Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) Sword Tutorial (Loaded Brush Technique)

Speed painting a non-metallic metal sword using the loaded brush technique. I only use two primary colors and a "kick" color glaze.
This was a fun video to make!
I hope this is useful for those who want to see this approach up-close (and in slow-mo). Loaded brush wet blending is a fast technique to add contrast, and with practice can become the foundation for many other projects. Swords and other flat surfaces are the best place to start learning and using this technique.
Materials in this video:
Brush - amzn.to/3kOf7uf or shrsl.com/2ix0b
Wet palette - amzn.to/3kRxDly
Scalecolor Abysmal Blue - amzn.to/36n0J8v
Scalecolor White Sands - amzn.to/2EEToWi
For more information and other miniature work, visit: tangibleday.com/
For more NMM details, visit: tangibleday.co...
For the best brushes for miniature painting: tangibleday.co...
For my recommendation for lights and lamps: tangibleday.co...
If you enjoyed this video, have a suggestion or feedback, please let me know by commenting below.
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Affiliate disclosure: I am a participant in the affiliate programs for Amazon Services LLC Associates, KEH Camera, Fun.com, Blick Art Materials, and other company partners. These programs are designed to provide a means for me to earn revenue by linking to the above affiliated sites.

[@1death22]

I don't normally comment on videos, but you made this technique so easy to understand and your shots were clear and focused. Thanks so much, will definitely be checking out more of your stuff :)

[@MarkAnthonyHenderson]

That technique is a game-changer for me. Thanks!

[@tangibleday]

Welcome! It’s so fun to use too :)

[@GlossRabban]

Really like that it has a "painterly" feel, and not just perfect and smooth blends. I like that you can see'ish the brush strokes, which gives it a rough look.

[@sophovot5079]

I understood and used loaded brush for the first time thanks to you! Looks good!

[@tangibleday]

Great to hear!

[@MisterMiyagi-sy1ir]

Ho-lee-crap. I was just browsing youtube a bit after a painting session and you had me re-do the sword on my mini. Took me 5 minutes and it looks way better. Amazing technique. Subscribed.

[@tangibleday]

Hah yeah I love this approach :) thanks for the support !

[@PetitLouplechat]

best tutorial i have seen on that specific technique, thanks !

[@tangibleday]

Yeah I prefer the short and to the point videos myself so I’ve been trying to make more this way :). Of course, this nmm one seems to be a favorite!

[@martingross6748]

All your technique methods are so helpful! Great job. Good luck 😊

[@tangibleday]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@elbanditouk]

Excellent tutorial - thanks.

[@tangibleday]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful!

[@happihours7777]

My jaw DROPPED when I saw your technique. Amazing video!

[@tangibleday]

Simple and looks pretty good I think. Thanks for the happy comment ! I appreciate your thoughts!

[@FortPlz]

Thanks for a clear and concise tutorial!

[@tangibleday]

You're welcome!

[@Dragon-ig2me]

Nice video

[@Dylanquinn666]

The epic music and slow motion when he was loading the brush was hilarious to me for some reason. Also, great tutorial, thanks.

[@tangibleday]

D Quinn that’s a sign you were engaged :) better than boring?

[@pootnannies]

nice tutorial. i like how you showed exactly what to do with the brush. thanks!

[@Michael-pg1vz]

I was always affraid about NMM. Fantastic video Greetings from Germany

[@tangibleday]

Cool! Yes Don’t worry :) the key is to have fun and try new things. Even if it’s a small thing like blending two colors on a tiny sword. I’m very happy this was helpful.

[@MentoliptusBanko]

Great video. Explains the technique and produces an awesome result. Thanks!

[@ashfield4313]

When you had the "High Resolution" photo my connection signal got low, dropped the quality to 480p, and I thought it was you trolling.

[@kurogiza]

I absolutely need to get some practice with this technique. The way you achieve the blend with white (of all colors!) is amazing, I always have trouble blending with it. That sword ends up looking phenomenal!

[@tangibleday]

Chris Venter thanks! It takes practice and is easier on flat surfaces, like swords. Thanks for commenting!!

[@youtousim]

Awesome tutorial, thanks! Would recommend adding secondary reflections though for Character models.

[@hickorystone]

I feel like I learned so much with this video, yet still so far away. Thank you for the awesome tutorial!

[@devorer77]

cool

[@teknofonix]

What a great instructional video..I was a bit scared of trying NMM but you make it look very straightforward... I am definitely going to have a go at this technique ...thank you

[@tangibleday]

Thank you! Let me know how it goes :)

[@jacekkochanowski8016]

Very good. My inspiration👍😉

[@tangibleday]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@jacekkochanowski8016]

@@tangibleday No. I thank U. For this tutorial.

[@Peanutz75]

So I am doing my bladeguards power weapons all differenr colors and following light saber colors (blue, yellow, green, purple, red and finally black) this is exactly what i want to achieve for the black one but the technique feels hard to master , and i dont have kolinsky brushes. Thanks for the great instructional video though!

[@federico1263]

Many thanks. I will try the same technique doing a green glow power hammer on my sequitors.

[@tangibleday]

Federico galdenzi cool! Let me know how it goes :)

[@AlwaysDrawing2012]

Amazing!

[@juniojc]

Incredible technique and the result its fantasctic. I wannt to try It on my miniatures 😋

[@tangibleday]

Thank you. I'm glad you found this helpful :D

[@alexisrabago907]

great detail tutorial

[@mininicksmith716]

Wow.... Wish I saw this sooner. Cant wait to try this out

[@tangibleday]

Totally :) - let me know if you have any issues. I kept the video short on purpose

[@mininicksmith716]

@@tangibleday bless you, first of your videos that u have seen. I will be sure to watch alot more. :)

[@tangibleday]

@@mininicksmith716 awesome. Kindly check the blog for more info too ! I’m slowly working through making more videos - all of which are based on the articles on the website

[@kylemeehan5423]

Great explanations and perspective, thank you for this.

[@tangibleday]

Kyle Meehan thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)

[@josku5]

I tried to find a good way to blend and do nmm and this is perfect for swords!

[@tangibleday]

Thanks. I’m glad this was helpful!

[@allencolwell3140]

Very nice tutorial. Thank you!!

[@tangibleday]

Allen Colwell thank you! I’m always open to feedback good or bad ;).

[@allencolwell3140]

@@tangibleday I'm just getting into the hobby and I'm loving it so far.

[@EdsEverydayAdventures]

Very cool!

[@apollolinaire2607]

Tried my first NMM sword this afternoon, the light was not so great so the results are not as I hoped they would. Your tutorial's going right into my fav forlder!

[@tangibleday]

Awesome! I’m glad you found this helpful!

[@miguelnorthway]

This is great, will try it asap!

[@tangibleday]

Miguel C great! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Took me a while to figure out how to film this close to the brush :)

[@miguelnorthway]

@@tangibleday I hate nmm it takes so much time but you make it look easy and quite fast. Keep up the good work. I'm subscribing!

[@superspecky4eyes]

Wow, looks great. I shall be trying this on my next project!

[@tangibleday]

Cool ! Thanks ;) def give it a try. This changed a lot of how I paint nmm surfaces

[@superspecky4eyes]

@@tangibleday I've only attempted NMM once before, as I've only been mini painting for a year or so I'm excited to see how this turns out.

[@superspecky4eyes]

@@tangibleday Just wanted to let you know I tried this loaded brush technique for the first time and it looked great! It was so quick and simple! Thank you.

[@tangibleday]

@@superspecky4eyes it’s fun to do too !

[@niallcampbell]

Going to give this a try this afternoon- I think it’ll work really well with the Horus Heresy miniatures!

[@tangibleday]

Hi! Did you give it a try? How'd it work out?

[@niallcampbell]

@@tangibleday Yup! Not perfect but a darn sight better than I’ve tried before haha.

[@tangibleday]

@@niallcampbell oh cool. I’m really glad it helped. Lots of people like this approach. It’s pretty fast and looks good once you get the hang of it!

[@willy03yo]

This helped me out so so much you are a saint!

[@tangibleday]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@frannyfranfrancis]

Wow! This is a hidden gem of a channel! Sub'd and notifications on! That loaded brush technique made that sword look like a Renaissance artist did it! Dont mind me as I binge watch your entire video catslog!

[@tangibleday]

Damion Francis Iol thank you.

[@tangibleday]

Anything in particular that I can film to help?

[@nikos_xenios]

This must be one of the best tutorials I've ever watched. Clean and informative. Great work!!

[@tangibleday]

Nikos Xenitakis wow thanks! I’m in the middle of a move but I hope to make more using the same camera work.

[@tonystanley8186]

Great tutorial. This is absolutely a technique I need to work with more. I will say, and you did in the video too, that a good brush is crucial to this working. If the brush won't hold a tip then this technique fails completely, which is my current issue - I need better brushes!

[@rom1gee]

Magnifique

[@aburdett9858]

such a nice tutorial, clear iv subbed

[@tangibleday]

Aleks Ssi thank you!

[@user-eg1lp1gc7o]

Божественно!

[@LandvaettrsLair]

Thanks for the tutorial, found it very useful!

[@tangibleday]

awesome I'm glad!

[@johnandreadis2120]

Great technique video. Send us more !!

[@tangibleday]

Thanks! Any suggestions? I have a few ideas. Just had kids it’s hard to work on these but will try!

[@tangibleday]

John Andreadis oh you can check out my blog for other tips and techniques for things. Link in the description.

[@johnandreadis2120]

I'm in the same condition referring to time and energy. I ve seen your blog. It led me here :) . About ideas , Eyes, Face, Colour pallet choices . If wet blending and nmm is like that ,I think you can do anything actually. Don't know if you are into airbrushing etc. I personally like that you go straight into point without fanfare and you direct viewers focus informative along with high def video. GG.

[@tangibleday]

John Andreadis you’re inspiring me to try :) it will arrive just a little slow

[@johnandreadis2120]

No , you are inspiring us. Better late than... Crom is watching us ! Crom doesn't care who wins, Crom enjoys battle... So fight and the hell with Crom :)

[@MiniPainterGamerDadD20]

Wow this is amazing work! I'm going to give this a try soon!

[@tangibleday]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video :)

[@ramza813]

dude this is AMAZING. cant wait to try it!! I have all those colors (except the ink)!!

[@tangibleday]

Isn’t it cool!? I’m glad you enjoyed this. Let me know if you have any questions with it. It’s hard to film and show the exact way to move the brush and all of that.

[@tangibleday]

Btw the ink is optional. You can try and use really thinned regular paint as a glaze.

[@ramza813]

@@tangibleday nope the way you filmed it shows in detail the method and how it is performed. Thank you for the upload. I've always struggled with NMM

[@JayAndNightASMR]

Really great tutorial if you want to paint an army nnm and don't want to do 500 layers of glazes

[@tangibleday]

Jay and Night ASMR thanks! It took a long time to edit this video :) glad you found it useful !

[@MrBadkarma71]

One of the best tutorials on how to easily paint a magical/power weapon, thanks I'll def be using this method in the future :)

[@tangibleday]

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful. I have a two year old, so it’s been hard to get make more of these videos. But, it’s certainly in the works :) stay tuned

[@matsmith3482]

I mean, this is ridiculous. I might try it on my GK force weapons

[@tangibleday]

Hah I assume in a good way! Thanks :) here’s a good tutorial too - > tangibleday.com/how-to-paint-power-swords-and-weapons/#Damon_Rooneys_Top_Tips_for_Painting_Power_Swords_and_Weapons

[@lanesteele240]

this is something i could accomplish, i cant sit there and paint like some of those guys where they paint for 5 min and you cant tell where they put the paint......

[@tangibleday]

Yup. It’s simple and fast!!! Looks good enough too :)

[@Sturgeostic2444]

What if i do not have an airbrush for a larger surface?

[@tangibleday]

You don’t need an airbrush for this - just use a larger brush. Should work the same :)

[@Sturgeostic2444]

@@tangibleday :)

[@antroz321703]

What sorcery is this

[@daviddillabough]

ben komets would be proud

[@tangibleday]

David Dillabough I I am but a shadow of the Master... glad you enjoyed this :)

[@adrienwallet5604]

Thanks a lot, I just try to do it and I m very proud of the result...! Wich brush do you use?

[@tangibleday]

Artis Opus and a Winsor and Newton both size #1!

[@otavioroz5494]

Hi, what is the number of the brush used in this video?

[@tangibleday]

Size #1 pointed round (Artis Opus S-series brush, which is similar to a Winsor Newton Series 7 of the same size). tangibleday.com/artis-opus-brushes-in-depth-review/

[@Mistshinobi]

SWEEP THE LEG

[@BarringtonDailey]

Good turorial but, what's with the ridiculous volume on the music - can't even think let alone watch the vid!

[@tangibleday]

oops, will try to lower it

[@athunderstryke]

You could lower the volume?

[@tangibleday]

@@athunderstryke I did

[@athunderstryke]

Tangible Day I meant “lower the volume” to the person who wrote the original comment.

[@tangibleday]

@@athunderstryke Oh hah, true. That would have been the easy, fast fix :D

[@sadohenker]

Looks good on the stand. Don't know if it looks good on the mini. You pretty much skipped the difficult part, but okay.

[@tangibleday]

sadohenker thanks! You can check out what it looks like when you use this approach on a mini on the blog. Oh, what difficult part?

[@tangibleday]

www.google.com/amp/s/tangibleday.com/gallery/amp/

[@sadohenker]

@@tangibleday Oh! Nice work. Your minis realy look awesome! The difficult part: The color of the shine of the reflection. Which should be yellowish, not blueish, greenish if you use it as a weapon for an imperial fist commander p.e., as he is which will reflect on the sword. And the position of the shine in correspondence with the rest of the lighting on the mini.

[@tangibleday]

sadohenker got it. Yeah this was merely a tutorial to start from :)

[@1who4me]

Swords don’t look like that. Look at a real sword to see how reflections work. Don’t use carbon copy cookie cutter methods if you want a real look

[@tangibleday]

Excellent ! Glad this helped :)