How to Paint Minis in Moonlight - HC 365

Summary

In this 'Hobby Cheating' video, the host, Vince, teaches viewers how to paint miniature figures in moonlight, emphasizing the importance of desaturation and a singular cold light source. He demonstrates techniques for skin, hair, and clothing, using pastel blue as a universal highlight and integrating warm shadows for contrast. The tutorial covers color mixing, blending, and the creation of non-metallic metal effects, all while setting up for a future tutorial that will add warmth with firelight.

Takeaways

• 🌕 The key to painting figures in moonlight is to desaturate colors and use a universal highlight of cold blue.
• 🎨 Start by painting the skin as it is often the focal point, using vampire-like pale skin tones that fit well in moonlight.
• 🖌️ Use warm colors in the shadows to contrast the cold moonlight, integrating violet and purple for a natural look.
• 👤 The face serves as a reference for the rest of the miniature, guiding the placement of highlights and shadows.
• 💡 Focus on the direction of the light, ensuring that all elements of the miniature align with the moon as the primary light source.
• 🌈 Mix colors with black or gray to desaturate them further, maintaining a consistent cold and blue-toned palette.
• 🌌 When painting actual colors, add neutral gray, black, or highlights to adjust saturation and create depth.
• 👗 Pay special attention to the hair and clothing, as these elements help frame the face and set the overall lighting of the miniature.
• 🔥 Use stippling to blend and smooth out transitions, adding texture and depth to materials like velvet and satin.
• 🛡️ For non-metallic metals, start with a dark blue-gray base and use pastel blue to define light areas, creating a realistic metallic effect under moonlight.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is teaching how to paint figures in moonlight, focusing on the technique and color adjustments needed to achieve a realistic moonlit effect.

What is the key aspect of painting in moonlight according to the video?

The key aspect is to desaturate the colors, use a universal highlight of the moon, and control the singular light source to create a realistic moonlit scene.

Why does the artist start with painting the skin first?

The artist starts with the skin because it is meant to be the focal point of attention, and it helps set the direction of the light for the rest of the miniature.

What color adjustments are made to the skin in moonlight painting?

The skin is painted with a desaturated, pale white color to fit the moonlight effect, and warm colors like violet and purple are integrated into the shadows.

How does the artist approach painting the hair to set the next point of light?

The artist carefully builds up thin lines in a halo around the top center of the head and the top part of the ponytail to frame the face and set the next point of light.

What is the significance of using a pastel blue as the highest highlight in moonlight painting?

Pastel blue is used as the highest highlight because it represents the cold, pale light of the moon, which is the primary light source in moonlight scenes.

Why does the artist mix black or gray into the colors when painting in moonlight?

Mixing black or gray into the colors helps to further desaturate the colors and achieve the overall cold, dim effect of moonlight.

How does the artist handle the painting of the cloak in moonlight?

The artist mixes in violet and black to desaturate the base red color of the cloak, and then adds pastel blue highlights to create a sense of moonlight reflecting off the fabric.

What is the artist's approach to painting non-metallic metal in moonlight?

The artist first tints the areas with a dark blue-gray, then uses pure pastel blue to trace where light should be, and finally smooths out the transitions with anthracite gray and ocean blue.

Why does the artist leave the bottom left half of the figure unfinished in the video?

The artist leaves the bottom left half unfinished to demonstrate how to paint the figure with two light sources in the next video, contrasting the cold moonlight with the warm light of fire.

What is the purpose of the Patreon mentioned in the video?

The Patreon is focused on providing review and feedback for hobbyists, and offers a community for enthusiasts to engage and learn more about their hobby.