!!! You ROCK!!!
As a color blind painter the part about watch as many tutorials you can find, 1 million percent agree. I cant tell you how many times I've thought I understood what needed to be done only to watch a few more videos and realize maybe I didn't understand as well as I thought I did.
HI Lyla, thanks for your content. Very inspiring. If you take ideas on next videos - I am having problems with varnishes. I work with models that often times have metal and gems. So when the miniature is done I have the problem - I can not spray varnish the model with matt varnish, it will kill the shiny metal paints and gems (I use gem technical paints often), and going over the model with brush applied varnish also does not give good effect. Now, the only technique I found for myself is to paint the model to 90% of completion with all matt parts done - varnish it with spray, then come back with metal paints and gems and then seal it with gloss varnish on only those parts. This is painful and very time consuming sometimes. Can you advise on better techniques or maybe even make a tutorial on varnishing models with different materials? Maybe this problem is not common, but I could not find any good varnish tutorials on RUclips.
My go to varnish is testors clear coat. It leaves matte matte and metallic metallic. Otherwise, there are different types of varnish like gloss and metallic that you can paint back over specific areas it need be.
@@LylaMev I was not aware that we have those. I'll try some, thank you very much.
@@konstantinshevchuk160 totally! I would check out green stuff world for the metallic varnish. Everything else can be bought from Vallejo.
Thank You for all the great tutorials. I havent painted a mini in 30 years seriously. The hardest think for Me is mixing paints on my pallet. Example lighteninga paint to the shade I need it to Be. I thin fine I just cant seem to mix them together properly.
You’re videos are alWays so enlightening, miss. You’ve got such great delivery and techniques and advice. Thanks!
Totally agree with every point here =D
Thank you!
I love it “slow the f*ck down”
Maybe I'll put it on a sticker.
This is some great advice! I always have to remind myself to go back to the basics when I get frustrated.