Monthly Archives: January 2014

Miniature Painting Techniques,Painting Miniatures,Painting Techniques

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Miniature Painting Techniques and TipsChoosing a Paint: The question that artists are often faced with is the paint to choose. Acrylics or oil-based? It is necessary to understand the unique features of both these mediums before making a decision. Pick the paint that suits your subject and the effect you wish to achieve. Oil or solvent based paints are slightly thicker than acrylics and require the use of a thinner. On the other hand, acrylics are water-based and are easier to apply. However, on drying there is a possibility that the acrylic paint will become grainy, and unless this effect is desired, it is not the ideal choice.Understand techniques: It is vital to be familiar with various painting techniques, so as to enhance the appeal of a miniature painting.Shading and highlighting: These give a brilliant light effect. While shading is used to detail shadows, highlighting emphasizes the brighter areas.Outlining: This technique is used to separate various parts of the painting, by hardening the outlines of objects and figures with black or another dark hue.Dry-brushing: As the name suggests, this miniature painting technique involves accentuating certain parts of the painting with a brush that has barely any color on it. The color used for dry-brushing is lighter than the base color.Blending: Blending is an advanced miniature painting technique that is used to merge colors in one area with surrounding areas, to give the impression of a smooth and natural movement.Washing: This is a miniature painting technique wherein extremely diluted paint is deposited in the folds and low points of the painting.Staining: In this technique of miniature painting, a diluted paint is applied over a light basecoat, such that it flows freely over the surface. The aim is to highlight and shade at the same time.Layering: In this technique, paint is applied progressively over dried layers. The first layer is the darkest shade of the basic color, and the last is the lightest. It must be kept in mind that the painting is done such that the initial layers show beneath the top layers.

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