Stop Wasting Your Time - The Only Technique You Need

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The beautiful miniature is from Kingdom Death: Gambler's Chest Expansion. The name is Deathking Armor

[@xyonblade]

Spoiler, the technique is layering. Spoiler, the video is still worth watching though.

[@BoardGameHangover]

My biggest struggle when getting started was picking the right technique. There are so many videos and tutorials that it felt a bit paralyzing. This video perfectly sums up my discoveries - layering is the way to go. And obviously, practice makes perfect. Thanks for this video and others that really helped in the journey! Great content.

[@DotJus]

I started painting way before KZbin but always wondered what it would have been like to start with it. Didn’t think there would be negatives. I stumbled on dry brushing, stippling, glazing, slap chop on my own without knowing the names.

[@scottturner3831]

Knowing is half the battle... the other half is rimming.

[@airnestofpv3463]

LOL rimmming 🤭

[@CaravanCzar]

Phrasing!

[@wtfserpico]

I love your KDM paintjobs so much. Awesome.

[@Teremei]

you really LAYered it out well for us.

[@jjl285]

Great video - thank you!

[@bricesnow2695]

Wow, thanks for making this video. It formalizes the process I was using after watching painters like Sergio Calvo. This style makes painting much more fun for me.

[@AnonYmous-ic5kd]

Bro thanks for the informative video!

[@BitzboxTV]

The results certainly speak for themselves. This is certainly the way I prefer to paint. Half the battle is mastering the paint consistency and getting the right amount on the brush

[@aberodriguez4149]

Thank you for sharing I am going to work on this since I am totally a sloppy painter. 😊

[@adri-frenchy]

Fetch the popcorn and brush ! Lets paint something ! Thanks for your content dude ! It is inspiring 🙂

[@konee0]

I absolutely agree, I've been following this approach for years now and the results are the best. In layering, the most important thing is building the proper value contrast, then understanding where the highlisghts should go for the best effect and only then should you really focus on how thick or thin your layers are

[@KenrickBlock]

Best merch in the game ❤

[@BoySawWorks]

I never go above 3-4 layers and get frustrated I cannot achieve smooth transitions. There are usually many elements on the figure and I'm not patient enough to work on one thing for too long. I have to change that mindset xd

[@MatteV2]

I tried to get a smooth transition from dark green to lighter green on my 30k Death Guard terminators, and I just gave up, because no matter what I did, it just looked like three fat lines...

[@asobkow]

​@@MatteV2 you could try to blend them together using glazes. Or try to mux the three colours to intermediate steps, so mix the dark color wird the middle 50:50 and layer over the harsch line. At the second side, do it again with the lightest and medium color.

[@captnwinkle]

​@@MatteV2 imagine doing this for the first time on all that female skin for KD models. But, as cliche as it is, keep practicing and you'll find the right balance of thinning and mix of those two colors. Ok mine you can still tell if you pay attention, but WAY less than my first model

[@El-Rico]

About a month ago, I was painting the cloaks on the skeletons from the cursed city boxed set.Thin red paint over black primer by sketching and I discovered this. It's a game changer. Now I also use it for my NMM stuff.

[@MarcinEstkowski]

That's what I thought! Thank You!

[@myszorg]

going to try this

[@Bunyip_Studios]

Layering is the way!

[@mattesco2876]

Absolutely agree.

[@paulopma]

Nice video, thank you verymuch. Don't you use airbrush?

[@MrGainify]

What paints would you recommend for someone looking to get a basic set going?

[@DannyEastes]

Layering is so god damn difficult, I always end up making the transitions too stark, or covering too much with a layer, or going with colours that don't mesh well at all. I've never been able to get it right, and it leaves me wondering if having red-green colourblindness is making that struggle harder

[@ariellouit8523]

Oh my dear @zumikito I love so much your videos. I'm missing mexican zumikito and gladiator zumikito though...❤

[@carminesblade1625]

I was thinking about something similar to this the other day. I did a paint with only 5 colours and 1 brush a little while back. Now Jon, I think maybe you and Scott should try using a random colour square for a competition piece. Go all out on it. Thoughts?

[@sandycultofthesun]

have you done a video on using glazing after layers, stuff like glazing, tinting or other techniques to like, smoothen or bring things together etc? would watch that for sure. gonna go into your vid library and look in case you have already

[@pqfire0950]

Do you have a playlist for this method lol? Cause id love to go through every video you have on this. I want to learn how to wet blend but im afraid to mess up so maybe a slower more methodical technique is warrented.

[@rustybuckets07]

The older I'm getting, the worse my eyesight becomes. I'm beginning to care less every year how bad my minis look :)

[@deusmortis9751]

such good painting

[@spacehamsterZH]

I've pretty much landed on this view of painting at this point as well. I'm just... applying paint of various opacities, sometimes with different brush movements. That's all there really is to any of this. Understanding what's going on as you're doing it to get the result takes a lot of practice until you can do it intuitively, but overthinking it and creating all these weird labels for different "techniques" doesn't help at all.

[@bardfrompractice]

Great video! What model is this? I want her hair for a kitbash.

[@jardoomminiatures]

Vole já tě žeru :D nikdo to nedělá tak vtipně jako ty :D

[@baqubak]

Can you do the same thing with metalic colors?

[@joshrice4709]

This was what I settled on eventually. Especially once it clicked that glazing = layering, stippling = layering, as you mention here. It really is an end-to-end solution. The only one I would "add" is feathering. It often saves my butt when I accidentally cause brush stroke texture with my thinner layers due to the bush being too full or something. I just use a wet brush to gently spread the paint out.

[@viccotr]

thank you, very interesting. Could you please make a video how to pain big flat surfaces?

[@iniziativeturisticheemarit6945]

yyou said it bro, big flat surfaces are PAIN XD

[@knarfola]

Are there tips for layering then ink then layering

[@Liopot68]

Agreed, this is the technique that Sergio Calvo and Jose Davinci use - with a phase of glazing in-between each layer. One has to say that it´s easier said than done: the quality of the result relies on the value jump between layers and that´s a bitch to judge at the beginning.

[@Rlndgunslinger]

Oh, man! I thought this video was gonna be about how to grow an amazing beard like yours. Oh well. Still a pretty good video.

[@dannyslag]

I legitimately don't understand how to layer properly. I've tried, but it's considered such a basic technique no one really seems to explain it in dumbed down terms.

[@Zumikito]

I have a "layering in 5 minutes" video, try that :) I think some people have a problem with it, because they are missing one or two components to do that correctly

[@blaarghwee]

Somehow I only just noticed the drawing behind you. It's awesome! Gonna go back into older videos to see if we get a complete view at some point.

[@JerryH171]

It's a panel from the Manga Berserk. If you google Berserk eclipse you should find it.

[@herbbreymaier6478]

When you say 5 minutes to do the boob plate do you include drying time?

[@elkaput]

well after many years of Painting Miniatures... im still come back to simple Layering!

[@leonatus221]

But how long will it take?

[@Shogun-c87]

What miniature is that?

[@DroopNasty]

Editing 10/10

[@Bonalux]

I personally find layering much harder than glazing because it is very tricky to get right consistency. You need very precise ratio of water to paint for layer to be not too opaque and not too transparent, while with glazes you just add a lot of water until you almost cannot see color.

[@ts.8206]

edging goated

[@user-tm1zn9wy6c]

The thing is, layering is much more approachable. Wet blending is very difficult and hard to do cleanly.. I wouldnt trust anyone who said otherwise...

[@electo21]

You always make NMM look so simple... I'm jealous

[@HIGHPUTTY]

Is thin layer less watery than glazing and watery than layering? If water and paint are roughly 1:1 for layering, how much thin layer should be diluted?

[@kervala]

I personally only use a wet palette and it's enough, I don't need to add water or medium :) The layers are thin enough to need 2-3 ones before becoming totally opaque.

[@generalhao985]

I really like your videos It's a pity in my country it is not possible to use Patreon ((

[@SoRa228]

I always keep reverting back to tried and true layering but making the transition smooth is a pain in the ass

[@meesert]

Looks great but still takes to much time for army painting imo. I just go primer, 1 layer of colour, wash, 1 layer of highlights where I want it. Its not perfect but atleast its fast when you have a lot of small soldiers.

[@mocheck_]

But can I use this for rimming purposes?

[@Zumikito]

not only that you can, you must 🙏

[@maverickman6486]

I put "layers" of paint on with dry brushing and washes.

[@chrislail3824]

One of the best techniques you can learn is to just try and paint a bit faster. Get the work done, and move on to the next. Good video, layering is what happens once you feel like you’ve learned what you’re doing and just want to get it done. Paint like 150 goblins and you’ll get the hang of it.

[@InWanderment]

I’m a bit of a noob. My question is, are you doing 5 layers of shade. Like the red in the cloth part. Are there different shades of red. Or one shade and you just build it up to its full colour?

[@Zumikito]

Both. One color might need multiple passes to build up and each application can cover less and less. When you add another color, repeat it

[@InWanderment]

@@Zumikito thanks, I get it now

[@WladSawicki]

I paint 32mm figures. in the hobby recently. I can’t figure out what kind of brushes these are and which ones can be used to draw and not colored. What I have physically doesn’t allow it (it seems to me). Tell me some information about these brushes that have a pointed end, they hold paint a lot, do not dry quickly and can allow you to draw on a figures?

[@bongochongopongo]

The brushes are likely from kolinsky sable hair. Search for kolinsky sable brushes recommendations on KZbin, there's like a million reviews of them(series 7 from W&N, da Vinci, Raphael are some brands of note maybe). You will need to take care of them tho, don't use metallic colors with them (the metal shavings will damage the hair). Also make sure to clean them with brush soap after every session and don't let the paint get to the ferrule ( the metal part that holds the bristles). The not drying out paint part, that depends on how you thin the paints and just your skill I suppose. If you thin just with water, it evaporates quicker than if you use some acrylic medium or retarder even. Try looking for articles/videos on that topic and acrylic mediums, could be helpful.

[@bongochongopongo]

Ow and drawing, for that you need a brush with longer bristles and good paint in the right, thin consistency, needs to flow nicely (probably never works right out of the pot, maybe some of the model air type paints that are airbrush ready do tho, have not tried personally), but not be too runny or so thin it break down entirely. Consistency could be compared to something like fatty milk, or cream maybe.

[@USALibertarian]

What is meant by "layer" and "layering"?

[@defdaz]

Singular / noun and plural / act of.

[@Vaquix000]

I know nothing about these characters but they look awesome

[@gazzaroony]

I used to paint with layering techniques, but I took an arrow to the elbow.

[@Gorbachoph]

Guys, I stopped painting for 6 months, now I want to start again, but cant remember any of the techniques or colors I was using. Please help.

[@Valthorn898]

Here’s question: how much are you mixing between paint colors? That’s a huge jump between the dark brown and Japanese Brown so how do you make it?

[@Zumikito]

The first jump is usually the biggest. You can also see that I am glazing over the transitions to make it softer. However, if I was painting a skintone the same way (oh wait, that is coming for the next video) you'd see that I am not making such a big value (lightness) jump.

[@Valthorn898]

@@Zumikito So it’s subjective based on how smooth you want the final results to be?

[@Zumikito]

yes, theoretically you could mix in as many midtones as you want to have as smooth of a result as possible, but at some point it doesn't really make that much of a difference

[@annormal1414]

I feel like video should be called "Stop Wasting Your Time - The Only Technique You Need! (if you're aiming at diorama-level paintjob)" For someone who hates painting and wants to get over with it asap it's the opposite.

[@karlmoore1837]

More to that "..two thin coats" than meets the eye

[@Astartesparty]

Zuki , do you commission paint , I’d love to buy a sangunious model an get you paint it for a Center peice bc I’d fuck that model up so bad with my shotty skills

[@djvertical]

I’m too busy rimming to care about layering 😅

[@iclimbeverything2990]

"everything else is a waste of time" proceeds to show slowest possible method of painting

[@loneangler9063]

That shirt tho lmao!!!

[@milobaugh-r6y]

do you prefer age of sigmar or 40000 more

[@wibblelord2633]

I've been painting minis for 37 years, and I didn't understand any of this

[@JoeFlamenco]

Without mastering layering, one cannot master stippling.

[@MartiMenorca]

Looks like Sergio Calvo style

[@sAKecOkE]

Squidmar has been saying the same for a while, they don't use any washes either just layers upon layers...

[@WladSawicki]

For me, to understand, how when and where to apply paint to a miniature for layering - I think i need go to art school for 2-4 years

[@Zumikito]

You could also watch my video on value sketching, it's all in there

[@defdaz]

Or take a photo of the mini with a spot light on it from the direction you want. Instant shadows and highlights guide.

[@slanahesh]

Damn, the youtube mini painting community has advanced so much were now being reminded that layering is a core skill to know.

[@BlauJen887]

The one comment that all makers of the “one painting technique you need to know videos + Space Marines” need to know ….

[@Hot_Dice]

Greetings bearded one

[@rainbird2002]

Drybrushing! Clearly drybrushing!

[@NoUseForAName06]

I mean "thinning down your layer even more and drag your brush into the reflection" is just a fancy way to say "use glazing". I appreciate the fact that youtube titles need to be catchy, but this feels a bit sneaky. It's like saying "stippling is the only tool you need, except sometimes you will have to use thinner paints and use a dragging motion over the surface" it's not really stippling then, is it?`

[@Skiriwowi]

Been painting since 2019, I am so happy I focused on layering right from the start, it's the only technique I use and after 5 years my painting is so much better. Never even bothered with wetblending, blegh. Also, it's pronounced reSULT, not REsult

[@fifth_godsmote8522]

I wish you could be my best freind hahaha we met at warhammer 2023 in manchester legend love your videos

[@_A.d.G_]

I still wonder why you have a glaze (pardon, thin layer) of Italian accent...

[@atlas6538]

I am pretty sure this is the same technique gw tutorial on KZbin have been applying for last 10 years,

[@alexrobinson4440]

Ha, "Simon".

[@rogerdouglas6485]

Random question, How did you back light your peg board?

[@mongoose6685]

Idk, that's a lot of layers!

[@kgoblin5084]

OK, honestly have to be a bit critical of the video... I (think, anyway) understand what it's trying to say but it doesn't do a very good job of saying it. The point I believe is that all painting techniques are ultimately a derivation of layering, &/or layering combines with all other techniques - eg. wet blending is just layering, but the paint is still wet on the model b/w applications. Dry brushing is layering on drier paint. Regardless of what brush technique or quirk you use, the principles of shadows, highlights, & multiple applications of color to create depth are fundamental & always apply. The problem is though that the way it was described kind of pitted layering as a technique against all other techniques... which is contrary to what I just said above. Layering isn't in competition with any other techniques because all other techniques are a form of layering. It isn't a question of layering vs. wet-blending, it's a question of wet-blending vs. dry-brushing, or allowing each layer to dry with no color blending on the model. Basically, the lead is buried & that confuses the message.

[@Zumikito]

Thank you for the feedback, maybe I could have confused someone when I said "it's all kinda the same". The thing is, it's not - stippling and glazing surely are a type of layering, because you are just playing around with paint thickness and type of a brushstroke. Wet blending however, is color mixing on the miniature, drybrushing is made with quite a dry paint and can also easily create texture, because the paint application is so different, etc. Same with washes, you are applying them so they spread instead of you extending them with your brush, therefore losing control

[@SafetyBriefer]

Risky click to get that sweatshirt.

[@samuelsramek8542]

Wouldnt slow layering made me waste more time because i have to do it multiple times? The Slapchop technique although overused, sounds much easier than this

[@crashingatom6755]

Sounds like you don’t actually paint.

[@Zumikito]

If you wanna strictly prioritize speed, sure, there is no problem with slapchop

[@theandf]

I really like the example paintjob. I guess my criticism would be that your definition of "layering" makes your assertion tautological: layering is the only technique you need because everything is layering: glazing is layering, stipling is layering, drybrushing is layering, airbrushing is layering, etc etc. I guess you know this and are being playful :) By the way, what used to be the standard approach in Duncan Rhodes' WH:TV videos is layering, innit? Prime, base colors, wash, reestablish base colors, highlight --> all of that is layering!

[@derjoman523]

nothing for noobs...if u are new and have not such control, it will not work

[@milobaugh-r6y]

do you like age of sigmar of 40000 more thank you

[@sssssrgssssss9]

Any techniques are great when you got a very nice and expensive paint brush!

[@stefanlow3055]

For me, it's boring all Miniatur and painted games looking similar/the same

[@BlauJen887]

Sigh, yes. Layering. No short cuts. Just carefully add less and less paint until it looks right.

[@LordBelakor]

yeah, all the other techniques are just for the impatient, stupid speed painting

[@BecomeHeroes]

Awesome for single models. No way in hell for painting an army.

[@hrr222]

There is only one but very serious problem with this technique - blends are just TERRIBLE. You literally see every one layer on the cloak - and its sooo bad.

[@Nomnomnomnomie]

Honestly for the vast majority of models it won’t matter, plus some may love the painterly looking style. I am a massive perfectionist so wouldn’t like that but many won’t mind.

[@cormak777]

Blends are terrible only if you don't dilute your paints correctly or if you don't use enough layers. You can also easily fix the blends with glazing and stippling

[@Elfhelm]

Skill issue

[@hrr222]

@@cormak777 I see what I see on this video. Just look at the cloak.

[@wtfserpico]

@@hrr222 Did you miss the part where he specifically said he was leaving the parts he cared less about in a more "sketch-like" state?

[@bossbullyboy195]

This is just how i paint, ive always thought ive done things wrong because im self taught from the world of ceramics