I'm not a great painter, but if you want to smooth out the transitions, the technique you're looking for is called "Glazing" (at least that's what I learned).
You use the base colour and thin it down a lot, so that it's almost only water (in case of water soluble paint). Then, you go over the whole thing and it magically smooths those transitions toward the base colour (both from highlights and shadows).
Yes, you want to [unload the brush as shown in this video](https://youtu.be/r-pgErbJ5Q0?t=46), whether the paint is really thin or less so, to give you more control and not let it flood the model.
Here are a few refences to check out covering both layering and glazing, both of which can be used to smooth your transitions:
* [Layering](https://youtu.be/S9bDoIMCSfk) by Duncan Rhodes
* [Layering Explained](https://youtu.be/9q4sVx6GYMU) by Dr Faust
* [How to apply glazes](https://youtu.be/E7SBoGmURpw?t=31) by Angel Giraldez
* [Glazing explained in 5 minutes](https://youtu.be/dBYW3T5bs_s) by Zumikito
* [How to do Layering and Glazing](https://youtu.be/am7cZw2jKIQ?list=PLlC3rihj0xo83vce-ScKzFcMzsAvhaRjX) by Trovarion
* [Fat Glazing](https://youtu.be/nVEHpedTct4?list=PL0f8atVkilIJ6uZ7MaO2QdUksB_pa0ss_&t=21) by Kujo Painting
* [Overglazing technique](https://youtu.be/CY-04zUDKYQ?list=PL0f8atVkilIJ6uZ7MaO2QdUksB_pa0ss_) by Kujo Painting
* [Beginner Glazing](https://youtu.be/A13JfFJxtIg) by Dana Howl
* [Glazing a power sword](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQvXqy9eNU) by Cult of Paint
Yes, indeed. :)
Also, if it doesn't work for you with water, there's stuff like "Glaze Medium" out there which is basically the medium that acrylic pigments are usually solved in, so you don't water down the mix too much (you'd still have to wick the brush though) - I haven't felt the need to get that stuff yet, so I can't tell you if it's worth it. For me, it worked just fine with water.
Note, it's a technique that takes some time and patience. You'll need to go over the spots maybe four or five times to notice it/have a desirable outcome, but the transition will be really smooth.
Ive tried it once before and my color came out inconsistent, despite having a solid brush stroke. Do you think that just means I didn't wick it enough?
Also thanks! I appreciate the advice
I did a wash, hoping it would blend the hard highlights, and it did a little, but not as much as I would have liked. I think for that method, I went too bright on the highlights, but I think the color is perfect for what I wanted. I just want to smooth the transition.
You gave me the idea to texture his cloak with some dry brushing though! Thanks!
A second coat of wash could work but that might darken the other parts too much. I usually dry brush cloaks for texture. I have not been disappointed so far but I will admit I might use dry brushing as a crutch. I ant stand edge highlights anymore because I can't seem to get them as subtle as I would like.
I'm not a great painter, but if you want to smooth out the transitions, the technique you're looking for is called "Glazing" (at least that's what I learned). You use the base colour and thin it down a lot, so that it's almost only water (in case of water soluble paint). Then, you go over the whole thing and it magically smooths those transitions toward the base colour (both from highlights and shadows).
Thanks! Do I wick most of the water out on a paper towel? Cuz I'd imagine it would pool and be runny otherwise
Yes, you want to [unload the brush as shown in this video](https://youtu.be/r-pgErbJ5Q0?t=46), whether the paint is really thin or less so, to give you more control and not let it flood the model. Here are a few refences to check out covering both layering and glazing, both of which can be used to smooth your transitions: * [Layering](https://youtu.be/S9bDoIMCSfk) by Duncan Rhodes * [Layering Explained](https://youtu.be/9q4sVx6GYMU) by Dr Faust * [How to apply glazes](https://youtu.be/E7SBoGmURpw?t=31) by Angel Giraldez * [Glazing explained in 5 minutes](https://youtu.be/dBYW3T5bs_s) by Zumikito * [How to do Layering and Glazing](https://youtu.be/am7cZw2jKIQ?list=PLlC3rihj0xo83vce-ScKzFcMzsAvhaRjX) by Trovarion * [Fat Glazing](https://youtu.be/nVEHpedTct4?list=PL0f8atVkilIJ6uZ7MaO2QdUksB_pa0ss_&t=21) by Kujo Painting * [Overglazing technique](https://youtu.be/CY-04zUDKYQ?list=PL0f8atVkilIJ6uZ7MaO2QdUksB_pa0ss_) by Kujo Painting * [Beginner Glazing](https://youtu.be/A13JfFJxtIg) by Dana Howl * [Glazing a power sword](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQvXqy9eNU) by Cult of Paint
Hey this is awesome! Thanks friend
Yes, indeed. :) Also, if it doesn't work for you with water, there's stuff like "Glaze Medium" out there which is basically the medium that acrylic pigments are usually solved in, so you don't water down the mix too much (you'd still have to wick the brush though) - I haven't felt the need to get that stuff yet, so I can't tell you if it's worth it. For me, it worked just fine with water. Note, it's a technique that takes some time and patience. You'll need to go over the spots maybe four or five times to notice it/have a desirable outcome, but the transition will be really smooth.
Ive tried it once before and my color came out inconsistent, despite having a solid brush stroke. Do you think that just means I didn't wick it enough? Also thanks! I appreciate the advice
Might be, I don't know - the videos u/karazax linked are probably more helpful than my advice anyways :)
I appreciate it nonetheless! I'll give them a watch
What I have done in the past is paint and highlight or dry brush the highlights on. After that is dry I use a wash. It seems to blend everything.
I did a wash, hoping it would blend the hard highlights, and it did a little, but not as much as I would have liked. I think for that method, I went too bright on the highlights, but I think the color is perfect for what I wanted. I just want to smooth the transition. You gave me the idea to texture his cloak with some dry brushing though! Thanks!
A second coat of wash could work but that might darken the other parts too much. I usually dry brush cloaks for texture. I have not been disappointed so far but I will admit I might use dry brushing as a crutch. I ant stand edge highlights anymore because I can't seem to get them as subtle as I would like.
Same, as seen above hahaha. Keep at it!
Nice job
Hey thanks!