Painting Backwards?

[richrockster]

Okay, I've created this thread based on something mentioned in my other post about layering. There was a mention of painting light to dark, and this got me thinking - does anyone paint from a highlight, blending into the shadows of a mini?

I'm just curious, I might try this as an alternative on a spare mini, and asking if anyones thought of this or tried it...

 

[TheDrescher]

I don't know about starting with the absolute highlight and working down, but many people start with the mid-tone, shade down and then lighen up

 

[richrockster]

Yeah, I do that, but was thinking to take it further into the highlights to see how it works.

 

[airhead]

Airbrushing, I paint from the white (canvas or t-shirt or primer).
Minis, I paint from the midtone, wash down, highlight up -or- paint from the dark up.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

I have done both, it is quickest to start at the midtone.
By starting from white and doing everything by shading you can add all sorts of tones a lot easier, it just takes longer if you want it to be smooth.

 

[Einion]

I also generally paint from the midtone in both directions.

Working from dark to light isn't something I'd want to do all the time (so no black primer for me) because it's so much extra work for light colours but it can work very well for dark colours, black especially. Working down from the highlight colour is worth trying, specially for white, yellow or other light colours; give it a shot for reds too.

There are some prior threads that touch on this if you'd like to have a quick hunt around.

Einion

 

[gohkm]

Tried the light-to-dark painting, too. It's great if you're just using washes, but as it has been pointed out, it's trying to keep things smooth. Very much prefer either the mid-tone painting method, or painting darker from a brighter-than-usual mid-tone, so I always have the option to highlight more brightly.

 

[funnymouth]

several prominent painters have used the light to dark wash style quite effectively by abandoning the obsessive need to have smooth flawless blends. for example, i believe gros bob uses a variant of this technique and has been very successful with it.

 

[Dragonsreach]

does anyone paint from a highlight, blending into the shadows of a mini?

Only done it on one occasion and with a specific intent.
I painted the highlights on African/Arabic Skintones and then worked the shadows with tonal washes.
Got me the effect I was looking for.

I can't see it being any different for effect on a Miniature the only proviso I would make is that your highlights could end up looking lacklustre unless you are extremely careful and avoid touching them.

 

[supervike]

I often paint from my highest highlight, and then use a wash to go down on the rest.

Then, I usually paint over it, and then I paint over than. Finally, I just chuck the freakin thing in the bin, and start again.

 

[richrockster]

Finally, I just chuck the freakin thing in the bin, and start again.

Yup, feeling like that sometimes at the moment. It's frustrating me returning to painting after 15 years, and knowing I did a lot better back then.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

I go back and fourth, light to dark, dark to light.