Hi all,

Newbie Mike here... I have a question on applying multiple shades and shadow layers. I've been watching alot of the SBS videos by various folks on YouTube but still have a questions on this technique.

After you apply the base coat (in thin layers from what I see), you then proceed to the highlights and then the shadows...

My questions are regarding the filters/shadows.... I will be using either the Vallejo Flesh paint set for skintones and the Andrea colors for clothing... each has in succession a different color for the highlights / shadows. The question is do you apply the next color in a thinner coat over the previously applied giving a see thru look to the highlight / shadow , and is there a specific style of dabbing highlight / shadow or do you use the same paint stroke as with the base coat?..

Sorry if these questions sound dumb but I want to do a really good job ..


Thanks again!

Mike in Ohio

Hello Mike!!!
You will get many many answers on this topic. It will ultimately come to how you feel most comfortable.
Yes, for me using transparent layers works best. I start with the mid tone and then shade/highlight as needed. I found good luck starting in the deepest/broadest part and brushing toward the lightest. Also, with diluted paint, I load my brush and then unload some on a paper towel so that you have control over the amount of paint being applied, if not, you will be slopping paint on and then over brushing to get it off.
Im sure you will get many more and better answers to follow.
Hope that helps somewhat
Steve

Best advice I can give is practice see what your more suited to, try different techniques, I keep spare pieces for practice on

Mike, the short answer is yes. With each successive coat of paint you should make it thinner and more transparent so you are filtering the colour, but still allowing the base colours to show through.

However, the short answer is never really what you need to hear. A more honest response is that the answer is yes and no.

The longer, more complicated answer is that you need to decide for yourself what level of detail and attention you want to put into your figures and what you're happy with. Some people go to ridiculous lengths to produce incredible and stunningly subtle effects that simply can't be seen except close up. Other people are happy with a bolder less subtle style that is perhaps more impressionistic in style. It all comes done to what makes you happy. Afterall, this is a hobby and it's supposed to be enjoyable and rewarding.

Everyone finds their own style of painting by taking inspiration from other painters in different measure and through a process of trial and error (more error than success I might add) they eventually find a style that is their own. The challenge then is to improve on your own technique by developing your skills and continuing to innovate and take lessons from other painters.

Hi Mike,

Indeed, a lot of different ways to go and you already have some advice in the previous posts.
I'd like to add one thing may help. After the base coat, you could also use pretty strong highlights and shades with not too thin paint, like used for the basecoat. The borders between colours may still be a bit stark, but that doesn't matter at this stage. Only then you up the dilution and the first thing you do is apply a new layer of base colour, but quite thin. You'll notice that the previously strong contrast will be much softened. Next step is to repaint hoghlights and shades with pretty thinned colours. Nice thing about this technique is that the colours have some foundation, or body, that provides a map where to place your highlights and shades. Using only the vry thinned paint can make it hard to keep track where you previously applied what.

But other than the exact technique in painting highlights and shades, I think the hardest part for each figure is to know WHERE the highlights and shades should be painted. It is NOT easy to get this right. To practice this I suggest to paint a figure already painted by your favorite master and follow that as a guide. You can also systemetically study this aspect on pictures And on actual people, in movies, etc. It WILL become an obsession, I have to warn you! ;-)

Just practice and make sure you finish a few figures to get some experience. Don't fall into the trap of wanting your first figure to look perfect!

Cheers,
Adrian

thanks all for the great suggestions... I'll give them a go and post some results!!!!

Mike