Squidmar is here again with another one of his great tutorials- check out the secrets to painting good faces on your miniatures!
Squidmar’s channel is rapidly growing due to his great tutorials ranging from full-scale models to tips and even practical physics! This time around he slows down the pace and takes a minute to help teach us how to paint on faces for our models!
These are the Secrets to Painting Good Faces on Miniatures
First, Squidmar does a quick exercise with a model he has to show off how light contracts with faces.
Using this model, we see right away how drastically the light can change the color on the face. We need to keep this in mind and stay consistent once we being to paint.
The Paints we will need are Citadel Bugman’s Glow, Citadel Kislev Flesh, Citadel Cadian Fleshtone, Vallejo Pale Flesh, and Citadel Doombull Brown.
Begin with a solid single coat of Citadel Bugman’s Glow over the entire face/skin. Then add Cadian Fleshtone to create a 50-50 mix, cover around 80% of the front of the face, and 60% of the sides. Remember, to build up color from the light source, so don’t cover up those shadows. Then come through with pure Cadian Fleshtone and be sure to cover similar but less area as the previous layer to create smooth transitions. After that, take a 50-50 mix of Cadian Fleshtone and Kislevflesh and apply it to the highlighted areas. Whereas before we were focusing on non-shadow areas.
Continue the pattern gradually as much as you want. The brighter and more concentrated you go, the more contrast will be present on the face. Using mixes and transitions of Kislev Flesh and Pale Flesh, you can begin to highlight specific details like wrinkles and eyebrows or dimples and the sort. It’s also important to note Doombull Brown is good if you want to add more shadow. For example, under the chin, eyebrows, or even under the bottom lip.
Just be sure to take your time and practice, practice, practice!
Squidmar Miniatures is a great place to learn all kinds of hobby techniques! Be sure to subscribe to Squidmar Miniatures’ YouTube channel for more tutorials.
About the Author: Andrew Schrank
Andrew Schrank
Job Title: Miniatures & Warhammer Hobby Staff Writer
Socials: Facebook
About Andrew Schrank: Over the past 15 years, Andrew has played all the games, including tabletop and video games, and immersed himself in the associated lore. Andrew joined the Spikey Bits team in 2018 and covers the Warhammer hobby and tournament scene, along with the latest in tabletop miniatures, each week.
Aspiring diplomat, Lord of Fluff, and Master of Ice Hammer, He loves Star Wars, Chaos Undivided, and Gundam. During his free time, he hunts Platinum trophies on PS5 and reads international news. On weekends, Andrew plays commander and cEDH games, often with unique strategies that push the limits.
He believes each day presents a new opportunity to grow and be challenged.
