How I Paint Things - Drybrushing Space Marines

[@alexou857]

Best on the web. No highlights bullshit that makes the mini look like a cartoon. Perfect for my need. Thank you sir.

[@MrStingray075]

Just starting to paint up a Blood Angels army. This method is a god send. I am really glad you included the varnish stage as I have never seen it applied and your explanation makes so much sense.

[@jackdeily8615]

After painting an entire army of space wolves with painstakingly placed edge highlights and dissing the concept of drybrushing for years, I recently began doing all of my space marine highlights with multilayered drybrushing. Now the only thing I layer is fabric and skin. Drybrushing is no "beginner's only" technique, and can absolutely enhance a model.

[@maxschmidt666]

At least you became an expert in edge highlighting ;D

[@ethanadriel614]

you prolly dont give a shit but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all of the new series on instaflixxer. Been streaming with my gf recently xD

[@zaydkohen2321]

@Ethan Adriel yup, have been using InstaFlixxer for months myself :D

[@jackdeily8615]

@@ethanadriel614 A fellow wargaming stoner! :) Nothing beats painting a unit of grimdark guardsmen on 3 Kiva gummies and an Earthless record on the turntable. Peace brother.

[@192drm]

I am so happy I found your videos man. I don't really like a lot of edge highlight and was trying to look for dry brushing techniques to bring out the highlight. This will be such a gamechanger for me, thank you

[@215Xavier]

thanks, using this method right now, with a couple edge highlights aswell. Has made painting space marines enjoyable for the first time in 10 years of this hobby. Many thanks

[@davidparker2724]

Man o man your drybrushing skils are second to none

[@johnkelley9877]

One of the things I like about dry brushing is you get a nice subtle worn finish as opposed to the harder looking edge high lighting. Your method is quite simple but very effective. I have an Imperial Guard figure and after watching this episode, as well as that one, I want to try the dry brush method. I have learned a lot from your channel and I'm glad I subscribed.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'm really glad to hear it. It makes a big difference knowing that this is actually being put to use by someone, and that it's working for you! :D If you get the chance, I'd love to see any finished figures you've got.

[@cleric1125]

my hands have always been rather steady but as i got into 40k painting i realized my bad eyes and poor depth perception made edge highlighting very very difficult. this method has saved me. what i do now is base coat, then do a sloppy edge highlight with a shade lighter than my base coat, but still very close to the original color, then i wash. after that i dry bush with that same lighter color on all edges to bring it back out, then dry brush from top down only with an even lighter color. after that ill sometimes do a bit of clean up if my dry brushing brought in too many streaks. thank you SO much for showing me that dry brushing models isnt just the lazy way out, i love it!

[@royalunion1]

I love your channel helped me and my brother to start an awesome hobby. Thank you so much!

[@euansmith3699]

The fact that you finish off your minis with bases and everything is great.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Faces and bases is aces! I'm sure I've heard that one going around recently. ;D It always feels to me like a miniature's 'done' once it's got a base on it, even if it's all fairly simple.

[@euansmith3699]

A semi-decent base can make even a mediocre mini look good; or at least that's my aim when painting minis :D

[@MrSphinchee]

I seriously laughed out loud when you initially put on the shade. Super funny !

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If you're not making silly noises while you're painting, you're missing out on the fun. ;D

[@TheGleasonMan87]

Thank you! Drybrushing looks better than edge highlighting in my opinion.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I find there's a lot of different styles out there, and everybody's got their own. Personally, if I had all the time in the world, I'd still love to edge highlight my Marines. My guys still march to battle under a drybrush, though, and nuts to anybody that gives you stick over it! :D

[@Wellsider1]

Me too. I prefer the worn "real world" effect it leaves.

[@moeilijkebril481]

This was exactly what I was looking for, I’ve learned this technic about 20 years ago, then, you know, stuff happened. And forgot all about it. Wanting to get back to warhammer, so this is a great help for getting started!

[@stazz316]

FFs why didnt i see this video earlier i was struggling with edge highlighting so much and it turns out this stuff is so easy! Youre great, buddy!

[@Druss39]

Good video. Also good to see that dry brushing is still being used. It's a great and simple way to do shading. I used to start from dark to light colours.

[@Fluffykeith]

......I think I want to hug you....I just don't have the steady hands for edge highlighting...

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Fluffykeith Cheat the system! ;)

[@Fluffykeith]

Would that work as a quickie method for cloth? Like the cloth robes available to Dark Angels veterans, for example?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Fluffykeith It'll work for just about anything. Just remember to drybrush across the raised detail rather than with it, and you're better off to do two light passes and build up a highlight than hammer it on too thick and have it go chalky.

[@Fluffykeith]

Awesome, thank you

[@alangreenwood5822]

Dude your amazing. Discovered your channel yesterday & binge watched about 15 of your video's! Just awesome!

[@WylochsArmory]

I love your channel. I love it so much.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot! I actually really appreciate the comment, too - now I've seen your channel and I can say the same in return! Those Necron portals are going to come in dead handy, for a start. :D

[@tiffer45]

Wow your intro was amazing and hilarious. Dropping in those other sets of 4 paints was perfectly done.

[@sheepman2244]

This video is so helpful! Also nice to see a tutorial that doesn’t take 3 hours to paint a face 😂😂. Thanks keep up the great work!!!

[@drybrushtherapy6557]

I have to try the tougher paint brushes. I've been using these soft make-up brushes and I guess they work fine. Always thought a brush for drybrushing should be really delicate and soft. Gonne give it a try, thanks for the tips!

[@1965Scotia]

What a great video, answered my questions about dry brushing and varnishing. Thank you....

[@badrequest5596]

only thing i would add would be a very light super dry brush of white on some edges to pop the shapes further. and i mean super dry, barely any paint on it. also maybe some controlled washes of nuln oil on some deep recesses for greater contrast.

[@pilottaskman6889]

i love when you said"BOOM! it works for yellow too" awesome chanel :)

[@martinfamily2013]

Takes me back 25 years when I painted my 1st model. First thing I ever learnt was to dry brush from my cousin. Great technique if you get it right.

[@sillykanji]

Woooo boy. You saved my life with that video. Dry brushing has been the bane of my existence. And I highlight like Michael J. Fox. Thank you so much!

[@sriv1965sriv]

Sir, I am a newbie at painting models. I just purchased a #40k #killteam starter set #sikarii #genestealerhybrid and your video has given me the confidence to go ahead and start painting. THANK YOU for taking the time to produce such wonderful videos! I have subscribed and will watch them all!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

There's a bit of repeated guidance in some of them, but as much as possible I try to make sure there's something unique to each video that means binging the whole lot will let you come away with something new each time. :D Thanks for sticking around, and welcome aboard!

[@casiblume7932]

You are a genuinely pleasant person and I appreciate that

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Well, I do try at least! :)

[@AveksRS]

Thanks for all the tips and tricks. I just started my Warhammer journey and was afraid of the painting process.

[@dominict9325]

Finally, a brighter paint scheme for BA that doesn't look horrendous. All of the ones I've seen before are either too dark or too orange on the highlights.

[@richnowak8667]

I'm going to have to try the fleshshade wash. Went with nuln oil and while I generally do like a darker tone perhaps it was too dark. Going to also retry my drybrushing skills I think while I'm drybrushing I'm just adding not enough paint (first time drybrusher) .

[@mikedriskell4233]

This made my life so much easier. LOL Thankyou for this video!!

[@tombranstetter68]

great video...i love drybrushing and you kinda showed me how to take it a little bit further...i also liked how you showed different color combos ..i would like to see a follow up video showing more in depth colors and their range of required ones to achieve this effect

[@tamasczikora9982]

Very helpful tutorial. Also, enjoyed your style enermously :)

[@AshenXr155]

This video is going to be a HUGE help for my salamanders!

[@uxd8964]

Nuln Oil, Warpstone Glow, Moot Green? I was going this route in colors but not dry brushing, shall try again with this awesome drybrush technique.

[@rt-ks2bh]

Brillant,,,,great stuff,,good techniques,,big thumbs up

[@aomaggots-]

Fantastic video! I learned a lot. Thank you.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@waynebellamy4749]

Very nice my friend love the colour .

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot! Red's a nice one to experiment with since there's so many possible shades you can get out of it.

[@christopherparry7389]

I've found if you do want to speed up the drying process a small desk fan is great it gives air movement but no heat so doesn't mess up the paint

[@Daktangle]

This looks a bit like a nice merging of the old 80's/90's 'Eavy metal styles, and the modern way GW do their show miniatures. Going to give this a try on my assault intercessors.

[@celeanor7540]

Such a great video, thank you! Could you include a summary at the end of the video or in the description outlining the main steps? As a beginner I would find this super helpful.

[@wildmindtv8049]

this video is going to save me so much time! thank you!

[@jazzj2]

oh boy, i've been doing highlights all wrong, i was trying to manually go along every edge with a wet brush, this seems so much easier

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's not going to give you quite the same result as traditional edge highlighting, but it's a great deal easier! Finished is better than perfect!

[@benstewart8516]

Great video... I'm about to start a Horus Hersey era Death Guard army, and I'll think I'll be using a similar technique - Rakarth Flesh, Agrax Earthshade, overbrush Rakarth then drybrush with Pallid Wych flesh and then Pratexi white possibly?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Praxeti White might be an interesting one. You may find after the Pallid Wych Flesh you don't need to go that bright? Worth an experiment, all the same! Definitely worth giving it a shot - pick up one of those little three-man boxes of Marines and give it a shot, see how it looks before committing to a whole squad!

[@benstewart8516]

Yep, I think that would be a good idea before cracking on with an expensive box of MK III Marines!

[@moviemaniac1838]

Getting back into the game and this tutorial just taught me how to level up my BA army from 7th Edition that only had Mephiston(spelling?) Red and a wash.

[@ultramegaduck]

Thank you again. These are so helpful

[@fallennatas5230]

What colors would you use to paint salamanders using your style. What base coat would you use black or white?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Honestly, I'd probably start from Mechanicus Standard Grey spray. If you haven't got it, use Chaos Black and just apply the basecoat a couple of times over top. Start with Waaagh Flesh, then over that Warpstone Glow. Nuln Oil wash and then Warpstone Glow as a quick overbrush, similarly to the Dark Angel I just finished, and then Niblet Green drybrush and Biel-Tan Green over the top of all that again. A bit more involved, but still pretty simple! The hard part is getting that mid-tone Salamanders green to start from, but once you do the rest is golden.

[@ahmedhussein4675]

Man i love you videos im learning a lot

[@XwildXdogX]

For my raven guard I tried doing edge highlighting and I could never get the armor to look the way I wanted it to. I think the drybrush method I've been using look better than with edge highlighting

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

As much as I like my Marines to look really crisp and sharp, across a whole army I just haven't the time to edge highlight them all individually. Drybrushing with a bit of care is that nice middle ground, and easy to replicate!

[@alanho4148]

Hello. With the Vallejo Matt varnish, would you recommend it on a very “metallic” looking surface like for grey knights etc? Thanks

[@DarkautumnAutumn1988]

this helped me, thank you

[@anthonymiller4133]

Would you prime all your Ultramarines with a rattle can? Black over blue? How many coats? I love your videos.

[@jamiegabbutt2442]

I do this for my DA, and its very quick and works brilliantly with the space marine power armour. The only thing I do differently is put a layer of contrast over the top to darken it up.

[@MrMowax]

likes thanks man, this is epic! learnt soooooo much!

[@Uberskull]

Won't applying a wash so early lose you quite a lot of detail? I'd imagine that when you paint over the wash when doing the non-armor bits it has already filled in the recesses, making them disappear when you paint another color over them. Is that not the case in your experience?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Washes are so thin you'd need to go over the same area dozens of times before you have to worry about loss of detail. There's very little of the binder used in typical acrylic paints in them, so once they dry it's really only pigment left behind.

[@rott1976]

What colors would you use for a purple? Woyld like to use Naggroth purple for bars. Thanks.

[@somecrapname1]

great tutorial!

[@guitarhero5320]

if you wanted a darker red as i do. i used earthsade, would i still use the other to dry brush paints of darker ones

[@mattswango7005]

Do you use Vallejo Matt varnish on all models or curtain ones?

[@captainspaulding5380]

I know this is an older video but I found it after starting to paint my ultramarines. I use an identical technique lol

[@edotcom7]

great stuff, would you recommend varnishing over black too? i followed your templar video, changed a few colours but it looked great first time, and easy to be consistent with!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It can work really well over black, for sure. Usually I'd go for a slightly brighter highlight colour if you're going to varnish black, though, because the very faint sheen you'll get will change how the light reflects from the miniature anyway, and if you're not bold with your highlights they'll almost disappear. Have a play with it, though!

[@edotcom7]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio will do indeed, cheers for the pointers

[@udolpho]

What a brilliant tutorial, thanks very much. Can I ask, is it possible to use the non-dry versions of these paints with this technique and still get same results? Evil Sunz Scarlet instead of Astorath Red, for example?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot! To answer your question, you certainly can. The only thing to be careful of is to make doubly sure you're leaving just a little behind when you're drybrushing, so a quick flick against the edge of the base will really help there. Khorne Red with Agrax Earthshade followed by Wazzdakka Red and Squig Orange, for example, makes for a great Blood Raven. :D

[@udolpho]

Excellent, thanks for the advice - that will save me re-buying my entire paint collection!

[@mrfungaltoe]

Hello great channel, really useful. What would you suggest for Space Wolves? I've been working from the standard: a base of Fang but completely cover this with Russ Grey, then a Nuln wash. Fenrisian grey highlights... But what for the final highlight?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

As chance would have it, I've actually touched on the Space Wolves before. Fenrisian Grey would be about as high as I'd go, personally, but if you're wanting a suuuper sharp blue-ish highlight for the final step, you might consider Blue Horror, one of the Edge range of paints. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXndaIV5fJ2eqMk Here's the Space Wolves in their hairy glory, though!

[@mrfungaltoe]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio ah fantastic! Thank you for sharing that, much appreciated 😁🤙

[@electrifyskrill]

ok so I'm doing my chapter of space marines I call them the storm Scavengers the main colour of the armour I want to use is Balthasar Gold and the inside of the shoulder pad Warpstone glow what dry colours and shade should I use.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Balthasar Gold... maybe shade it with Agrax Earthshade then drybrush Golden Griffon? I haven't done anything in quite that style, admittedly. With Warpstone Glow being quite a thin layer paint you'll want to put down a base first - I'd probably do the armour gold first, do all the drybrushing, then a coat of Waaagh Flesh on the shoulder pads before the Warpstone Glow.

[@electrifyskrill]

ok thanks I will give it a try and let you know the results do you have Instagram?

[@boga2050]

From which of the Games Workshop sets is this marine. I can't decide which i want to buy to start with.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

This guy's made from just the parts in the standard Tactical Squad pack! www.games-workshop.com/en-WW/Space-Marine-Tactical-Squad-2017

[@Jbvain]

I’m getting a powdery build up of paint in certain areas when I dry brush. Any tips or suggestions to fix? Thanks!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If it's that Astorath Red that's powdering up as you drybrush, it's not too hard to fix. Once you're finished with your drybrush, let it sit for a few minutes and then get a soft, dry brush (not necessarily a drybrush!). I've got a cheap acrylic one for this job. All you need to do is just get in and gently swipe away that dust. Try not to press down while you're scrubbing it out, but it'll come off pretty easily.

[@Jbvain]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio Thanks for your help and providing these great tutorials!

[@AF-kj2zl]

What colors would you use for Crimson Fists? Kantor Blue, Drankenhoff, Hoeth Blue and something else??? I've seen your other video on paint CF, but this technique seems much faster.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'm not sure how it might look any faster? It's honestly the same technique. Perhaps the video's edited slightly differently, but the colours in the Crimson Fist video are honestly what I'd use.

[@mkaali]

Great video, but am I the only one having hard time to see any difference between unvarnished 13:30 and varnished finishes 15:11?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's a little hard to see on camera mostly due to how the lighting works up close like this, but I promise it's more noticeable in person!

[@jayseddon7525]

painting cadians, is there any other colour apart from agrax earthshade on the zandri dust fatigues you'd recommend i could use because it seems to go too dark even if i'm careful with it . great vid. you make it look easy as usual. thanks

[@guitarhero5320]

and do you have a black Armour one??

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Not yet, but this is one I'll definitely be working on early next year. Funnily enough, it's much like this... but in reverse! I'll make sure to get plenty of in progress shots to demonstrate for that one.

[@j.allen.howard]

Awesome video. Like others, I’m just starting out, and this technique will be SUPER helpful. Thank you! Quick question, fo a green army like Salamanders, which colors would you recommend as highlights for a base of waaagh green?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Salamanders are a bit of an odd one, since there aren't that many green Dry paints. I'd probably choose Niblet Green as their first drybrush, but for the fake-out edge highlight colour, I'd switch in for Skarsnik Green and do a light drybrush with that. It'll not be as GREEN! as something like Moot Green would be, but under a varnish I think it'd do a better edge. Worth experimenting with, perhaps!

[@lewisbellinger4404]

Ya a black one will help a lot for them chaos undivided guys 😀

[@uberwildy]

Great video, thanks! I'm having a hard time finding that exact same varnish in stock, which of their current lines is closest to the same semi-satin look? Does the mecha-matt varnish have a similar effect?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Vallejo's Premium Airbrush varnish is a good alternative. It doesn't actually require an airbrush and you can brush it on pretty easily, just needs a touch of water like any other acrylic paint and you'll be good to go. Otherwise there's Stormhost Shield or something along those lines from GW, which comes in a pot as well. Same deal in that instance!

[@maxschmidt666]

Nice video, especially the varnish makes it look a little better. But seriously though...drill your barrels! ;P

[@wescargill2716]

I really like the effect you've achieved. Could you recommend a colour palette for this technique in a dark grey/black scheme?

[@Seducedrocks]

for my deathwatch I use chaos black, nuln oil, mechanicus standard grey and ... necron compound^^ I just love the slight metal look

[@basteala525]

These tutorials are really helpful :) Do you have any suggestions for colors with Dark Angels (shade and drybrush highlights?).

[@ajazz52]

Great content! Keep it up!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thank you kindly! I'm just hoping that it's useful to folks out there getting started or wanting a simpler way than painstaking edge highlighting. ;D

[@loganstafford249]

Could you use evil sunz scarlet instead of astorath red?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

You certainly could! It might be a little brighter at first, but once it's washed and treated in the same way you'll hardly notice the difference.

[@loganstafford249]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio cool!

[@Wolf1337DK]

what about using a spray varnish insted?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Spray varnish is one I have mixed success with. I live in a spot where I'm not guaranteed perfectly dry days, so humidity is an issue; sprays will occasionally frost and speckle, which isn't so much of a problem with a basecoat, but with a varnish will ruin a figure once I'm finished with it. For sheer reliability, you can't beat the ol' brush.

[@michaelinOZ]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio but the Vallejo Spray matt varnish is basically the same right? Just wondering.

[@chrisnorth6793]

I found this incredibly useful! I’m very new to this... any suggestions on the colours to use for Black Templars? 😬

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

This might help! ;D kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbKYWhjrMSKeNU

[@loganstafford249]

I want to try this but with a basecoat of celestra gray. What other paints should I use?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If you were to start from Celestra Grey, I'd probably look at using Ulthuan Grey and then Wrack White as your drybrush. Whether you'd use Nuln Oil or something like Drakenhof Nightshade or Agrax Earthshade as your wash would quite significantly change the colour overall, though! Do you have any specific examples of what you're looking to achieve?

[@loganstafford249]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio I'm not looking for an off-white but rather a light grey. I would also probably experiment with different washes that are toned down the same way as in your "painting white tutorial".

[@LaPantalladelMaster]

Welcome to a very special how I paint things!

[@michaeloeffler9514]

Wow! Im just starting my 40k adventure and this video is incredibly helpful! I'll definitely have to give this a shot on my Primaris Marines when they arrive! ...tho i suppose ghe same technique will work for Death Guard as well?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

As a matter of fact, it works even better on Death Guard! You can be rather less careful and go crazy with it and it looks appropriately grotty and messy when you put a shade over the top. Sounds like someone had a good Christmas! ;) I've plans for a Nurgle-specific video within a couple of weeks, which might prove helpful. Welcome aboard!

[@eddiemanuk1983]

Wow this looks insane. Quick question, I take it you are screwed if you make a mistake and get say black paint over the finished result? Would you have to start all over again or would you just touch things up afterwards and it would still be OK. I am a beginner.

[@pilottaskman6889]

what s your favorite chapter of adeptus astartes ?

[@bobbybobby6244]

can this work for any other factions such as orks?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It certainly can. With Orks it'd pay to concentrate on the skin as the area you want the most depth to, I think, but it doesn't hurt to experiment!

[@ugosabadini8014]

Fantastico N.1

[@oneeyedwonderer6781]

Dry brushing looks gritty and real , edge highlights look cartoony

[@clintonclay3158]

Really dumb question. Are you supposed to dry brush the color back on the model completely? I'm still trying to grasp understanding the technique. Thanks in advance. Really enjoy your content

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

With the drybrush, you're aiming to catch just the edges of the miniature rather than every flat panel. So you're not putting it back on the miniature completely, more 'dusting' it so that the edges stick out a little more prominently.

[@clintonclay3158]

So far my attempts at dry brushing have been lackluster between my inexperience and the paint I'm using I have actual paints on the way though. Tired of fighting these craft paints it's a good thing I'm just using practice models. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Love your channel.

[@meyogy2414]

How have i not already subscribed? Fixed!

[@andycho2933]

hey man just wondering what paints you've used for the details?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Just black, Dawnstone for the grey highlights, then Leadbelcher and Stormhost Silver for the metallics. Nothing fancy!

[@andycho2933]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio So I'm guessing black and lead for the base. Wash with nuln(?) Then the dry brush?

[@elronman]

very interesting, would consider using the edge of a brush for that final orange bit instead of a dry brush. but that varnish trick is neet.

[@mightyhammerhead]

It's kinda like watching hand puppets...

[@firmak2]

i wish this would work better with the Thousand Sons

[@TurrenciO]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TechWizard28]

13:53

[@Brissebrajan]

prefered method of mine since 1995 =)

[@gameswithtoasty3246]

Surely you jest. This video must be a lie. I shall report back with my findings. Edit: You madman, you did it! What sorcery is this?!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I assure you that there is no jest, jape or jollity involved. I do not possess a sense of humour of which I am aware!

[@duerf5826]

Scrubs drybrush, patricians edge-highlight.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Scrubs are not always blessed with the abundance of time necessary to edge highlight an entire army.

[@dertyvirgo1489]

You think you know everything about painting blood angels

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'm not sure where you'd get that idea. It's certainly not something I've ever said! I'm pretty sure I even mention there are other ways to paint Blood Angels than this. This is a suggestion, not a rule by any stretch.

[@jeremiahbachmann3901]

You skipped too many steps. Why do people making tutorials for beginners skip steps? It confuses us.