How I Paint Things Quickly - Lenses, Gems and Windows

[@promethius9594]

Hey man, I just wanted to thank you for this video series! I just started mini-painting and probably watched a good 20+ videos of yours before putting brush to mini, and the results of my first 7 minis have been fantastic! I've not got any of the minis you painted, but seeing the techniques demonstrated REALLY helps. Really great content here!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot for dropping in! I'm glad these are still useful to you, even if the specific miniatures aren't what you're working on; I try and make sure there's a technique, theory or something that's useful across a variety of miniatures, and if you're able to apply those across a broader range, all the better! I'd love to see some examples if you don't mind sharing. :D

[@promethius9594]

Sure! These aren't 28mm scale (I think they're closer to 40 and the cartoonish nature of the game/minis is why I picked them to start), but they're the first 4 minis I've ever painted. I've actually finished 4 more from the same game... you can see one in the background that was in progress... but I haven't uploaded those ones to reddit minipainting yet. I'll drop links when I get around to doing that! Here's the link to the first four: i.redditmedia.com/zPN0ndruaEFo4h-47986FW7HtdmMo6wWpUjdbL_du5w.jpg?s=a8a639e1696564a4825019dfe6dcc53b

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Now those are charming! :D I get a pretty good sense of scale from the bottle lids under the bases, and they're pretty neat! What's the game that they're for? They look like they'd be a real laugh to paint up.

[@promethius9594]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! I wanted to paint the rest of the minis from the game and get pictures of all of them for Imgur and Reddit /minipainting! The game is "The Grimm Forest," and they were a blast to learn on and paint, because the areas where edge highlighting, drybrushing, etc, were all pretty pronounced. Here's the album I made of the whole set! imgur.com/gallery/Ai6oab1/comment/1396197663

[@promethius9594]

I just realized I'd left a few of them on their bottle lids! That's my cheap solution, with poster tack, to hold them for painting the bases and applying varnish!

[@Cyd99]

Wow, you make it seem easy. Just did some eye lenses and I’m really happy how they turned out. Thanks.

[@sillykanji]

God your videos are so helpful. I have hated painting my whole life. And was so bad, I became intimidated by it. Recently splurged and bought W40k Minis because I've always liked the culture and lore. Found your videos, studied, and went to town. I had a good idea as to what I thought looked good, and what didn't. I would always check out local game shops and see what they had for sale as far as painted minis went. My first two Miniatures came out easily 6/10 on my smug-o-meter. Your techniques are just so incredibly simple and insightful. Very very easy to grasp the concept and structure of painting. Thank you!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot for dropping in! Honestly, I remember just as well how daunting it can be to get started, and nothing ever looks quite like it does on the box... I figure half the battle is in finding a style that you like and playing around with it, practicing with the simple techniques and learning at your own speed. That's the point in these videos, after all! It's why I explain so much of the 'why' of things - when it comes time to paint your own stuff you'll have the grounding in why you may or may not choose to skip something, or do something differently. Hope to keep being useful! ;D

[@johnkelley9877]

Thanks for posting this. I have been wondering how to paint lenses in my tanks and this tutorial is really helpful. I will definitely reference this in the future.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It's a super simple technique and applies to a lot of basic shapes. I picked this one up from an ancient White Dwarf, around... 1996 or so, I think? It's stuck with me that whole time and still works! :D

[@LB-yg2br]

Brillaint video. Just did my hellhound using blues and it came out amazing. Definately a technique I am going to keep using in the future. So easy but looks so good.

[@127TROOP]

Nicely done! Loved the principle explained firstly, it’s now ingrained into my psyche...top job!

[@zachraess2582]

Very cool. I definitely think the gloss varnish is important to really give it that glassy sheen.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I'd really suggest it's an optional step in air quotes, if I had the space. You can skip it, but the end result really pops with that tiny blat of varnish!

[@Squire2222]

I was looking for a tutorial for square gems, thanks!

[@WylochsArmory]

What a fantastic video.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Thanks a lot! Gotta love the easy stuff. ;D

[@OldAverageBritGaming]

Exactly how I do mine :) Nice guide sir.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Love the simple stuff! It struck me as something that might not be obvious, since a couple of people asked. A nice, quick one to pump out while the in-laws are visiting. ;D

[@Axquirix]

Very useful, only got the windows and weathering of my first chimera to do! Planning to do green windows, not sure on which shades exactly.

[@wischfulthinking]

Ty so much for breaking this down!

[@sirkarl1]

Awesome video mate, super helpful think I'm late to the party but loving these videos. P. S what gloss varnish do you use?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

I use Citadel's 'Ardcoat in this video, but I've been using Instar's gloss recently, and also have a Vallejo varnish that I really like. Past a point, gloss varnish is gloss varnish!

[@sirkarl1]

@@SonicSledgehammerStudio OK matey I'll go with citadel as all my other paints are from then, again awesome videos mate

[@owenparry3156]

Good content, I changed the playback speed to 1.75 to make it more succinct

[@bushmins]

Hi. Just thought i pop in and say thanks, you are an inspiration and help me enjoy getting my models up to scratch (You also help spend my money at GW!). I was thinking; since you painted a Stormcast Eternal maybe you could do a Khorne Bloodhound, that are also included in the Storm of Sigmar box set. I used Nissian metallic gold spray from Halfords to coat a Stormcast, it worked very well and cost a lot less that the GW gold spray.

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Good call on the Nissan Gold, too! I know a bunch of guys back in the UK that use Halfords Grey Primer for their miniatures, so it's good to know the metallics work as well. I've not got any of the Bloodbound, unfortunately, though I did recently do one of the Shadespire blokes if that helps any - less flesh and more armour, but all the same techniques! ;D I really ought to nudge GW about sponsoring a video or two... hook me up with a Knight or two, lads?

[@RosieJonesRules]

lol I'm literally painting the same model in this vid and needed a tutorial for the spotlight!

[@MrTpimms]

How did you paint the leather for the hull mounted bolter? Keep up the good work!

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Simple brown leather I usually do with Mournfang Brown, an Agrax Earthshade wash, then hit it with a little Nuln Oil afterwards and you can highlight some areas if you're feeling fancy by going back to Mournfang Brown for the edges. Bam. :D

[@MrTpimms]

Sonic Sledgehammer Studio thanks again! Really enjoy your videos and can’t wait to put these techniques into practice!

[@cromwellthesynth]

What kind of trio of paints would you recommend for doing the lenses as either green or blue? I'm thinking of making the lenses on my hopefully upcoming Venerable Dreadnought and Stormhawk's a mixture of blue and green lenses

[@darkhighwayman1757]

Gonna have to try that

[@music123videos]

Sorry a bit off topic but I noticed those Model Air bottles in the corner. Are those your preference for painting metals?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

It really depends on what I'm painting! I find a lot of the time that they tend to lift off quite easily if I don't let them cure for a full day when I put a wash over them, so I tend to use them as finishing steps. Their incredibly strong tones and brightness make for good highlights.

[@music123videos]

Ah right I see. Thank's for the informative reply, I will definitely look to get some! I'll keep the 'curing time' in mind :)

[@docMurk]

Okay two year old video but I’m gonna go for it - I’m working on a kill team that wears what are essentially ski goggles. Big and reflective, but curved around the eyes. Any advice??

[@georgemartinez1720]

Great job

[@georgemartinez1720]

What Brand of paint and brushes you use

[@ipodsim]

Thanks for the guide! Completely off topic but which green colour did you use for the armour of the tank?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

If I'm remembering correctly it'd be Castellan Green. It's been a while, mind you!

[@ipodsim]

Thanks! 😊

[@lenoks_de]

What brush brand do you use?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Mostly Citadel stuff, though I've got a couple of the Army Painter brushes that I like, and a few big cheap ones from the supermarket!

[@ArchbishopTurpin]

Setting up a harlequin team at the moment, and was debating picking up a bottle of Soulstone Blue for all the gem bits they've got. Think its worth the purchase or am I just as well off applying this layering technique?

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The gemstone paints are a funny one, really. I quite like them and use them for a bunch of little glowing bits and pieces, but almost never for actual gems or lenses! Personally I'd continue layering Eldar gemstones, even if it does take a little longer, but that's largely a matter of taste.

[@carltonbanks5167]

thank you so much i can finally finish my chimeras!

[@tommothedog]

Please do van saar in orange and electric or royal blue

[@SulliverVittles]

"blip"

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

The sound effects are very important!

[@IDICBeer]

Great share

[@Serpsor]

Still useful

[@Karl-Canis-Lupus]

Oh my gosh!? The PVA xD

[@Fluffykeith]

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou

[@SonicSledgehammerStudio]

Can't beat simple! :D