Paint different skin tones for miniatures, suitable for beginners! No Airbrush needed!

[@daviddalglish9430]

I always gravitate towards heavily armoured minis because large areas of skin gives me the fear so this was great, cheers. I'd love a series of videos like this, especially one for making hair look natural and not like it's Lego hair 😂

[@MediocreHobbies]

Hahahhaha Lego hair. But yes hair is a great idea.

[@Justin-mp2il]

Justt that first coat of Duncan paint was amazing. I love these short form specific vids! This is awesome! Please do more!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Yes sir.

[@jamesyoung7400]

Honestly I think it may have been better if he had thinned the paint a little with some matte medium and left it as is with that, the contrast seems a bit too much.

[@watercreator]

I thought the EXACT thing

[@jw-novamedia]

I've got a lot of models I'm planning on painting, that are showing a lot of skin (mostly human skin), instead of painting two layers of gray undercoat and two layers of color with zero shading and depth. Is there any methods of making some visually pleasing skin with shading, and outfits/uniforms with also good shading? I'm still trying to get highlighting down, and how to correctly tie it to light sources and stuff. I heard one of the best beginner methods is to get a spray undercoat and just spray the model from above, using a white spray primer to simulate a light source. Do people use washes for skin, for larger models that are also heavy on skin? One last note, sort of new to mini painting any recommendations on any products to achieve these results? Right now I've got the Game Master RP Paint set, but I've got the Vallejo Basic Paint Set & Vallejo Grey Primer coming in soon. Down the line I'm thinking about the Vallejo Face/Skin Set, Citadel Reikland Fleshshade, Citadel Base Bugman's Glow, Citadel Layer Cadian Fleshtone, Citadel Layer Kislev Flesh.

[@MediocreHobbies]

I do use that method, I use black primer and then a coat of grey seer over it. If you’re looking for more detailed looking skin tips then remember the name of the channel 😄 I help people get models painted well fast, I’m not the right channel to go to for more detailed stuff that I showed in this video! I’d say keep watching videos and make notes of products you like the results of and slowly build up from there!

[@Sturmensky]

I realize I'm incredibly late on this video, but I just want to say, for any new viewers, that these tips are *incredibly* useful! Additionally, if you want to avoid the "floating muscles" *without* wet blending, I suggest doing what the video does, but include some intermediate layers between switching coats of paint, where you mix the original and the next paint together. In my experience, a 50/50 mix with some water (to help it flow and keep the mix slightly see-through) goes well! If you paint two layers of the mix, with the second being in a slightly smaller area, it does a good job of blending the transition between the colours. Naturally, if you want, you can go with an even finer gradient, too.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers for this pal.

[@theredestshirt9726]

Me getting done with work looks up any sort of tips on painting skin to improve my SM Captain i’m working on. Mediocore Hobbies channel at that moment: “Hey.”

[@MediocreHobbies]

😂😂😂 I am always one step ahead!

[@valaquenta220]

Hey there, thanks for this awesome video ! Say, can I use the same method for faces? I'd love that, as I'm about to order the paints you just mentioned. Thanks a lot !

[@MediocreHobbies]

Yes of course! Check out some of my other videos as well, there’s a few ones that might help you, plus a how to paint faces video too!

[@valaquenta220]

@@MediocreHobbies great, thanks a lot again !

[@martineasterman5170]

It's definitley helpful to have videos like this, but you can probably also self identify...so for example in the tyranids video you said..."I'm not going to show you how to paint teeth hoofs etc" and straightaway you'll have people hoping you'll do video showing how to do that. 😊

[@MediocreHobbies]

Oh for sure. It’s crazy lol. I have another one of style tyranid videos out tomorrow on some more schemes.

[@selnik9088]

Looks great! I can see myself coming back to this tutorial many times when painting skin. Thanks for the video

[@MediocreHobbies]

That's great to hear, glad it seems to have hit the spot with many people! if there's any other videos like this you'd like to see, let me know!

[@timbuktu8069]

I paint a lot of Amazons. I paint a LOT of skin.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Hahah I bet you do.

[@hoshi314]

question, if you are doing a female model, you use the same colors here or you have your own recipe?

[@MediocreHobbies]

No i would add more red or pink into the tones.

[@hoshi314]

@@MediocreHobbies i know it's kinda rude but...... color name pls? I know you're using two thin coats brand so i'll just do a color conversion chart but can i know the colors you might use?

[@moozer029]

It’s like you read my mind 😂

[@MediocreHobbies]

Haha great minds and all that! 😂

[@loganmulroney]

I've been struggling with flesh tones for a while, so this was well timed. Thank you for going through your skin tone technique =) I would love a little more discussion on how to select the dark, mid, and light tone combination ls of flesh colors

[@MediocreHobbies]

Ok I’m sure I can showcase that at some point.

[@Walker44800]

i thind it really hard for painting skin and this really helped thanks Andy. :)

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great to hear it helped.

[@wolfofwarYT]

Lol, that's an ork.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Haha I know, it’s just a good model for showing off skin really well!

[@wingwalker007]

Nice tutorial, I like the format. If the base layer and been lighter it would have worked so much better. I’m glad you recognised that the style is not for everyone, it’s not for me, it just looks weird.

[@MediocreHobbies]

So many different ways to paint. That’s the fun of it.

[@aaronjacobs462]

Definitely a useful video. I'm just about to embark on drukhari wyches and wracks

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great models. Hope the video will help you with them.

[@lukion27]

It looked to me that there was too much difference between the three color layers. The darker color left in the recesses was too dark compared to the next layer that went on top. It didn't make the figure look natural after the paint job was done. I would have thought that you would have mixed the first color with the second color and thinned the paint down to make a smoother transition. That's what I've seen other artists do (Dr. Faust in particular).

[@MediocreHobbies]

This was to show the triad system, not about mixing paints etc!

[@TheBeachboy300]

Great video! Would be great so see a video about skin on an smaller mini!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Have a look through my videos, beastmen and dwarfs etc have skin showing so those videos might help you

[@ZappyOh]

I would end the skin with a gloss or semigloss clear coat, to simulate moisture/sweat, and the slight subsurface scattering real skin has.

[@MediocreHobbies]

That’s a great idea. Thanks.

[@TheTrimble22]

Thought this was excellent, great step by step process and now also super tempted to paint up some creepy fleshy Orks...

[@MediocreHobbies]

Oh dear god please no. Although if you do I will absolutely NEED to see the nightmare fuel you create 😂 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@themainman2827]

This is how I have painted skin since I started the hobby, but I was missing one last light and the inks

[@MediocreHobbies]

Nice pal. Glad it helped.

[@bigdenopaints]

Use a bigger brush, my guy! Will halve your painting time!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Good call!

[@Outlawdave71]

great tutorial, painting tones of minis from the new he-man game from cmon, this is gonna help alot thank you

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great to hear and yes a lot of skin on those models. They look so good.

[@torok8974]

I feel like the volume isn't really well highlighted, it feels very flat afterall because your treated all muscles the same way everywhere

[@MediocreHobbies]

that's fair!

[@MiniMike_80]

Great to have videos like this. Helps a lot! You want input? Here you go: white/black armor, eyes, nmm, right shading… maybe not everything themes for beginners but definitely worth it to explain how to do it.

[@MediocreHobbies]

I’ve already done a video on white armour and black armour. Eyes is a good idea. I’m not a fan of nmm. I jay do you mean by right shading? And yes I do enjoy pushing it a little more on some videos. Glad you liked it.

[@MiniMike_80]

@@MediocreHobbies I don't know if I like nmm as honestly I don't know a video which explains it that I understand. For me always sounds too much effort - also when the results can be great! For shading I meant that there is more as just to DIP or wash your complete Mini with Dark or Soft Tone (or whatever Citadel Shade) but you can use different shades on the same Mini for different effects. Or also could be used ONLY in the recesses to get much better shadow lines. That was a real AHA effect for me as I saw this the first time. Or just some ideas how things could be washed - as I saw on your Vashtorr video. I never thought about to shade metallics with purple. But the effect is really amazing! I tried and I love it!

[@nickdavis5420]

Man I like these dudes especially if you did the whole army in the Celtic skin tone .

[@MediocreHobbies]

There so nice. You should check them out. Well worth your time.

[@kristophermccord5665]

I think this was great! Thanks Andy. I think I speak for everyone when I say a few videos like this are a great addition to the channel. Cheers

[@MediocreHobbies]

That is great to hear! I think it would really help to have videos like this to direct people towards if I explain things too quickly in a main tutorial! Thanks for the feedback!

[@koz1138]

Any recommendations for skin that isn’t as detailed? I paint a lot of Idoneth Deepkin and they basically have no muscle tone.

[@MediocreHobbies]

I’ve lots of skin schemes in tutorials, you just clicked on my one example of bringing it to a higher standard 😂

[@koz1138]

@@MediocreHobbiesfair! I believe I searched for “miniature painting skintone” and this was one of the first results. If nothing else it will definitely help when I start orks later this year. I just struggle with the skin on these silly sea elves, it’s so featureless. Like, do some curls, or something.

[@mikeh5722]

I was looking for a video on skin so short form is exactly what I was looking for

[@MediocreHobbies]

Glad you like it!

[@Skinofgod]

That was a cool focus on something that can help a lot of different minis. Thanks.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Anytime pal.

[@goprochef6352]

Gonna try this for ogryns and catachans!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great idea!

[@scroggie_mini_painting3983]

Cheers Andy. Loved the new style video that was focused on a single element. Love the normal video style equally tho. A detailed face video would be great to level that element up 👍🏼

[@MediocreHobbies]

I did do one on a giants face it in there somewhere and I did a custom one for my patreons like two weeks ago on the lions face.

[@scroggie_mini_painting3983]

@@MediocreHobbies I will need to sign up! Cheers

[@Adunapheth]

Amazing content as always. I'd love a video showing how you do your non-skin layering more in-depth for newbies.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great idea, thanks for that! Cheers for the kind words too, really appreciate it

[@MediocreHobbies]

I can for sure do that in the future.

[@kabrinski]

Great tutorial, love to see more like this where you focus on certain parts or techniques!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks Kab! Give me ideas for more videos like this! Would love to do more if people enjoy them!

[@Grognard-Solo-Gaming]

This was great! More like this would be much appreciated! 👍👏😁 Also: don’t forget about Journeys in Middle-earth 😂

[@MediocreHobbies]

Will do! Any suggestions? 😂 I haven’t, I’ve been having a look online 😉

[@Grognard-Solo-Gaming]

@@MediocreHobbies Hmm, I don’t know, I 100% like the way you keep things simple, so perhaps more detail isn’t what I’m looking for. And you already made a video about painting faces. Because I was thinking it makes sense applying more effort the more central to the mini the thing is. But if you have any little known, quick and easy, tips or tricks for something like undead, nurgle-like, cloth, wood, leather, shields, or weapons, that would be great. Maybe a video about prioritizing where to put effort in general? I heard someone (Vince Venturella, I think) talk about the order, like: 1 face, 2 what’s in the hands 3…, I don’t quite remember. But I feel like that would suit your channel and style. Because, like I’ve said before, I think you’re hands down the best when it comes to effort vs results (20/80).

[@MediocreHobbies]

@@Grognard-Solo-Gaming that's a great idea about where to put the effort in-yes people definitely focus on certain parts of the model when they pick it up for a look and that tiny part you spend ages trying to get right might not even been seen unless it's for a competition :D I'll have a think about quick tips for different textures like wood, leather etc, thank you so much for those suggestions! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment those suggestions!

[@benhayden9198]

Liked the short form tutorial 👍

[@MediocreHobbies]

Awesome.

[@redboxer-ux5qw]

Most aren't that big

[@MediocreHobbies]

I did it on a larger model so it's easier to show the steps on camera.

[@gregmurray4169]

Looks great! I like the short form.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Good to know. Thanks pal.

[@jmc7034]

Great vid. Would love to see more

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal. You will don’t worry.

[@R3deye119]

Looks amazing to me

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks so much

[@HellFish907]

I think it looks great

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal.

[@jonthetall1]

Super helpful! Thanks!!!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Great to hear that, thanks so much!

[@fmkmusic]

Certainly appreciated to have some more specific tutorials in the mix with the whole mini walkthroughs, I can see myself enjoying both equally.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Awesome to hear that feedback! Please let me know if there’s any specific things you’d like to see if I did a series of more in depth techniques!

[@charlieirving1290]

After seeing you paint some ogryns on twitch I've wanted to see this!😊

[@MediocreHobbies]

Oh nice! Glad I could show you more then! Always looking for more suggestions like this so let me know if there’s anything else I can do!

[@hughmac7423]

Looks good

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks man!

[@mchup40]

Love it

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks so much!

[@bigfluff73]

Good video but I wouldn't say this technique is suitable for beginners. It requires good brush control and precision with thinning the paint.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Well my other videos on skin is for beginners getting started. This one is for you to take it a step further. So it may require practise but I think it’s worth the effort. And I work from a wet pallet so anybody can use that.

[@BeeptheLesser]

I’m a fan of the short form close-ups on specific stages of painting minis

[@MediocreHobbies]

Yeah I think I'll do more, just need some suggestions!

[@Hello-1814]

Very good video and thanks for making this easy to see!

[@MediocreHobbies]

Thanks so much!

[@sweatilaa5325]

Good core video of how to paint skin in general without being too complicated :) But the title, "Paint different skin tones" and then we end up with the same old European dude color :/ Painting different skin tones, or any skin tone, can be a bit intimidating and failing at it can be very disheartening. But at the same time it's really rewarding, allows you to pick from more factions in more games, and allow you to give the models more personality and individuality. I've been playing a wild west game recently and realized that I had no idea of how to paint the indians/ native americans and the only guidance on the internet was an old blog post from 2004. But it felt so rewarding and like such an accompaniment when I finally managed to figure out a good recipe to represent the tribes of the indians who lived, and in some cases still live, in what was the wild west areas. Suddenly the game is much more alive and it doesn't look "wrong". I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to practice painting skin since it improves quite a lot of skills all at once, and when you learn how it suddenly isn't as daunting as it once was AND it will make your paint job look a lot better without too much extra effort :) Paint all your leftover heads or other exposed body parts, buy a Catachan kit, a Conquest Jotnar kit, or any other kit with a lot of visible skin and practice, that's what I did. In the end, it ain't much different than painting regular organic materials :)

[@MediocreHobbies]

The idea of the video is that you can use the same system to paint any skin tone-I'm just using one single example of what I'm most familiar with painting as it's my own skin tone and it represents myself, a European dude. People can use the technique to represent any skin tone they want over various models. I wanted to show that 3 paints is all you need if you're using this technique, and you don't need a separate tutorial for each skin tone. Totally agree with practicing on spare parts etc, it helps a lot!

[@sweatilaa5325]

​@@MediocreHobbies sorry if I came across as annoyed, I'm mostly just tired. But it seems like a classic case of mismanaged expectations. I thought it would show a few different types of skin while your intention was a general "how to paint skin in general without any unnecessary faff" video. It was a good watch regardless, something that looks great on the table and still good up close :)

[@Alf_Hairy-arse]

I personally like this format.

[@MediocreHobbies]

Cheers pal.