THIS is how you get better at highlighting

The Ultimate ‘How To’ Guide to Highlighting Warhammer Miniatures / tips and tricks that make it easy
This is an easy to follow guide that uses Citadel products to achieve fantastic looking miniatures, even if you’re new to the hobby.
Here on TableTopReady, it is my goal to help you to become a better miniature painter no matter what skill level you're starting from. All my tutorials are beginner friendly and I explain in detail the techniques I use in my videos and let you know what products I use along the way.
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[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Seeing as You’re already here looking at the comments, why not leave one yourself? As well if you appreciate the content here on TableTopReady take a moment to like the video. Commenting and liking videos shows KZbin that people are enjoying the content and they will get shared to more people. You could just write something like - ‘Would recommend’ ‘Very useful tutorial’ ‘Great Video’ ‘This is absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to see more and I can’t believe more people aren’t commenting and liking your videos’ I really appreciate any support - Thank you

[@Dracobyte]

Thank you for your hard work!!

[@therustykrab8106]

These sort of tutorials, of the so called basics, that go into everything you need to know about it, is just what alot of people need, including me!! Thanks!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

No problem. I feel I need my own tutorials some times 😋 I’m glad my content helps you

[@FranzBazar]

Agreed. I’m just starting out, and also need to learn so that I can teach my kids because they want to do it as well. They’re young. So the more of these the better! Earlier I was looking at how do I clean brushes between colors and do I even need to. Stuff that basic! So I really appreciate it!

[@sayyahdina]

Great video! I find the best way to improve is to stop comparing my work with others online and just try to be better then myself yesterday.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

This is the number 1 piece of advice. one I need to remember myself sometimes :)

[@Tito_Silva]

By far the most useful and didactic tutorial I found. I really needed this one. Would be great to see more specific tutorials. Like non metallic metal, OSL, etc

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I have plans to do NMM with Dante soon and OSL I want to include in a future painting tutorial

[@MisterTingles]

the value of a sharp, high quality brush can't be understated. For sharp edge highlights and fine lines, that is. I resisted the investment in a good brush for quite a while, opting for more paints that i didn't really need instead, and you can certainly find good (enough) brushes for little money and get good without an expensive one, I prefer 1€ ones from Milan (here in Germany) for the bulk of my painting. but when you're holding a high quality brush, you instinctively know the difference... and if you don't mash on them and clean them regularly, they'll outlast their investment.

[@Zach-xf5my]

Da Vinci maestro series 35, size 00. An absolute goat

[@lukeelphick642]

I actually find the opposite is true for me. I get more stuff painted to a higher standard when using my nasty cheapo, hook tipped synthetic brushes than when I'm using my fancy Artis Opus or Series 7. I think this is partly due to stressing about the brush itself. When I'm using the sable brushes, I'm worried about damaging them or getting paint in the ferrule etc. so I'm spending way more time worrying about the brush itself than painting the miniature. I only really used them for fine detail work anyways and metallics can wreck the bristles too over time. Whereas the cheap synthetic brushes I treat like garbage and just get the paint on the model. Don't have to switch out the brush for metallics either. I find the bend tip is actually really handy for edge highlighting too! I can't deny that feeling comfortable with the cheap brushes is probably due to most time spent using them. So I guess this just adds to Michael's point in the video though. What works for one person, may not work for someone else!

[@MisterTingles]

@@lukeelphick642 ye, same thing i use it for, fine detail work. all the caustic work gets done with cheap brushes. But seeing the difference in how fine of a line i can get with a Maestro compared to even a nice cheap one makes it worth the 18 bucks for me. Artist Opus is probably just as nice, but has the bespoke tax added to the price for no measurable benefit, even tho I covet them just as much as the next guy ...

[@Dracobyte]

Good to know that!

[@gdonaldson26]

Sticking my tongue out while painting improves the finished product by at least 50%. 👍

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Haha ofcourse, it’s aerodynamics

[@bergeracvandamme]

Brilliant tutorial. You're inspiring me to get back into 40k after a 30 year hiatus!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

😃 that’s brilliant. I really hope you get back into it 💪🏻

[@OveratedUnderdog]

Your advice about using a part of the painting hand to touch either the model or the other hand really helped me with my control. As someone just getting into the hobby, this channel has given me the confidence to paint my armies to a standard I'm proud of!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I'm glad I've been able to help :) it's why I love making these tutorials. Keep it up

[@billdoetsch]

Recently started painting again and tried to break the horizon into edge highlighting - really appreciate this and the Ultramarine guide ! Would love to see a Dark Angel one!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I'm glad my videos have been helping. I have a couple of dark angel tutrials already on the channel. go check em out :D

[@whalesequence]

The monument hobbies synthetic brushes made my painting so much better, the issue with them is that they're always out of stock, that's definitely one point in citadel's favor

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

there are a lot of great afordable brushes out there. When people descover them, they sell out. EXPO TOOLS have some fantastic affordable brushes as well

[@whalesequence]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Oh cool, I'll check those out

[@SM0RN124]

This tutorial helped me so much with my army! Thank you so much!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m glad I could help 😊

[@inigodonoso]

This video will really help me to make highlights! Thank you!

[@PartnersofMachino]

As always really appreciate the clarity and approachability of your videos. Thanks so much Michael!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

apreciate your support and comments :D thank you

[@kullervo3289]

I really appreciate all your videos. New to hobby, just started 40k in 10e, helped me a lot!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Awesome welcome to the hobby. I’m really glad your enjoying my content 😁

[@garrettmoriguchi9253]

Highlighting reminds me of trying to learn how to ride a bike. You'll struggle at first and all of a sudden things start to click. For me, two things happened. I instinctually started to brace my hands on things instead of letting my hand try to highlight in "free space". The other thing was learning how to thin paints to get the consistency that works for me...thin enough to glide on easily but not so thin that it's pigmentless runny "ink". Also some paints flow better than others which you eventually learn over time.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

All very sound advice. I remember when it clicked for me as well. Its like your brain finally understands what your trying to do and it updates itself ha and thats when the confidence happens

[@RaggiDrex]

I am starting with mini painting and your tutorials expain everything so well. thanks

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Welcome to the hobby. Glad your enjoying and your able to use my content 😁 make sure to fun most of all

[@inquisitorcarl]

I've followed this channel from the very start and I'm very glad I have as you have brilliant tutorials that are simple and create great results. I hope you get more growth

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

that really means a lot to know you've been here since the start. It's been a journey and the content has definetly improved since then ha. I glad you've been with me on this journey as its only going to getting bigger and better :D

[@inquisitorcarl]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin tyvm bro you deserve all this growth and I wish the best

[@Robmlufc]

Great videos, really enjoying getting through them. Answering all the questions I have, cheers! 👍🏻

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I'm glad the tutorials are helping :D

[@olgadushina]

This is definitely my favourite miniature painting channel! Love everything starting from the content to the way it is delivered to the newbies like me! Watch every video and try to reproduce as best I can. And as a bonus, I particularly enjoy your voice and the way you speak. Could listen for ages! ;) Looking forward to new videos! Cheers!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Oh shucks 😋 thank you. I’m happy you enjoy my content and presentation. I have a lot of fun and love making these tutorials.

[@olgadushina]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin 🤗😉

[@JohnR1298]

That's where I've been going wrong for so many years, not sticking my tongue out 😆 Seriously though, I find drawing the brush tip over my tongue a little bit helps get that point for that last little dot of paint I need to finish! (Apparently it is an old artist trick I've heard). Another cracking video mate, thank you. You covered quite a lot there as well 👍☺

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. :D

[@nachtmacher6237]

Looks amazing . Thank you 😊

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

no, thank you :)

[@fearlessretaliator4997]

It is such a joy watching you wield a brush.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thank you :)

[@tomburtenshaw2727]

Your tuts are second to none. Keep 'em coming!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

🤭 the tuts. Ha thank you I’ll do my best to 😁

[@lepszykomentator3757]

Wonderful piece of tips. Thank you very much, you are an angel😊

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Hopfully it helps

[@Juanmacm]

Amazing video, thank you very much. This video is for me one of the best references for highlights.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you very much 😊 I’m really glad you think so

[@XmortoxX1990]

This is definitively the thing I want to improve the most among other painting skill. Thank you for the video

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

if you can highlight, you'll be able to paint anything. it's something to take yor time with though

[@christopherrichen4444]

Mate your “work” is amazing from vids to the bottom of the art. Hats off.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

O shucks. Thank you 😊

[@ImpStyle1]

Great job as always Michael, thanks for this fantastic video.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Your very welcome. thank you for suggesting to make it

[@ImpStyle1]

@@TableTopReadyKZbin Thank you for doing this, it will be very useful to me and many others. Good job

[@robsmith4500]

Thank you Michael! This is a great refresher for me, very comprehensive and to the fundamentals. Also yes, weird tongue actions are essential :)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

It makes you more streamline ha I’m glad you like the tutorial. Thank you 😁

[@Kage69]

Another great tutorial vid. I'm hoping to see you do a shading video down the line. A lot of the other videos out there haven't helped me understand the proper way to thin down my paints for the nice gradual shade from one color to the next.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you 😊 I enjoyed making this tutorial and I am thinking about other similar tutorials covering techniques

[@SinaKec]

Great video! Thank you!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I'm glad you liked it :)

[@MrBkatt]

I'm just getting back into painting after roughly 25 years absence. I borrowed a bunch of paints, brushes and ultramarines my friend never get done, so I took up the banner and will do it for him. I tried highlighting today, and the lines was absolutely horrendous, like the one in the 9minute mark. Mostly because I don't see as well as I did last time. And probably because my tools are trash. Think I'll invest in a pair of reading glasses and a new brush. Thanks for the video, I really like how you took the time to really explain the process. Much appreciated 👍

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad I can help If there was a turning point for my ability in the hobby. It would be when I started using reading glasses. Our eyes aren’t very good at focusing on something so small up close. It’s amazing the difference it makes. A lot of it is practice as well. Take your time with it and enjoy it 😁 this is how we improve

[@thatminipainter17]

Grate job like always

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thank you :)

[@TaxemicFanatic]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m glad ☺️

[@chefdude7536]

Thak you very much for this tutorial

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Glad you like it :D

[@passj4982]

For a DIY wet pallete, I'd reccomend getting any A5 paper box, then there's something sold locally in most stores (uk) called spontex moppets, 2 packets of that fit perfectly in the A5 size and last longer than a wet paper towel (they're essentially just an A6 sized sponge)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I give this a try

[@TheDuke07]

Another great video from one of the most underrated creators on here

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

You're always very kind with your comments. thank you

[@RoryG90]

This is my favourite painting channel!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

🤭 wow. Thank you

[@Dracobyte]

Awesome tips!!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

This was a fun video to make :)

[@FranzBazar]

I’m just starting out, and also need to learn so that I can teach my kids because they want to do it as well. They’re young. So the more of these the better! Earlier I was looking at how do I clean brushes between colors and do I even need to. Stuff that basic! So I really appreciate it!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Hopefully you’ve seen my recent learn how to paint miniatures video 😃 that video will be perfect for yah. I really hope you have lots of fun and make good memories with your children

[@THE_MR_MAN]

this helped alot thanks!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I’m glad 😃

[@jammerman28]

I appreciate your video. Thanks for the tips! Good luck with your channel.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I appreciate your comment :D thank youand good luck with painitng

[@Jo-xx8gd]

Great video ! thanks alot !

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you. I'm glad you like the content :D

[@shorelessskies]

Great stuff as usual

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you very much 🙏🏻 I appreciate yah

[@Charnaud676]

Great video. Thank you for creating it. :)

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you 😊 I’m glad you like it

[@bxxx2]

thanks, very useful!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you :D

[@stormcrow7611]

Well done.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Thank you :D

[@mikemodels928]

Highlighting is my Achilles feet. Very useful video

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

lets make it your strength :D

[@samuellund1377]

You kind of sound like Holly from Red Dwarf, and I say that with the deepest respect.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Haha I guess we do. They’re dead Dave

[@MorrowindES17]

Another fantastic tutorial il be a pro painter in no time.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

theres no point making these tutorials other wise :D

[@jameswood240]

Excellent video it's like you were talk directly at me lol

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

maybe I was ...

[@rfernandz2001]

One thing that I wish modern digital-sculpted miniatures would do is add a slight flat bevel to prominent hard edges. That way the painted highlight more easily works for both surfaces (that meet the beveled edge) and is easier to paint.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

interesting idea. I do wish their swords had less of a bevel though :P

[@TKalways]

What lighting set up do you have? I'm struggling to find a bright enough all around light when painting, but your light box seems like what I need!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

theres a link in the descriptions of my videos for the light I use. you can also just get day light bulbs for standard lamps which i've also linked. if you use lamps, it helps to have a couple on each side. i use to just have 2 cheap lamps from ikea with the day light bulbs in.

[@maxwelldawson8088]

great tutorial. im just starting of painting and im wondering is the paint for highlighting just blue paint thinned down or do you put a little bit of white in it because it looks a little white to me.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I use available colours in the range which tend to be lighter tones of the blue. I recommend watching my painting your first miniatures 😁

[@zackbradford7522]

Wish I found this vid when I first started. Great job on it. What size and brand brush are you using? The one with the long tip? I’ve been looking for one similar.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I just use the citedal range of brushes and I'll switch between medium and small.

[@mirage809]

Highlighting is a technique that is simple on paper, but can be quite tricky at first. Luckily it's something you get better at as you paint more and improve your feel for the paint and brush control. Also, seeing you wear two sets of glasses over one another looks a bit goofy, but the extra magnification looks useful for spotting all the tiny details.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

those reading glasses are what really changed everythng for me. I've got terrible eyesight as it is ha but seeing what your brsh is doing is important

[@redneckwarrior1530]

I had a question about the brushes, I often get this small blob of paint on the tip of my brush, which prevents the paint from applying to the surface unless I apply more pressure, but this then ruins the edge highlighting and is very frustrating, is this a result of not wetting my brush enough? How often would I need to wet my brush? And if you have any brush maintenance tips after use I’d appreciate it! Thanks for the video man! It really helped a lot!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Honestly it’s something I deal with as well. It happens when paint drys on the top off your brush. It’s not completely solvable. It could be too much paint. Not thin enough or even just how dry your environment is. I tend to just pinch it off with my fingers and the wash my brush.

[@thehursk1935]

What are the easist to hardest 40k minis to paint

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

The easiest mini to paint is the one you’ve already painted so many times it’s easy 😋 I think it’s best to say that even with enough practice and experience something shouldn’t feel easy. If it feels easy then we need to push our selves more 💪🏻

[@BerserkerXII]

Amazing tutorial! I think sometimes, it comes down to just the patience. 😅

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Absolutely. When we can just relax and slow down, that’s when magic happens

[@messermedic7797]

How do you attach parts of your miniatures to those mounting blocks (or plastic cup in this video) and get them of afterwards without damaging them? Glue, glue tack, the force? :D

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

they're easy to remove if you've used super glue. just a little pressure needed

[@thehursk1935]

Question do you know much about 10th edition? I'd so do you know if I can run Castellon and marneus calgar together? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I don't to be honest. I'm pretty sure that they have to share the same faction key word

[@thehursk1935]

@TableTopReadyKZbin awesome thank you. Also do you hand paint everything?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

yes, I tried to use an airbrush, but it wasn't for me

[@HighMarshalHelbrecht]

Any plans of genestealer cult tutorials?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Yes, most likely you'llsee this in October

[@alexaranda5277]

Good video

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

thank you :D

[@propiggaming921]

Hey how often should I replace a paint brush?

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

When it’s not doing what it’s suppose to 😛

[@yonibenitah6325]

Can you provide a link to these GWs painted minis viewers please? @ 11:00

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

just head over to the warhammer website, you can just google warhammer or games workshop. you can go into the shop and look at every miniature GW do. the marines are the intercessors. I always go there to see images and turn arounds

[@yonibenitah6325]

@TableTopReadyKZbin just another thing ... chunky highlight is by far the hardest highlight to get good at

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I agree, and the one that takes the longest.

[@GameGijs]

Turning on 'tongue out mode' here!

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

haha activate

[@swiftxx1]

Fire

[@grapeape7284]

What is baking paper in american? Wax paper?

[@garrettmoriguchi9253]

Generally recommended is parchment paper. You can find it in any grocery store (check where they keep the aluminum foil, etc.). I know some people used wax paper but because of the wax, the moisture from the wet paper towels underneath won't keep the paints from drying out.

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

I think it's also cooled grease proof paper

[@grapeape7284]

Thanks guys!

[@bee-beargaming]

I still struggle with edge highlighting

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

keep at it, you'll get there eventually. took me 6 months just highlighting space marines before it clicked for me :P

[@CAplayz138-pv1vd]

I keep making very big lines

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

Keep practicing 💪🏻 you’ll get there. I believe.

[@thomaslafferty8382]

It’s good to know that sticking out your tongue is part of the process

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

its 99% of the process

[@fybso3057]

Sticking tongue out lmaooooo

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

its the most important part of the process ha

[@virgilesepulchre8963]

Great video but BLINK PLEASE

[@TableTopReadyYoutube]

but then people won't get to see my beautiful eyes