Star Wars: Legion Painting Guide Ep.6: Darth Vader

[@julienstx8574]

In my opinion, you provide the best painting video tutorials on KZbin. Well done !

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Julien! That's very kind :)

[@DFloyd84]

Impressive... most impressive...

[@Sorastro]

Ha - thanks Derek :)

[@ShiftyMcGoggles]

Thumb this up people~ Make sure to use SUPER GLUE and not Plastic Glue/Poly cement. The miniatures aren't made of the same GW's Polystyrene plastic, so they don't glue that solidly when using plastic glue. Beyond that, 200% approval of this painting guide.

[@kelvingriffiths6017]

Yep. Just found that out the hard and annoying way.

[@Toxik178]

Great inspiration, didn't think painting Vador could be this intricate but the result is stunning!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Toxik! :)

[@darryltotaro4389]

Amazed at your talent and I have learned a lot of new ideas and skills amplifying the model, friends now want me to paint their models. I also admire your instructing technique and voice tone.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Darryl! I appreciate the kind feedback :)

[@Flamethrower1942]

I watch again at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you I was but the learner, now I am the master painter.....thanks to your vids 👍

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thank you friend! 😀

[@steveherck4776]

Thanks for the video! On a day I didn't feel like painting you motivated me to paint my Darth Vader and I even enjoyed it a lot. I truly like the balance in between having a nice propainted figure on the table versus the time spent on it.

[@Sorastro]

Awesome - thanks Steve! :)

[@kentryu3484]

I have to keep telling my brain that the saber isn't really glowing. Awesome.

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks Kentryu :)

[@hipsukun]

Superb! I remember when painting IA Vader, I dreamed of that kind of helmet reflection effects, but couldn't quite pull it off. Great to see it actually done. Turns out I just wasn't bold enough. In general I've learned from your guides to be more bold with light, shadows and reflections. It will look great in the end.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Miikka! That means a lot to me. I also realise how timid I was with my first Vader and have too been learning to lose the fear and paint more bravely :)

[@beastmendelegate1946]

Ok but I missed the part when you said where you get the batteries for such a tiny, little lightsaber. Uncanny glowing effect!

[@Sorastro]

Lol - thanks Matt :D

[@mikeljokinecheveste1287]

I see that has been already commented, but I have to say it, such a quality leap in between the tutorial of the imperial assault miniature and this one! Great job, the OSL and the extreme highlighting look awesome.

[@Sorastro]

Many thanks Mikel! I'm glad you can see the improvement (it has been three years since the last Vader video!) :)

[@idahojake2296]

There are always so many things I Iearn from watching these. Thank you!

[@Sorastro]

That's very kind - thank you! :)

[@napper8960]

That glow affect is something else, I'm really blown away how good it is

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much! :)

[@AGuysBlues]

Man, your painting has come a long way since the IA Vader mini; the saber glow looks stunning. Great work Mr S.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! I'm always striving to improve and learn new things so I really appreciate that :)

[@maximumentropyofficial9]

he's right, you have improved so much ! wonderful light effect and thank you for all your videos

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I am lucky to have enjoyed several years of kind and positive feedback from viewers such as yourself which really helps motivate me to strive to push myself with every video :)

[@jschmons]

Remarkable, the entire video. And the OSL looks just like a real light is on, seriously!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot John! I'm glad you liked the video and the OSL :)

[@spinningmonkeysanimates]

I just finished the core set following your guides. I'll rate my versions as a 5/10 but you certainly helped me get that 5. Nice guides. Thank you.

[@Sorastro]

Oh great! I really appreciate that - thank you! :)

[@mepp3814]

and here I was coming here to review the Imperial Assault Vader to figure out how to paint the Legion Vader .... no need. Got the awesome Legion Vader video right here. Thanks Sorastro

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Mep! :D

[@mepp3814]

I kept waiting for the Nuln Oil, it never came up! Boy, those Nuln Oil Anonymous meetings are really working! No washes and it still looks great. Rather amazing.

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha :) No.. I really wanted to avoid the Nuln Oil partly because I wanted full control over the contrast but also to avoid the brown-ish look that the Nuln Oil creates :)

[@bageldrone]

much better than the usual OSL highlighting method using an airbrush. much more subtle and realistic :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Michael! I'm glad you liked the OSL :)

[@julienstx8574]

People take the airbrush for a "magic" tool. Here the work is better rewarded. Old brushes will win !

[@Nortic111]

Astonishing work! There's something so relaxing about watching your tutorials.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Nortic! I really appreciate that :)

[@crayzeewhorse]

Me n a mate are getting Legion soon, so this'll help with the painting side... which I'll be doing 😅 glad there was a tutorial or it may have ended up just being dunked in black paint 😂😂 He looks Immense btw nice 1 🔥

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha, thanks buddy! 😁

[@crayzeewhorse]

​@Sorastro I've done all the rebels so far, tried your Camo scheme... did not work out well for me so went for a trusty Dark Angels scheme 😅 doing troopers next then Vehicles then Luke and Vader, hopefully by the time I get to them they might look a little bit like yours 😂😂

[@eomat]

Just so many tips in just general painting in this video.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@TheMiniJunkie]

I've never tried using a brush on matte varnish to fill a gap - great tip. The final result of this guide looks super impressive, including the OSL!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! I'm glad you found that tip useful :)

[@MrMetalcraig]

Hey Sorastro! Me again! :D Just going to say thanks once again for this amazing tutorial. I knuckled down and painted Vader this evening following this guide and he’s turned out great! Thanks! :)

[@Sorastro]

Hi Sanga! Thanks a lot, and well done on your Vader! I'm happy to hear he turned out well :)

[@davegeraghty8848]

I've used your technique on the new shatterpoint Vader and it looks fantastic. Had never tried any OSL before and your style was so easy to follow.

[@Sorastro]

Awesome! I'm happy to hear that 😀

[@michaeljdauben]

Another great tutorial! I always struggle with painting black figures but I'm going to try some of your techniques on my next.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Michael! I really appreciate all your kind comments :)

[@MrForsaken5]

The Master at Work! THANK YOU. Its so hard to paint black and you make it look easy. Can't wait to get my Legion Box today

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! It's not too hard really.. just don't be shy with those highlights on the armour :)

[@Sperius7]

Love it! Especially the lighting effect from the lightsaber.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Paul! I'm glad you liked it :)

[@victorsallant6127]

Another good painting job, congratulations, especially I find the treatment of the lights of the lightsaber

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Victor! :)

[@imperialadvisoraremheshvau3788]

Your work looks great Maestro, I would never have guessed he was a father of two!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks buddy :)

[@Pixel-ff1kn]

This is extremely well done, love those grey tones.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Pixel! I really appreciate that :)

[@sun2shadow]

Brilliant, just brilliant. Amazing job as usual. Well done.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Pete! :)

[@jasonr5248]

Amazing job as always Sorastro! I never would have thought to use white on a Darth Vader figure! Really nice results.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks mate! :D

[@Butte40k]

Awsome as always, I used your Imperial assault tutorial for Vader from imperial assault and I was quite happy with the result

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! I'm glad to hear your Vader turned out well :)

[@HeroesBosses]

I've never seen anyone use that particular method of highlighting black that you used on the helmet. It was almost like a NMM highlight. Looks great :)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! Perhaps we could coin the term Non-Metallic-Plastic perhaps? :)

[@andershektor7223]

This is magnificent. Thank you so much for all the inspiration!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Anders! Much appreciated :)

[@docbun]

Great video, very nicely painted, and I love to be fascinated watching how your brush strokes build up the effects!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much Yan Hey! :)

[@xXxKendall202xXx]

Awesome cant wait to see the at-st painted.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Kendall! I can't wait to share my AT-ST with you :)

[@mesa069]

Incredible. I've really enjoyed the series so far, but this was the first episode that really intimidated me. Great job!

[@Sorastro]

Ha - thank you! Vader has that effect on people (myself included!) :)

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Awesome. Sadly I'm not planning on getting this game, but still a wonderful teaching tool.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Casey! Much appreciated :)

[@Goranparra]

*In Emperor voice* Do it!

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

Axel Linander Backed Gotham City Chronicles instead of getting Legion. Could only get one super splurge, and I've got enough Star Wars with rebellion. Needed some Batman in my Life.

[@sillan7685]

I just ordered over $200 of products for this game just for the figures. I paint, but I don't play. I just enjoy painting as a hobby.

[@PappaTrond]

Stunning highlighting - especially the OSL effect. Really like the worn metal look of the helmet. :)

[@Sorastro]

Thanks buddy! :)

[@mrvlogretrogamingforce8437]

I LOVE FINNISHING TOUCHES!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - thanks mate 😀

[@bergi1288]

One Word....amazing! ❤️

[@Sorastro]

Thank you very much! :)

[@kosachilles2504]

This looks amazing!!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@dsanchez23fight]

NMM black. Once again Sorastro, my jaw is on the floor at your abilities. I can't wait to try this out, screw it up, say screw it, and go back to normal edge highlighting.

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha thanks buddy! But I say to you: "Do or do not; there is no try..."

[@joshgibbs3337]

Absolutely outstanding video! I want to get the game and try painting the minis with your guide!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Josh! You have many hours of fun ahead of you :)

[@MikeysMiscasts]

Amazing work mate! You have done Vader proud :D Love the lightsaber effect, looks perfect!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks again Mikey! I'm glad you liked my Vader :)

[@crazysithslave]

Dude your skills are awesome. Simple and effective. Well done!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! I do try to keep things simple so I really appreciate that :)

[@EvilAnglo]

Great stuff as usual Sorastro! Like the many followers of yours here, I'm always excited when I see you have a new vid and I'm already looking forward to the next!

[@Sorastro]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that (I hope you enjoy the AT-ST coming up soon...) :)

[@EvilAnglo]

Sorastro's Painting AT-ST?!?! Mate I can't wait!

[@darrenmccullagh828]

Wow!! awesome tuition vid Sorastro

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Darren 😄

[@Quick-Silver206]

This is definitely one of those "trust the process" paint jobs. So cool though!

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha, yeh - thanks! 😀

[@simbobcrafts4843]

I cant get hold of bloodletter. Could I use mephiston red instead? Would the lighting still work? The light sabre and lighting look awesome. I have some army painter washes on the way. Perhaps the red wash would work? 😊 Thanks

[@nickwilson5390]

Waoh. Way better than i was expecting

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - Thanks..? :)

[@nickwilson5390]

Sorastro's Painting oh no. Didnt mean it like that. Sorry bro. As in it looks better than i could have imagined

[@alwoodsmodellingmayhem]

Nicely done. 👏👏👏👏This is a really useful video for me, thank you.👍👍

[@Sorastro]

Awesome - thanks so much! I'm glad you found the video useful :)

[@s.korgaard]

I think it is a very wise decision not to use the phrase "Beginners Guide" anymore. :D

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - you noticed that huh? :)

[@Wildboy789789]

It's a good day, your back

[@Sorastro]

Ha ha - it's interesting that people think I disappear in-between episodes :)

[@jonathanpopp7927]

Thanks for making this great tutorial, helped me a lot with my own!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Jonathan! I'm happy to hear it helped you with yours :)

[@maxbrandt6]

I doubt I'll ever paint any of these Star Wars Legion figures but I'm taking notes on how you paint black, looks to be an effective method.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Max! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@nerderthings]

Best tutorial ever thanks

[@Sorastro]

That's very kind - thank you! 😀

[@Loem28]

Really brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Michael! I really appreciate that :)

[@MrBMBuilder]

Awesome paint job!! I'm waiting on the AT-ST to build should be here soon

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot! I'm hoping to be able to release the AT-ST video pretty soon; it's a truly epic kit for sure! :)

[@celeborn1990]

Hell yeah Vader!!

[@Sorastro]

Yehaa! :)

[@celeborn1990]

Sorastro's Painting Hello from Spain dude!

[@stormyandcold]

Your verbal visualisation of your intentions really differentiates you as an artist rather than just a miniatures painter.

[@Sorastro]

What a lovely comment! Thank you 🙂

[@Scubasgamecorner]

Amazing as always

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Stephen! :)

[@Siarkmic]

Great job as always.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks buddy! :)

[@jaredlucev4481]

I know I'm super late to the party, but any chance you will be doing a box of the Death Troopers? I'd love to see you work on those!

[@Sorastro]

Hi Jared! I've got a PDF guide for them which you can grab here: sorastro.com/2019/05/01/death-troopers-pdf-guide/ :)

[@jaredlucev4481]

@@Sorastro and today is the day I learned you have a website apparently filled with awesome stuff!

[@stormquiver]

insane detail man, I wish mine could be remotely like that.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Jordan! Don't forget the detail doesn't have to be so fine for the mini to still look great from a couple of feet away; I kind of have to be as refined as possible for the videos (especially when shooting in 4K!) but as long as you achieve a similar balance of contrasts your Vader should still turn out great :)

[@GreenskinHolland]

What is that perfect soundtrack you hear at around 5:00 ?

[@Sorastro]

Hi! I actually compose all of the music myself 🙂 sorastro.com/sorastros-music/

[@nickneeley2177]

fantastic job on darth vader. really helped me figure out how i wanted to paint the black armor as a beginner painter. curious though, are you planning on doing anymore legion videos anytime soon?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! Yes, you can expect to see me painting some more Legion soon (the new hard-plastic stuff..) 😀

[@ratelmike8825]

Absolutely fantastic tutorial. Your video tutorials will be open all weekend as i pick up all my Legion goodness tonight from my local shop. Im finding using the citadel system great and just substituting citafel scheme for any VMC colours. Are you going to a video on the AT- ST at all.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Ratel! Yes, the AT-ST video will be released next week :)

[@zaccampa4055]

Holy hell I never thought of using varnish to fill gaps! You sir are a scholar and a gentleman.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Zac! It's a handy trick for sure (although I didn't come up with it myself to be fair..) :)

[@PrinceGlaciem363]

This is simply amazing but I kind of wonder, as you brought up the brightness on Vader’s outfit, how many coats of Black/ Dark Sea Blue did you use during each stage before you brightened it further with Blue Grey Pale?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! Oh gosh, this was so many years ago I honestly can't remember. I think it's best just to develop your own judgement though tbh.. 😀

[@CoolDude-lh9rd]

Your so good at this, your like Bob Ross of mini hobbes.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks again! :)

[@sim2570]

Well done!!! ...The force is strong with yoooou!!!!! ;)

[@Sorastro]

Ha - thanks Monte! I'm glad you liked it :)

[@shaundaly1134]

Superb.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Shaun! :)

[@stevenagelutton4322]

the bob ross of miniatures painting.

[@NilOleart]

Amazing tutorial!! Is there a way to create the glaze for the OSL without the red glaze you use here? I was thinking about a very diluted red paint + something I'm missing

[@Sorastro]

Thanks a lot Nil! Yes you could dilute some paint, or perhaps some red ink - and it might be easier to manage/glaze with if you thin it with medium (Lahmian Medium for example) :)

[@NilOleart]

@@Sorastro thanks :)

[@emilianofisanotti9639]

Too PRO!!!!:) Loved the video man!!!!:)

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Emiliano! Much appreciated :)

[@PaulMB24]

This looks so awesome! Do your practice each mini first or is this really your first try on this miniature?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Paul! In this case I did actually have a spare Vader to do a practice on :)

[@daveshellabarger6352]

When you “prime” are you using black paint or black primer? Thank you so much my figures are looking better and better with each one I do.

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Dave! When I prime I'm using an actual primer :)

[@familyofgamers777]

Awesome, once again!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks so much! :)

[@randomfleming]

Sorastro, have you ever used Scale75 paints? The colors are very vibrant and go on easily. Great for lightsaber colors.

[@Sorastro]

Hi! I've mostly tried their metallics and inks so far but I would certainly like to explore more of their range :)

[@GryphonArmorer]

I thought the upper chest armor with the alternating panels were gloss black and matte black? I honestly thought you were going way,way too light with the highlights, but after it was all said and done, it looks really good. I've only in the last two years started using this method to paint figures and really haven't done all that many (well 6 to be honest) and find myself having trouble just following and trusting the process. I guess I've done ok because I won a first place in a painting competition and the ones I've sold the customers were very pleased and said that they are so much better looking in person, and the pictures of them are pretty good if I say so myself. 🤓😉😎 Great job and thanks for sharing your tips and techniques.

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! And grats on winning the painting competition! :)

[@GryphonArmorer]

Sorastro's Painting sure, and thank you too.

[@michaelstasyszyn8857]

So if I was looking to do Vader without so much OSL, I could still get away with most of the directions, just toning down some of the highlighting, correct? I do love the use of the blue/black/grey tone for the cape and other cloth surfaces.

[@Sorastro]

Absolutley Michael! Just tone down the highlights on the cloth and perhaps the leather too, but don't hold back with the shiny armour though :)

[@subdug]

Hello! Great tuto as usual ! i just told myself if you wouldn't have the feeling to do things twice? (imperial assault and now) , your technics are progressing well nevertheless. Thanks !

[@Sorastro]

Thanks David! It is interesting covering some of the same characters again to see how I do things differently :)

[@giovannizotti8549]

awesome!

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Giovanni! :)

[@CraigTyler]

I'm curious why you did not prime the inside of his cloak before gluing? I realize you probably don't want to get into areas where it could affect the fitting, but it seems like some brush on primer back there might get better coverage?

[@Sorastro]

Hi Craig! I didn't find I had any problem with primer coverage on my Vaders (this one and the one I did a practice run on) whilst using an airbrush, but if you think you're going to struggle to get coverage - perhaps if you're using a spray can - then I think priming the cloak separately before gluing is certainly and option worth considering :)

[@sparetomato]

The Circle is now Complete...

[@randomfleming]

Yes, but Sorastro is still the master.

[@sparetomato]

randomfleming indeed!

[@Kelvinernst1987]

very good! any idea when the at st and the airspeeder will go live?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Kelvin! The AT-ST will be live by the end of the week, and the airspeeder will be some time in April :)

[@HockeyGuy82128]

Great job! Should I wash the minis with soapy water before priming like u did in your Runewars Golem video?

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Daniel! I didn't wash mine but you can do as a precaution if you like :)

[@HockeyGuy82128]

Thank you!

[@achillemaggioravergano8096]

You are a great painter, may I ask your favourite brand of brushes?

[@Sorastro]

Hi! I usually use a Rosemary & Co Series 33 Size 2 brush :)

[@ongunpalaoglu3688]

Another great work, I wander why blue? I am newbie ☺️☺️

[@Sorastro]

Thanks Ongun! I chose to mix some blue into the black to add some depth and richness to the tone, and also to create some contrast between the colour temperatures (colder blue tones in the blacks, against the warmer orange tones of the OSL) :)

[@scottywan82]

Do you use different varnishes for different parts of the model, or do you prefer finishing it all with a matte coat? I am curious if different varnish would help sell the variation in material, similar to how you did the highlights.

[@wolf_fish_fr651]

Bonjour 😉 Qu'est se que vous pensez de met un glaze rouge directement sur une base Blanche pour le sabre laser ?

[@Sorastro]

Hi! It's certainly worth trying; I think it would look quite pink initially and would require quite a few layers to build up the tone is all.. :)

[@wolf_fish_fr651]

@@Sorastro d'accord, merci beaucoup je vais essayer juste pouvoir voir ce que cela donne 😉

[@Sorastro]

No problem! Have fun :)

[@Starrapter]

Another awesome job. Would you recommend washing the minis in water and dish soap before priming?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you! You can do - just as a precaution. I didn't bother myself, but certainly if you have issues with the primer or paint not adhering to the model then it's a good idea :)

[@Starrapter]

Sorastro's Painting ok great! Thank you.

[@Sorastro]

No problem! :)

[@thehonestaspy102]

Do you ever seal your models after painting them and if so can I ask what you use please?

[@Sorastro]

Hi! Yes, these days I use the AK Interactive Ultra Matte Varnish 😀

[@thehonestaspy102]

@@Sorastro thanks so much, I've been looking for ages for a good protective seal, do you have a guide on applying it? 😊

[@aaronkenny2783]

Is the acrylic matt varnish that your using to fill gaps the same as vallejos new polyurethane matt varnish or are they different and would it still work. Thanks

[@Sorastro]

Hi! Sounds like the same thing to me; you can really use pretty much anything that dries solid tbh (I often use Mod Podge these days) 🙂

[@aaronkenny2783]

@@Sorastro ok thanks mate I really appreciate it

[@Sorastro]

No problem! 🙂

[@derwolvi]

Thank you for the guide. I tried the most of it and it looks so great. Do you think, it is a good idea to paint the lightsaber with blood for the blood god?

[@Sorastro]

Hi again! It's really up to you; it would turn out looking somewhat dark and glossy is all :)

[@TrevorJust]

Amazing

[@Sorastro]

Cheers Trevor! I'm glad you liked it :)

[@DR-pb8hx]

Love your work! Will you continue your Kindom Death pinting series?

[@Sorastro]

Thank you Dripta! Yes - the White Lion is in my painting queue :)

[@schneidenbaga]

For some reason I can never mix my paints properly I feel like I just get wrong mixtures. I do watch all your videos for a guide. I'm new so I'm trying to get my skills at a decent level

[@Sorastro]

Hi Brandon! You'll get there - it just takes patience and practice. :)