Secrets to Layers and Blending - Painting With the Pro

Pro-painter Sam Lenz is back again and he's sharing the secrets to layering and blending, things you might not have thought of before. Going deep!
Watch Sam on Twitch! - / samsonarts
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Chat, ask questions, and communicate with Atom

[@chickenbonelives]

What brush is that? I'm using W&N sable and it's the only brush I've had keep a point for any amount of time. This one looks synthetic and the point looks beautiful.

[@williamrobinson3069]

dont quote me on this, but i believe he just gets big packs of these and throws them out when they get shitty. they're so cheap it doesnt really matter (i do that with roymac imitation sable personally)

[@tabletopminions]

People ask that all the time. If you go check my Instatgram (@tabletopminions or instagram.com/tabletopminions on the web) back around this year's AdeptiCon (late March 2018) you'll see a few photographs I took of Sam holding the package of brushes he usually uses. They're five brushes for six bucks. Thanks for watching!

[@Florian-yg7le]

he showed them on stream yesterday, 12 for 4,99$ puu.sh/BZ0fe/4ffadd5bb0.png Lable puu.sh/BZ0gO/490b7790ce.png and the back side www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Stencils-Craft-Paints/Brushes-Tools/Size-8-Round-Brush-Set/p/425

[@richbuilds_com]

@@Florian-yg7le Size 8?!? I'm not getting anywhere near his detail level with a 00 :-/

[@Florian-yg7le]

@@richbuilds_com hes just magical, i know what you mean ^^

[@petermcdonna4160]

A lot of stuff that gets brushed off as "Beginner" would be better labelled "Foundational".

[@naphaneal]

@peter mcdonna what's the difference?

[@PilgrimofMatter]

@@naphaneal beginner implies that it is something that would not be used by advanced painters. Foundational means that it is a necessary part of many techniques, used by advanced painters.

[@fridolfmane1063]

Novice!

[@TheAltlavista]

Sam is like Bob Ross for painting miniatures. Full of mastery but always has kind words and great advice :)

[@joewhite4234]

You are spot on. Sam’s videos have been very encouraging to me.

[@petethehawk5186]

Agreed. Unlike a lot of the mini painters you see on KZbin who like to be funny or loud he delivers his points clearly and in a positive manner with a mellow demeanor. Much appreciated sir.

[@marks6928]

Life goals: Be as wise as Uncle Atom Be as laid back as Sam

[@langoknight75]

cool vid man. love the bathory shirt!

[@AnishChari]

\m/

[@jasonL287]

I was painting some Ultramarines and decided to test the paint levels on my face. Now I look like an extra in Braveheart.

[@doomofthepeople]

I think that means you are killing it.

[@necaacen]

or beating your wife in a drunk antisemitic rage

[@SunDancerGE]

Every brush you stroke... every paint you shake... every shoot you take, every mistake you make, it will improve you toooooo.... sorrynotsorry.... :) Great video as always. :)

[@richbuilds_com]

Your 10th mini will be 10 times better than the first. There are not shortcuts. You gotta put the time in and the paint down.

[@heckheck526]

Sam Lenz sounds like one of the most patient people lol. I love it. There’s no arrogance or pretentiousness. Keep doing your thing.

[@dragonborn2_086]

BLOOD! FIRE! DEATH! Classic

[@alexwilliams6022]

I can feel my painting skills levelling up from just watching this! Cheers guys 🤘🏼

[@tabletopminions]

That's the plan. Thanks for watching!

[@beric0bartman]

Garden of blends is my new hardcore metal band's name now.

[@tabletopminions]

Maybe a t-shirt is in order? Hmm. Thanks for watching!

[@aaronmcgarvey1942]

I'd buy that shirt right now 👌🏻

[@xr8dmoose135]

Man i love your tips, on here and watching you on twitch everything you say makes so much sense... until i have model in my hand that is 😀

[@tabletopminions]

All the tips and tutorials are great, but you still need practice, practice, practice. Thanks for watching!

[@rmcgavock1]

I went to a painting clinic at my local store last weekend and we talked about blending/layering and other techniques, and this video is super helpful - it really brings home some valuable points. Thanks Sam, just subscribed to your channel on Twitch ... keep up the good work!

[@lunahula]

*attempts to adjust their eyes when it starts in monochrome* oh no, I must have gotten a concussion from all my unpainted miniatures falling on me again!

[@JJamesMc90]

As someone getting back into Warhammer, this is definitely helping the ol' self esteem where painting is concerned. Awesome stuff

[@mastershake42019]

We don't make mistakes. Just happy little accidents.

[@13Robzilla]

Uncle Atom, thank you for having Sam on. Sam thanks for sharing with us. Great video.

[@BriarLeaf00]

Sam's definitely got a real talent for teaching this stuff. As a newcomer its invaluable. Keep these videos coming please!

[@magnoliawaters4983]

I love watching Sam paint! And his outro is very relatable “I don’t know how to end this so I’m just going to sink away.”

[@8thlvlMage]

First blending tutorial I've watched that made sense. Thank you. Most I've seen go, "Get it to the consistency of skim milk. We've all had milk! You know what that looks like! Okay now we're gonna feather this in. And you just do that!"

[@JohnDoe-l1kmya5s]

Hey Atom, Sam, and the rest of the Tabletop Minions team, thanks for this video. I don't generally leave comments but this video really cleared up some things I've been struggling with. I've been going through a dry spell of not wanting to paint because of frustration of my skill level. This video made me want to start painting tonight. Keep these types of videos coming, I'm looking forward to it.

[@tabletopminions]

Glad the video helped you. Fun fact: at the end of the videos, Sam always thanks “everyone at Tabletop Minions” but there’s just me. I’m a one-man-show. It’s our little ‘in joke’ but now it’s out there. Thanks for watching!

[@JohnDoe-l1kmya5s]

@@tabletopminions Well you kill it every time man. Nice work!

[@richbuilds_com]

By far my favourite instructional painter. I can't match his skill but I can see eye to eye with where he's coming from :)

[@Paul_Tuck23]

Sam! All that Twitch streaming seems to have made you a lot more comfortable on camera. Great video sir! Love the tips and love the Twitch channel!

[@tabletopminions]

Everything takes practice. Thanks for watching!

[@rossljensen]

THANK YOU for this video.

[@TheV4D3R]

Thx so much for these awesome videos! Just started painting last week and I love making mistakes and watching the process of analyzing and understanding of fails is so much rewarding and I know that some day maybe in 10 years or so I will be able to paint the way I want it to be but these videos help so much and i have to say this is the nicest Community I have ever seen so far (but ye just about a week in)

[@tabletopminions]

I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it. Thanks for watching!

[@PilgrimofMatter]

"I can guarantee that your first attempt at this will not be perfect." LOL! No, **I** can guarantee that my first attempt at it will not be perfect! :)

[@EPICSAWIKI]

My biggest drawback as a miniature painter is I don’t have patience. I know for a fact my stuff will look better if i go slow and really do things properly, but it’s so difficult to not get frustrated about not having instant results. I’m working on it though, this video was great. I learned so much!

[@trisdavenport3552]

I love how he's painting as he explains his process. Other channels might do this but it's either pre-recorded or only a fraction of the time of what you see here. Here you can actually hear and see that kind of "zen" place miniature painting takes you. Really great content :)

[@Florian-yg7le]

Sam and his 45c brushes shows how you don't have to spend 10$ on a W&N to get better results

[@elronman]

Does help tho.

[@williamwinn948]

Just like you dont need to spend $50 bucks on a mini to play a game.

[@elronman]

God I wish I could buy 10$ winsors. Hnngh. And once you start painting with a sable, gold synth brushes will be painful to go back to. Fine for work horse but don't force yourself to use them

[@williamwinn948]

@@elronman You can get really good sable brushes at blick I use Da Vinci Series 35 Maestro For everything From watercolor to oil And painting minis with acrylic.

[@elronman]

@@williamwinn948 Oh yeah I get mine from there too, actually got ralpheals. just wish they were 10 not 20 lol

[@brokenminis6278]

Top vid fellas, I like to think of myself as an intermediate painter, but when i saw the bit on the plasticard the penny finally dropped, i will give this a whirl!

[@nobody2021]

you should make a shirt of sam with with a paintbrush in his mouth that says "taste the rainbow"

[@DrumDudeMatt]

Love watching Sam paint and getting these nuggets of wisdom! Since you've started doing these videos, I've tried to do a new technique for every mini I've done.

[@jacktraveller8290]

Sick bathory shirt & really helpful video. Subbed.

[@carolebeaudry3054]

Thank you for this video. I got a comment on one of my miniatures saying to thin my paint. I found out about wet palettes, got that, was thinning my paint but thought they were too thin. Then I found this video and had a lightbulb moment. My paint was the right thickness, but I wasn’t applying it correctly. I was applying too much, not moving in the same direction and not waiting for it to dry, before next layer. I’ve been practicing on my next minis and already seeing a big improvement. Thanks again.

[@boomerdiorama]

Good technique. Although it should be noted, oil paints have superior "transparency" quality over acrylics. Acrylic is fundamentally opaque no matter how much you thin it.

[@jeremiaszbojanowski8595]

I can't help it, but when I see Sam I see Ed from 'Northern Exposure' and suddenly painting minis gets somewhat mystical :D Kudos to you guys for that :) :) :) ❤

[@elronman]

Oh! You want the pooling, that explains a lot.

[@danleo9580]

Thanks for this, Sam on TTM is a killer combo! Look forward to others in the series.

[@graymouse6117]

Be sure to check Sam out on his twitch stream!! www.twitch.tv/samsonarts

[@AlexKus]

Came for the blending, stayed for the Bathory.

[@woodendforager3240]

great advice, very helpful, thanks.

[@harrisongabe3612]

"if you feel me" got the like from me.

[@AnishChari]

Here's a happy little MeltaGun.

[@MattsHobbyWorkshop]

Awesome stuff, Sam! Been hanging out for another installment. Worth the wait. I've been trying to incorporate this layering technique into my painting, but haven't quite got the hang of it yet. More practice, methinks! ☺

[@Anthony-hp2kt]

Tau for sale!!!!

[@ThatAussieBloke1]

TAU FOR SALE

[@Spaceboy967]

Starting the New Year with a new hobby!! Thank you Adam and Sam. Spent my holiday week off watching your videos. Picking up A 40K starter set this week!!

[@sadnessinside123]

Loving the series already. Sam is hilarious and informative. Thank you guys

[@alimoorad5998]

Someone likes their Black Metal!

[@gunnerswat]

I know this video is a year old, but I wanted to say "Thank you" to both of you.

[@jacenchrisbaker]

Sam is my fucking hero.

[@thebigkerpow7033]

Thank you for showing me how to do this. I appreciate your casual style and the fact that you focus on brush stroke technique.

[@3lcost3]

Would this also apply to highlighting?

[@FalcoII]

Thanks! Just by watching I've already identified several mistakes I'm doing!

[@PoserDisposer413]

He’s wearing a Bathory “Blood, Fire, Death” shirt? Huge props dude

[@harrysanders818]

As someone who textures 3d models, I jus love these analogies! Thanks! "DreadLocks, Shingles on a roof" ...awesome

[@RamseyEassa]

Great info!! Love these videos with Sam

[@MrVargtid]

I came here for the good tips, but I immediately liked for the Bathory shirt.

[@cerethpainting6606]

How much does Sam charge for lessons? Whatever it is, it’s not enough.

[@ThatsMyBub]

Sam Lenz dude lololol I’ll be watching this over and over again for the next 12 weeks

[@havokca]

Just from this, if Sam is ever doing a course I can make it to, I'll be going.

[@arkeonox9058]

After watching this video, I just wanted to paint !!! Glad to see Sam back ! :)

[@joametz]

I just love this videos, they are both informative and fun. Thanks Atom and Sam for the effort of making them so.

[@AWalkOnDirt]

I am a canvas artist and use impressionistic methods like broken color. I am playing a tabletop game and have my first mini. With my painting background I can’t miss with my mini! With my background, I don’t glaze at all...none. I am wondering if a muddy complimentary color would be a great glaze? It’s a bit aggressive. Or, best to stick closer to the base, original color?

[@davidbuus6584]

Just discovered this great video! But... Do you put your midtone first, then highlight and then shades? I've been following the GW way of a basecoat, wash, highlight...

[@aonjmj]

Been a voyeur on this channel for a bit now. I just had to comment on the composition of the close ups when Sam is talking. In this and the "How to properly use washes" vid the chiaroscuro is striking and repeated (I'm a big fan of Caravaggio.) From the artwork on his shirt, the background, the lighting on his face (nice warm light on his right side as an accent) the optics have never looked better Atom. Beautiful composition of the shot, well done.

[@callamthomson9691]

Exactly the information I was looking for! I had too much pigment and you explained my exact mistake cheers!!

[@klumaverik]

Best advice I've heard. Don't paint over half dried strokes cuz you will break the skin and scar your paint strokes that were already laid. Thats what I got from it.

[@MutsuKazuma]

I have watched this video 4 times over the last 6 months and I just noticed that sam is holding his brush with basically two fingers the whole time, (index and thumb), using the middle finger as support already, I am holding mine like a pen resting the brush on my middlefinger the whole time, came for blending and learned something entirely different

[@The_turtles_lair]

Is licking the brush his way of making sure no one touches his models. Because I think I speak for many when I say YUCK!

[@sanghunnam6544]

I have to try this. Your explanations are great and useful. Thanks! But do you use the same technique when trying to paint small details?

[@auto1nfanticid3]

for the orange shadows on the yellow, could one not just use something like a seraphim sepia wash and then build back up the highlights? that seems to be the warhammer tv method for most things, I'm just curious what makes this more meticulous method better? they said that this was beginner info but as a beginner myself I feel like i could get a similar look with much less effort.

[@jeremiekonegni4957]

Frickin Rock Ross and His Wonderful World In Miniature, coming Sundays at noon to a PBS channel near you

[@gunman292929]

The explanations never really clicked in my head till you explained it, thank you for explaining this so clearly.

[@hellinterface6721]

BATHORY!

[@L3GHO5T]

Sam lenz is top shelf with his analogy’s 😂

[@thorshammer1257]

Great advice and more inspiration! Thank you.

[@jameshazell9049]

Great vid, some awesome tips/tricks and I lost count of how many analogies you used :P

[@williamwinn948]

So the first layers Are like an undercoat on a regular painting

[@kalhas80]

Some Vallejo paints even though they are thoroughly Shaken after I apply them on the pallette and start dilluting them the color hue changes and seems like I can see the medium splitting so the colour I get on the mini sometimes is far off. any tip on that?

[@aWOLtrooper]

Is there any particular reason you would blend like this instead of using an appropriately colored wash to fill those recesses?

[@marshwalker8322]

How much paint do I have to eat to get as good as Sam?

[@rupturedguts7328]

Great t shirt,blood fire and death,,got into bathory back in the early 90s,,👍🏻

[@stevenkelley9091]

If I had a sweet bathory long sleeve I would wear it in every KZbin appearance as well. Great video

[@nickbarker9712]

I can blend no problem on flats but for some reason I just can't get this technique down for 3d stuff

[@Kometrion]

Great video and tutorial and always happy to see Sam on one of them. I have got a little question about something I am dealing with at the moment: coffee stain effects. Especially with glazes sometimes I struggle with it and I was wondering whether you guys could make a video on it. I tried to create glazes from both paints and washes and diluting them with either water or mediums but at times (especially on white bases) they still form staining. How do I avoid it from forming and how do I get rid of it once it is dry, how do I mask it?

[@robhamper6001]

If you're referring to what others call "tide marks" (think high tide), then you need something to break the surface tension of your paint. Diluting alone won't do it as water has a surface tension all its own. Products called "flow improver" do this. Some people use dish detergent. There are other tricks. Use a very small amount. Usually a drop or even just a brush dab swirled in. Experiment. :)

[@khorneflakes3434]

It has been the bane of a lot of painter, there are some color i've never been able to work on others, from what i've read and my experience during the years the solutions are : Avoid pooling, as it is a sure way of creating these stains, so layering/glazing absolute minimal amount of diluted paint. Do not dilute with only water, LukesApp made great videos about creating better mediums, basically introducing some matt medium or végétal glycerin helps a lot. As to how to mask it, well, only way that've worked for myself is re-basecoating the damaged area. If you've stained an already heavily worked on piece and the stain is minor (not black stain on white surface) then you can try and resume your highlights and shadows from the stain, it will likely displace your effect so going back to step 1 might be better.

[@tatopaz4364]

Thanks for the great videos, Just started wwith painting minis!!!!!

[@malarkian]

What is that Sam's mounted his model on? It looks like it uses a bottle cap from a big bottle of soda or some other DIY rig.

[@mikee9464]

this was great. one of the best tutorials I have seen. I love the way you explain things and give examples

[@TheOrkboyz]

great tutorial , and awesome T-shirt Mr Atom

[@jotver]

okay so complete noob...whats a dilution? like i know what it means to dilute something but is it just water or is it something else?

[@dead2rites590]

Duuuude Bathory! The song A Fine Day to Die from that album is awesome!

[@danielgroenewald3006]

Love this guy, such a playa.. strategically placed coffee cup in the intro !

[@ericsimoneau4818]

All hail Quarthon. Love the shirt Sam.

[@jeromemathiasen6773]

I dont even make miniatures but god damnit this video and all the stuff i have seen from table top minions makes me go from 6 to midnight. Once i find the free time i am doing this.

[@BB-pn2qv]

This guy is so nice to watch and listen to!

[@555Custom]

"Test it on your thumb, your face.... I d'ont care where you test it....." Admit it guys we are all thinking to the same 3rd place xD

[@nowakd]

I'm getting some Van Halen vibes, not sure why...

[@shanelawrence5913]

Excellent taste in music, love the shirt.