Two simple tricks make Painting Black easy

Painting black leather on a miniature isn't as tricky as you might think. Two simple tricks will make it work every time.
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So you're painting black on a miniature and it keeps looking grey! A nightmare! But one that's all too common. The truth is that painting black is both difficult and easy at the same time. On the one hand it's easy because you can let the base coat do most of the work for you. But difficult because you have to manage your highlights over a very small area. If they get too big that when things start to turn grey. The key is to keep your highlights small, while leaving the majority of the surface black. That will ensure your leather jacket stays looking black while allowing you to develop and articulate all the volumes and details within the figure you're painting. So watch this miniature painting tutorial and hopefully it will take the sting out of painting black. Best of luck!
Paints used:
Valejo Model Colour Black (any black)
Scale Colour Caribbean Blue (any bright blue/turquoise)
Scale Colour White Sands (any off white/white)
Intro - 0:00
Initial Colour - 0:29
Applying first highlights - 1:10
Blending our 1st highlights - 2:18
Finishing off 1st highlights - 3:11
Finishing off blending initial highlight - 4:16
Mixing/applying second highlights - 4:44
Blending out the 2nd highlights - 8:01
Mixing/applying third highlights - 8:48
Final Highlights - 12:48
DISCLAIMER: This description contains an affiliate link, which means that if you purchase a product while using the link, I’ll receive a small (5%) fee at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue making videos like this one. Thank you for supporting us!
#KujoPainting #MiniaturePainting #PaintingXia

[@krzysztofb.4346]

I love your tutorials, each step on this model is explained separately in an time-affordable video. Additionally covers a wide spectrum of subjects, and allows to come back to given topics in a much simpler way. I'm glad that I found your channel as it helped a lot to develop my painting skills. Excellent work, keep it up.

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks Krzysztof, that's basically my ethos to making videos in a nutshell right there. Glad you like them. Happy to have you aboard. Cheers. :)

[@samgodfrey3628]

If there are better painting tutorials out there I've not found them. And that tip for a guide dot is inspired.

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks mate, high praise. Glad you like them, there's definitely better ones out there though. Cheers!

[@richardrussell7082]

Awwwwwwww..... the zombie's giving her flowers 😍

[@KujoPainting]

:)

[@midori6756]

Best tutorial on black I’ve seen!

[@KujoPainting]

High praise, thanks a lot.

[@ingl0rius]

This is brilliant - I had to subscribe. You’re like a Scottish Bob Ross, so calming !

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks for the sub! Welcome aboard. :)

[@Deathwindfr]

Of all the videos I watched to improve my black highlight g skill, this one is the one that helped me the most.

[@KujoPainting]

Awesome, glad to hear it. :)

[@digitallurke7710]

Hell yeah! More Hassle free minis!

[@KujoPainting]

The best!

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Kujo . 🐺

[@KujoPainting]

🐺🐺🐺🐺

[@Jak0vas]

Perfect timing, I'm going to paint the punisher miniature soon, not as glossy but Black is always an interesting challenge to make interesting if nothing else.

[@KujoPainting]

Oh nice. Best of luck with it, is it small scale?

[@robinmartin4464]

you have the patience of a Saint! Black has always been hard for me. thanks!

[@KujoPainting]

Only if saints swear a lot lol. It's definitely tricky, but easier once you know the downfalls. Cheers!

[@diogenesenuts]

best shiny black leather tutorial on youtube

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks mate.

[@diogenesenuts]

@@KujoPainting no, Thank YOU.

[@diogenesenuts]

@@KujoPainting also, as long as you're reading comments - i've been working on a Harlequin army for a while. What I'm struggling with and why I watched the vid was because I want the leggings/pants to read as black, but I'm having a hard time with the smooth ones (kinda like the Callidus Assassin synth suite). Do you have any thoughts on how best to approach this? Any video recs aside from this one? This vid did help improve things, but using the shine on black paint to determine highlights is giving mixed results. can't seem to map out the highlights properly... sadge.

[@KujoPainting]

@@diogenesenuts Sure, maybe this older video will help. It shows how I did the black on some Harlequin models. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqXNgZ59ra2ajbc

[@johnhale6079]

Just the video ive been searching KZbin for, highlighting black with blue rather than adding white and making it look washed out! Thanks so much 👍

[@KujoPainting]

Glad it was helpful, cheers!

[@thatgenericdixienormouspicguy]

This is perfect, I’m doing the mad max ork from Hardcore miniatures and I wanted to do black leather. I’m gonna try and give this a go.

[@KujoPainting]

Oh cool, not sure I've seen that but I like the sound of it! Such a perfect crossover.

[@thatgenericdixienormouspicguy]

@@KujoPainting They’re a cool company I found recently and they have a lot of crossover themes mainly for Orks (super heroes/movie themed) they’re worth a look at least!

[@KujoPainting]

@@thatgenericdixienormouspicguy Nice ill need to check them out.

[@voxthesergal]

I just want those brushes, damn. I've needed a fine-tipped brush that keeps its tip for the LONGEST time.

[@KujoPainting]

I use these elementgames.co.uk/paints-hobby-and-scenery/brushes/element-masterclass-brushes/element-games-kolinsky-regiment-brush?d=10190 they've gotten a bit pricey lately though. Used to be about £7

[@pontiac6548]

Thanks for this vid Kujo; as you noted black can turn out to look like dark grey with dark recesses if not done properly. I've always had a problem with it but I now understand its the "less is more" approach that can make or break the outcome when dealing with large black areas. The main tip for me is the dragging up of the glaze to deposit it on the upper surface. I'll use all but the last steps on a sorcerer I have as I want him to look like he is embedded in a cloth that's absorbing light rather than reflecting it. Love this series on your cheeky heroine, I look forward to the tartan skirt like her zombie suitor.

[@KujoPainting]

That sounds like a pretty interesting project. Glad the video was a help to you. Hope the sorcerer turns out how you want it. Cheers!

[@DemagogeMic]

Wonderful tutorial on one of the hardest colors for me. I will definitely try this out. Thanks again for your awesome work.

[@KujoPainting]

Hey no problem. Glad you like it.

[@SvenEnterlein]

New Kujo video, how can Friday get any better?

[@KujoPainting]

😁

[@ellaybee77]

As always, this demonstration nails it. That jacket looks fantastic.

[@KujoPainting]

Glad you like it!

[@jherazob]

Excellent work as always! Only now I realized how huge that gun looks in her hands, looks cool though

[@KujoPainting]

It's a monster! Cheers 😁

[@SO-ym3zs]

Excellent video! Thanks. I like your teaching style: patient, clear, specific, and reiterating important points. Very helpful.

[@KujoPainting]

Thank you. 👍

[@waynebellamy4749]

This has been a great little series of videos so far mate excellent stuff 🙌

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks a lot. Glad you've been enjoying it.

[@redrooster7371]

Very helpful as always. Thanks a lot!

[@KujoPainting]

You're welcome!

[@alessiodecarolis]

Interesting tutorial, normally I use GW Hawk turquoise as base for highlights on black, then add White and, if necessary, some kind of blue, depending on the state of the dress

[@Lunarisultros]

I really love your channel, always on point and informative. :)

[@KujoPainting]

Thank you.

[@kevincroke7741]

Sweet! Going to fail at this on some priests models I've got.. Thanks again.

[@KujoPainting]

You can do it!

[@kevincroke7741]

@@KujoPainting Going to try anyway 😅 Thanks for the encouragement 💜

[@DiceyGuy]

Great knowlage dump mate!!

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks frenly fren 😊

[@terrynicholls2975]

Lovely!

[@KujoPainting]

Thanks :)

[@clubcourage6862]

Awesome work!

[@KujoPainting]

Cheers!

[@Salty_Sassenach]

Just painted the front door in black, two thin coats 😜

[@KujoPainting]

haha, nice one. :)

[@BrickworksDK]

Personally, I prefer highlighting black with blue rather than grey. Grey makes it look too worn and dusty for my taste. The same principles would apply though.

[@digitallurke7710]

Blue hi lites look great on Ravenguard

[@6TypoS9]

THEM CHEEEEEEEEKS

[@KujoPainting]

:0)

[@anthonytanner2343]

The diorama/scene looks awesome, it really tells a story. What models did you use?

[@KujoPainting]

Thank you. The main figure is Suzy from hasslefree miniatures and the zombies are from GW, I forget what the set was called, something like blightwalkers.

[@leonk.3739]

Thanks for the detailed tutorial. Which brush are you using in this video?

[@KujoPainting]

You're welcome! It's an element games regiment brush. They don't come in numbered sizes but it's essentially a size 1. It's a lot more rigid than other brands. I use it for about 90% of the stuff I paint.

[@leonk.3739]

@@KujoPainting Thanks for the quick reply. Do know of any similar brushes that are easier to get hold of in the EU?

[@KujoPainting]

@@leonk.3739 You could try davinci or Raphael.

[@blackedouthonda2263]

What paint brushes u use

[@KujoPainting]

I used to use the Element Games Regiment brushes all the time. But they kept pushing the price up so I switched to Escoda Reseva, the price is quite similar but the quality is better. They're a little smaller than standard sizes so if you want to try them out, probably best to buy a size larger than you're looking for.

[@hellonearth-thehistoryofwa1270]

I had that miniskirt

[@hellonearth-thehistoryofwa1270]

till have it atully

[@KujoPainting]

Must be a hella tight fit. It's only about 6mm across :D

[@hellonearth-thehistoryofwa1270]

@@KujoPainting they do come indifferent sizes, where you get the pattern? google?

[@b100draven]

what do you count as a saturated colour?

[@KujoPainting]

Something with a lot of vibrancy to it.

[@AzimuthWing]

Ain't nobody got time for that. Looks good but takes way too long to fit in my schedule.

[@KujoPainting]

Have you tried using a filofax?

[@SirMeowingCat]

ok weeb

[@KujoPainting]

(_*_)

[@SirMeowingCat]

@@KujoPainting uwu

[@KujoPainting]

@@SirMeowingCat ^_^

[@ClaptrapRapture]

Nice tutorial. Gotta say that model is cringeworthy and awkward as fuck though.

[@KujoPainting]

Oh? Why is that?

[@ClaptrapRapture]

@@KujoPainting the outfit appears to be suggesting a schoolgirl, and the skirt is so short I'm looking forward to your tutorial on how to paint white using her underwear as the subject.