Isabella Flores
Miniature painting is an art form that requires a lot of precision and skill. One of the most important techniques in miniature painting is washing, which uses diluted paint to create depth, shading, and contrast. The paint is thinned out with water to a consistency similar to milk, allowing it to flow into the recesses and crevices of the miniature and create a natural-looking shadow effect. This technique is simple yet profound, enhancing the details of the miniature while unifying its colour scheme. While washing can be applied in various ways, it is generally recommended to work in sections, ensuring the painted area is dry, and using a loaded brush to apply the wash in the direction of the grain. The objective is to create a semi-transparent layer of paint that accentuates the intricate details of the miniature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To add depth, shading, and contrast to a model |
| Paint Consistency | Watery, diluted paint |
| Brush Type | A shade brush with a large belly or a normal layer brush |
| Brush Technique | Drag the brush against the grain, i.e., across the folds of a cloak |
| Wash Application | Apply in sections, avoid dousing, and use a damp brush to remove excess |
| Wash Brands | Citadel/Games Workshop, The Army Painter, Vallejo, Winsor & Newton Galeria Acrylic Matt Medium |
| Wash Colours | Black, brown, green, and sepia |
| Undercoat | Bright colours like white, ivory, light grey, or light bone |
| Dilution | 1:1 with Lahmian Medium, or with water to achieve a skim milk consistency |
| Drying Time | 15 minutes to an hour, depending on thickness |
| Surface Tension | Adding dish soap or acrylic floor wax breaks up surface tension and prevents rings |
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What You'll Learn
Washes are a great time-saver
Washes are a type of painting technique that uses diluted paint to create a fluid, semi-transparent layer that is thinner than traditional paints. The diluted paint flows into the recesses and crevices of the miniature, using its natural shape to create a shading effect. This technique is perfect for quickly shading a model to give it depth, and it can be used to batch paint multiple miniatures or save time.
When creating a wash, it is important to consider the consistency of the paint. The paint should be diluted enough to be transparent but still have enough colour to build up in the sculpted recesses of the miniature. A common comparison is to mix the paint to a skim milk consistency. It should be fluid but not too watery, as this can cause it to flow everywhere and be difficult to control.
To apply a wash, load your brush with a generous amount of the wash, but not so much that it drips. Apply the wash to one section at a time, dragging the brush against the areas that should have the most shading. For example, if you are painting a cloak, drag the brush across the folds to deposit the wash in the cracks and crevices. This technique will create a natural-looking shadow effect.
Overall, washes are a great time-saving technique for miniature painting that can enhance the detail and depth of your models with minimal effort.
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How to dilute your wash
Washes are a great way to quickly shade a miniature model to give it depth, and it's really easy to do. You can use a normal layer brush, but a shade brush is advantageous as it has a larger belly and can hold more wash.
To dilute your wash, you can add water, but the amount of water you add will depend on the characteristics of the paint you are diluting. You are looking for a paint mix that is transparent enough to tint the underlying paint, but with enough colour/opacity that the colour builds up where it pools in sculpted recesses on your miniature. You can test the consistency of your wash by painting stripes of the paint mix on a piece of paper printed with text to assess whether it seems like it is the correct transparency/opacity for your paint task.
If you are painting a miniature predominantly with washes, it is recommended to use a bright undercoat in a colour such as white, ivory, light grey, or light bone. You can then dilute 1:1 with Lahmian Medium and apply 2-3 coats for a smoother transition and less mess.
You can also add a drop or two of dish soap to your brush washing container to break up the surface tension and water down your paint. Alternatively, you can add acrylic floor wax to your wash to thicken it and blend it better with the base colour, resulting in a more natural effect.
It is important to note that you cannot wash an entire figure at once due to the way the wash will flow. Instead, do it in sections, controlling how the wash is applied and considering the positioning of the figure.
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Applying the wash
The next step is to prepare your brush and the wash itself. Load your brush with a generous amount of wash—a shade brush is ideal, as it has a large belly to hold more wash. However, a standard layer brush can also be used. The amount of wash you apply to your brush depends on the specific technique you're employing. For line washing, for example, you don't need a lot of wash, as too much can cause spills. For other techniques, a heavier load is recommended, but be careful not to overload your brush, as this can make it hard to control the wash and may result in unwanted application.
When applying the wash, it's generally recommended to work in sections rather than covering the entire miniature at once. This gives you more control over the process and helps prevent pooling. The direction in which you drag your brush is also important. For areas like folds in a cloak, it's best to drag the brush across the folds rather than down their length. This ensures that the wash is deposited only in the cracks and recesses, creating the desired shading effect.
For a smooth transition and a less messy result, it's often advised to dilute your wash with a medium like Lahmian Medium. This is especially useful for larger surfaces, where you can apply two to three coats for a more even finish. However, for line washing, it's recommended to use the wash straight out of the pot without dilution, as a diluted wash may require multiple layers to achieve the desired contrast.
Additionally, consider the positioning of your miniature when applying the wash. Gravity will pull the wash towards the lowest point, so be mindful of this to avoid unintended darkening in certain areas. For example, if you stand a figure upright and wash its cloak, the wash will flow downwards, resulting in a darker wash near the bottom.
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Fixing mistakes
Work in Sections: One of the biggest challenges when washing miniatures is avoiding mistakes caused by the wash running into unintended areas. To prevent this, it's recommended to work in sections rather than washing the entire model at once. By focusing on one area at a time, you can control the application of the wash and avoid unwanted streaks or unnatural drying.
Use the Right Wash: Selecting the appropriate wash colour is crucial. While black and brown washes are versatile and commonly used, they may not always provide the desired effect. For a more natural look, consider using a darker version of the base colour you're working with. This will create more realistic shadows instead of making the miniature appear dirty or unnatural.
Dilution Techniques: Diluting your wash can be beneficial for fixing mistakes. When using line washing to cover slight errors, it's recommended not to dilute the wash and apply it straight from the pot. However, for larger surfaces, diluting the wash with a medium like Lahmian Medium and applying 2-3 coats can create smoother transitions and reduce mess. Experiment with different dilution ratios to find the right consistency for your specific paint and desired effect.
Fix While Wet: The longer drying time of washes gives you the opportunity to fix mistakes. If you notice any errors, use a slightly wet brush or even your finger to clear the wash gently. This allows you to correct any imperfections before it dries completely.
Layering and Blending: Layering involves applying multiple thin layers of washes to build up depth and shadows gradually. This technique helps to avoid applying too much wash at once, which can result in a messy and unnatural appearance. Blending, on the other hand, involves mixing different wash colours to achieve smooth transitions and create complex shadows. By blending washes, you can enhance details and highlights, making your miniature more lifelike.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don't be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes. With time and patience, you'll improve your miniature painting skills and develop your unique style.
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Different types of washes
Washes are a great way to quickly shade a model and give it depth. They are perfect if you've got a lot of batch painting to do or if you want to save some time. You can find miniature washes at most local gaming stores, with popular options including Citadel/Games Workshop, The Army Painter, and Vallejo. While the specific coverage and behaviour of each wash may differ, their objective remains the same.
There are several techniques and types of washes to consider when miniature painting:
Lining or Line Washing
Line washing uses the natural flow of washes to simplify the painting process. The wash flows into recesses and joints, creating a natural-looking shade and covering any mistakes made during basecoats. It is important to note that line washing requires the use of undiluted wash, as diluted wash will require multiple layers to create enough contrast.
Highlighting
Highlighting is used to brighten the areas of a miniature where light would hit it the most. This is the opposite of shading, which aims to create lowlights. Pigmented inks are typically the best choice for highlighting, as they blend well and do not bleed into other areas.
Glazing
The difference between a wash and a glaze lies only in how they are applied. Both can be applied in various consistencies, but a wash is applied evenly in thin layers to uniformly change the colour across an area of the miniature.
Thinning
When thinning paint to create a wash, it is important to consider the characteristics of the paint you are using. The consistency of the wash should be transparent enough to tint the underlying paint while still allowing colour to build up in the recesses of the miniature. A common comparison is to mix the paint to a skim milk consistency. Water and matte or glaze medium can be used as diluents, with water being more fluid and matte or glaze medium being more viscous.
Drying
Washes take longer to dry than regular paint, giving you time to fix any mistakes. However, it is important to work quickly when applying a wash, as it can start to dry in certain areas within minutes. Using a shade brush can be advantageous, as it can hold more wash than a standard layer or detail brush. It is recommended to work in sections, as gravity will pull the wash down, creating a natural shading effect.
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Frequently asked questions
Applying a wash to a miniature is a great way to add depth, shading, and contrast to a model. It is a relatively quick, effective, and easy way to enhance detail and achieve a more professional finish.
The consistency of a wash should be that of milk. It should be fluid and semi-transparent, thinner than traditional paints, and fairly watery. However, the consistency will depend on the characteristics of the paint you are diluting.
First, ensure that the painted area is completely dry. Then, load up your brush with a lot of wash and apply it to the miniature. Apply the wash one section at a time, and use a lighter hand to avoid over-saturation.
