In picture one I have cleaned and undercoated the face in white. A white undercoat helps when painting faces as it shows the detail a lot easier then a black undercoat does.

The second image shows the face painted with a medium/dark brown. This is simply the basecoat and will act as the canvas and shade for mouth, eyes and other deep parts of the face and helps separate details like between the chin and lip.

Here you can see where I have painted the flesh tone, the nose, cheeks, chin and across the eyebrow. Leaving the basecoat we painted on before has given an instant shade around the face and helps to pick out the detail.

The fourth image I have chosen a lighter flesh tone - like elf flesh, for example - and have painted the high areas like the bridge of the nose, top of the cheek bones and top of the chin. This, with the base, adds a great contrast between colours and brings the face out.

Now to finish the face. The mustache was highlighted with a lighter brown leading to a bleached bone colour to give the impression of frost. When it comes to painting eyes, it just can't be done on some miniatures. Many a time I have seen a nicely painted face with egg eyes. If it can't be done, don't do it!

This is a very simple tutorial on how to paint a face. Regardless of complexity the principles are the same for any figure - light against dark. It's just a question of knowing where each should be.

I hope you found this helpful. Happy painting

Lee Lowe