How To Paint Weapons & Armor On Miniatures

This method can be used for either clean & shiny or dirty armor by simply adjusting the ink recipe towards the end. Works on anything from knights to the Undead.
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PAINT KEY
VMC = Vallejo Model Color
VGC = Vallejo Game Color
VMA = Vallejo Model Air
VPA = Vallejo Panzer Aces
MC = Vallejo Metal Color
AK = AK Interactive
GW = Games Workshop

[@EVILREG]

The duel wash method you mentioned is a genius ive been painting for 15 years and just learned somthing new loving your dark elves stuff keep up the good work.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

The second reason I like this method, that I didn't mention, is that "knight" armor was very late in the period and a rarity. There was centuries of forging before getting to that polished steel look. There was also iron and other alloys which couldn't be polished to the same level as steel alloy. I always imagine that armor would look more like the hammer out in my garage instead of the fork in my kitchen drawer.

[@SpottedSharks]

I tried this method and it works well! Depending on the mini, sometimes I will lightly file the weapon's edge to use the natural properties of the metal to simulate a sharpe blade.

[@landofmert]

I'm just starting Dark Elves, so this is extremely helpful.

[@adam5769]

less view of the pallet and more of the minni. good vid.

[@theavian7824]

Absolutely fantastic! Extremely informative and helpful. I've just started painting miniatures and had no idea how to paint a "realistic" sword. I didn't just want to paint it silver and call it a day. So, thanks for posting this video. I'll be checking out the rest of your videos on a regular bases. Your rank and file miniatures look incredible and I look forward to being able to paint on that level at some point (years probably). Please keep your videos coming. Later!

[@PauloPereira-hk9nw]

The figure is mostly off-camera at the beginning video. Can't see what you're doing there.

[@olschoolgamer1869]

Yeah, this happens quite a bit in the doctors videos, but his techniques are still valid.

[@paulopereira7069]

I don't doubt it. Would be more helpful if they're visible.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

I prefer this method cause the black paint dulls the metallics in shade. It also helps it cover better.

[@snapperxv]

Thanks for the great video , I personally use a steel basecoat then a steel, black and gunmetal blue mix varied for different washes as this seems to give a good sheen, although the washes are not as fine as using inks. The black in the wash also tends to solve pinlining problems on arabised head dress. Hope this makes sense.

[@Jedijim252]

Good tips and great results in your tutorial...I am not sure I will ever stop experimenting...but the older I get, the harder it is for me to recreate the stuff I thought works :D Going to have to start keep a diary of my mad experimentation...lol....Jim.

[@kevinjrh]

Instead of using straight water to thin your inks, mix a little Gloss Medium, or Liquitex Flow Aid, or Folk Art (R) Extender with your water. The "modified" water should be less prone to surface tension problems inherent with the metallic paints. Great work on the figure too!

[@18F4V]

Sorry, hit the wrong key. Dark Elves look great the way you've painted them up. Great job!

[@garyarmstrong9424]

could we have a look at the finished 60 models , nice technique I'm looking forward to using it

[@TheMightyCroog]

Great tutorial, thank you for sharing with the community, and providing insight for us new painters out here. =)

[@thebowtiechaplain3399]

Your videos are helpful!! Like your flesh layering video.

[@Vyerel]

That outcome comes out very clean but I am curious why you try to change it? I am also curious how you painted the inside if the corsair's capes.

[@Flamethrower1942]

I recently read somewhere most suites of armour were black either painted black to protect from elements or dulled black before battle don't know how true this is though.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

I've hear something similar, but I don't think it was that wide spread. One would paint their armor if they didn't have the money or time or servant to keep it polished, but if they didn't have that, how would they have gotten the armor in the first place.

[@Flamethrower1942]

Killed some guy for it maybe or loot a dead noble slain in single combat who knows lol

[@jonq9241]

+The Angry Saxon They used soot to blacken it...

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for another great video!

[@primerjohnpaints]

Added to Reference Page

[@WASD20]

How do you mount your miniature on that bottle cap? I tried Elmer's glue, which held great for about 10 minutes :) Not too good!

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Hot glue gun.

[@WASD20]

ThePaintingClinic Perfect. Thanks!

[@theoriginalcheebamech]

I've got old prescription bottles filled with sand for weight and a blob of poster tack on the cap; works great for holding miniatures.

[@landofmert]

yep

[@JBPorter]

New to painting here. But man, I've been watching your videos as I need to work on blending for my highlights. All of your stuff seems to blend so well with little effort (or at least you make it seem so easy I mean). I guess if I just keep my colors super close and paint with normal strokes it will look blended instead of a stark highlight? Also, what do you use for a palette there? I was using pallet paper for a while, but switched to a homemade wet palette because I was having issues with paint drying up super fast. How do you keep them wet for bigger projects? I was worried about mixtures drying up too fast and then not being able to recreate them.

[@indianwargamer6155]

Nice! But a lot of these colours/ washes are unavailable in India. :)

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Fantasy-wise I don't see an Orc, Skaven, or especially Undead polishing their weapon every day. Historical-wise it could go either way. Anyone who could afford full plate armor certainly would afford to have someone else polish it after each battle. However I can't imagine a peasant with a "government" issued helm and spear worrying about them looking shiny. Cont....

[@jackanderson350]

please tell me where can I get already painted figures like this one also I am looking for all kinds of weapons and armors and other fantasy items (all miniature and made of metal(ish) material? or not painted that you could paint for me as I would want to tho ;p regards

[@shepharda74]

Could you not use VMA Gun, Silver and Steel in layers?

[@SirLathansStudios]

Awesome tips...I am doing an axe that will get this treatment. I only have vmc silver...will that work?

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Yes, but the Vallejo Air is higher quality.

[@SirLathansStudios]

Gotcha..so water it down good huh

[@Nobleshield]

ThePaintingClinic Do you prefer Vallejo Model Air to the Vallejo Game Color as far as quality? I've heard that VGC > VMC for metallics, is VMA better still? If I wanted very shiny armor (say for a Paladin-type model), do you have a suggestion for which VMA color might work? They have "Chrome" and "Silver" that both look brighter than Steel.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Air is the best since it uses aluminum powder. Silver is fine. Chrome is silver with a tiny touch of blue.

[@SirLathansStudios]

Have mastered the airbrush paint yet Tony

[@diaz5292]

Mmmmmm...love me some crushed Mika....

[@Rockdogg79]

anyone else see the bird shape in the black paint?

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Things can always be improved. It's ok, but I want better.

[@stevecillian]

I like the tips but 2/3 of video is off screen.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmaaybe.

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Pffff! 1/2 tops!

[@ThePaintingClinic]

Plain ol' tap water.