Painting ADVANCED Non Metallic Metal - NMM like the PROS!

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the advanced techniques of painting Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) to create stunning sword effects, as demonstrated by JuanHidalgo Miniatures. NMM allows you to achieve a metallic look without using any metallic paints, making it a popular choice for miniature painting. By following these steps, you will be able to enhance your painting skills and create impressive results.

Step 1: Sketching Your Highlights

• Begin by deciding where your main highlights will be on the sword blade.
• Use a base of pure black for the initial layer.
• Apply your first highlight using Storm Birming Fur:
  • Place one highlight at the upper section of the blade.
  • Add a second highlight towards the tip.
  • Place a third highlight in the middle of the first two.
• Build up these highlights, leaving a small amount of the first layer visible to aid blending later.

Step 2: Blending the Highlights

• Use a glaze of Escape in Blight Inch for this step.
• Achieve a smooth transition by:
  • Applying very thin layers with minimal paint on your brush.
  • Glazing between the black and Storm Birming Fur highlights.
• This technique allows for quick drying, enabling you to progress faster. Just ensure you have control over the paint application.

Step 3: Refining the Transitions

• To refine the transitions:
  • Take a bit of black paint with a thin consistency and apply it to the areas needing more darkness.
  • Use water to thin your paint if necessary.
  • Repeat this process with Storm Birming Fur to enhance the highlights.

Step 4: Adding More Highlights

• Mix one part gray with Storm Birming Fur for your next highlights.
• Use thin paint and focus on the highlight points. You can add texture with thin lines:
  • Apply these lines to blend the colors and add depth.
  • Overlap slightly into shadow areas; you can always blend back if needed.

Step 5: Edge Highlighting

• Begin edge highlighting with Ortho and Gray:
  • Focus on the areas of the blade that catch the most light.
  • Continue layering until you achieve the desired opacity.
• This edge highlighting adds to the metallic illusion.

Step 6: Adding Glints of Light

• For maximum highlights, create a rounded highlight on the darker side of the blade:
  • Use Avalon Sunset and apply it very thinly, concentrating on the highlight point.
• Once dried, add a touch of Ortho and Gray in the center of the highlight for extra depth.

Step 7: Final Glazes for Depth

• Introduce subtle hues to enhance the NMM effect:
  • Use Thousand Suns Blue for the upper areas and Caliban Green for the lower areas.
  • Thin these colors down significantly and glaze them in layers to avoid overpowering the blade's look.

Step 8: Final Touches

• Add white for final edge highlights and a dot where the light glints.
• For competition pieces, take extra care to refine your highlights. For display models, this will provide an excellent finish.

Conclusion

You have now learned advanced techniques for painting Non-Metallic Metal. By sketching highlights, blending effectively, and applying strategic glazes, you can achieve a realistic metallic look on your miniatures. Practice these steps, and consider experimenting with different colors and techniques to further enhance your painting skills. Happy painting!