Hobby Cheating 281 - Understanding Contrast

[@dmeep]

Thank you for not just this episode of hobby cheating but for all of them

[@VinceVenturella]

ALways happy to help. :)

[@13Robzilla]

This^

[@Sparky4509]

Love it. This is the oneplace I'm really falling down atm. I also like your more scientific approach

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@clockup5878]

Dude is the Strict Technomancer after all.

[@SvenEnterlein]

It is encouraging to see that even The Vince had a journey to get where he's at now. So much to learn, so little time to paint... However, there's always time for HC videos!

[@VinceVenturella]

100%

[@Curran_Kleen_Brown]

I know I say this a lot, but great great video. This is one of the things I have struggled with in my painting, and it was this concept that I just barely had a grasp on. This has brought that into better focus, and though my painting won't jump over night in quality, this is a great vid I'll be referencing a lot. Thanks again.

[@VinceVenturella]

Awesome, happy to help. :)

[@beno5324]

that keeper of secrets is simply amazing and so well done. Thanks for this important video, really informative as always!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kendrickwhite4868]

That ikit claw is amazing! I would love to be able to do that purple and gold NMM some day. You are the goat, sir!

[@VinceVenturella]

You can do it!

[@PedroPereira-th4xq]

Thanks for another great video. Your work with this channel is a true inspiration to keep paiting and learning.

[@VinceVenturella]

My pleasure!

[@acerebralstringmorn]

An excellent addition to an incredible library of videos! Thank you!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SparkSovereign]

Excellent video! I imagine you probably didn't get to it due to the length of the video, but one thing that really jumped out at me a few times in your examples was the contrast of contrast; the focal points of your more recent work have much higher contrast (especially value) and as such our eye is drawn to them, because contrast is how perception works. For example, the skin and hair of the keeper compared to the robes, drawing the eye up towards the face. This was most visible to me with the Shaggoth example; not only is the value fairly constant, but the surfaces all pretty much have the same contrast too, and as such there's no obvious focal point...whereas the Drakon not only has brighter skin as he gets closer, but the hue contrasts in the skin get more interesting as you progress towards the focal point, drawing your eye upward. The skaven also struck me that the head of the newer on jumps out much more than the original. Interesting stuff to consider, all around. Thanks again for an excellent video!

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, there is always more to unpack here, there will be future videos for sure. :)

[@alejandroballesteroshernan1678]

Amazing video Vince. I also loved from the second rat the purple yellow play with the model head and the armor.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidsoares9527]

Great video! It thought me how to use contrast and the use of metallic vs. non-metallic. I finally understand it better. Thank you !!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dennism.2976]

Great explanation and always very helpful. It is also encouraging to see you progress over the years. This gives me hope to become much better as well.

[@VinceVenturella]

Absolutely, it's just deliberate practice and time.

[@jackdempsy7104]

Vince, these lessons are phenomenal. I needed you teaching art this way when I was in school because I would have paid much more attention.

[@VinceVenturella]

Thanks! Very glad it was helpful. :)

[@Noir_Raven]

Fantastic video, thanks a lot for making such an in depth study. ! I like that you tried to show many different scenarios on how to use contrast with different materials etc. Think I'll be going back to this video a lot. Also, that Sigvald mini is incredible, love the different colours on the base !

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, glad it was all helpful.

[@dougsundseth6904]

You mentioned the contrasts that most painters pay the most attention to. As you note, there are a variety of other types of contrasts to consider. And in many ways, I think it's as important to consider saturation contrast to be as important as value and hue contrast. Consistently very high or consistently very low saturation figures, even if they have very strong value and hue contrast, do not direct the eye of the viewer anywhere near as well as a figure that uses focused saturation to draw the eye to the places you want to emphasize and to set up a pleasing composition.

[@VinceVenturella]

Absolutely, there is really so much to explore here.

[@philbartolotta1759]

I've recently found your Hobby Cheating series and it's absolutely propelled my skill and enjoyment of the hobby. You talk a ton about contrast and lighting. I was curious if you ever paint the cast shadow... Not just the difference of tone and contrast on the model, but the umbra that would cast on to the base for a model lit from above? For instance.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yeah, so this is a fun subject. In general, we paint in a soft ambient diffuse above lighting, so there wouldn't be any strong occulsion shadows, but if you check out Erik Swinson, you will see he is good at creating this directional lighting and doing cast shadows. :) - It's something I may display in the future.

[@nacholibre4516]

I love the purple with yellow/green contrast. I made it the main colours of my gloom spite army.

[@VinceVenturella]

Makes total sense.

[@jadeeh5184]

Vincy V. raising that hobby standard higher and higher , thanks !!

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@Wijkert]

16:50 Painting by Gerard van Honthorst, a Dutch renaissance painter.

[@necaacen]

bladerunner 2049... my goodness what a movie. ridley scott and vangelis did such magic with the first that the idea of someone attempting a sequel in the age that gave us things like the live action remake of ghost in the shell (shudder), the matrix sequels etc.. oh no please dont, please dont touch bladerunner... but wow, they knocked that out of the park, amazing, one of the best sci fi movies ever. same guy doing the dune series on the way? such hype.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, very excited for Dune.

[@jasontrinque]

This was a very helpful video! Thank you for explaining this, I think it is sinking in and has given me some ideas to try.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidnandrin8825]

Thank you for this masterful exposé !

[@VinceVenturella]

Any time! :)

[@the_elder_medium]

These help so much. I've really got to push my skin highlights higher. My shadows seem fine, but I always chicken out on my highest highlights.

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help!

[@orenfox4828]

By the way, in science and computing green is a primary colour, that's why green and purple are kind of complimentary. Great video!

[@VinceVenturella]

Cool, thanks :)

[@orenfox4828]

@@VinceVenturella No problem

[@Bluecho4]

Contrast can also be found with saturation. More vibrant tones of the same hue contrast with more muted tones. Moreover, what hue gets saturated and what hue gets muted can make a difference over how a color scheme emphasizes certain elements of a composition. More vibrant tones "pop" more, and so will attract more attention. Ergo, if you want to draw the eye towards certain parts, a vivid tone is a good tool for accomplishing that. (A good tip when mixing paint in this regard: adding white or black to a paint, to lighten or darken it, will automatically decrease the saturation. There's just less of the main color pigment itself in the mixture. This is why it's easy to desaturate, but more difficult to make a paint more vivid. In such cases, the contrast between light and dark becomes more important, as the intensity of the hue decreases.)

[@fulcrum8583]

Well, in the current high-end miniature painting circles, you will find technically perfect paint jobs, but only hints, whispers and teases of colour. That's why I'm totally bored with the high-end spectrum of miniatures painting for the most part, because only a few have the balls to use striking colours for more than just some teeny-tiny accents. It's artistically narrow-minded and timid. When there is colour, it's often half-tones or mixed colours like teal, violet and such. Try finding some in-your-face reds, or yellows, for example...

[@VinceVenturella]

All good thoughts, this will likely be the first of many videos over time on this subject. :)

[@gmoney1664]

Really excellent work, I definitely need to do more on this!

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@MrStatistx]

I still have my unassembled Keeper of Secrets in my pile of shame, after wanting it for so long. I am intimidated by the build and paint, but right now more the build probably. Love your take on TMM and NMM. I like TMM better (not only because I can't do NMM properly yet, just like the look and love messing with metallic colors) but thinking about mixing them, I might just put a few NMM parts here and there now.

[@VinceVenturella]

GO for it, it's a really fun kit to build.

[@clawhammr666]

Contrast is definitely something I've wanted to improve in my painting, thanks for the video, hope to see a video on sigvald's armour, since that's the type I imagine for empror's children, great mini's in this, sigvald as mentioned, keeper etc (probably painted few of those now, it seems like)

[@VinceVenturella]

I do have a previous video on Crimson armor here, that will set you on the right path. :) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4uchpqZetaXh9U

[@Wijkert]

17:10 The lady in the back looks remarkably similar to the Deorgard bust on the right. At least here expression does. I mean a lot less aggressive of course, but still. Coincidence?

[@davidballantyne7431]

I loved this one Vince, very informative, as usual.

[@VinceVenturella]

Excellent, happy to help. :)

[@AsteroidTVGaming]

Thanks again, can't believe this is all free hahahah major props Vincy V

[@VinceVenturella]

Than you, always happy to help.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

This is probably the biggest thing I need to work on. Light. I need to learn how to do light and dark. I feel ok with texture and hue contrast, but value contrast I am terrible at...

[@VinceVenturella]

It's always a challenge for most, so don't feel bad. It's an endless journey.

[@AveDestron]

always love these longer ones, even if they aren't as polished as this one and you're just beating on an ogre for an hour slapping paint around.

[@VinceVenturella]

I'm sure I'll have plenty of those in the future still to be sure. :)

[@Whorabl3]

"Yellow and Purple just look funny" as I sit here painting my yellow and purple Lumineth 😂 (I'm doing a quadratic scheme in fairness so have a small element of blue/orange to balance it a bit). I love these types of videos and particularly like colour theory. I'd love to see you do more like it!

[@VinceVenturella]

More to come for sure. THis is a rich topic.

[@maph12]

*chef's kiss* Love me some contrast!

[@VinceVenturella]

Hope you enjoyed. :)

[@Leviticushateford]

Thank you Vince for the video, very helpful

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it was helpful!

[@p_serdiuk]

Do you have a video on colored metallics in your pipeline? What would be the best method to mix a true metallic power armor color that would also allow to create a contrast between shiny highlights and matte shadows?

[@Derlaid]

I'm curious about this as well. I try to add contrast to things like gold and bronze, but always find my shadows look like the armor is rusting and the lighter highlights become my midtone. Hard to find that subtle sweet spot. I accept that the answer for me might simply be: more practice.

[@VinceVenturella]

I have a past video on it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/omrUZGh4hcZ1hJI

[@aussiewargamer3072]

Super useful video. Thanks, mate.

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad it helped

[@jamesmitchell2704]

More than movie posters, when you colorgrade a movie you often use orange and teal in your color correction!

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, the movies themselves have been playing with this kind of contrast and or desaturation in a lot of ways as well. :)

[@peterlageri4177]

Thank you for this video. How can I train that doing higher contrasts? Is there a mini that really asks for more and more contrast? Where I am right now in my painting journey I'm a bit reluctant on doing enough contrast because I fear overdoing it and making it "unrealistic". Perhaps I need to shed that fear but it like asking me to walk into a pitch black room and not stumble. A leap of faith perhaps. I see these miniatures of yours and wonder how many hours went into each of them. I'm slow enough as it is. I feel that when I do get depth into a figure it makes me happy. Now I've seen Understanding Constrast and at my level I think I am where you where 5-6 years ago. I'd like to see "Performing Contrast". Maybe it comes along as I paint. Right now I'm quite happy with what I get out of my paint and of course I can do better and maybe in a month or two I'll look back and ask myself what I was thinking, that my minis are looking flat and lifeless. I need to see more. I need a flashlight into that dark room, I need to see how it is done. 1-5 variantions of the same color and something easy to do it on. Maybe I need to go away from painting several minis at a time but instead finish and focus on one mini at a time. The minis I am painting are all for gaming be it Blood Bowl or something else. I've been used to do painting detail by same detail (assemblyline painting). Maybe in short: I'd like to see a video on "Performing Contrast". Best Regards. Peter Rasch Lageri, Denmark.

[@dlvnmedia]

I know you asked for Vinces advice but I can offer up this suggestion - don’t worry about it too much for any (coming from a 40k player POV) model that is at a rank of Sgt or Veteran Sgt or below. Hell even Veteran models can probably be just painted to 3 color standard and just put out there. I cannot tell you how hard that was for me to learn watching painting video after painting video trying to go super detailed character painting on every figure and vehicle and piece of terrain. It led me to burnout since I am a model maker, terrain builder and painter who has a real hard time dealing with people in real life so I never play games. But I know that’s something more important to most people so it’s the advice I give to people online. Get the army mostly finished and take your time on your big characters. Friends won’t give you crap about a half painted character quite honestly

[@dlvnmedia]

Sorry I left off the part of what I was thinking that’s the most important to that last one - I was trying to say in that last one that for armies the contrast is not so important, that the rank and file with 3 colors and a wash at this scale from 2-3 feet above is not going to be so important, in fact a hue contrast with the base is most likely enough with dark washes etc since they are grunts and such. Just worry about super detailing the hero characters and leaders. Trying to do display painting for Pvt Human Shield of the Ukttasmurfs will just make you crazy at the end of it. Like I said it’s a very hard lesson to learn, but one that can be learned when you let that worry go. I hope this rambling helped in some way, it is not super well thought out but something I had some thoughts on.

[@peterlageri4177]

@@dlvnmedia I read you. Its more for the sake of ability to do proper contrast rather than a mandatory process. For a Blood Bowl Team of less than 20 miniatures it would be ok, but I agree that in an army of like 100 minis a 1-5 contrast level style might become hara-kiri. I just want to be able to do it (not the hara-kiri part) so I have a tool more in my panting box.

[@dlvnmedia]

@@peterlageri4177 that makes a lot of sense. Hell, I have a color scheme I love that I am trying to figure out a way to make contrasted with a city type basing system. It’s a pain in the ole keister sometimes even when going mostly casual with your painting scheme (note I tend to only think in hue contrasts rather than light and dark honestly which is why I am fighting against the obvious color scheme for basing which would be blue stone and gold)

[@peterlageri4177]

@@dlvnmedia Ok. That was a first for me: Ole keister.

[@Wijkert]

Jeez Vince, that dragon ogre on the right is beautiful! Don't remember seeing him before. Do you have any other content featuring him?

[@VinceVenturella]

Nope, he was a for me project, I’ve shared him on socials, but nothing else.

[@necrolepsey]

Can you think of a time when you were thinking “That’s too much contrast”? Is it even possible in miniature painting?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yes, it can go too far, the key is when you have other materials that are not shiny going to far. :)

[@TomSamouraiVideos]

I got a feeling that NMM work way better for pictures and where the model is static than metallic paints. But does it get weird when actually moving it around, rotating it and not having the "natural" light reflecting as it would on metallic paint?

[@bossywalker]

All painting on a miniature works like that. You are painting the mini to represent how it looks in the lighting conditions of your choice i.e baking in the lighting. Most minis are painted like they are in sunlight or lit with an overhead light source. So if you grab one and turn it upside down it will look 'wrong'.

[@TomSamouraiVideos]

@@bossywalker This does make sense. Thank you for the answer!

[@VinceVenturella]

I agree with Sam, in general, everything is about setting light, and it can have some challenges when you rotate the miniature in various directions. That being said, yes, NMM certainly photographs better because of the light in the lens.

[@TomSamouraiVideos]

@@VinceVenturella Yes, thank you for the insight. Very well-thought and constructive video. Cheers!

[@ptajimura]

I don't see any text on the top of the page my life be damned 😄 Only middle and bottom

[@VinceVenturella]

I check to make sure the cards appeared. :)

[@gmoney1664]

I'm the same. Not sure what that says about my eyes 😂 though could easily be my phone not picking it up properly

[@Kittifizz1]

@@VinceVenturella I think he meant in the slide with the words "Contrast" - I couldn't see the top either. Im about to test my TV's brightness settings 😆 edit- Vince I dont believe you when you say there are 3 words ahaha

[@davidbarker4747]

Hey Vince, I want to varnish my gaming models but I'm worried it'll change how they look too much. What mixture of varnish could preserve how they look currently? I used Vallejo paints (I was told they are more satin paints)

[@VinceVenturella]

I use a few drops of Satin Varnish mixed with Ultra Matte varnish (I never varnish metals). I mix it about1-3 repsectively. That tends to give you a nice final finish.

[@dlvnmedia]

Wait you did not mention the color contrast built into the base for your Blood Angel? Vince, I am for one shocked. Because of you I learned about using the base to achieve color contrast I think with your Sylvaneth army. /Grabs Pitchfork and torch

[@VinceVenturella]

Only have so much time in the video of course. ;)

[@jeffm360]

Purple and Gold are pretty prevalent here in Baton Rouge...

[@VinceVenturella]

That's why I love that state as a whole.

[@Seraphim2611]

Your vids are second to none

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, happy to help. ;)

[@failfailwin8827]

absolutely appreciate the deep dive :)

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you, this was a fun one for sure.

[@jonathansmith3674]

Hey Vince, do you know what the "Vallejo Premium Color" range is all about? I am seeing it quite widely available but not sure if it something we should be interested in for miniatures?

[@VinceVenturella]

No idea, do you have a link?

[@jonathansmith3674]

@@VinceVenturella I might have answered my own question. I've seen these all over hobby sites (when searching for out-of-stock Vallejo Metals). On the Vallejo site itself they are listed under "RC Colour" which I assume is for spray painting RC cars. I'm not sure what would make a paint specific to an RC car though. acrylicosvallejo.com/en/category/hobby/premium-rc-color/

[@Xn7000]

Now, when do we go full Cravaggio? (I have a couple projects that I need to get off my desk, but that's on my to do list.)

[@VinceVenturella]

Definitely want to go there with some pieces.

[@MrLanzac]

I've never met you Vince but you've single handedly made me a better painter over anyone and anything else (well maybe practice wins out buuut you get what I mean haha). Thank you ☺️

[@VinceVenturella]

That is wonderful to hear and very happy to help. :)

[@MrLanzac]

@@VinceVenturella do you have any suggestions for wall mounted paint racks I have a rather larger collection these days and want to keep the bulk of it on my wall and just the most used stuff on my desk. Do you know what people use like what you see from other YT people/ what you see in a lot of painters studios...I guess what I'm asking are they usually DIY or can you buy them?

[@VinceVenturella]

@@MrLanzac Just search nail polish wall mounted racks on amazon, you'll find what you need.

[@SwashBuccaneer]

Thanks Vince. Contrast is what you always yell at me about on any of my minis! Still struggling with it! :)

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help!

[@rufinoacevedo1996]

Does the amount of contrast you want differ depending on scale of miniature or bust?

[@VinceVenturella]

Value contrast can differ based on the scale, larger scales need slightly less contrast. But then you have to compensate with other contrasts - texture, hue and so on that would come into focus in the larger scale.

[@bettsdn]

"well I was trying to paint it realistic" "No... you're painting a tiny person" GOT EM! For real though this has got me so many times. Like you said, you have to paint the light cause at the scale we operate in, nature isn't going to do it for us.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, I hear it so often, and it just doesn't work as a reason not to build contrast. :)

[@havok100]

Thanks for the great video!

[@VinceVenturella]

Glad you liked it!

[@BinxyBrown]

Would you ever edge highlight parts of a biological unit like a tyranid or a dragon?

[@VinceVenturella]

Sure, though you might do it with more of a texture or something. Scales would gather light along the edges but it would be more illuminating of the texture.

[@blacksheepboy]

Boom! Lots of useful information, i bet you help a lot of people with this one! 👍 Dj wetblndr does it again!

[@VinceVenturella]

Hope so! :)

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you 👍

[@marekszewczyk5076]

Great video Vince! Just one more question, how did you make legs on the keeper shiny, is this some kind of varnish over the leggins or is it just the shine of certain paints?

[@VinceVenturella]

Slightly satin paint in this case, but very controlled on only the lighter areas to create that refecltion (the shadows are matte).

[@colouredIncognito]

Listening to this whilst painting my avatar of Khaine. Not an amazing painter, these are great! Thanks for the great videos

[@chucklamb3496]

Thanks Vince!

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@PaintingInsomniac]

Hey vince I’d just like to say I’ve spent the past week watching your videos. They are so informative and helpful. I’m looking to get an airbrush but I don’t know where to start ，do you have any recommendations for a beginner ?

[@VinceVenturella]

Sure, my old video about Just Get an Airbrush has some links. That being said, the Master Airbrush kit with a compressor is where you want to go, something like this - www.amazon.com/Master-Airbrush-Multi-purpose-Dual-action-Compressor/dp/B001TO578Q/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2CHNH14ZOD51C&dchild=1&keywords=master+airbrush+kit&qid=1614125367&sprefix=master+airbrush+kit%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-7

[@PaintingInsomniac]

@@VinceVenturella Ok thanks a lot I will check that video out I must ave missed it. And thank you for the link.

[@MrGamzi91]

Vince, you mini painting wizard, may I suggest you ask your guests to help you out with audio normalization for your videos? There's a 50/50 chance that your intro music blows out some ears each time

[@VinceVenturella]

I'll see what I can do. :)

[@danwoodliff9873]

@@VinceVenturella as a full time video editor I typically have music peak at -12dbs when no voice, and somewhere in the -20 to -25dbs when under your voice over. Conversely, voice over typically doesn’t go above 4db on the audio meter. Hope this comes off as helpful as intended 😃

[@witlessfop36]

Fascinating stuff as always 👍 Getting excited for the Cursed City update?

[@VinceVenturella]

Very excited.

[@ArynCrinn]

On purple and green... "although those are not actually true complementary colours"... in the subtractive/RYB colour model. It's a different story in the additive/RGB colour model. Even moving to the CMYK model changes things a bit. This is why creating colours schemes is far from being an exact science.

[@VinceVenturella]

You are correct of course, I tend to talk in subtractive RYB, but you are right.

[@MrStatistx]

Not sure if it's my colorblindness or the screen settings, but I can't even see the top word XD

[@VinceVenturella]

Weird, I'll check on it.

[@MrStatistx]

@@VinceVenturella I doubt it's on your side. As said it's either my screens contrast being too low, or a color mix that makes my colorblindness not see it

[@p_serdiuk]

@@MrStatistx Nope, can't see it either.

[@MrStatistx]

@@p_serdiuk I mean it still proofs a point of low contrast :D

[@SwashBuccaneer]

I can't see it either. It kind of proves his point more in some ways lol

[@M0U53B41T]

So, basically, hue relates to colours, and value relates to black/white? The two terms have confused me forever, I find thinking about it that way a lot easier (assuming I understood you correctly)

[@VinceVenturella]

You got it. :)

[@cyagen9782]

But does your Sigval wear pants or doe go commando? 😉 very interesting video!

[@VinceVenturella]

Pants all the way> :)

[@zachhogan7865]

You're the bomb Vince!

[@VinceVenturella]

Happy to help. :)

[@dlmdlm7685]

The real on the blade runner cover looks almost like cyan. Or is it just me seeing stuff wrong idk. *Teal not real.

[@VinceVenturella]

Yep, it's definitely closer to Cyan, those two colors are very close, but yes, same idea, the blue/blue-green that pairs well with the orange.

[@dlmdlm7685]

That's what I thought thanks for the response. Idk why but it's not notifying me about replies.

[@the250mikec]

Super awesome

[@VinceVenturella]

Thank you! Cheers! :)

[@tadelong]

"Please put away your poorly-shaded pitchforks... n00bs"

[@VinceVenturella]

Get out high contrast pitchforks only.

[@tadelong]

@@VinceVenturella And OSL- implemented torches!

[@ger5956]

Remember to like and comment to appease the almighty algorithm 👍🏼

[@kirestus]

When you said red brown I immediately thought of Reb Brown, then you made the joke and my mind was blown. Get out of my head Vince!

[@VinceVenturella]

I mean, I can't help myself, so many great 80s B movies.

[@dennisfoulds3941]

Still a little confused. Sorry I’m slow.

[@VinceVenturella]

All good, think of it like the difference between black and white in the simplest form, and pushing that out to increase readability of the miniature.

[@dannythompson5506]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@VinceVenturella]

:)

[@daleicious1528]

Great video, still disagree with how you’ve spoken about color theory though.

[@VinceVenturella]

Fair enough

[@dawick5]

Are you actually replying to everyone's comment?

[@VinceVenturella]

Yes, I always reply to all comments. :)

[@sshim950]

: )

[@VinceVenturella]

:)