"airbrushing highlights" Topic

I think this technique was "underpainting", but I've watched a bunch of videos and may have mixed up the word. :)

I have just primed a bunch of figures black. I'd like to try giving them a bit of gray at 45 degrees from top, then a bit of white from straight above, and I've heard. That part doesn't sound too demanding. But then I'm committed to trying to get the next layers on such that those lighter areas show through enough to appear as highlights.

How hard is that second step? I'd expect to do a mix of airbrush and hand brush after that. These are undead (LotR Army of the Dead, but not going for the glow, just an undead look), and ringwraiths, and the LotR Morgul Knights. So a lot of black. My thought was:
1) airbrush prime black
2) airbrush some gray then white to lighten up-facing areas
3) airbrush some black (maybe mixed with brown) lightly, hoping the lighter colors show through
4) hand paint details (metal, skulls, etc) after

Does that seem realistic? I could go by hand starting at step 3, but haven't really tried to glaze on top of light/dark primer before. With hand brushing, I've used cheap craft paints.

Just wanted to check that I'm heading down a path I can complete!

thanks

andy

this technique does work . based on what i've seen (sorry , can't find it . it was in a Facebook Warmachine and Hordes group) step 3 should be extreme highlights with pure white (he used titanium white from a tube , art store type acrylic paint) , then hand paint color glazes .

you could try airbrushing , depends on how detailed the figures are , i'd think skeletons would work .

i've also seen some interesting work done with priming white and just using washes for color then paint for metallics.

YouTube link

you have a good start.. use "inks" for the application of color. GameColor "inks" are my primary go to.. but I also use P3, Army Painter and GW.

Yep – if you try to paint over the zenithal shading you lose the effect. Use inks

You can use regular paint but you need to thin it down to glaze consistency or use some inherently translucent paint like some you find in the Warcolours line (sam name but not our own and not related). It's a technique we often use.

Thanks. I think I'm going to try my step 3 as airbrushing a bit (this is where my inexperience is going to make it tough) and then step 4 thinning with some acrylic medium.

andy