Painting: Nihm's lightning guide - Quick and dirty

[Brother Nihm]

Hey all!

I've been asked to write something about how I paint lightning patterns on my Nightlords.

 

 

So here goes.. :devil:

 

 

Paints used:

-Citadel paints: Regal Blue

-Citadel paints: Enchanted Blue

-Citadel paints: Ice Blue

-VMC White

 

Tools:

-a standard brush

-a fine/detail brush

-picture references, look below for a few links.

 

reference 1

reference 2

reference 3

reference 4

 

 

 

First, basecoat the surface of the bit that needs to be 'electrified'.

I chose a generic Chaos Space Marine shoulderpad.

One thick layer of regal blue was used. (not enough to cover completely, but here we go anyway!):

 

 

I didn't use references for this one as I wanted it to look a little unnatural with the lightning arcing horizontally, as well as vertically.

I started by placing a few dots of enchanted blue in the rough shape of how I imagined the lightning bolts would go:

 

 

I added a few lines here in MS paint to give you an idea of where I wanted to go at the time:

 

 

Next, paint the outline of the lightning bolts using a slightly thinned down enchanted blue:

 

 

Refine the lightning bolts with thinned down Ice Blue to simulate glow. Remember to leave the Enchanted blue showing (by not painting over it but inside it, instead). Like this:

 

 

Now, bring out your very special detail brush for this is where you have to paint the lightning bolts.

I used VMC White.

This is also the part where it's easiest to screw up but don't worry. There's nothing a coat of regal blue can't fix (unless you muck up too many times :P)

Keep the white inside the Ice blue. I usually paint the zigzags in a pattern a little bit different to the others (enchanted + ice) - as long as you keep them inside the Ice Blue, you're fine.

 

 

And you're done!

 

 

Here's the finished product:

 

 

 

This guide was just a quick and dirty way to do it, if you want your lightning to look even better you should thin your paints. (to the consistency of milk)

 

Mixing paint, wet blending and layering (with mixed colours) can all work really well to enhance your lightning.

 

 

Thank you for reading. :)

 

 

 

 

 

PS. You can see more examples in my gallery.

[StratoKhan]

That was very well done, very complete and easy to understand. The photography was good too. Thank you.

[HellChyld]

*puts down sharp pointed stick*

 

Good job Nihm the motivation worked I see. Now I'll have to use your tutoprial and fix some of my guys

[Sanguinius Chosen Wing]

Thats excellent i will be adding that to a few of my Librarians and so forth. i have alsways had trobule with lightning effects but this should be easy enough for even me :D

[BOBMAKENZIE]

I have a couple Questions for you.

 

1) On the Final Step you want to keep the white from Covering all the Ice blue right?

2) What size Brush do you use on the final step?

OH and finaly

3) This could be adapted to other colours potentialy right?

You would just need to replace the colours with something equivalent?

So like

Regal Blue = Dark Angels Green

Enchanted Blue = Snot Green

Ice blue = Scorpion Green

White = White?

 

 

DAve

[Brother Nihm]

I have a couple Questions for you.

 

1) On the Final Step you want to keep the white from Covering all the Ice blue right?

2) What size Brush do you use on the final step?

OH and finaly

3) This could be adapted to other colours potentialy right?

You would just need to replace the colours with something equivalent?

So like

Regal Blue = Dark Angels Green

Enchanted Blue = Snot Green

Ice blue = Scorpion Green

White = White?

 

 

DAve

1. Correct. a tiny zigzagging line in the middle looks best, imho. I edited the original post to reflect this.

2. I used a Kappel 3/0 if that means anything to you. :blink:

3. Yes easily!

 

The greens you mention are spot on.

 

It could also be:

Regal Blue -> Dark Flesh

Enchanted Blue -> Scab Red

Ice Blue -> VGC Bloody Red (on thinned White)

White -> White

And so on.

[BOBMAKENZIE]

2. I used a Kappel 3/0 if that means anything to you. :blink:

 

Your pretty darn good with a brush if your using a 3/0 for that...That or My Brush brand 3/0 is like 3 Sizes bigger then yours...

 

But thank you, a very helpful guide.

 

DAve

[The_Chaplain]

Thanks for the tutorial: I'll finally be able to finish my power weapons (my masters lightning claws are going to be a major pain in the rear though)

[Brother Nihm]

You're welcome. :wink:

 

For the lighting claws you can use the patterns that Mortarion used for his DA. (6th pic down)

 

link

[MarcAwsome]

This tutorial isn't just for miniatures, saved my mask in art class, thanks! :P

[Brother Nihm]

Nice!

 

Do you have any pictures to share?

[Gop]

Thanks, now off to paint all my grey knight power weapons.