A new year brings a fresh palette of opportunities for hobbyists and artists, making it the perfect time to challenge your skills and expand your artistic horizons in the world of miniature painting. Whether you are a seasoned painter aiming for Golden Demon standards or a beginner looking to hone your brush control, trying new techniques is essential for growth. Stepping outside your comfort zone—perhaps moving from stark edge highlighting to smooth blending or exploring new color palettes—can redefine your artistic style. Here are seven miniature painting projects and techniques to try this new year to elevate your craft.
1. Mastering Non-Metallic Metal (NMM)If you have relied on metallic paints for years, this is the year to master Non-Metallic Metal. NMM is the art of using standard acrylic colors—typically whites, grays, browns, and blacks—to simulate the reflective properties of metal. This technique allows for greater control over light sources and creates a more dramatic, artistic, and painterly look on models like shining paladins or ancient armor. Start with a simple silver NMM on a weapon before attempting complex gold armor, focusing on high contrast between your deepest shadows and brightest white highlights.
2. Exploring Contrast Paint TechniquesWhile Contrast paints are often marketed for speed painting, they are incredibly versatile tools for advanced painters. This year, move beyond single-coat application and experiment with “slap-chop” techniques, blending, and glazing with Contrast paints. Layering Contrast colors over a metallic basecoat can produce vibrant, shimmering metallic effects, while blending them over a bright zenithal highlight provides smooth, rich color depth in a fraction of the time of traditional layering. It is a fantastic method for producing complex textures on organic models like monsters or Tyranids.
3. Embracing Object Source Lighting (OSL)Bring your miniatures to life by introducing Object Source Lighting. OSL involves painting light reflection onto the model from a source on the figure itself, such as a glowing plasma gun, a magical spell, or a flaming sword. This technique adds immense atmosphere and narrative to a miniature. Start by applying a bright white to the source of light, then glaze thin layers of the light’s color (such as blue for plasma or green for necron energy) onto the surrounding armor, skin, and clothing, making the effect look like it is casting light on the miniature itself.
4. Advanced Skin Tones and BlendingPainting skin can be challenging, but it offers the highest reward for showing texture and realism. This year, move past basic base-shade-highlight methods and experiment with wet blending to create smooth, seamless transitions on faces and musculature. Incorporate subtle blues, purples, and reds into the shadows to create depth, rather than relying solely on brown washes. Experimenting with sub-surface scattering techniques—adding slight pinks and oranges to areas where light passes through skin, like ears—will make your models look incredibly lifelike.
5. Experimenting with Texture and WeatheringFor gamers and hobbyists focused on grimdark, historical, or post-apocalyptic themes, mastering weathering is essential. Go beyond basic drybrushing and try techniques like sponge chipping to create worn metal edges, or use oil washes to create realistic grime in recesses. Experiment with weathering powders to produce rust, dust, and mud effects on tanks and armor. The key is subtlety—layering different types of wear, such as chipping, grime, and environmental dust, creates a highly realistic, used look on your armor or terrain.
6. Freehanding Detailed DesignsTake your painting to the next level by painting freehand designs onto blank spaces like banners, capes, or shoulder pads. This could range from simple runes and geometric patterns to complex portraits or emblems. Freehanding forces you to develop superior brush control and design skills. Begin with simple white or black patterns on a contrasting surface, focusing on smooth lines, before advancing to complex imagery. It is a rewarding way to make a character stand out as truly unique on the tabletop.
7. Zenithal Highlighting with InksZenithal highlighting is a fundamental lighting technique, but combining it with colored inks can yield spectacular results. Start by priming your model black, then apply a white primer from directly above, mimicking sunlight. Instead of applying standard paints, cover the model with high-quality, transparent inks. The inks will settle into the shadows while allowing the white zenithal to shine through, creating natural, vibrant highlights instantly. This technique is perfect for bringing out detail on heavily armored troops or organic monsters with minimal effort.
Trying new techniques can feel daunting, but the beauty of miniature painting lies in the continuous journey of improvement. By focusing on these seven approaches—ranging from NMM to detailed freehanding—you can broaden your repertoire and bring a new level of artistry to your models this year. Whether your goal is to win painting competitions or simply to see your army looking better on the table, challenging your techniques ensures that the hobby remains fresh and rewarding.
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