Here's another benefit to the zenithal undercoat that I forgot to add to this video: Often times, when painting over a black undercoat it can be hard to lay down brighter colors like yellows or whites. With a zenithal undercoat, you retain the black of your undercoat in the area where shadows would naturally collect and have white in the areas where highlights would go. Sometimes, people will start painting their model with an initial all-over sloppy wet blend, and then refine it later. This is something I do very often. Having a white undercoat in areas of highlight makes laying down those initial layers of brighter colors a lot easier than going over black. You can see sorastro doing this here: th-cam.com/video/GFnlr_zF7rU/w-d-xo.html (note: he hasn't applied his white zenithally, but more influenced by the lantern as opposed to overhead - same concept applies) shoutout to my BOI sorastro
Just touching on the yellows comment. I saw a pretty great tutorial, where they undercoated with red, zenithaled with white, and then went over it with yellow. The yellow came out bright where they sprayed the white, and a nice deep yellow where they based it red. Came out extremely well.
Your video doesn't mention if you use varnish or not when you highlight with inks. GW contrast paints are lifting off the ink. How do you handle that problem?
A good tip if you want to paint smooth shaded yellow, and have natural shades. Is undershading with red, zenithal with white and then apply a yellow ink through an airbrush. The red will turn brown and it will look smooth as hellah!
@@ArynCrinn The inverse of that is pretty close to something I've been pondering for Salamanders, where a partial lava base or flames would project a red glow - however dim - up from underneath. I suppose this counts as OSL and maybe even reverse zenithal, though just starting from red over black and doing a yellow zenithal with green ink or paint over might work. Still, I wonder if it would be a bit busy; I've seen more and more great Salamanders color schemes lately and even the transitions on the warhammer tv video look great to me.
Dude, stick with me cos this may be long but it's also certainly complementary! I was considering my patreon donation. (You know, funds, giving money for something I could avoid paying for, etc). BUT. You just came up with a video which reminded me why you are the ONLY person I subscribe to. You inform, teach terminology, teach techniques, you're logical, knowledgeable, thorough, provide all this in a basic and easy to follow format with no guff and... above all you inspire me, reassure me that I will get better. Better yet you're humble and funny with it. Let it also be known that your videos are well edited with excellent diction and production. They're enjoyable to listen to and easy to watch. Without your videos I would definitely paint less minis(maybe even stop)... which would be a shame cos I actually not that bad at painting minis! Keep up the variety of your content. Keep practicing what you do and letting us all watch. Keep explain things the same way you do now. Keep up the regular content. Keep up the links in the comments that a lot of us click on for the products you use. Keep up the scientific approach whilst appreciating this is an art. As for the techniques you've used in this video... I'll certainly be using them on my next mini. I'm fortunate enough to have an airbrush so I may as well see how much this tool can put in to my mini painting! Edit: Ohhh flaps... I forgot to say THANK YOU!
I just bought an airbrush to complete a tank model someone bought me years ago. Have not painted any of my mini's previously with an airbrush and this very helpful (as usual) video has given me some great ideas where to at least begin to put my investment to good use. As always you also made me chuckle at your self deprecating style !!! Great video. Hope the change to FT you tuber is working out for you my man.
I have done some zenithal highlighting with inks and really liked the results. I have gotten into the habit of doing it with miniatures I am going to paint because I just like the way it looks while it’s sitting around waiting to be painted. Sometimes I use it as a guide for where to put light and shadow but mostly I just slop paint over it.
On a more serious note, Scott, as an intermediate painter trying to slowly grind and improve, you and your channel have been valuable resources for me. Your style is more accessible and more easy to digest and implement than pro videos like Vince V. I appreciate all you do and I picked up a cool Miniac shirt
I have been struggling with this for a while now. Stopped wearing gloves completely, my hands are a managerie of high density acrylics, and my zenithals have never been better. Thank you!
I started out painting "minis" two years ago. Really, technically I started a little more than thirty years ago when my dad got me my first model (a 1/72 F-16 Thunderbird). But, we're talking about gaming miniatures. I started out using the three tone zenithal (black base, grey at 45-60 degrees and white from straight above). I found very quickly that for me, it's a waste of time and materials, because I generally don't use translucent paints, unless I'm going for a certain effect in small areas. I can see, or better yet, understand how it could be helpful at certain times, but I have a pretty good understanding of lighting, in respect to highlight and shadows. Besides, I work with so many layers of paint that by the time I'm half way done painting, the zenithal is covered up and useless. Great video. Keep up the good work. 👍👍
I agree with you 100% on color of undercoat affecting the look of opaque paints. Back when i started painting the first time when I was 13, I discovered if I used light grey primer on my good guys it looked brighter than using the dark red primer on my orcs and dragons. I stuck to this method up till I quit. I have not gotten my maroon primer yet but plan on getting some when I get my airbrush.
Wou, I looked it to the end( I commented about the dance before hand as I really liked it) and I have never really thought about the inks vs acrylic paints thing with opacity and saturation. I have given a go with zenithal undercoating but never really achieved anything good with it by using acrylic paints. Best usage for me has been with black undercoat, shade colour, primary colour and then highlight colour. When dry I airbrush a shade on to tint the colours to my preference. Next test is going to be with inks through airbrush!
First time trying zenithal undercoating. I went the rattle can method because I don't own an airbrush. I am excited to see the end results. Not an amazing painter but I will keep learning.
I have watched a lot of miniature painting vids. You are among the best. You are articulate without the ramble. And funny. I have been searching everywhere for a spray can zenithal priming technique that wont leave white spots. I now believe it is likely due to the sheer volume that comes from a can, causing paint to bond into tiny drops, or something like that. Keep up the great work!
I know exactly where I will use these techniques, but I wonder: will they still work if I wear nitrile gloves when I airbrush, or do I have to get primer and ink all over my hands and jewelry?
The usual way you have to do it to get the best results, is to intend to wear nitrile gloves, remember you have to get something from a drawer so you take them off again and as you do your first prime remember you didn't put any gloves back on and now you already painted your hands. That's the only official way to do it.
I do my Night Lords with zenithal highlighted metallics under a deep blue glazing. A touch of blue tinted gloss gives a lovely deep candy metallic look, and the translucent top coats let the highlights shine through!
I can't wait to see some b-roll of scott dancing showing up in other miniature vids on the internets. Another quality video. I have been recently experimenting with zenithal highlighting with my space marines force. I've been using blue as the transition color, and it looks great. Thanks for the video and more info to use on the rest of my marines!
I'm just getting started painting. Haven't even picked up any miniatures yet. Zenithal undercoating helps me to see exactly where my highlights and shadows fall. Using white over black primer also helps my top coats feel darker or brighter on the first pass which helps me understand which colors go where and makes blending a bit easier.
I painted a Drazhar model:The plumage I covered with a metallic silver followed with Carricborg Crimson shade at a 2:1 ratio with a personal mix of 3:1:2 Naggaroth/Genestealer/Lilac purple and some silver highlights. Zenithal was black/grey/white, but what's neat is that it shifts shade colors in the light. Pretty nifty.
I just started doing this for my Ultramarines. Dark blue > mid blue > highlight blue. Then a blue wash and some edge highlighting. Fast af power armor. Then it's just picking out details in other colors. Looks quite good for table top.
Scott I have to say this. I like you kid, very talented and your explanations are on point for a beginner like me. What I don't like is the way you look down your nose at the camera (us). It gives you an air of superiority and as much as you are talented you are human like all of us and nobody is better than anyone. That being said keep up the good work.
Nice video. My only comment is about the spraying with the rattle cans. That texture left on the model is due to the paint drying before it hits the surface. This can be prevented by moving a little closer to the work unless it was intentional then never mind. Never the less, good info, thank you.
thank you so much for this tutorial I'm new to painting mini's and I couldn't quite get the hang of doing a black undercoat then painting over the top it just looked to dark and the recess didn't have that pop, but I went into the garage and at around arms length sprayed my tau pathfinders and the have much more effect then just the back undercoat! love the videos please keep making such good content enjoyed all so far and trying my beginners hand at things I've never done before!
An excellent video Scott. After seeing all the hype about contrast paints, I tried thickening some of my inks to replicate the effect and, with a zenithal undercoat, it's pretty darn awesome and stupid fast. Your showing a much better zenithal technique (2 coats, not 3) and the idea of using non-black is opening a whole new world of awesome for my table. Thank you again.
Great info Scotty. I always zenithal undercoat these days regardless unless the mini is in a diorama with different light sources in which case l rotate the model and shoot it from that direction. Whatever medium you use to colour the mini having a mini undercoated this way gives you more options moving on. I often undercoat a mini and then just study it for a while to see how the light hits it and add even more white highlights and edgeing. Using thin glazes on top creates great 'blends' really quickly and is easy to do.
My friend convinced me just last week to get into 40k again, and I decided on Thousand Sons. I've been watching your videos for a while for D&D minis, and it feels like fate that the new starter box for 1KS is released tomorrow and you're starting an army of them too! I'm really excited to see how you'll paint them, I'm leaning heavily towards a Prism of Fate colour scheme for my army - can't wait to see what you come up with.
I had good results when doing a zenithal undercoat with dark brown + white, and a translucent layer of red. Also, after spending a lot of time scrubbing paint from my hands after airbrushing sessions, I bought a box of black latex gloves. Quality of life!
WOW, beautiful and instructive tests! That black card white paint vs. ink example was great. So was the spotted translucence test. Awesome video dude, I'm gonna watch this several times. :-)
I have yet to find models in my collection that a quick zenithal with my airbrush doesn't make painting it easier. Great video! If people are looking for other zenithal videos, Vince ventruella has one about working with warm colors (orange, red, and yellow) vs greyscale zenithal. Happy Painting!
I really enjoy basecoating in pink, doing a white zenithal, and then all over spray with yellow ink. The shadows become kind of an orange color and it's the only way I've found to make yellows look vibrant while still having saturated shadows.
There is one thing that I've found out after I started out painting (again) in the last few months: When you're using sprays to do shading it seems to be easier to Start with Wraithbone. After that go and do the highest high lights from above with White Scar. Only after that figure out the best way to place the figure upside down (don't glue the base on obviously) and first do the shadows with Mechanicus Standard Grey. After that make the last darkest shadows by using Chaos Black and don't move the can at all. I am going to try changing Wraithbone to Grey Seer but I'm propably gonna get an airbrush right after that. Airbrush seems to give so much more control that it's almost a no-brainer to use instead of a spray can.
Fun activity: Jump to 9:50 and replay the bit about contrast paints over transparent metallic, but at 25% speed. His distain for the folks who want to talk about it is so clear.
Always love all this painting theory. I like playing warhammer however being able to paint an amazing mini and have others see your labor and complement you on it is just so much more gratifying to me
I'm getting into mini painting and am starting to work on the board game Stuffed Fables. I based some of the minions and am trying the 2 shades of primer to see how it works! Thanks for the video!!
Damn, what a coincidence, literal days after I start learning Zenithal priming you come out with an excellent video on the subject. You're spying on me aren't you.
I really appreciate you breaking this down - also, I think this video has finally sold me on dropping some dollars on an airbrush and taking the time to learn how to use it
I find when Im using Zenithal undercoat + ink combo when commission/speed painting, I rarely use black as the shadows as it's just too dark and shows through the ink in an ugly way (unless im going super-stylized contrast like that). Any dark-medium color I find works better like a grey or a contrasting colour to the ink, before you hit it with the white Zenithal That way, when the ink goes over, you dont end up with this really stark, weird looking transition at the edge because the ink doesnt brighten up the black, unlike paint. So using non-black as your pre-zenithal coat can net you some really cool effects when used with Inks :) Great video, I think I might have to go get myself some white ink now ;)
Fantastic video I am a newbie and your explanation and presentation is great for a person just coming into dioramas or miniatures thanks for sharing your knowledge !!!
Hey fam, ive dived into minipainting over the last couple of months and I just have to thank you with something on top of thumbs and scribes. Regardless of painting exp or skill, to me, you are the best. Videos are top quality, there is a face to the painter, your tutorials have been the easiest to learn from, most entertaining, great video durations, etc etc etc. I credit you as my paint teacher. Shoutout goobertown and vv.
I've been zenithal highlighting with my airbrush and using contrast through my airbrush and that has some very nice finishes as the act as a tint over the grey scale. Definitely worth a go fella. As I haven't seen you put contrast through an airbrush yet. 😁
White ink?!?! Mind blown! I will have to check it out! Currently using Vallejo Air white - and placing several drops of flow air in the pot first!!! Yes I zenithal everything. I'm getting better at faking light source but I really like being able to see the detail.
I like zenithal highlight under silver, like when painting necrons or heavy weapons. The change in tone is quite noticeable. It works with brushed or airbrushed silver alike.
Hey Scott just wanted to say last week you did a basing video and it totally inspired me to get amongst my bases....so I have an Ultramarine army....so I cut all those guys off their bases, went out and got some clay and and static grass and I just got basing this weekend and I am so happy with the results...I really enjoyed doing it and the biggest thing of all is that I have learnt some awesome techniques just because I actually did it....now I have some ideas of what I want to do in the future on some of my other armies....all in all your basing video really inspired me to get over my fears of making a mess and I instead feel like I totally nailed it....so thanks Scott you are doing fucking awesome videos and please know that you are totally nailing these vids...thanks brah
Fantastic video. I am at the stage were I am beginning to perceive models that utilize these effects, one I am curious about, is how a person makes a model awash in, let's say, blue light. Every color on them has a tint of blue somehow and reads very believably as the model being in a real world environment, moonlight for example. I'm hoping to learn how this is done soon and I have a feeling this technique may be one way to achieve it.
Pretty fantastic video Scott. I think I'm going to get some of that white Ink. Seeing the side by side comparison of the airbrush's zenithal vs inked zenithal was awesome.
Another really great and informative video....I think the technique is a very effective one for the painter who is at the level to recognize the technique....that might seem like an obvious answer but like myself I have been painting for like 2 years now and I am still struggling with thinking for myself interms of colour selection and which areas need highlighting by which shades....your videos are huge help and seeing to actually test thing is an amazing visual aide....the quick shot of your metallic undercoated mini with contrast over the top is perfect example.....hey also there are some awesome looking Primarch style minis on a Kickstarter called Tuio toys I am sure the Miniac community would love to see you paint some of these babies up...I think they're like 10" tall... something like that...anyway thanks for the video
I may be doing something totes crazy, but I do my zenithal entirely in primer. I do Vallejo black over the whole model, then stynelres grey at a low angle. Then I do Vallejo grey primer at a 45 degree angle (or maybe even 50-60 degree). Finally Vallejo white primer from 90 degrees above. The Vallejo grey is much lighter than the stynelres, so this results in a really easy gradient that is less drastic.
Quick tip for using zeinthal technique and painting red: Black undercoat, but always ALWAYS use a brown primer on the parts that need to be red. Current project: Stygies VIII Plasma Skitarii Vanguard. For anyone who doesn't know the colour scheme, it's a black hood and cloak with red chest armour. I almost always paint in subassembly, so the chest/cloak bit I primed in grey, and then the very top of the bit got a very light dusting of brown primer. The brown was opaque on the grey, so when I airbrushed glazed scale 75 deep red over the brown primer, it's a nice, solid red. it took something like 9 coats, but it worked. if you try this over your standard black/grey/white zenithal, your reds will automatically go to pink and if you're not prepared, it'll upset you. but a brown under the midtone grey will help that red be red, and slowly build up the glaze. As Scott mentioned, this is perfect for mono-colour models. I have a project to paint Black Templars, and I will be using this exact technique, but using a 4:1 thinner to ink (FW Paynes Grey, baby) and get that dark grey built up nice and smooth. with the black underneath, you really don't have to "airbrush the entire model" if you don't want to. Keep up with the airbrush videos, Scott! and don't forget to VOID BLEND!
Excellent vid- Informative and extremely well edited...as always! Having returned to painting minis (with brush) after a considerable break, I've found ther contrast range to be a dream to work with for simple, quick but highly effective "minis to the table" approach. Looking to add "zenith" technique, to hopefully enhance this further.
Great tutorial on the technique. One thing that would help in showing the difference between the models is to use more neutral lighting. I noticed you were lighting the models exactly in alignment with the painting scheme. Thus the zenithal lighting added to the zenithal paint scheme covering up how effective each technique was - or wasnt. Use a flatter, broader light that doesn't cast any highlights or shadows (think really overcast day) so the paint scheme dominates the appearance.
I haven't used zenithal undercoat before. Now, with an airbrush, i use it more and more. I prime black, take a bone color for the first step and a white in the end, but i'm testing and exploring this type of undercoat.
I use the zenithal technique to actually paint the main color I want it to have. Mainly on ork skin. It’s quick and easy and it looks great. Warboss Green all over, WAAAGH Flesh as the intermediate, Skarsnik Green as the top down highlight, wash with Athonian Camoshade, re-highlight to taste.
It was actually the first technique I learned and still the one I use (I'm a noob to minis, but not to art). I use aerosol, but definitely want to upgrade to airbrush and inks.
Thanks for putting this together - I've been trying to understand these different priming techniques and your video clarifies it nicely. Much appreciated. I'm about to start painting all the minis for CMON Project: ELITE so lots of aliens - this info should be very helpful.
Basing videos are my favorite. I’d definitely watch more videos on it. (I know that’s the last video lol) maybe try some of the ready made base materials by Lukesaps or some resin kits. I’m a big fan of generationshift stuff. Thanks for the tips!
I find zenithal undercoat works well for using a thinned contrast paint over it for speed painting or generally basing. It seems to function like a good glaze with wash properties (otherwise contrast paints generally suck)
Will try Zenithal with Contrast paints , since they are so translucent , it might work real good with the Red tones because they appear to contain a lot of pigment and don't let toooo much of the undercoat show through :)
Zenithal is a blessing when painting black: Give it a Black Wash, block the Panels (xcept the Edges) in with Black and do a final highlight with light grey. Boom Black made easy.
This looks useful for quick painting especially if you just want to use contrast paints or inks. Otherwise, for other purposes, zenithal highlights, but not directly on top, can probably produce interesting effects.
Yo dude! Cool video :D In terms of zenith, I use it mostly for contrast. Currently doing a Demons of Nurgle army, on which the contrast paint combined with grey seer and wraith bone aerosol zenith. The contrast sprays don't leave the same speckling as corax white would've. So if doing aerosol Zenith I would definitely recommend contrast white.
Great video, as with most topics I know about 80% and then you fill in the rest. Any chance you could do a video about the chemical properties of different types of paint and associated products (thinner, wash, ink,...) and how they react to eachother?
Awesome video :) I decided to get into mini painting again (haven't done it in 10 years) and just found your channel the other day. Really loving the quality of your videos. Not just production but also the entertainment value. Thanks for all the cool stuff! Keep it up! Also why does the scene of you 'dancing' in your garden look so freakishly unreal?
Thanks for the great video! As per your recommendation before, I started using white inks for my zenithal highlighting, and it's really great. Very smooth, as you say. Though I'm still most comfortable just doing the base-coat in a zenithal pattern, using the colors that appear most commonly over a miniature, and then picking out the details with a brush.
Here's another benefit to the zenithal undercoat that I forgot to add to this video: Often times, when painting over a black undercoat it can be hard to lay down brighter colors like yellows or whites. With a zenithal undercoat, you retain the black of your undercoat in the area where shadows would naturally collect and have white in the areas where highlights would go. Sometimes, people will start painting their model with an initial all-over sloppy wet blend, and then refine it later. This is something I do very often. Having a white undercoat in areas of highlight makes laying down those initial layers of brighter colors a lot easier than going over black. You can see sorastro doing this here: th-cam.com/video/GFnlr_zF7rU/w-d-xo.html (note: he hasn't applied his white zenithally, but more influenced by the lantern as opposed to overhead - same concept applies)
shoutout to my BOI sorastro
Just touching on the yellows comment. I saw a pretty great tutorial, where they undercoated with red, zenithaled with white, and then went over it with yellow. The yellow came out bright where they sprayed the white, and a nice deep yellow where they based it red. Came out extremely well.
Dude...use gloves.
Yeah been doing the Stylese thing for years with the WHITE and BLACK through an airbrush.... im in canada EH.... love your work man.
Your video doesn't mention if you use varnish or not when you highlight with inks. GW contrast paints are lifting off the ink. How do you handle that problem?
Hi Scott, quick question - do you up your PSI on air compressor when you are using INKS?
Keep'a rocking from UK 👍
Duuude that MORBIUS poster is incredibly morb. Absolutely morbing it up dude! Hell yeah
A good tip if you want to paint smooth shaded yellow, and have natural shades. Is undershading with red, zenithal with white and then apply a yellow ink through an airbrush. The red will turn brown and it will look smooth as hellah!
I believe that a pink shade will have the same, if not better, effect too
Purple works nicely too...
You can also use green shadows for reds.
Complimentary colours FTW!
@@ArynCrinn The inverse of that is pretty close to something I've been pondering for Salamanders, where a partial lava base or flames would project a red glow - however dim - up from underneath. I suppose this counts as OSL and maybe even reverse zenithal, though just starting from red over black and doing a yellow zenithal with green ink or paint over might work. Still, I wonder if it would be a bit busy; I've seen more and more great Salamanders color schemes lately and even the transitions on the warhammer tv video look great to me.
lol was watching your videos and they took me here, it all started by buying the same wet pallete you showed jajaja
Would u need an airbrush for this
Still the best Zenithal video in 2024!
Much love Scott
Thank you for taking the time to properly define Zenthal before moving on with the rest of your content.
Dude, stick with me cos this may be long but it's also certainly complementary! I was considering my patreon donation. (You know, funds, giving money for something I could avoid paying for, etc). BUT. You just came up with a video which reminded me why you are the ONLY person I subscribe to. You inform, teach terminology, teach techniques, you're logical, knowledgeable, thorough, provide all this in a basic and easy to follow format with no guff and... above all you inspire me, reassure me that I will get better. Better yet you're humble and funny with it. Let it also be known that your videos are well edited with excellent diction and production. They're enjoyable to listen to and easy to watch. Without your videos I would definitely paint less minis(maybe even stop)... which would be a shame cos I actually not that bad at painting minis! Keep up the variety of your content. Keep practicing what you do and letting us all watch. Keep explain things the same way you do now. Keep up the regular content. Keep up the links in the comments that a lot of us click on for the products you use. Keep up the scientific approach whilst appreciating this is an art. As for the techniques you've used in this video... I'll certainly be using them on my next mini. I'm fortunate enough to have an airbrush so I may as well see how much this tool can put in to my mini painting!
Edit: Ohhh flaps... I forgot to say THANK YOU!
marry the guy who appreciates you as good as Matse Kase appreciates Miniac.
This whole time I thought zenithal was a brand. Thanks for this!
Based
Baka.
I just bought an airbrush to complete a tank model someone bought me years ago. Have not painted any of my mini's previously with an airbrush and this very helpful (as usual) video has given me some great ideas where to at least begin to put my investment to good use. As always you also made me chuckle at your self deprecating style !!! Great video. Hope the change to FT you tuber is working out for you my man.
This channel has helped me understand inks better than any other sources of information.
The one person who disliked this video doesn't appreciate the beauty of high socks and loafers apparently.
They apparently retracted their dislike :)
I have done some zenithal highlighting with inks and really liked the results. I have gotten into the habit of doing it with miniatures I am going to paint because I just like the way it looks while it’s sitting around waiting to be painted. Sometimes I use it as a guide for where to put light and shadow but mostly I just slop paint over it.
On a more serious note, Scott, as an intermediate painter trying to slowly grind and improve, you and your channel have been valuable resources for me. Your style is more accessible and more easy to digest and implement than pro videos like Vince V. I appreciate all you do and I picked up a cool Miniac shirt
I have been struggling with this for a while now. Stopped wearing gloves completely, my hands are a managerie of high density acrylics, and my zenithals have never been better.
Thank you!
I started out painting "minis" two years ago. Really, technically I started a little more than thirty years ago when my dad got me my first model (a 1/72 F-16 Thunderbird). But, we're talking about gaming miniatures. I started out using the three tone zenithal (black base, grey at 45-60 degrees and white from straight above). I found very quickly that for me, it's a waste of time and materials, because I generally don't use translucent paints, unless I'm going for a certain effect in small areas. I can see, or better yet, understand how it could be helpful at certain times, but I have a pretty good understanding of lighting, in respect to highlight and shadows. Besides, I work with so many layers of paint that by the time I'm half way done painting, the zenithal is covered up and useless.
Great video. Keep up the good work. 👍👍
The most important thing I learned today about Zenithal coating is I need to apply more paint to my hands. I'm clearly not adding enough!
I agree with you 100% on color of undercoat affecting the look of opaque paints. Back when i started painting the first time when I was 13, I discovered if I used light grey primer on my good guys it looked brighter than using the dark red primer on my orcs and dragons. I stuck to this method up till I quit. I have not gotten my maroon primer yet but plan on getting some when I get my airbrush.
Wou, I looked it to the end( I commented about the dance before hand as I really liked it) and I have never really thought about the inks vs acrylic paints thing with opacity and saturation. I have given a go with zenithal undercoating but never really achieved anything good with it by using acrylic paints. Best usage for me has been with black undercoat, shade colour, primary colour and then highlight colour. When dry I airbrush a shade on to tint the colours to my preference. Next test is going to be with inks through airbrush!
Ever since I've started using zenithal highlights and underpainting in general, I am in love with the technique
Zenithal is a great tool. Im getting back into painting and im really enjoying experimenting with this.
First time trying zenithal undercoating. I went the rattle can method because I don't own an airbrush. I am excited to see the end results. Not an amazing painter but I will keep learning.
I have watched a lot of miniature painting vids. You are among the best.
You are articulate without the ramble.
And funny.
I have been searching everywhere for a spray can zenithal priming technique that wont leave white spots. I now believe it is likely due to the sheer volume that comes from a can, causing paint to bond into tiny drops, or something like that.
Keep up the great work!
I know exactly where I will use these techniques, but I wonder: will they still work if I wear nitrile gloves when I airbrush, or do I have to get primer and ink all over my hands and jewelry?
Ink your hands and jewellery. It’s the sign of a committed painter.
The usual way you have to do it to get the best results, is to intend to wear nitrile gloves, remember you have to get something from a drawer so you take them off again and as you do your first prime remember you didn't put any gloves back on and now you already painted your hands. That's the only official way to do it.
Another video to show that your hobby has a big part of curiosity and experience !
I do my Night Lords with zenithal highlighted metallics under a deep blue glazing. A touch of blue tinted gloss gives a lovely deep candy metallic look, and the translucent top coats let the highlights shine through!
I can't wait to see some b-roll of scott dancing showing up in other miniature vids on the internets. Another quality video. I have been recently experimenting with zenithal highlighting with my space marines force. I've been using blue as the transition color, and it looks great. Thanks for the video and more info to use on the rest of my marines!
Thank you, Professor Miniac, for another straight forward, nerdy information-filled video.
I'm just getting started painting. Haven't even picked up any miniatures yet. Zenithal undercoating helps me to see exactly where my highlights and shadows fall. Using white over black primer also helps my top coats feel darker or brighter on the first pass which helps me understand which colors go where and makes blending a bit easier.
I painted a Drazhar model:The plumage I covered with a metallic silver followed with Carricborg Crimson shade at a 2:1 ratio with a personal mix of 3:1:2 Naggaroth/Genestealer/Lilac purple and some silver highlights. Zenithal was black/grey/white, but what's neat is that it shifts shade colors in the light. Pretty nifty.
I just started doing this for my Ultramarines. Dark blue > mid blue > highlight blue. Then a blue wash and some edge highlighting. Fast af power armor. Then it's just picking out details in other colors. Looks quite good for table top.
I do the rattle can method with a pure Primer Matte Black and a GW Color Spray. It comes out incredibly smooth.
Scott I have to say this. I like you kid, very talented and your explanations are on point for a beginner like me.
What I don't like is the way you look down your nose at the camera (us). It gives you an air of superiority and as much as you are talented you are human like all of us and nobody is better than anyone.
That being said keep up the good work.
Nice video. My only comment is about the spraying with the rattle cans. That texture left on the model is due to the paint drying before it hits the surface. This can be prevented by moving a little closer to the work unless it was intentional then never mind. Never the less, good info, thank you.
I love zenithal highlighting. Before I had an airbrush I used it with a brushed-on glaze over top and it worked great.
thank you so much for this tutorial I'm new to painting mini's and I couldn't quite get the hang of doing a black undercoat then painting over the top it just looked to dark and the recess didn't have that pop, but I went into the garage and at around arms length sprayed my tau pathfinders and the have much more effect then just the back undercoat! love the videos please keep making such good content enjoyed all so far and trying my beginners hand at things I've never done before!
An excellent video Scott. After seeing all the hype about contrast paints, I tried thickening some of my inks to replicate the effect and, with a zenithal undercoat, it's pretty darn awesome and stupid fast. Your showing a much better zenithal technique (2 coats, not 3) and the idea of using non-black is opening a whole new world of awesome for my table. Thank you again.
I love the way the white ink undercoat looks. Will definitely be trying that soon!
Great tutorial Scott! Quick answers and examples to some questions I had.
Best video in a while. Answered a lot of questions that I was having a hard time getting an answer to elsewhere. Great job and keep em coming!
Great info Scotty. I always zenithal undercoat these days regardless unless the mini is in a diorama with different light sources in which case l rotate the model and shoot it from that direction. Whatever medium you use to colour the mini having a mini undercoated this way gives you more options moving on. I often undercoat a mini and then just study it for a while to see how the light hits it and add even more white highlights and edgeing. Using thin glazes on top creates great 'blends' really quickly and is easy to do.
My friend convinced me just last week to get into 40k again, and I decided on Thousand Sons. I've been watching your videos for a while for D&D minis, and it feels like fate that the new starter box for 1KS is released tomorrow and you're starting an army of them too! I'm really excited to see how you'll paint them, I'm leaning heavily towards a Prism of Fate colour scheme for my army - can't wait to see what you come up with.
Nice video Scott!!! After zenithal I usually do a quick drybrush with pure withe with a soft make-up brush to push highlights even further.
Awesome video Scott!
I had good results when doing a zenithal undercoat with dark brown + white, and a translucent layer of red.
Also, after spending a lot of time scrubbing paint from my hands after airbrushing sessions, I bought a box of black latex gloves. Quality of life!
Thanks for another great guide. Gonna try it out on my blackstone fortress minis with contrast to speed things up.
WOW, beautiful and instructive tests! That black card white paint vs. ink example was great. So was the spotted translucence test. Awesome video dude, I'm gonna watch this several times. :-)
I have yet to find models in my collection that a quick zenithal with my airbrush doesn't make painting it easier. Great video! If people are looking for other zenithal videos, Vince ventruella has one about working with warm colors (orange, red, and yellow) vs greyscale zenithal. Happy Painting!
I really enjoy basecoating in pink, doing a white zenithal, and then all over spray with yellow ink. The shadows become kind of an orange color and it's the only way I've found to make yellows look vibrant while still having saturated shadows.
I really like dark brown as a base and highlights with some bone-tone. Looks more natural to me in the end. Thanks for this vid.
There is one thing that I've found out after I started out painting (again) in the last few months:
When you're using sprays to do shading it seems to be easier to Start with Wraithbone.
After that go and do the highest high lights from above with White Scar.
Only after that figure out the best way to place the figure upside down (don't glue the base on obviously)
and first do the shadows with Mechanicus Standard Grey.
After that make the last darkest shadows by using Chaos Black and don't move the can at all.
I am going to try changing Wraithbone to Grey Seer but I'm propably gonna get an airbrush right after that.
Airbrush seems to give so much more control that it's almost a no-brainer to use instead of a spray can.
Fun activity: Jump to 9:50 and replay the bit about contrast paints over transparent metallic, but at 25% speed. His distain for the folks who want to talk about it is so clear.
Always love all this painting theory. I like playing warhammer however being able to paint an amazing mini and have others see your labor and complement you on it is just so much more gratifying to me
I'm getting into mini painting and am starting to work on the board game Stuffed Fables. I based some of the minions and am trying the 2 shades of primer to see how it works! Thanks for the video!!
Black shirt, black shorts, black shoes, white socks. You sir, are a legend!
Damn, what a coincidence, literal days after I start learning Zenithal priming you come out with an excellent video on the subject. You're spying on me aren't you.
Excellent information and you managed to drop an “aforementioned” in it!
I really appreciate you breaking this down - also, I think this video has finally sold me on dropping some dollars on an airbrush and taking the time to learn how to use it
I find when Im using Zenithal undercoat + ink combo when commission/speed painting, I rarely use black as the shadows as it's just too dark and shows through the ink in an ugly way (unless im going super-stylized contrast like that). Any dark-medium color I find works better like a grey or a contrasting colour to the ink, before you hit it with the white Zenithal
That way, when the ink goes over, you dont end up with this really stark, weird looking transition at the edge because the ink doesnt brighten up the black, unlike paint.
So using non-black as your pre-zenithal coat can net you some really cool effects when used with Inks :)
Great video, I think I might have to go get myself some white ink now ;)
Fantastic video I am a newbie and your explanation and presentation is great for a person just coming into dioramas or miniatures thanks for sharing your knowledge !!!
Going to try my first zen undercoat today!
Hey fam, ive dived into minipainting over the last couple of months and I just have to thank you with something on top of thumbs and scribes. Regardless of painting exp or skill, to me, you are the best. Videos are top quality, there is a face to the painter, your tutorials have been the easiest to learn from, most entertaining, great video durations, etc etc etc. I credit you as my paint teacher. Shoutout goobertown and vv.
I've been zenithal highlighting with my airbrush and using contrast through my airbrush and that has some very nice finishes as the act as a tint over the grey scale. Definitely worth a go fella. As I haven't seen you put contrast through an airbrush yet. 😁
White ink?!?! Mind blown! I will have to check it out! Currently using Vallejo Air white - and placing several drops of flow air in the pot first!!! Yes I zenithal everything. I'm getting better at faking light source but I really like being able to see the detail.
I like zenithal highlight under silver, like when painting necrons or heavy weapons. The change in tone is quite noticeable. It works with brushed or airbrushed silver alike.
Hey Scott just wanted to say last week you did a basing video and it totally inspired me to get amongst my bases....so I have an Ultramarine army....so I cut all those guys off their bases, went out and got some clay and and static grass and I just got basing this weekend and I am so happy with the results...I really enjoyed doing it and the biggest thing of all is that I have learnt some awesome techniques just because I actually did it....now I have some ideas of what I want to do in the future on some of my other armies....all in all your basing video really inspired me to get over my fears of making a mess and I instead feel like I totally nailed it....so thanks Scott you are doing fucking awesome videos and please know that you are totally nailing these vids...thanks brah
Great video on the subject Scott!
Zenithal + translucent color is a huge time saver, especially if you are going for a tabletop standard. Thanks for the vid.
Fantastic video. I am at the stage were I am beginning to perceive models that utilize these effects, one I am curious about, is how a person makes a model awash in, let's say, blue light. Every color on them has a tint of blue somehow and reads very believably as the model being in a real world environment, moonlight for example. I'm hoping to learn how this is done soon and I have a feeling this technique may be one way to achieve it.
Pretty fantastic video Scott. I think I'm going to get some of that white Ink. Seeing the side by side comparison of the airbrush's zenithal vs inked zenithal was awesome.
So Scott, can I use the new Contrast paints over metallics?
*HIDES*
You can make acrylic paint transparent like a transparent ink by using a transparentor. So you can do both. Golden makes a transparentor. Works well.
Another really great and informative video....I think the technique is a very effective one for the painter who is at the level to recognize the technique....that might seem like an obvious answer but like myself I have been painting for like 2 years now and I am still struggling with thinking for myself interms of colour selection and which areas need highlighting by which shades....your videos are huge help and seeing to actually test thing is an amazing visual aide....the quick shot of your metallic undercoated mini with contrast over the top is perfect example.....hey also there are some awesome looking Primarch style minis on a Kickstarter called Tuio toys I am sure the Miniac community would love to see you paint some of these babies up...I think they're like 10" tall... something like that...anyway thanks for the video
Absolutely awesome videos. I’m glad I’m a patreon to support this sort of content!
Thank you for the support!
Scott that is a great video as always. I have never used inks. I will have to give them a try. Thanks for all you do for the community.
Nice vid. I've used zenithal/directional priming as a photo reference for years on figure models.
I may be doing something totes crazy, but I do my zenithal entirely in primer. I do Vallejo black over the whole model, then stynelres grey at a low angle. Then I do Vallejo grey primer at a 45 degree angle (or maybe even 50-60 degree). Finally Vallejo white primer from 90 degrees above. The Vallejo grey is much lighter than the stynelres, so this results in a really easy gradient that is less drastic.
Quick tip for using zeinthal technique and painting red:
Black undercoat, but always ALWAYS use a brown primer on the parts that need to be red.
Current project: Stygies VIII Plasma Skitarii Vanguard. For anyone who doesn't know the colour scheme, it's a black hood and cloak with red chest armour. I almost always paint in subassembly, so the chest/cloak bit I primed in grey, and then the very top of the bit got a very light dusting of brown primer. The brown was opaque on the grey, so when I airbrushed glazed scale 75 deep red over the brown primer, it's a nice, solid red. it took something like 9 coats, but it worked.
if you try this over your standard black/grey/white zenithal, your reds will automatically go to pink and if you're not prepared, it'll upset you. but a brown under the midtone grey will help that red be red, and slowly build up the glaze.
As Scott mentioned, this is perfect for mono-colour models. I have a project to paint Black Templars, and I will be using this exact technique, but using a 4:1 thinner to ink (FW Paynes Grey, baby) and get that dark grey built up nice and smooth. with the black underneath, you really don't have to "airbrush the entire model" if you don't want to.
Keep up with the airbrush videos, Scott! and don't forget to VOID BLEND!
Excellent vid- Informative and extremely well edited...as always!
Having returned to painting minis (with brush) after a considerable break, I've found ther contrast range to be a dream to work with for simple, quick but highly effective "minis to the table" approach.
Looking to add "zenith" technique, to hopefully enhance this further.
Great tutorial on the technique. One thing that would help in showing the difference between the models is to use more neutral lighting. I noticed you were lighting the models exactly in alignment with the painting scheme. Thus the zenithal lighting added to the zenithal paint scheme covering up how effective each technique was - or wasnt.
Use a flatter, broader light that doesn't cast any highlights or shadows (think really overcast day) so the paint scheme dominates the appearance.
Thanks! I am actually going to try out this technique on my elf Rune Wars miniatures. Going to try out with dark green.
Thanks for the inspiration/information, going to go paint more minis now.
Very informative video and I loved the ending of this video! As a Metalhead, I appreciate you a lot. 🤣
Are there any extra considerations to account for when using inks vs typical primer/paint?
Or just same-same 🤷♂️🙏❤️
I haven't used zenithal undercoat before. Now, with an airbrush, i use it more and more.
I prime black, take a bone color for the first step and a white in the end, but i'm testing and exploring this type of undercoat.
I use the zenithal technique to actually paint the main color I want it to have. Mainly on ork skin. It’s quick and easy and it looks great. Warboss Green all over, WAAAGH Flesh as the intermediate, Skarsnik Green as the top down highlight, wash with Athonian Camoshade, re-highlight to taste.
It was actually the first technique I learned and still the one I use (I'm a noob to minis, but not to art). I use aerosol, but definitely want to upgrade to airbrush and inks.
Thanks for putting this together - I've been trying to understand these different priming techniques and your video clarifies it nicely. Much appreciated. I'm about to start painting all the minis for CMON Project: ELITE so lots of aliens - this info should be very helpful.
This opens up so many possibilities for experimentation! Great ideas, thanks
Basing videos are my favorite. I’d definitely watch more videos on it. (I know that’s the last video lol) maybe try some of the ready made base materials by Lukesaps or some resin kits. I’m a big fan of generationshift stuff. Thanks for the tips!
I find zenithal undercoat works well for using a thinned contrast paint over it for speed painting or generally basing. It seems to function like a good glaze with wash properties (otherwise contrast paints generally suck)
Will try Zenithal with Contrast paints , since they are so translucent , it might work real good with the Red tones because they appear to contain a lot of pigment and don't let toooo much of the undercoat show through :)
very cool ... i will play with this ... i honestly have never used it.. thank you
Zenithal is a blessing when painting black:
Give it a Black Wash, block the Panels (xcept the Edges) in with Black and do a final highlight with light grey.
Boom Black made easy.
Some great examples there, Scott. I'd really like to see is some Nadiral highlighting as well, for when your bad guys have to look 110% more evil.
This looks useful for quick painting especially if you just want to use contrast paints or inks.
Otherwise, for other purposes, zenithal highlights, but not directly on top, can probably produce interesting effects.
Yo dude! Cool video :D
In terms of zenith, I use it mostly for contrast. Currently doing a Demons of Nurgle army, on which the contrast paint combined with grey seer and wraith bone aerosol zenith.
The contrast sprays don't leave the same speckling as corax white would've. So if doing aerosol Zenith I would definitely recommend contrast white.
Great video, as with most topics I know about 80% and then you fill in the rest. Any chance you could do a video about the chemical properties of different types of paint and associated products (thinner, wash, ink,...) and how they react to eachother?
Awesome video :) I decided to get into mini painting again (haven't done it in 10 years) and just found your channel the other day. Really loving the quality of your videos. Not just production but also the entertainment value. Thanks for all the cool stuff! Keep it up!
Also why does the scene of you 'dancing' in your garden look so freakishly unreal?
It looks like I'm on a green screen and I can't figure out why
Miniac I think it's because of the cloudy bright day. You're not projecting shadows, so it looks like you're not part of the scene
@@tomkro or maybe he's a Xenos ò_ó
Great video, I’m definitely gonna use this technique with some GW contrast paints.
M Sadler I did exactly that last week with a box of gretchin and i like how they turned out.
Thanks for the great video! As per your recommendation before, I started using white inks for my zenithal highlighting, and it's really great. Very smooth, as you say. Though I'm still most comfortable just doing the base-coat in a zenithal pattern, using the colors that appear most commonly over a miniature, and then picking out the details with a brush.
Oh boy, that poster is Morbin!