Painting Tutorial - Tak The Executioner
Your journey to mastering the art of miniature painting begins here!
There are countless ways to paint a miniature, and the beauty of this hobby lies in the freedom to explore techniques that match your style. This tutorial isn’t about the “one right way” to paint Tak The Executioner—it’s about sharing the approach we love to use when bringing our models to life.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll focus on two key elements of Tak’s design:
1️⃣ The axe blade – A perfect opportunity to experiment with colorfull NMM effects.
2️⃣ The black robe – Where we’ll explore shading and highlighting to achieve depth and texture.
Whether you’re here to learn new techniques or just looking for inspiration, we hope this tutorial will spark your creativity and help you have as much fun as we do while painting. Ready? Let’s dive in! 🎨
Part 1: The Axe Blade (NMM Technique)
In this section, we’ll focus on the axe blade, using the Non-Metallic Metal (NMM) technique to create a polished and dynamic look. Black primer and let’s get started!
Step 1: Blocking the Lights
Start by identifying where the maximum light points on the blade will be. Use white paint to highlight these areas. Don’t stress about absolute precision—on a model this small, aiming for an aesthetically pleasing result is more important than achieving perfect realism. Trust your instincts and place the highlights where they look most natural and balanced.
Step 2: Base Color
Once the lights are blocked, apply a uniform coat of AK Aquatic Turquoise over the entire blade. Don’t worry if the white highlights from the previous step still show through—they’ll help guide the overall effect as we proceed.
Step 3: Adding the Blade’s Tone
Introduce the second color: AK Ocean Blue, a darker tone that adds depth to the blade. Use it to balance the light points, applying it in broader strokes without focusing too much on blending or precision at this stage. This step sets the foundation for the blade’s tonal contrasts.
Step 4: Introducing Lighter Tones
Next, apply a lighter tone derived from AK Aquatic Turquoise to approach the brightest areas of the blade. This step begins to shape the highlights further, but precision isn’t critical yet—just ensure the brighter tones roughly align with your original light points.
Step 5: Adding Darker Tones
Now, shift to darkening the shaded areas of the blade. Use a deeper mix of AK Amethyst Blue or similar tones for the parts furthest from your light points. As with the previous step, focus on blocking in the colors rather than blending.
Step 6: Smoothing and Blending
This is the most time-intensive part of the process. Gradually mix the colors you’ve used so far to blend the transitions between tones. Work with light, controlled brushstrokes, applying thin layers of paint in small amounts. The goal is to achieve smooth gradients that make the blade look polished and realistic. This step requires patience, but it’s where the magic of NMM truly comes to life!
That’s it for the axe blade! Take your time, enjoy the process, and don’t worry about perfection—every stroke is a step closer to mastering the art.
Part 2: The Black Robe
Welcome back! This is the final part of our step-by-step guide to painting Tak The Executioner, and today we’ll focus on the black robe.
Let’s start with some good news: since the model is already primed in black, technically, we’re done painting! 😏 But if you want to give this robe some depth and definition, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Zenithal Light
For this model, I’ve decided to stick with a simple zenithal lighting effect. Start by using AK Burnt Umber, a very dark brown, to block in the illuminated areas of the robe. Don’t worry about precision at this stage—this is just to map out where the light will hit.
Step 2: Progressive Highlighting
Now, gradually mix AK Cork, a light brown, into the Burnt Umber to build up highlights. Use precise, controlled brushstrokes with minimal paint, focusing on the raised areas, seams, and imperfections in the robe. Take your time here—this step defines the structure of the fabric.
Step 3: Bringing Back the Black
To restore the depth of the black after using the browns, switch to pure black paint. Thin it down significantly to create glazes, then apply it to the shadowed areas and recesses of the robe. This will help blend the transitions and deepen the contrast.
Step 4: Final Details
For the finishing touches, add more AK Cork to your highlight mix to define the finer details, such as stitches and tears in the fabric. Use a small brush and careful strokes to make these areas pop without overpowering the overall look.
And that’s it! Tak’s robe is now complete, with rich depth and realistic textures. The combination of dark tones and subtle highlights gives this executioner the menacing presence he deserves.
Ready to show off your masterpiece? 🎨
We’d love to see your version of Tak The Executioner in all its glory! Whether you’ve nailed the NMM technique on the axe or brought the black robe to life with stunning highlights, share your work with us. Post your painted Tak on social media and tag us—we’re always thrilled to celebrate the creativity of our community!
Got ideas or suggestions for our next tutorial? Maybe there’s a technique you’ve been dying to try or a specific model from our collection you want to see in the spotlight? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Your feedback helps us grow and keeps these tutorials fresh, fun, and tailored to you.
Until next time, happy painting, and remember: every brushstroke is a step toward mastery. Now, go make your executioner shine! ⚔️✨