Ok, I admit it.

[MClimbin]

It\'s true, I can\'t avoid it any longer.

I\'m afraid of NMM.

Now I don\'t mean that when I see some good NMM in a dark alley I get weak in the knees from fear. That weakness, I think, is best attributed to my admiration for those painters who can pull this off.

No, I mean that I am afraid of trying NMM. I am actually just at the stage where I am comfortable painting highlights. It took me a few months to figure out where the highlights should go, but I think that I am getting pretty good at that. So perhaps it is time to face my fear?

Now I have seen (and read many times in morbid fascination as my heart pounded with fear) all or at least most of the NMM tutorials online. Can anyone suggest anything to help me overcome this debilitating phobia?

Michael

 

[Dragonsreach]

There\'s only one way to find out; and that\'s to try it.
I\'d suggest that you try it on a figure that you have cast aside for whatever reason.
But whatever happens good luck and don\'t forget to post your results in the forums for some constructive advice.

 

[t_haye2]

ah my dear fellow, you must take the bull by the horns so to speak, otherwise you will forever be hampered by an illogical fear that will stop you from maybe mastering a technique you might well(or might not) find extremey pleasing....

In normal english, try it on a model with \'easy\' NMM parts first, maybe a shoulderpad, or a weapon only, and work your way up to something harder. although I don\'t use the technique much, but for any technique, starting with something simple, and perhaps copying certain models from others to grasp the idea is most of the time the best option.

 

[scythingtalon]

Tammy\'s suggestion is perfect. Start with a specific metallic item. Something a bit larger than a set of NMM abs on armour or something. That is not for the faint of heart, but a sword or even an axe is very doable.

I actually printed off several nice examples of NMM to see how it is supposed to be done before I did it.

 

[Sakura]

I know that. I also was afraid at first, but then I thought I try it on something easy.
Used the swords of my valkyries. No ornaments or anything, just a plain two- eged blade. Looks like a grey sword, not a NMM sword. Oh well, first try.
I find it easier to paint the part I want in NMM in metal colours first, study the reflections under light, and then paint the NMM over it.
Well, I haven\'t mastered it yet, so you probably shoudn\'t listen to my advice.
And since I have forgoten where my actual point was I shut up now. (I know the grammar is wrong, I just don\'t know the right one.)

 

[scythingtalon]

It should be noted as well, CONTRAST... when you blend too much or dont go dark enough on NMM you will end up looking greyed out. It is truely a fine line.

 

[Justin[AsG]]

I agree I have been trying but I still cant seem to get it under my hands...

Try as I may on this guy I just cant keep the paint thin enough over time and I cant keep the one high light from getting a little over bright if you know what I mean.

that mini is WIP so go easy on me guys

 

[Ritual]

Hi!
I\'m new to the forums, but not to painting

I would follow the advice of Dragonsreach and Tammy. I would also suggest trying something silver or iron first and learn how to do that before trying out gold or other metals.

@Justin[AsG]
Are you using a retarder fluid? I use Liquitex Slo-dri (or whatever it\'s called). Once I started using that, I can\'t understand how I could live without it...

 

[finn17]

Hello Ritual..

You sound nice and sane. Welcome to the forums. Stick around...we need all the sanity we can get

 

[Ritual]

Thanks!

You sound nice and sane.

I don\'t know about sane... After all, I\'ve been painting minis for about fifteen years...

 

[finn17]

Well, funny you should say that.....

Originally posted by Ritual
I don\'t know about sane... After all, I\'ve been painting minis for about fifteen years...

You\'ll have to check yourself out in the \'Am I Sane\' thread in \'General Discussion\'.
:flip:

 

[Ritual]

Ok, I seem to be extremely sane! I am moderately histrionic, whatever that means, and low on everything else. I guess you spotted the sanity in me...

 

[Legacy Account]

Get plenty of reference!

Download good examples of painted minis, and try to get photos of actual metallic objects. I started painting a Necron Wraith in NMM, and found my shower hose in the bathroom an excellent source of inspiration. Chrome car badges and bumpers are also useful. Most of all dive in and give it a go!

 

[Ritual]

You don\'t have to show your first attempts to anyone, unless you want to...
So... go for it! You will pick up things as you go along.

 

[Logansama]

Don\'t bother trying.

Seriously

If you are only just happy with highlighting, there is no need for you to even attempt NMM yet.

You need to have mastered highlighting and lightsourcing before you move onto NMM, because it requires a good understanding of a lot of theory.

Just get good at painting stuff \"normally\" first, and then experiment for fun when you are comfortable with your work.

I think this site can be a bit intimidating to intermediate level painters who feel they have to try and attempt all of the diverse techniques displayed by the great artists who are members here.

Just carry on painting metals with metals. Get the hang of washes and glazes over the top of the metallics, and experiment with coloured undercoats to the metallics to see how it affects the colours. When you feel totally comfortable then move on and experiment with stuff like NMM, Sky/Earth reflections, outside lightsourcing and other difficult stuff.