The Solis Media
Guide to painting miniature figures

INK and PAINT WASHES

Inks and paints can be applied thinly over base coats. They sit in the recesses and form the shadows, though they often add a shine to the figure. Since they are transluscent and thin, they generaly need to be applied over a light background. Hence a flat white undercoat is best. Building up many layers can give a distinct porcalin feel to the figure. Adding detail between washes traps it inside the figure, which is great for tatoos and insignia. Washes can help to reduce contrast between the highlights and shadows and are useful if you overdid some shading or contouring. You can incorporate washes into your shading too!

The Ogre pictured right was given a white base coat, onto which paint was added in thin layers. The skin was complimented with dark blue swirled tattoos when most of the flesh tones has already been added.

Further highlights were then applied with fleshtone mixed with white, red and yellow paint, in various proportions. A final chestnet ink wash was run over the shadown to deepen them. Satin Varnish has encapulated the whole work.

EEK!!! this mini had to be Rescued: I used a 'medium glaze' to seal one of the layers as I had used some watercolour pigment which isnt water proof, and rant he risk of mixing with the later washes. Sadly the glaze was 'off' and left a white deposit in all the recesses. I had to run a dark brown ink and paint wash into these recesses before finishing. Its made the figure darker than anticipated, but its not too bad.