Hobby Cheating 277 - How to Paint Lava Blades

In this Hobby Cheating Tutorial, I take you through my method for making lava blades. If you want your weapons hot as fire, this will walk you through the simple method for creating this awesome effect. Hope you enjoy!
Hobby Supplies
Winsor & Newton Brush (Amazon): amzn.to/495WKel
Synthetic Brush Set (Amazon): amzn.to/3Q4np2u
Plastic Well Palette (Amazon): amzn.to/491FOFA
Multi-Pack Well Palette (Amazon): amzn.to/40cD04z
Exacto Blade Pack (Amazon): amzn.to/3Qduk9x
Rubber Cutting Mat (Amazon): amzn.to/47blpMP
My Games (w/Uncle Adam)
Majestic 13 Game: tinyurl.com/3yx5bbp2
Space Station Zero Game: tinyurl.com/54jbx5vr
Reign in Hell Game: tinyurl.com/nhdwp8tv
Support us on Patreon: / vincentrventurella
Merch Store: vince-venturella-shop.fourthw...
Monument Hobbies Pro Acryl: (paint, primer, basing paste, etc.):
monumenthobbies.com/?ref=VinceV
10% off your total order! Enter COUPON CODE: VinceV
Element Games - (ALL your hobby needs, UK based, ships WORLDWIDE):
elementgames.co.uk/?d=10829
Use Referral Code: VIN0010 for DOUBLE STORE CREDIT CRYSTALS on your first purchase!
Social Media
Twitter: @warhammerweekly
Instagram: VincentVenturella
Email: [e-mail]
RPG Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

I've seen a few vids on this effect. But this is one of the best looking versions of this effect that I've seen. Personally been looking up lava and fire effects to make some legion of the damned using crackle paint with a fire/lava effect under the crackle paint used for the armour.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, glad it was helpful. :)

[@djsaunter]

The random stippled approach makes this less daunting than the smooth glazing approaches to magma weapons. Going to give it a go on my Salamanders Librarian blade and hand

[@VinceVenturella]

Always happy to help. :)

[@Seydon31]

Masterpiece !! Was afraid in the begining by the splotchy side of things but trully amazed to see how beautifull and realistic it turned out. You're a Tzeench sorcerer !! Thx for this so helpfull and inspiring video

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tom20023800]

Perfect Vince, I attempted something similar on a stormcast hammer recently and was looking for good guide. Its like you read my mind. I appreciate your dedication to making top tier content.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@the_elder_medium]

That came out fantastic, well done! I wonder if an ice sword could be done in a similar manner with dark blues in the middle transitioning to whites at the edges.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yes, you can also give a slight fuzz with the airbrush to give the frosty effect.

[@Chnumpen]

@@VinceVenturella can the same method be used for lightning, poison, soul and so on too?

[@VinceVenturella]

@@Chnumpen You could do the effect in other colors, but it wouldn't sell for those specifically. Lightning is very different, poison and soul I am not sure I've ever thought on.

[@beno5324]

Really nice to see how much fun you had with this one, I will try it out for sure in the future - thank you so much for your efforts!

[@VinceVenturella]

Have fun! :)

[@Snowman_Style]

This video saved a piece of my hobby sanity. I've only been hobbying for about a year and I'm currently tackling Indomitus Necrons and really putting lots of effort into it. Blue-metal and Orange/yellow energy. Everything was fun and fine until recently it came time to do the power weapons. The GW style of glaze transitions and heavy edge highlighting was taxing my skill, my effort and my attention. I was finding it creatively super boring. Especially with just how many of these I was going to have to do. After playing around with a few test jobs on some leftover bits I worked this onto the glaive of an Overlord and it all just clicked. The mix of natural flow and color/shade intent keeps me interested while painting and seeing it come together at the end is super satisfying. Though I'll admit I'm a bit chicken about the free hand crack lines, but it's a skill I feel way more happy to practice and learn right now. I think these Lava Blades are going to look awesome and really set apart my Necrons from any others I come across at the table. Thanks for passing on this super fun painting method!

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome, happy to help. :)

[@SparkSovereign]

This is actually fairly similar to how I've been doing fire on my Legio Suturvora titan armor, but seeing this I can definitely make some improvements! Looks excellent, thanks for sharing!

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@travislankford9254]

Another video I've waited for with bated breath. Breathtaking work as always.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Strkr3]

A-Mazing!! It was like watching a Bob Ross episode where in beginning I'm like, "Oh no, what is he doing?" And then, amazingly, it all comes together gloriously magna-ificent!! I always learn something from you Vince. Thank you!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Winterydee]

This is just beautifully hot work on your part sir! Thank you as always for adding to our hobby.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@joanduthie1689]

Wow! That lava sword is sick! I don't have any minis that would warrant a lava sword, but I definitely want to try it in the future. Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again; those cyborg giants are awesome. I am really looking forwards to seeing them all together in one picture. Keep it up!

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, very much appreciated. :)

[@jameswhitmore3066]

Thanks so much been shown your channel by dana howl. Was getting bored with the standard paint schemes in 40k. You have helped my painting enjoyment trying new stuff.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad I could help!

[@philipvlummens]

Wonderful tutorial as ever. Your hobby cheating videos are a wonderful resource! Thank you for sharing all the knowledge!

[@VinceVenturella]

Always happy to help. :)

[@willmyers6537]

EVERYONE THAT PAINTS, should watch this video. That’s good stuff. I’ve always have trouble going light to dark. Thanks brother

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joshsimpson7259]

Found my motivation for today's painting! I have a skulltaker with an unpainted sword i didnt know how I was going to do. Thanks Vince

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad I could help!

[@13Robzilla]

Point 1, That would have been a much better title IMHO. 2. Yes of course you are out of your mind crazy, only because no sane mind could hold all those awesome things inside and be able to so easily relay them to the masses. 3. Drone army putting in work and I think them. 4. Stay Tharp. 5. Thank you Vince, you rock!

[@VinceVenturella]

Always happy to help. :)

[@HouseOfChaosUK]

What a superb and clear video. Thank you

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JuanHidalgoMiniatures]

This was one of your best video. Absolutely fantastic!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it Hope you're doing well buddy. :)

[@JuanHidalgoMiniatures]

@@VinceVenturella thanks, thankfully we all are healthy and doing well here.

[@MaskedRiderChris]

That looks mighty amazing, and trying to reproduce something like this on a tiny sword blade-like, say, the swords on my Protectorate Cinerators I have on hand--ought to be amusing. This would be ideal for a Balrog type sword as well, I think...nice work!

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, very happy to help and yeah, with a smaller sword, you want to be a little more precise. :)

[@TheGurra85]

Wonderful paint job as and great tutorials mate👍

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@studiofoureightnine]

I watched this twice it's so good. Can use this for bases too.

[@VinceVenturella]

That's awesome, happy to help. :)

[@Vanye111]

Love the texture on the tip of the blade.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, this was a fun one.

[@Dannos3d]

That looks great. Great vid as always Vince

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you like it

[@dguen798]

I've been waiting for this for my Legion of the Damned kitbash display. Thank you

[@VinceVenturella]

Always happy to help. :)

[@yahirtheo4976]

you all prolly dont give a shit but does someone know of a way to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any tips you can give me

[@garrettkairo1582]

@Yahir Theo instablaster =)

[@yahirtheo4976]

@Garrett Kairo thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im trying it out now. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@yahirtheo4976]

@Garrett Kairo it worked and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much you saved my account !

[@davocueto3520]

Great video Vince, this lava sword looks really hot, thanks for the inspiration

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you like it!

[@liuyi5527]

was really not sure about this at the early stages as you predicted lol, but of course it turned out amazing.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, this one takes trust. ;)

[@christophermurray9777]

Well done. Informative as always.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@chucklamb3496]

Awesome Vince.

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@CrovanBlaze]

I swear you're reading my mind. Been meaning to improve on molten blades for my Black Templars

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome.

[@joshbell6486]

Thanks so much for this. I used this for my Avatar's spear. It looked ugly as hell for most of it, but I trusted you, kept going, and it's probably the best weapon I've ever painted.

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome!

[@NoodleSPD]

Screenshot this back when you posted your megas on insta as i wanted it for inspo...and now there is a tutorial! 2021 looking up, ha

[@VinceVenturella]

Hope you like it! :)

[@emilydowd-arrow3751]

Yes! This was awesome! Thanks, Vince :)

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@WarMongersWarhammer]

🔥🔥very realistic! Good job!

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you very much!

[@siccreations1287]

Great work as always.

[@VinceVenturella]

I appreciate that :)

[@LordMacharius]

I wish I could get a similar effect with lightsabers for my legion stuff, but the area is just way to small. Amazing work!

[@VinceVenturella]

I want to do a light sabre tutorial at some point. :)

[@elmirBDS]

Looks awesome... Had to laugh though when you said you were focussing on staying on camera... But also smacking yourself over the head for not staying on camera! :D

[@VinceVenturella]

It's inevitable, but I am really trying. :)

[@dmd2486]

Those tharp lines really sell the effect. Awesome cheat!

[@VinceVenturella]

Yeah, it's a great case of how sometimes the little details bring it all together.

[@miguelpachonpenalba3478]

Hi Vince, absolutely fantastic video!!. Would it be possible to use a similar scheme to create energy swords using a purple/turquoise pallette? This could be a suggestion for a future video. Thanks a lot.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, absolutely, and I will think about that for a future video. :)

[@Maggers42]

Thanks. This is great. Looking to try it but on a sword that’s not quite so sooth in its finish. It’s more ridged along its length across the blade. If that makes sense :) Wondering how to manage the highlighting of it. Any tips? Possible treating each ridge as an edge in the way you did the edge of the blade.

[@VinceVenturella]

That could work, you'll have to experiment a little, they could be small areas of heat, maybe some cracks, the key is to create those travels of color and the little cracks to make it pop.

[@Wijkert]

Great tutorial Vince! Have you experimented with mixing in fluorescents to up the brightness of the yellow and orange?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, in general, I like Fluorescents, but I generally don't mix them in too often. Thought the Warcolours Orange is great.

[@randygagliano4929]

there for awhile I thought you really screwed the pooch, but once again you proved me wrong

[@VinceVenturella]

This was a trust excercise. :)

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you 👍

[@Walican132]

This model looks wild.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you. :)

[@nestgumo6715]

Just amazing! One question... you use some flow improver to do the cracks on the sword?

[@VinceVenturella]

In this case I didn't but you certianly could, it just makes it easier.

[@nestgumo6715]

@@VinceVenturella thx for your time!

[@mifuneseven947]

I love when Vince does these 'trust me' Bob Ross type videos.... yeah that looks like a mess,.... -BAM-, happy little lava sword.

[@VinceVenturella]

This was definitely a high trust video. ;)

[@gwayawan]

Hi, really the best effect of lava i ever seen. By the way do you have a recommandation or a list for the colors paint used? Thx a lot

[@VinceVenturella]

Well, it's not really about the specific paints, but this was a mix of the various Kimera colors. (Yellow, Orange, Burnt Red, and Black). Hope that helps. :)

[@JDVchaos74]

Amazing as usual!!! Soooooo weird question coming....If you were going to do this technique as flesh on a model, how would you go about it?

[@VinceVenturella]

I'm not sure I would, as I am not sure it would see. That being said, the heat (the yellow/white) should be in the deep recesses, effectively inverting the normal shading and highlights.

[@DeathOfTheGoodUser]

I tried to do lava flesh hounds. Now I see they were way too yellow. Great tutorial Vince, skills looking tharp ;)

[@VinceVenturella]

You can do it! :)

[@Wijkert]

Reporting back: followed your tutorial and it turned out pretty good. Used only Kimera Kolors as a challenge and it wasn't too difficult. As you mentioned, randomness is the key for making it look natural. Wandering if this can be translated into a magenta/violet scheme? Planning on using white, magenta, violet and black (all Kimera and mixing the transitions). Any tips?

[@VinceVenturella]

I think you could, you would follow the same color scheme, but the bright hot part needs to be in the middle.

[@leighbrown5430]

Could you use this technique with other colours for power swords? i know it wouldnt be molten but make some kind of energy sword ?

[@VinceVenturella]

It's in the micro-details like the cracks that really draw it together, so some of those micro-details will need to change. If you were doing it for ice, you would want a slight white fuzz for frost and do something similar with ice cracks into the blue heart of the sword. So the short answer is yes, but you may need to make some small changes.

[@questgivercyradis8462]

Geologist approved! Have you watched the videos of that sexy Icelandic volcano? Like... that's some hot pahoehoe coming out of the volcano. Worth watching the videos for both fun and art inspiration, because volcanoes are awesome ;)

[@VinceVenturella]

I have not, I will have to check that out.

[@questgivercyradis8462]

@@VinceVenturella Live feed of it has been going for at least a month now. The Geldingadalir volcano has been happy splashing such that geologists and enthusiasts there are piling up to watch it sometimes. One guy even decided that he had to get a nude photo with lava. Video posted is just the live stream of the volcano ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHKQaoSwfsilacU

[@lgargallo]

thats awesome, and the skin too, do you have any tutorial for it?

[@VinceVenturella]

Not this specifically, but it's the same process as here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnW6fXd4rJtld5I

[@hades_deathgod9496]

What if you want to do a cooled lava? So not so bright, but much more muted? I want to use it for bases but maybe a blade as well

[@VinceVenturella]

More black and deep dark black/red/brown.

[@hades_deathgod9496]

@@VinceVenturella thanks, that really helps

[@nightkids29]

You are my fav youtubee.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, happy to help. :)

[@Wijkert]

Even though I like my version of a lava blade, I had an issue with the thin white lines, because on a much smaller scale, than the big blade you are working on, the thinnest lines where still too big. Would you not bother with those lines on small miniatures or do you have a alternative?

[@VinceVenturella]

You have to get them real thin and sharp, which takes white ink and a real sharp brush.

[@alexanderk.7782]

can i do same with an kind of power or ice sword/knife, i mean the technique, but blue paints?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, you could do the same thing, one final note you can do is use the airbrush to use some light white ink to give the fuzz over the whole effect.

[@alexanderk.7782]

@@VinceVenturella like a flash, if you do little sword Vids will be nice :)

[@ayonmetar2301]

STOP GIVING ME HOPE! It never turns out like this when I do it xD

[@VinceVenturella]

There is always hope!

[@CraigBurgundy]

Would this work on wheels? And if so where would be the best placement for the hot/cold spots?

[@VinceVenturella]

It would be a lot trickier and depend on the shape of the wheel, there is also the challenge that you don't really expect a wheel to be made of that kind of hot metal, where as a blade, we accept can be magical. That all being said, same rules apply, hottest part is the center and it radiates out from there. So basically, you would move this to a circle from a rectangle.

[@CraigBurgundy]

@@VinceVenturella thanks for taking the time to reply. It's worth a shot right, it's only paint:)

[@phillharding520]

Could this technique be used for ice weapons?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, you would do the same things with blues, but you would use your airbrush to fuzz a thin white glaze over the edge.

[@azuritet3]

Prepare for incoming fire based puns.

[@VinceVenturella]

Puns are like 50% of why I do this. :)

[@azuritet3]

@@VinceVenturella I think you mean 50 °W of why you do this.

[@studiofoureightnine]

Happy little cracks. What's the "thin" orange? A glaze of the original orange? This video is tops. Oh, and also, what is your current "makes me happy" precision brush?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, same orange as earlier, just thinned way down.

[@DiceRidersJM]

Wow!!!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful. :)

[@MKempICI]

Is there a reason you chose to paint the cracks manually, rather than use a crackle medium? Consistency? Size? Control? I use the medium all the time for lava bases, and you can get very thin, dense networks of cracks with the correct brand of medium.

[@VinceVenturella]

Basciall because I don't want that texture and additional matter on the swort, it changes the shape and adds a lot of unpredictability. So the short answer is yes, all of the above. :)

[@MKempICI]

@@VinceVenturella Thank you for the reply. Crackle mediums really do tend to produce very... individual results. I can see how that would be inconvenient and possibly counterproductive for a professional who has 40 lava swords to paint. I'm actually thinking the texture might let a painter produce some interesting effects. I hope so, because I bought a LOT more crackle medium than I could ever use for a project a while back, and it would be nice to pretend that this is what I always meant to do with it.

[@0hl0rdy83]

Yo V, do you think this same effect could translate into like an "Ice Sword"?

[@VinceVenturella]

It could, but it would be very different, as you would have the ice white on the outside and the dark in the middle, then you need the ice cracks throughout.

[@nilskuhl2967]

Ok know im thinking how i could use this on my metall balrog XD any tips?

[@VinceVenturella]

I mean, this would be perfect for his sword. :)

[@nilskuhl2967]

Hahaha OK thats true xD but i meant on his Back:D

[@Aounfather1]

Dang it since you called me out now I have to paint some swords like this.

[@VinceVenturella]

Only seems fair.

[@angelozaccarin9130]

So cool, can't wait to have an excuse to give someone a lava sword!

[@VinceVenturella]

It's always a good time for a lava sword. :)

[@pivotmaster4394]

amazing. what model is that?

[@VinceVenturella]

It was a Mega-Gargant from GW, but it's been heavily converted. :)

[@pivotmaster4394]

@@VinceVenturella ok thank you

[@dannythompson5506]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@VinceVenturella]

:)

[@Azlaak]

Hey Vince, great video as always. I was wondering if you’ve seen that style of painting miniatures than resembles to the aesthetic of the last Zelda game (breath of the wild). If you have, do you think you can replicate it? And maybe make a hobby cheating episode about the topic !? :D

[@VinceVenturella]

It's the heavy line art comic style I believe you are talking about. It's not really my style, but I have it on my list to experiment with.

[@leonardoalmeida3836]

Indeed a "trust me" video! :D

[@VinceVenturella]

Yeah, you have to go along before you see it at the end. :)

[@leonardoalmeida3836]

@@VinceVenturella I really think that a leap of faith is really important when you are a "beginner mini painter", like me. When you start with base coat and then one part or another it looks awful. Then, when its painted it's so much better. So, yes, "trust me" (and yourself) that it will get better when you finish it is really important to keep yourself motivated when you start . This is what has been pushing me forwatd last month :D

[@shankley_has_a_brush]

Welp. Now I know what to do with my daemon prince's sword.

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome. :)

[@giuseppedagostino6854]

All hail the algorithm, like and comment to appease him

[@VinceVenturella]

All hail. ;)

[@fizberry8705]

Stab and Dab: The Sequel!

[@VinceVenturella]

It's an ongoing series for sure. :)

[@PaintingBaron]

You forgot the new intro Vince!

[@VinceVenturella]

I need to figure out how to shorten it up. :)

[@jaredhair9781]

this video is HOT!

[@VinceVenturella]

Liquid Hot Magma. ;)

[@TheLastWhiteKid]

My girlfriend loves the sticker. She made me write this so you would know.

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome. :)

[@michaelthebarbarian5527]

No rap intro?

[@VinceVenturella]

I have to figure out how to shorten it down. :)

[@ger5956]

If you’re reading this you should go like and comment to appease the almighty algorithm 😁👍🏼

[@VinceVenturella]

And I apprecaite that. :)