Realistic skin tones with no fuss

[@GRGMiniatures]

OK, so I should probably clarify what I mean by 'simple' and 'no fuss': Good looking skin is a complicated beast, with oodles of very subtle tonal variation, both on one person, and across all the natural skin tones. There are simpler ways to get 'passable' skin, but I wanted to show really varied and interesting skin in the easiest way I could. None of the steps in this require much skill, just a bit of airbrush control (no tricksy wet blending or glazing or anything), and there are a few paints, but that's to get all the variety we need, without relying on subtle colour mixing, which is the sort of thing I would consider more advanced. I think things seem more complicated because I interlaced the darker and lighter skin tone processes. I made a Short of the lighter skin tones (darker ones coming soon!) that hopefully demonstrates that in reality, this is just a bunch of simple airbrushing and an oil wash! Check it out here: kzbin.info7KeFE0UdrSA?feature=share

[@leeperry7068]

Honestly glad you said this, as I was going to question the idea that this was simple and no fuss... in terms of steps involved at least. The results look great though! I'd love to see what you would choose to do if you had like 3 or at most 4 steps to painting a nice head, more of a speed paint version of this.

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

Have to admit, I followed Boris Vallejo in one of his collected art books, when he said he told students not to look at the colours he used when painting skin, but WHERE he used them to shade or highlight the tones. Took me YEARS to get the same result on my minis, as Boris isn't a mini painter, but a superb fantasy/sci-fi artist, so time, practice and patience beyond my wildest dreams eventually paid off in the end. I've been in the hobby for just over 50 years,, and have always wanted to work with an airbrush, but everyone I've asked for advice on where to start go into what I can only describe as an auto-erotic lecture on their fantasy airbrush set up/system, leaving me even more de-motivated than before I approached them for advice. Any idea what affordable set up would do for someone my age (I'm almost 60 years old now), who still wants to further his hobby? I don't have a lot of space/money (I have to use my dinner table for all my painting, and spray minis in the back garden), so I need help finding a set-up that won't need a special air filtration system or take up too much room, and is under €500 complete, as I'm looking for a beginner level set-up, not a professional one. Any help will be wonderful :-)

[@andrewamann2821]

​@@MrCrystalwarrior1 I'm not in the EU, so the pricing bit is out of my depth, but you can find a basic starter airbrush set for a not-awful amount of money. Try to find a kit with a gravity feed airbrush, as the siphon fed varieties, at this price point, are notoriously finicky, and want a boatload of paint to run properly (wisdom earned, on my part...). Get yourself a bit of high-grit sandpaper, as well, so you can make sure you've got a clean finish on your needle, and so you can cleanup any catch points in the action, if they need it. As far as particulates and filtration, they do make portable hoods to work in, but you can also just get creative with a bit of plywood or cardboard, a furnace filter, a box fan, and some straps. It's not the prettiest solution, but it gets the job done, just make sure you give it a bit of ducting around the exhaust side of the system, to minimize the amount of paint pulled around your setup, instead of through it. As far as the compressor, get one with a tank, output regulator, and a moisture/oil trap. You can always upgrade to something a bit more accurate later, but if they aren't present, you're going to want to install those traps in-line with the setup. This sort of setup isn't the end-all, be-all, but it should take you a pretty long way, until you want to start doing fine freehand work, in which case, yeah, shelling out for an Iwata, Badger, Grex, or similar, is a worthwhile investment, but learning the operating principles, and body mechanics, on a cheaper tool makes mistakes a lot less expensive. As far as sourcing, if you have a discount tool place nearby (we have Harbor Freight, here in the states...), They will generally have a hobby section, and you might find something worthwhile there. If you don't, Amazon is usually pretty good for a poke around to find what you're looking for. Hope that helps...

[@leeperry7068]

@@MrCrystalwarrior1 I have a nice regular airbrush I rarely get out... then a couple years ago I grabbed an "Autolock cordless airbrush kit" off Amazon for $70 and use it ALL the damn time. I bought a second even... then at one point I dropped it and it shattered and I got a third. They're really damn good for 90% of what you need an airbrush for. They come with a .3mm needle, iirc, don't mess with that, just use what it comes with, but spend like $5 on a couple spare needles and nozzles and you're good.

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

@@leeperry7068 SWEET!!! I'm going to look into this today, as the airbrush sets I've seen here for sale in Ireland come in at around €1500 for a basic set-up. I'd only use an airbrush about once at month, max, so need something MUCH more economical and easy to use than all the expensive ones model shops here sell. Cheers for the info, and for all the help you've given me :-)

[@Edheldui]

That is genuinely useful. I painted an Amazons blood bowl team just two days ago, my first proper try at a dark skin tone, and had quite a lot of trouble getting the reds in, they ended up looking more desaturated than i anticipated, but looking forward to use this method next time.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Love to hear it!

[@davidstone3698]

Delightful as always! The “clown” look you mentioned has been a lifesaver for years for me! It’s why I don’t dread painting faces like many painters!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Good what little technical tricks can open up, eh? :)

[@stevepickford3004]

I do the same thing but with a red T over eyes and nose

[@rainerhorbach8903]

I'm currently in the process of pinting arround 50 Neophytes and couldn't be more grateful for these tips!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Super happy you found this useful :))

[@Kelann08]

Outstanding video on the nature of skin tones and techniques to achieve them. That's a whole video on it's own, but to show how you achieve it, and with such ease, at the same time is a real accomplishment. I really felt like this is something I can achieve and loved watching you do it. I'm shocked I hadn't come across your channel before but you're doing amazing content and I'm now a fan and follower. Thanks!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you so much!

[@S.A.S.H.]

Great guide and results. As a first-timer to your channel I'll be wanting to watch more of your work for sure.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you! 😊

[@theChistu]

This is a great practical lesson with a lot of useful theory; can't wait to try it out!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Love to hear it! Good luck!

[@marshallhunter4193]

I enjoyed this style of video, even if I dinnae currently use an airbrush. The overall colour placement your using is useful for myownself in learning how to properly setup for painting a large amount of the heads on some of my models.. and seems to apply to much of the model with skin showing like say a squad of dwarf slayers... Thanks much for the great tutorial.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Awesome, thank you!

[@tomsmith5936]

Lol, no fuss? That's the most involved and multi stepped process for skin I've ever seen... Not many people will own that amazing range of inks and paints for example. Still very interesting to watch and great result though!

[@matthewbull3688]

They look awesome, but I have questions! 1. What steps would you for matching skin elsewhere, like arms, chest, legs? 2. What would you change for regular humans or space marines, not GSC? 3. Would these results clash with a mini that has a different bold colour (e.g. space marine armour), like blue, green, orange, etc? I'm thinking that the shadow isn't the same, so may look off?

[@GloriousMiniatures]

I do enjoy painting these heads and I love the results you had! I'm a big fan of the 3 primary colours when painting the skin, although, they tend to be glazes with me. I'll have to give your method a try next time!

[@jacobdjurhuus300]

Thank you for this useful video. great to see a video that does not GW paints :)

[@SweenyMarc]

Techniques beyond my current skill level, but those final glamour shots were incredible. Seeing the little crocodile clips holding the sprues reminded me, it's not as swanky a video subject as your great painting but a video or two on materials, tools, mixing ratios cleaning methods etc would be really helpful for a lot of newer painters.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Promise the only thing in this that takes any real skill is a liiiiiitle bit of trigger control on the airbrush, and then some steady-hand work for the eyes. But it's super simple! Equipment run-down and 101 is a great idea, thanks!

[@mr.m12345]

When you put the red, yellow and blue primary colors on, i was yelling "wtf are you doing! you ruined it!" But then i relaxed because I had already seen the final product and was really curious how you were going to get there after the clown paint. Good job!

[@GRGMiniatures]

🤡😁

[@andrewamann2821]

If you want to get really wild, look into a technique called "deadlighting." It's a portraiture technique where your initial underpainting is done entirely in blues, blacks, and whites, with the subsequent fleshy colors built over it. Good stuff, if you're looking for a bit more of a darker, indoor environmental light.

[@jackprocino]

Just bought the Combat Patrol! Perfect timing

[@GRGMiniatures]

Sweet! That's what I'm working on as well :D

[@BrooksSligh]

Nice work! I've always favored the idea of bare heads on my Marines (they have stone bones & transhuman physiology, nothing that would be deflected by a faceplate wouldn't be deflected by their ceramite bones and anything else wouldn't be stopped by either. Unless they're dealing with hard vacuum or prefer the auto-senses to the Emprah's genetic mastery of their augmented senses I can't see a reason buckets would be mandatory) but while slapping a wash on a base might work for armor it loses out on skin. Excellent technique with the inks & oils, I really need to go pick some of those up at the craft store.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Trips to the art & craft shop 😍 Yeah, in the end I just like painting bare heads and having that extra little bit of variety in a squad 🤷‍♂️

[@TheFriendlyLorekeeper]

Epic guide here - thanks so much - I always struggle with skin tones and these look amazing!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thanks!

[@WoodImp]

Always good to see solid colour theory in work. Great stuff mate, awesome result

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you! 😊

[@trentonbaird8956]

Anytime I hear Wintergatan, it’s an instant like. Thank you.

[@GRGMiniatures]

I've used this tune in nearly every vid I've ever made, and it still makes me dance in my seat when I'm editing 😂

[@legionact1]

Again, thank you for the tip! Found the curage to started my Genesteler army. Thanks to you

[@superthrowdown1]

Nearly broke my finger clicking so fast on this video! great tutorial sir

[@GRGMiniatures]

Haha, thanks! But also, you need the clicking finger, so be careful! :P

[@yagsipcc287]

Great video :-) people can cut some steps out to get almost as good results as well if they are in more of a rush or for skill level :-) I always never have black! as a shadow colour on anything it could be blues, purples, even greens in shadows this applies to everything. As far as skin goes I always start from a dark base with lighter and lighter tones, I always use Magenta or a different red colour as well be it washes or oils and sometimes I will do bit more oil work on bigger heads and blend them out (busts of bigger chunky model heads for minis)

[@felixarbable]

would be interesting to see how you go about painting skin on the rest of the models, like the acos have quite allot of skin on show

[@GRGMiniatures]

Hi Felix. I've got another vid on skin tones on my channel -- pretty different approach on that one, but might be worth checking out!

[@felixarbable]

@@GRGMiniatures yeh im also taking on a gsc army and wondering how im gonna tie in the heads to the rest of the acolyte bodies especially with varying skin tones. Ill just go for it i think. I will check out the other video!

[@DoktorBeta]

i'm 3 months late but the yellow on top is not only "sunny yellow" light from above, it's actually the color of skull bone showing through the skin of forehead

[@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.

[@DobbsyLondon]

@09:20 can be summarised, contrast shows shapes, I enjoyed your tutorial delivery. Kind thanks.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Zzrik]

I would like to see a video where you do this stuff with brushes,for those of us who haven't purchased airbrushes yet.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Stay tuned..... ;)

[@iGamerNewb]

Gorgeous results but I’m curious to know what you think for non airbrush owners. Do you believe similar results can be achieved in using contrast paints as they can layer over opaquely and show previous colour layers?

[@GRGMiniatures]

If speed was key I might go for dry brushing for the 'opaque' steps like the peach-pink on the light skin tones, and then glazes for the earth-tone filters and the like. I might be tempted to give it a go myself, just to see how it translates...

[@oliverwhite5778]

Hi, great video. Do you mix your inks with Matt varnish?

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you! I do. It solves a few issues all at once: more body to the inks makes rhem easier to work with, thinned a little for more gentle control, and changing the finish to matte, which is my preferred finish :)

[@mightyblowstudio]

This is ace! 👍

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you!

[@-moongorilla-]

While there's more steps to the process than you might need for tabletop standard skin, I think it is still simple - I'm a new painter, a bit scared of painting faces, but I can see myself giving this a go! Results won't be as good as yours, but how else am I going to get better? Was wondering if you had any thoughts on how you would modify the steps to give them more of a green tinge (e.g. pthalo deep green, not so much a sickly green)? Would it be more of a fundamental change, or just swapping a couple of things up? Was thinking about making a GSC Necromunda gang soon. Btw, I think the dark grey you blocked in for the masks/goggles actually looks really good - it looks pretty realistic, and lets the colours in the skin really shine! Appreciate the short as well - great little refresher for when you're trying to follow along

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thanks! You can use green as the first base colour for skin tones and it can yield fantastic results. That would be on the subtler end of the scale. If you want something really greenish, incorporate the colour in later steps, e.g. filters.

[@-moongorilla-]

@@GRGMiniatures thanks for the reply, will give it a shot! Variation in subtlety is actually a really good idea for GSC!

[@Chris-lr2qb]

How would you cut this down if you just had 1-2 guys to do in a squad, but still wanted a good effect?

[@GRGMiniatures]

Honestly, I don't think I would. If everything was in place and ready to go, 2 heads from bare plastic to all skin done (but not eyes or random bits on the head) would probably take me about the time it takes to watch this video, maybe plus some drying time for some layers, which seems a fair investment of time to me.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Or....ok, here is the super simplified version 😅 kzbin.info7KeFE0UdrSA?feature=share

[@torn.blue.sky101]

I was going to say; "Wait...the motion footage is better showing than the pictures..." 😅 Very tidy tutorial, nailed all the essential must use colours. Aced it :D

[@davidhitchcock2495]

Because there are layers of both oils and acrylics, what are you sealing these with?

[@GRGMiniatures]

I only ever varnish plastic minis for aesthetic reasons (because I want a matte finish, normally), so nothing. But one the oils are fully cured (for a thin wash like this a day should be fine) you can use acrylic anything (paints, varnishes, inks) no problem

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

I don't have an airbrush set up, so this video doesn't exactly help me, but I LOVE the finished results you achieve here :-) I use Foundry Skin Tones set for most of my skin tones, mixing them together or using them in their three stage tones, and really enjoy how many different skin tones I get as a result.

[@joel6376]

Buy one of those newish all in one battery powered type deals. 200% worth it, particularly for how cheap they are.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Promise you won't regret getting an airbrush if you do. Takes some getting used to, but makes so many jobs faster and easier, and a few jobs just plain better!

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

@@joel6376 They do BATTERY powered airbrushes? It's a LONG time since I tried using an old Badger single action airbrush, so I'm out of the loop with most of today's products, but now you've REALLY got my interest. If only they did self-cleaning ones too :->

[@WoodImp]

What are you thinning your oils with by the way, turps?

[@GRGMiniatures]

Basically yes. There's lots of names, but odorless mineral spirits is what it says on my bottle. Going to experiment with different options when this bottle is done though!

[@adrienbarbier5771]

Very nice tutorial !

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you, Adrien. Glad you enjoyed!

[@secondbreakfast3802]

Awesome video! Very handy

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thank you! :D

[@CaptinCrofty]

Are you using matt vanish for any specific reason? i have liquitex matt vanish and matt medium are they interchangeable? great tips, the clown effect is magic!

[@Midean9]

inks generally have a very glossy finish. like, really glossy. varnish to cut that.

[@CaptinCrofty]

@@Midean9 but dosent matt medium do that?

[@GRGMiniatures]

Matte medium will cut down the shine as well, for sure. I fond the matte varnish gets the inks super locked in durability-wise. I don't usually have problems with inks rubbing off during the oil wash cleaning, but it doesn't hurt to be extra careful. If you only have medium, that'll do the job just as well, varnish is just my go-to

[@CaptinCrofty]

@@GRGMiniatures thanks for the reply. yep that makes sense considering it’s followed up by oils

[@derekstiles5801]

I would argue that using oil paints while simple at times is not something most mini painters are still familiar with. I’m less likely to try this because I need a lot of practice with oils first.

[@gribblegreeble]

that's a lot of steps and paints and techniques for "no fuss" but some of them looked very nice.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Cheers! For me, if 99% of the process is just spritzing with the airbrush and blobbing on paint, it's no fuss, but I can see how the number of steps might seem a little crazy. Skin is a complicated beast though!

[@blazrun2742]

>otherworldly skin >all fuss breddy gud lookin dudes tho

[@fadetoblack1026]

10:11 Why do they all look like Bill Hader?

[@sshim950]

Impressive!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Thanks!

[@stunthumb]

To me they almost look like they're from a videogame, like if they remade Speedball2 from the 90's. Regardless they look great!

[@legionact1]

damn helpful!

[@GRGMiniatures]

Love to hear, thank you!

[@TheAlmightyPillock]

As somone who is planning a Genstealer cult, where the purestrain have light grey skin, and the 4th gen have deep brown to black, I REALLY apprecaite you creating this tutorial....just a shame I don't have a airbrush

[@GRGMiniatures]

Stay tuned. Might have you covered in the next vid ;)

[@TheAlmightyPillock]

@@GRGMiniatures thank you! that will make my life so much easier. I may have over done it and baught 3 comabt patrols 3 differnt Necromunda gangs....I bit off mroe than my painting skills can currerntly manage

[@Chrisbo123]

awesome techniques but not what i would call "no fuss". There are some really advanced techniques (Airbrushing, undershading, blending) involved which makes the result look stunningly good but not something a beginner could just try and do without any fuss. Maybe my definition of the term no fuss is just off

[@GRGMiniatures]

Not off, but maybe my definition is a bit different. I pinned a comment at the top that goes into what I mean :)

[@andrewamann2821]

Any State-side newbie can pick up an airbrush and compressor from Harbor Freight for less than $150... And I think less than $100, if I recall correctly, but I don't remember what I paid for mine... Undercoating is the standard operating procedure for painting with acrylic, undershading is just that, but with more variation in color choices. I might grant you blending, but it's not as necessary as you might think, since working in thin layers will generally be enough to get your desired results. The subtleties of the processes require some thought, practice, and effort, but time behind the brushes is a far better teacher than just watching videos. A newbie can do most of this readily with a couple of good brushes, and a bit of effort.

[@Chrisbo123]

@@andrewamann2821 brush control; airbrush control. Both essentials for the work on such small surfaces as 28mm faces. These come with years of practice and arent just „buy an airbrush for auto-win“ as your comment suggests. Also color theory and knowing when to work with which paints in which consistency is an art in and of itself. Dont get me wrong, the vid is highly informative and helpful, but not suited for beginners as the thumbnail suggested (at least to me) as no beginner can pull this off and make it look as smooth and life-like as grg does it

[@andrewamann2821]

@@Chrisbo123 if you dedicate your time to learning proper brush care and control, with the volume of information available on the topic, just on this platform, and an hour or two of time, daily, focusing on using your tools and materials, you should be able to get most of the technical skills down inside of 3-6 months. Color composition takes a bit more time, admittedly, but this isn't the late 90's or early 00's anymore. Any approach you're looking for is heavily documented and discussed to any degree of detail you might want. The only things left to the newbie is to grab a brush, and practice their techniques with intent, and to scrutinize the worlds around them, real and imaginary.

[@DavidCorsalini]

Would you use these steps to paint bodies too? I 've got to paint 10 ogres

[@GloriousGrunt]

Trying this without an airbrush, will report back

[@GRGMiniatures]

Might have beaten you to it.... :p

[@NightfallTH]

sorry mate, but I don't think this guide is not taking 0:26 "minimal effort". You put so much different paints onto those heads, that is just not feasible. good Genestealer results though!

[@GRGMiniatures]

I guess it's horses for courses, but I reckon 33 heads in less than half a day of on-off relaxed painting is pretty easy going 😅

[@stormycatmink]

Sorry, I can't condone the lack of proper head protection for soldiers in a combat environment.

[@hrr222]

Emmm… you know that you can use oils over acrylics, but NOT acrylics over oils right?

[@GRGMiniatures]

I have used acrylics over oils many many times and never had any problem. Of course you need to wait for the oils to cure first.

[@hrr222]

@@GRGMiniatures yes you need to wait first. Around 6-12 months actually to let the oil fully dry. Otherwise you will pain on semi- dry surface, and it will never dry afterall - cos you will prevent the oxygen to come to lowel level of paint. Thats why you should always put oils over acrylics - and never vise versa

[@mattyg303]

Look great but damn that was a lot of steps and paints.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Might be that the way I presented things made it seem more complicated than it really needs to be. Check out this short for a compressed version of the lighter skins: kzbin.info7KeFE0UdrSA?feature=share

[@draugr3650]

"fast, easy" yeah sure.

[@warhammer-neophyte]

Those Genestealers are an ugly bunch. Awesome job and thanks for your efforts.

[@GRGMiniatures]

Do love me a bit of ugly 😀

[@ramblingbadger]

Witchcraft! Away with you!

[@GRGMiniatures]

🧙‍♀️

[@MaidenicaMetalliden]

Hey @GRG Miniatures The discord link in your description comes up as invalid?

[@GRGMiniatures]

Oh no! Try this one: discord.gg/fp3E7ggnEN I'll update the description too. Thanks!