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Forgive me if my use of the search function sucks and this exists but are there any how to guides on cartoony style painting? All search reveals are occasionally someone labeling something as cartoony. I'd like to take a crack at it, but most of what I've found are hyper realistic...and I've been trying that on test figures, but I think I'd like to try something else to see the rest of the field for myself. Failing a how to article, or even a video, are there any tips from people who do this style? Thank you kindly for your time.

I dont do this style, but I can suggest your looking for bold bright colours, with maybe one highlight, and black lining as your darker colour.

Here's my first attempt at it before anything at all, thoughts guys? For the record, lot of flaws, I just knocked this out in like 20 minutes as a test.

Here is my cartoon type ork hope you think its good

I like it! Any tips you might have to offer? I'm basically in that stage where I'm trying to find my style, so any information at all would be great in helping me get a good direction going.

Sure what would you want to know?

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/319979.page#1983684A brief thread, but there are a few links to great examples of what I'd consider the two directions the cartoon style can be taken.

The easiest method, I'd say, is the basic "comic book" style - flat blocks of color, no highlights, and heavy blacklining. You could paint 1000pts. of damn near any army in this style within a week, using nothing but a size 1 brush, the Citadel foundation paint set, and a micron pen. There's a WFB Empire army linked in the thread I posted done in this style and I know I've seen zombies, as well.

an00bis wrote:Sure what would you want to know?

Well, may I ask your basic process for orks? Also, are there any washes on your warboss? Somewhat looks like there might be one on the pants. Also, loving the rest effect on the shoota, by the way.

oadie wrote:http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/319979.page#1983684A brief thread, but there are a few links to great examples of what I'd consider the two directions the cartoon style can be taken.

The easiest method, I'd say, is the basic "comic book" style - flat blocks of color, no highlights, and heavy blacklining. You could paint 1000pts. of damn near any army in this style within a week, using nothing but a size 1 brush, the Citadel foundation paint set, and a micron pen. There's a WFB Empire army linked in the thread I posted done in this style and I know I've seen zombies, as well.

Thank you for the thread, rather like how the Empire boys look, might take a crack at something like that on one of my test figures. Thus far my favorite attempt at the style involved a basecoat, an overcoat with the basecoat left in the cracks, and an almost frosted looking highlight that was basically the overcoat 50/50 with white. Did you do the blacklining with the micron pen or the brush?

Would you count this as cartoony?



http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/127001-.html

http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/131520-.html

I would. When I say cartoony, I'm mostly referring a style that focuses less on gritty realism in it's attention to detail and is more...stylized.

Well, for my skin I use Scab red basecoat, then a Red Gore coat on all skin areas other than the deepest recesses (this won't show much but will make the next coat lighter) and then top that with a highlight of Blood Red on all raised areas, even where light wouldn't naturally hit (Think as if there is light coming from all directions when painting 'cartoony').

For my orange grots I use the same process with Mechrite Red, Blood Red and Blazing Orange.

General tip: Never try to blend. You want harsh contrasts between colours and shadows.

Depends on just how cartoony you are aiming for OP. Cartoony when it comes to mini painting tends to mean stark highlights and blacklining instead of smooth colour changes and shading. Examples of that are in the thread you saw with the Empire.

You could also just go down the bright neat colours route, meaning using a lot of bright colours and pastells with very little dark shading and trying to steer clear of muted tones. This is dictated by the models though, some won't look that good without some darker shades and cool colours, so it really is all down to testing

Why not just try painting up a basic model using blacklining and strong foundation paints? You could take the Empire players style a step further using non blended block highlights too.

Make some nice blue orks if you want cartoony

Sounds good, I'ma do up a test figure or two in the bright colors and blacklined style. I think green will work out if only because the Vallejo greens are -very- green. Thanks all.

Your definition of cartoony sounds kind of like the old 'Eavy Metal style. It focuses on a lot of bright, saturated colors and blending.