Star Wars Imperial Assault Painting Guide Ep.16: Han Solo

Hello! This is a beginner's guide to painting Han Solo from Fantasy Flight's Star Wars Imperial Assault miniatures game. (Buy here: amzn.to/2oB2Qfg)
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Web Page: sorastro.com/
0:40 - Steps Overview
0:55 - Base Colors
8:17 - Shading
11:32 - Highlights (Skin highlights first)
22:31 - Highlighting the Gun
25:47 - Finishing Touches
The music for the series is now available on a range of platforms including:
"Starborn" album on Spotify: open.spotify.c...
"Starborn" album on iTunes:
itunes.apple.c...
"Starborn" album on Bandcamp:
sorastro.bandc...
"Starborn" album on Googleplay:
play.google.co...
"Starborn" album on Amazon:
www.amazon.com...
-Citadel paints:
-Bugman's Glow
-Screaming Skull
-Ceramite White
-White Scar
-Mechanicus Standard Grey
-Abaddon Black
-Steel Legion Drab
-Mournfang Brown
-Tallarn Sand
-Mephiston Red
-Evil Sunz Scarlet
-Celestra Grey
-Runefang Steel
-Agrax Earthshade
-Nuln Oil
-Druchii Violet
-Reikland Fleshshade
-Drakenhof Nightshade
-Cadian Fleshtone
-Kislev Flesh
-Aministratum Grey
-Lahmian Medium
-'Ardcoat Gloss Varnish
-Eshin Grey
-Kantor Blue
-Balor Brown
-Testor's Dullcote matt varnish
-Pure kolinsky brushesby Rosemary + Co.
Optional paints (For the base):
-Ironbreaker
-Russ Grey
-Warplock Bronze
-Hashut Copper
-Abaddon Black
-Bases by Microartstudio: shop.microartst...
Specific Rosemary and Co. brushes I tend to use the most that could be a good basis for your first set of brushes (select "short handle"):
-Series 33 brushes, sizes 0,1,2 and 10/0:
www.rosemaryand...
-Series 56 flat brushes for dry brushing, size 3 for smaller areas, and size 6 for large:
www.rosemaryand...
-However, Series 768 are a much cheaper alternative you can use for dry brushing and will do the job just fine:
www.rosemaryand...
All music composed by and © copyright owned by Sorastro.

[@carlsnoeckx8419]

To all who are gonna watch this (and all the other) excellent tutorial(s) , please please please, become a patreon! These are easily the best miniature painting guides on the net. Sorastro, as always, respect...

[@Sorastro]

+Carl Snoeckx Thanks so much Carl!

[@Pariah1974]

+Carl Snoeckx I agree. I got out of painting for a while, years really, and these videos got me back into. I have never been entertained watching painting videos, but these are just fun to watch! I recommend them all the time.

[@captcarryon6487]

+Carl Snoeckx I think I will; having now seen several INCREDIBLE star wars mini videos... wow!!!!!!!!!

[@MrCrystalwarrior1]

For blonde hair shading, I sometimes wash in a very thinned down olive drab/green, which gives just a subtle but very nice depth to the folds in the hair. I got this tip from the late Shepard Paine, and didn't think it would look okay at first, but after some practice with more and more thinned paint, it actually really does look good. I tried it out on 54mm figures first, as the detail is greater on them, and worked my way down to 15mm. It's a huge learning curve, but my miniatures are much better now than when I first started, using enamel paints as a child. My eye painting has come on too, and now I can even get in colored irises on figures, although I now have to use a HUGE magnifying glass to get detail that small in. I have the utmost respect for you, Sorastro, as you are showing many young modelers tips and tricks to help them, as well as showing us Old Sweats a few new techniques too. I'll share some tips of my own with you as I remember them, so hope you don't mind :-) Respect always Paul

[@Sorastro]

+Paul Todd Hi Paul! I love the olive idea for adding depth to blonde hair! I'm always grateful to anyone willing to share tips and suggestions to help me/anyone else improve - especially experienced painters with a wealth of experience. I'm constantly trying out new ideas and ways of doing things myself.. the learning never stops! Thank you - and keep the suggestions coming :)

[@pbeccas]

Legend painting a legend. Excellent flesh tips I will use for all my models.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you pbeccas!

[@captainbi-rownlee4752]

You know, I don't even own this game but I am watching ALL of these videos to learn as much ad I can and I am just increasingly stunned by the skill and patience and pure ability of you as a painter. I don't have a job right now so I can't become a patreon but I would LOVE to. And if I could just paint anything with you, that would be an amazing learning experience. You're brilliant!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Captain! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos :)

[@captainbi-rownlee4752]

@@Sorastro No problem! I'm just starting out so these are a HUGE help!

[@cerethpainting6777]

Simply some of the best painting advice on the web.

[@Sorastro]

+Daniel Wills Thanks again! I really appreciate the feedback :)

[@geeko818]

You are inspiring. I am honestly blown away with your finished products. These tutorials are all so helpful and really give me inspiration. Please keep it up!!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you for such a lovely comment :)

[@A_friend_called_Five]

Holy cow! This video is fantastic. I don't know anything about painting (have a co-worker who is going to teach me a couple of weeks from now) but this guy makes it look so easy. This video has got me excited to start learning to paint.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Scott! It's a wonderful hobby.. just take your time and enjoy the learning process :)

[@richardthomas7275]

Who's next Sorastro? Han Solo looks GREAT!!!!!!!! I'm your fanboy!!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Richard! Luke is next (you might like to follow me on Twitter/Facebook as I usually post teaser shots of upcoming episodes :) )

[@carlitossama]

I just want to piant like you do. GREAT AND FANTASTIC JOB!!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you carlitossama; I hope the video helps you achieve the results you're after :)

[@matthewschultz3601]

i have to say......you nailed that one.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Matthew!

[@heikkihegemon493]

Truly magnificient work. Yet again.

[@Sorastro]

+Heikki Hegemon Thank you (again!) :)

[@johnnycooper7019]

Dear Sarastro, you have excelled yourself-yet again! Just as well I've a few weeks to catch up or attempt to whilst I am on leave! Please have a good a safe Christmas and a great new year to you & Family. Kind Regards Johnny

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Johnny! I hope you enjoy your valuable time off with your family and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year :)

[@morganfellows8182]

Stunning job. I think this might be your best miniature yet, and a great video to go with it. I'm looking forward to painting my Han, following the guide.

[@Sorastro]

Wow thanks Morgan :)

[@kevanclarke1126]

superb work as always, loved the nmm on the pistol but that face just blew me away. simply excellent

[@Sorastro]

+Kevan Clarke Thanks a lot Kevan! I've never tried nmm before so thanks for suggesting it (I could still use some practice!). I'm glad you like the skin tone :)

[@thedrubber5827]

This is the best tutorial yet! If you aren't a subscriber...what are you waiting for?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot John :)

[@jasonr5248]

Wow! Your videos are both very enjoyable and, dare I say, therapeutic! I could watch them for hours! Excellent soundtrack by the way. It easily adds to the awesomeness =) It is always a pleasure to watch a true artist at work.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much Jason! I greatly appreciate the kind words :)

[@EngineerJeff]

Another excellent tutorial! I'm inspired to start painting my own Imperial Assault figures.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Engineer Jeff! Go for it :)

[@erikmorkai]

Great videos sorastro, great painting and great post production. I love how you make your videos.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks erikmorkai! :)

[@karstenvonfjellheim5321]

Good stuff man, good stuff.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Karsten!

[@sumryder]

Fantastic! Just awesome. Love your channel and tips.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Ty J! I appreciate the feedback :)

[@kfdan42]

Beautiful work as always, keep it up!

[@Sorastro]

Cheers kfdan42!

[@thomaswargames]

I didnt comment that earlier, but face looks awsome. As always great tutorial, especially when its about so legendary character. cheers

[@Sorastro]

+thomaswargames Thanks Thomas!

[@thomaswargames]

A small tip from a fellow painter ;) Try painting pupils next time closer to the nose instead in the middle of the eyes. It looks a lot better. Try first on some test figure and see for yourself. cheers

[@Sorastro]

+thomaswargames Cheers Thomas :)

[@lexgotham]

Nice Job Soratro (as always)! The day you start with Kingdom Death: Monster OR Malifaux OR the Knight Model's Batman series, I will be in your patreon thing. That's a given.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you lex! I will hold you to that (I'm dying to make time to paint my KDM minis :) )

[@Drag0nR1der]

I hope you stood by your pledge... ;)

[@TrevorJust]

Well done

[@Sorastro]

Cheers Trevor :)

[@Rikalonius]

Your videos are so informative. If you do the Hired Guns can you make one of the Rodians have a purplish hue. That's how I want to paint one of them, and the other Greedo looking.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Richard! I'll see what I can do :)

[@Brian-yc4mi]

Extra care seemed applied to this mini. Han Solo fan maybe? ;). Bravo as always!!!

[@Sorastro]

+Brian Thank you Brian! Yes it's true, I have a soft spot for Han :)

[@Decado1628]

Excellent work! He looks like he just stepped out of A New Hope.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks decado!

[@zombieslayer12345ify]

You should do a tutorial on how to paint the stormtroopers so they look like those black shadow troopers!

[@Sorastro]

Nice idea! I'll add that to my (very long) list of stuff to paint :)

[@sim2570]

Who's scruffy looking? ...Very nice skin job! And great painting like always!

[@Sorastro]

Lol.. Cheers Monte! Glad you like it :)

[@VRListic]

You sir...Have changed my life. SUBSCRIBED

[@Sorastro]

Lol thanks VRListic :)

[@Musicvault2k6]

Amazing job, as always! One thing I did notice, Kantor Blue and Balor Brown are missing in your paint list above (the one on the KZbin page).

[@Sorastro]

+Tim Carter Thanks Tim! I'll take a look at that now... :)

[@AGuysBlues]

Looking at the striping you're doing on his trousers made me wonder whether you ever use a magnifying glass/light for fine detail, or whether it's all by eye..?

[@Sorastro]

Hey there! I don't currently use any kind of magnification :)

[@josephprozinski9311]

Great work, but he should have the blood stripe on both legs, not just the left leg. You should be able to see it on the small part of his pants below the holster.

[@Sorastro]

Well spotted Joseph!

[@CGauntHarrison]

This is a really excellent paint job but I think you might have missed the second buckle on his holster strap (it's at the back I think). All the same consider me subscribed.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Christopher! :D

[@Acreedah]

When are you going to the Rebel Troopers? I'm desperate to paint 'em, but I'm no good without your tutorials!

[@Sorastro]

+Acreedah Hi! I honestly don't know as the painting order is voted on by my patrons. I will get round to them - I'm just not sure when :)

[@coreyeatsdetroit9733]

Still kind of new to painting, what do you use to clean your brushes and what kind of brushes do you use? Thanks again good work.

[@Sorastro]

Hi Corey! I currently use a Size 2 Series 8 brush by Rosemary & Co: www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/pure-kolinsky-sable/series-8-pointed-round?filter_name=series%208 And I usually just clean my brushes with water (although a proper brush cleaner isn't a bad idea!) :)

[@IMChrisThom]

Funny, I was just thinking to myself, 'I wonder what size brush he's using', when you said.

[@Sorastro]

I sense some Jedi mind trickery :)

[@andrewkleist9579]

Hey, I've found that these videos are very helpful, but you have a different painting method than I used before approaching Imperial Assault. Do you ever highlight your base colors before shading/washing your figures? I seem to be getting a chalkier effect when highlighting after the washes.

[@Sorastro]

Hi Andrew! If your highlights are looking a little chalky I might suggest you try thinning your paint down a little more (and take care not to overload your brush) :)

[@JobraKai]

Hey Sorastro! Wonderful job!! Question for you, have you ever had colors bleed together or dull when applying the matte varnish? I sometimes find that I do and thought that maybe I was spraying too much but I want to make sure they are protected as I know the game will get a lot of play.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Joe! I've never had that happen actually.. If it is a case of over spraying you could just try two or three thin layers (letting it dry fully in between sprays). For ultimate protection you could even use a gloss varnish first, then apply your matte varnish to remove the shine :)

[@JobraKai]

I'll try that! Thanks for the tip! :)

[@vojtasjedyny]

Awesome work, as always. :) BTW - Am I the only one who thinks that Han's pistol is a bit skewed? Scope's shape doesn't look right in my opinion.

[@Sorastro]

+vojtasjedyny Thanks mate! I agree, it does seem a bit wonky.

[@captcarryon6487]

I always see you mixing with a brush... is that the same one you paint with? How do you keep such a fine point?! My brushes seem to fray so quick! Love love your videos! Wow!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! No I use an older (and larger) brush for mixing with :)

[@Discoballe]

Once again thanks for a great tutorial. How long would you say it takes to paint one figure from start to finish (not counting drying time)?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Discoballe! It's been so long since I just painted a mini for myself (and not for a video) that I honestly don't know how long it might take as filming the process massively increases the time it takes. I'll have to do a timed run to let you know :)

[@HenrikH321]

Again, just amazing work. This is fantastic! I am so much looking forward to the amazing music - I really love it. Just to know, have you any idea of when, or if, your Blood Rage video comes out? :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks again HenrikH321! I'm honestly not sure when I'm going to get round to finishing the first Blood Rage video. I'm filming IA Ep.17 atm and I've just received Zombicide: Black Plague which has also been much requested. I just wish there were more hours in the day! Still.. If the Patreon support continues to grow I'm planning to go part time with my day job next year so I can increase my video output :)

[@HenrikH321]

+Sorastro's Painting We just need more hours in the day ;) Who is the next IA character to be painted btw? :)

[@Sorastro]

I'm working on Luke at the moment :)

[@HenrikH321]

+Sorastro's Painting Sounds awesome!! :)

[@jammerman28]

Awesome vid! I just got Han. What are you using as the base of the figure to maneuver it as you paint? Thanks!

[@Sorastro]

+jammerman28 Thanks jammerman! It's just the top off some empty cosmetic plastic bottle (and the mini is stuck on with white tack) :)

[@Failwhale314]

Well done! What's next? :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Jay! The patron vote is in and Luke is the chosen one :)

[@joramhartmann7101]

Nice Video can you make a tutorial for the Royal Guard Champion ? that World be wer helpful

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Joram! Yes I will :)

[@joramhartmann7101]

That cool keep going your Video Stuff ist very god :D

[@JasonMC85]

Are you only going to be doing one (type) of figure each month? Do you intend to show tutorials for all figures including the future expansions?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Jason! It takes me around 50 hours of my evening/weekends (on top of a full-time job and raising two children) to produce each video so I can't produce much more than 1 video per month. Hence my Patreon campaign which is designed to help raise enough support for me to work as a full-time video producer (= 1 video per week!) I do plan to cover all of the figures plus expansions :)

[@JasonMC85]

Wow, I don't even know how you find the time to put up any videos.. I enjoy viewing though

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Jason!

[@dominiquejunca8391]

Very Good Job ! Excelent ! Can you tell the references of the brushes you use?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Dominique! I think for this I used a Rosemary and Co Series 33 Size 2 :)

[@cheongyung3098]

can i do the red stripe on the trousers after washing the trousers?

[@Sorastro]

+Cheong Yung Hi Cheong Yung! Yes you can :) The only reason I did the stripe first is because it's a little easier to touch up with the surrounding (unwashed) base tone :)

[@jx592]

there's a yellow stripe! and red gradients inside the stripe!!!!

[@thehead69]

sorasrto how hard would it be to do a crimson stromtrooper and shodaw trooper?

[@Sorastro]

Probably not too hard; using the same red recipe as the Royal Guards and something like the Vader black would be fine (with gloss varnish on top) :)

[@thehead69]

+Sorastro's Painting cool thank you

[@omega.revolution3894]

hey, patreon here, does this mini have a painting guide?

[@Sorastro]

+omega.revolution Hi! I don't have a PDF transcript for these earlier videos as they were stored on an old work iPad which I no longer own. Sorry!

[@mmabelto5320]

10th Like!!!!

[@HeadHunterSix]

Your videos are very helpful and informative, your grasp of color is superb - knowing how to darken or lighten a tone without straight black or white, for instance. The highlights look great and your work is neat and tidy. But man, you really need to work on your brush care! You must be going through brushes every month or two. Yes, it's most important for a brush to have a good tip, but if you keep getting paint up under your ferrule and letting it dry (as I can see on your main brushes) they won't keep a tip for long. Try to avoid dunking the brush, rinse them more often while working, and clean with brush soap after each session. If you still have dried paint along the ferrule, you can use something like natural turpenoid to loosen and remove that. Teri Litorco did a great quick video on brush care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2TJnHullKh7l7M

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks man! Yep I know I'm pretty lousy at looking after my brushes, although I have improved in recent months :)

[@Rohnon]

I really dislike the Hands of this model

[@Mailed-Knight]

They do look larger than normal, so dose the pistol.

[@Zini1403]

that face! dude wtf man....

[@Sorastro]

Is it good or bad!?

[@Zini1403]

+Sorastro's Painting it´s f...... awesome ;)

[@Sorastro]

Ah ok! Thanks :)