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Anyone have any advice on painting tears as if a miniature is crying? I'm looking to have a terrified Guardsman who's just been completely broken on the bases of one of my models and I want him to look like he's crying, but traditional "running makeup" effects don't really work in this instance. I know this is a very niche question but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas. My first thought was painting on a thin line of Mod Podge or gloss varnish around the eyes, but I don't know if that'll have the effect I'm looking for.

i was also thinking a bit of gloss varnish and add some redness around the eye area like he was crying hard, might convey the idea.

A thin line of gloss or water effects on the eyes and cheeks would be the best option. As with eyes themselves, the scale of miniatures doesn't really allow for such tiny details.

Instead, use the gloss and then think about the other signs of tears. Not noble tears, like an Eldar or Space Marine might shed for a fallen comrade, with dignity. Instead, think of every horror movie where a person knows their approaching death.

Mix some red into the skin, where they are flushed and stressed from anxiety and fear, particularly the nose and cheeks. Think about facial expressions and posing in this regard - does the model look angry? If so, are they crying in grief for fallen friends as they charge heroically into battle? Or are they sitting, rocking back and forth, blank face as they battle PTSD?

Mud on the cheeks with a thin line of light flesh shade where the tears have washed the mud off?

I would say the gloss is best for currently crying the smeared mud for was crying. Or a combo of the both. Just... the thinest possible line following natural curves of the face.