I hear alot of people talk about wet blending and other sorts of advanced shading but no one can give me clearcut advice on doing it. I\'m well out of the dry brushing phase and am never going back. Can anyone direct me to a site where I can learn some new tricks? Or maybe here starting a paintshop of sorts with cool hints perhaps. I paint resonably well but there is always room for improvement.???
Wet Blending?
- Thread starter ebylarry
- Start date
What is it you\'re doing now?
Wet blending is a pretty simple idea. While the paint is still wet, add a little bit of the highlight or shade colour on to the wet paint and blend it in with the brush.
It helps if the paint doesn\'t dry too quickly, so a paint retarded might be a good way of doing it, although I don\'t use it myself. Check out my site http://www.littlebrush.com under the painting guide and the links section, there are several examples all over
Wet blending is a pretty simple idea. While the paint is still wet, add a little bit of the highlight or shade colour on to the wet paint and blend it in with the brush.
It helps if the paint doesn\'t dry too quickly, so a paint retarded might be a good way of doing it, although I don\'t use it myself. Check out my site http://www.littlebrush.com under the painting guide and the links section, there are several examples all over
Sounds simple enough. I use GW paints and they dry fairly quickly but will give it a go. In response to your question of what I do. I paint on all my highlights and use alot of inks and washs. Takes awhile but it gives good results. My blending method is mixing extra water and add the color on a blotter and just keep going over and area in smaller \"circles\" to build up a shading effect on skin ect. I will check out your site though. Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, my digital camera blows so my picts don\'t really pick up the detail. I believe given the time I have been painting I have done fairly well for myself with a few trophys and am always looking for the shortcuts and ways to improve. :wow:
Griffonbait
New member
Wet Blending
I had never heard of this until now. I will certainly check out the web site tho.
One method I have used with dragon underbelies is to have two colours on the paint bush at the same time, one the initial colour (on brush tip), the other the colour I want to blend to (closer to hand but next to the other colour).
I initially paint the two clours side by side (you don\'t have to, but I have found it best) then, starting on the darker of the two colours, you draw the blending brush along. The colour changes to new the colour by first using up the tip paint and then it gradually introduces the second colour giving the blend effect. It worked out well but I found the larger brushes do the job better. Well, with dragon bellies, they can\'t help but be large!
I had never heard of this until now. I will certainly check out the web site tho.
One method I have used with dragon underbelies is to have two colours on the paint bush at the same time, one the initial colour (on brush tip), the other the colour I want to blend to (closer to hand but next to the other colour).
I initially paint the two clours side by side (you don\'t have to, but I have found it best) then, starting on the darker of the two colours, you draw the blending brush along. The colour changes to new the colour by first using up the tip paint and then it gradually introduces the second colour giving the blend effect. It worked out well but I found the larger brushes do the job better. Well, with dragon bellies, they can\'t help but be large!
C
cypher
Guest
There are a couple of sites with blending on it. Hot Lead and Dr. Faust\'s Painting Clinic. Both can be found searching www.google.com I forget the web address. Both do it very differently. One does wet blending by mixing the colors togethor. The other does it by watering the paints down to translucent quality and painting in layers. I have found wet blending is easier for me to do than Dr. Fausts method, but he does it extremely well look at his gallery sometime
Wet Blending is a simple idea but it takes alot of practice to get the kind of look these pros are doing it. Basically how you do it is to blend the areas between shades where the two lines meet so that you get smooth grades between the transition of colors on the model. You work the area with the brush about to mix the paint togethor. The pros do it to a super fine grade but I am content with some large swirls with the brush where I get a mix of the two colors between the areas meeting.
I generally do blending alot different by mixing the colors into each other more while it\'s drying. I just can\'t get into the fine details to create the gradients needed to do the blending technique correctly but I am happy with the results I get with my style of blending and use it on just about everything I paint now.
The best way to do it is to do it. I do my blending in small area. I will paint the top of an arm, and then work in the highlights while it is drying. This way it doesn\'t dry out to fast. The problem is I get slightly variations of colors between each section I do because I am doing it in small sections.
You can paint a base color on the area (like a cloak) and wash it to see the details and then working across the model choose small areas at a time and work the paints togethor mixing them. See Hot lead painting site for detailed information on how he does his blending his minis are really nice.
The other way you are on your own I have given up for now trying it everytime I do it I get soup or it looks like leprousy.
peace
Wet Blending is a simple idea but it takes alot of practice to get the kind of look these pros are doing it. Basically how you do it is to blend the areas between shades where the two lines meet so that you get smooth grades between the transition of colors on the model. You work the area with the brush about to mix the paint togethor. The pros do it to a super fine grade but I am content with some large swirls with the brush where I get a mix of the two colors between the areas meeting.
I generally do blending alot different by mixing the colors into each other more while it\'s drying. I just can\'t get into the fine details to create the gradients needed to do the blending technique correctly but I am happy with the results I get with my style of blending and use it on just about everything I paint now.
The best way to do it is to do it. I do my blending in small area. I will paint the top of an arm, and then work in the highlights while it is drying. This way it doesn\'t dry out to fast. The problem is I get slightly variations of colors between each section I do because I am doing it in small sections.
You can paint a base color on the area (like a cloak) and wash it to see the details and then working across the model choose small areas at a time and work the paints togethor mixing them. See Hot lead painting site for detailed information on how he does his blending his minis are really nice.
The other way you are on your own I have given up for now trying it everytime I do it I get soup or it looks like leprousy.
peace
If you have access to a Wal Mart, you can pick up what\'s called Liquitex brand Blending and Painting Medium. I use this stuff constantly.
When I paint, I put a little color on a pallette ($1.50 at Wal Mart), then add a drop or two of the medium. It keeps the paint wet and allows for \"floating\" of shades.
An example would be if you wanted a highlight on a shoulder pad. Put the base coat down, then put your first highlight color on top. Using a fresh brush, mix the colors on the pad while they are wet. The medium allows for this. With just a little practice, seamless shading can be achieved.
This medium also allows for a refined drybrushing. The quick brush action blends the paint without the use of a separate brush.
Hope this helps.
When I paint, I put a little color on a pallette ($1.50 at Wal Mart), then add a drop or two of the medium. It keeps the paint wet and allows for \"floating\" of shades.
An example would be if you wanted a highlight on a shoulder pad. Put the base coat down, then put your first highlight color on top. Using a fresh brush, mix the colors on the pad while they are wet. The medium allows for this. With just a little practice, seamless shading can be achieved.
This medium also allows for a refined drybrushing. The quick brush action blends the paint without the use of a separate brush.
Hope this helps.
Way to go...
That is the most simple, direct, easy to comprehend explanation of wet blending I\'ve ever read, heard or otherwise. THANK YOU!!
:flip::bouncy::flip:
Originally posted by Chern Ann
It helps if the paint doesn\'t dry too quickly, so a paint retarded might be a good way of doing it, although I don\'t use it myself. Check out my site http://www.littlebrush.com under the painting guide and the links section, there are several examples all over
That is the most simple, direct, easy to comprehend explanation of wet blending I\'ve ever read, heard or otherwise. THANK YOU!!
:flip::bouncy::flip:
I like wet blending for speed.
You don\'t make much money painting for others unless you can paint very fast.
My acrylic method:
Pre shade your batch of 20, 30, 40 figures.
Pick you colour to apply...
Mix up a stain of mid tone and hi-light of lighter.
Two brushes are something to try if you want real speed and are reasonably dextrous. You want something holds them as you\'ll swop or to get the hang of two brushes in your painting hand at once ( quicker ). You can roll them round one another to switch...
You also want a method of holding the figures so you can swop easy, I like mag basing.
Anyhow.
For each figure.
Load and balance your stain brush, likewise the hi-light one.
Apply the stain.
You need to be pretty quick and apply just enough so it won\'t run.
Swop brushes.
Apply your hi-lights using a damp brush technique.
The two will blend as you apply them so long as the stain doesn\'t dry and your damp brush is wet enough.
Repeat for rest of 20/30/40.
You need to wash your brushes every fifth figure or so.
Two different colour handles or a piece of masking tape on one will ensure you don\'t get confused which brush you are using.
Wet blending is more applicable to oils (IMO) for single figures. There again, my priority is reasonable quality ASAP.
Your priorities are likely different.
Oh.
An exception I just thought of.
I use this sort of self-blend technique with ink and paint mix.
This is for specific WW2 ( SS ) camo where two colours effect each other.
You don\'t make much money painting for others unless you can paint very fast.
My acrylic method:
Pre shade your batch of 20, 30, 40 figures.
Pick you colour to apply...
Mix up a stain of mid tone and hi-light of lighter.
Two brushes are something to try if you want real speed and are reasonably dextrous. You want something holds them as you\'ll swop or to get the hang of two brushes in your painting hand at once ( quicker ). You can roll them round one another to switch...
You also want a method of holding the figures so you can swop easy, I like mag basing.
Anyhow.
For each figure.
Load and balance your stain brush, likewise the hi-light one.
Apply the stain.
You need to be pretty quick and apply just enough so it won\'t run.
Swop brushes.
Apply your hi-lights using a damp brush technique.
The two will blend as you apply them so long as the stain doesn\'t dry and your damp brush is wet enough.
Repeat for rest of 20/30/40.
You need to wash your brushes every fifth figure or so.
Two different colour handles or a piece of masking tape on one will ensure you don\'t get confused which brush you are using.
Wet blending is more applicable to oils (IMO) for single figures. There again, my priority is reasonable quality ASAP.
Your priorities are likely different.
Oh.
An exception I just thought of.
I use this sort of self-blend technique with ink and paint mix.
This is for specific WW2 ( SS ) camo where two colours effect each other.
SaxonAngel
nada
Holy dead threads!
Vallan, you are a dead-thread necromancer!! lol
(a result of telling newbies to go search the archives perhaps??)
Vallan, you are a dead-thread necromancer!! lol
(a result of telling newbies to go search the archives perhaps??)
My method is to have the colors I\'ll be blending premixed on my palette. My normal ratio is 1 or 2 drops of water, 2 drops flow-aid, 2 drops of extender, and enough paint for the mixture I want, normally a thin translucency.
I\'ll base with the two colors, say Reaper Pro Breonne Blue and Linen White, where I want them to go. At this point they\'ll should still be a little wet (use two brushes, one for each color, if you want to go a little faster) and I\'ll work each into the other a little at a time, building up until I get the look I want. My Wizard of Hope was done in this fashion. To get a clearer picture, here\'s one...
I used the above method, slowly working each color (Breonne Blue and Linen White) then I did a light wash of Pearl over the whole thing to bring it all together.
I\'ll base with the two colors, say Reaper Pro Breonne Blue and Linen White, where I want them to go. At this point they\'ll should still be a little wet (use two brushes, one for each color, if you want to go a little faster) and I\'ll work each into the other a little at a time, building up until I get the look I want. My Wizard of Hope was done in this fashion. To get a clearer picture, here\'s one...
I used the above method, slowly working each color (Breonne Blue and Linen White) then I did a light wash of Pearl over the whole thing to bring it all together.
