CoolMiniOrNot - Painting Lighting Effects

Painting Lighting Effects Advanced Return to article index	Rating: 9.89 Votes: 56 Views: 59138	By: victoria
Category: Painting Subcategory: Techniques		Date: 2003-01-04 23:47:07
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PAINTING LIGHTING EFFECTS I have had a few requests to share my method of how I achieved the lighting effects on my Fire Dragon Exarch and The Rescue of Sister Joan. I am grateful for the feedback but have avoided the question because the technique is still quite experimental. I do not actually yet have a set in stone method of achieving it. In fact both these models used quite different techniques. I will share what I've learned so far and hope it inspires others to develop the technique further. INSPIRATION The idea for Joan came from looking at paintings by the Dutch masters such as Rembrandt. Some of these paintings feature candle lit figures and started me wondering if the same could be done in 3D. I also work in the theatre and have an appreciation of how much lighting can influence the dramatic impact of a scene. THEORY There are some important points to keep in mind when trying this effect. Light only travels in straight lines so only something that is in the direct path of the light source will reflect it. The closer to the source, the more intense the reflection. The reflection should never be brighter then the light source itself. For example look at this test model of a necron immortal. -The green on the gun (light source) is the lightest ie. brightest green on the model. -The planes of the model that are most oblique (facing towards) to the source will appear brightest. Eg. the tips of his chin and nose are brighter than his upper lip. -The surfaces closest to the source will appear brighter. Eg. The left side of his chest shows a bright reflection while on the right side the reflection fades out. -Only the planes that can trace a direct line to the source show the reflection. Eg. His chest is in line with the source but the tops of his head, shoulder plates and collar bone are not.
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choochoomedic 18 July 09		Rating: 10 Many thanks, This has been a great help!!!
the catman 26 September 07		Rating: 10 thanks!!!!!!!!;D
wyatt doc 09 September 07		Rating: 10 thanks that was awesome I first saw the diorama in white dwarf and wondered how you did it. thanks for the tut
Rancor pilot 23 January 07		Rating: 9 Fantastic, the most helpful article I've seen on OSL. I have one question, though: you mention that you dry brushed for the scene. On the figures themselved, did you dry brush, or thin your paint and paint it on that way? Did you use consecutively lighter layers the way you did on the scene? Thanks for an excellent tutorial!
Tahn 03 August 06		Rating: 10 I had always marvelled at your work wondering how you actually applied the technique, but reading this I know the secret! Thankee deary.
JhonnyGoo 16 April 05		Rating: 10 Awesome! It's a simple idea with a BIG effect! I never thought about it! I have to try it, but I think it won't be easy.
Dead orc 24 February 05		Rating: 10 Thanks you just saved me a lot of experimentation
Keyser Soze 23 September 04		Rating: 10 Thank you very much, so many new things for me to try out.
SilAx 05 September 04		Rating: 10 Amazing! Thanks for the tips NOW I"M GOING TO TRY IT ON......ummmm I dunno.... Darn
legolas master 19 August 04		Rating: 10 Woaw this is an article that i can use!!! Great!!! just great!!
tagron 09 July 04		Rating: 10 FULL 10 this is an insainlly good article, very usefull
atzerath 29 April 04		Rating: 10 why not try using some colored plastic sheets and a flashlight.... that way you can see what colored light does to colored surfaces....?
PlaneCrazy 17 March 04		Rating: 10 USeful...now I feel inspired to try this! Hopefully when Im done Ill be able to post a good pic of my work...
arles 01 March 04		Rating: 10 great, a great article!! Lots of thanks
ecominguez 09 February 04		Rating: 9 Thanks Victoria
Tengu 17 November 03		Rating: 10 great, thankyou. More please...
wulverine 16 November 03		Rating: 10 Jaw dropping! Purely jaw dropping!! This is definately going to be my next project. Even just the basics on the necron were amazing, but the fire dragon was simply stunning. i usually work to the standard around me, but due to recently installing broadband, I've realized I'm just going to have to practice A LOT!!!
freakinacage 22 April 03		Rating: 10 wow! what can i say? - i must give this a go soometime. but i doubt it'll be as good!
1nd1g0 10 April 03		Rating: 10 Superb. I was thinking about entering a Necron immortal painted showing the green light from his gauss blaster, then I find this article... amazing
JustinAsG 31 March 03		Rating: 10 amazing
Elftech 28 March 03		Rating: 10 Please continue your excellent work. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Cenobyte 16 February 03		Rating: 10 great! simply stunning work.
The Megadoomer 3000 01 February 03		Rating: 10 What an awesome article! I have been wondering how to do this. Now I know! Thanks so much!!
yrret 28 January 03		Rating: 10 Great article and greate tips on the technique. The burning at the stake scene is one I show people when I am showing the site to new people.
Emperorschampion 21 January 03		Rating: 10 My that very cool,I like the way you make the reflection of the green light on the guy! Keep up the good work! Steve
Squiggoth 21 January 03		Rating: 10 Nice article, I'm gonna try it out on a Squig Hunting diorama when I find some spare time! grtz., Martijn (A Dutch Master )
thecat 16 January 03		Rating: 9 thanks victoria, i will have to have a go at that
lexi 14 January 03		Rating: 10 Good info. That was my biggest question.
Luca Masetti 11 January 03		Rating: 10 Thanks Victoria for this great article. A new challenge for all of us!
Avicenna 08 January 03		Rating: 10 WOW! Fantastic! The Necron is pant-wettingly good! Thank you - this is something I would really like to go out and try myself! Talk about inspiring stuff!!
Goodwinpaints 08 January 03		Rating: 10 Thanks V! You're my new best friend! I already have a diorama in the works where this is going to be perfect information. Deane
Lai 08 January 03		Rating: 10 Thanks!very much!now i MUST try this technique!
supervike 07 January 03		Rating: 10 Simply breath taking. I will say that it was hard to read the text because I couldn't take my eyes of the miniatures!!
SoulFire pt 07 January 03		Rating: 10 Absolutely fantastic... I simply dropped my jaw to the floor when I saw that Exarch... One thing I'm wondering is the colours you use for the silver NMM, it looks much more realistic than any other NMM I have ever seen. Cheers, Alex
CT11 07 January 03		Rating: 10 Thanks for it which you your knowledge divide. That makes (for me) the difference between an artist and a good artist. Carsten
slappingpaint 07 January 03		Rating: 10 cheers, Victoria for putting up an article on how you did it
Getzeye 06 January 03		Rating: 10 Awesome help. Thanks
Flashman14 06 January 03		Rating: 9 terrific . . . terrific . . .
Mahon 06 January 03		Rating: 10 you're the mistress of his technique. I hope to see more in progress shots...
chissock 06 January 03		Rating: 10 Great article. I was wondering when I was going to see one like this. I'll try to see what results I get... =P
Badaab 06 January 03		Rating: 9 The only thing I'd say its lacking is some step-by-step pictures... but I know how time-consuming those can be. Oh, and the technique Rembrandt (and other Dutch masters) used that you made referrence to is called Chiaroscuro (or, directly translated "Light-Dark"). This technique was pioneered by da Vinci and other Italian masters, Rembrandt just took it to a new level, using directional light to single out subjectmatter, rather than using the dynamic effect over the whole canvas (as in The Calling of Saint Matthew). Anyway, good work, and thanks for giving us a place to start. Joe
Dragonsreach 06 January 03		Rating: 10 Thank you, Gracias, Merci, Domo Arigato. This is a simply explained article on a fanstastic technique. The information in the article is given in an unassuming way, allowing each to look and consider their own approach. Since I saw this technique in the GW Fantasy miniatures book I have wondered how you did it. Now I (we) know.
Mooz from FeuWeu 06 January 03		Rating: 10 Thanks Victoria. Mooz :]

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