Advice on Adding a Second Highlight

[MintFish]

I've just started experimenting with adding a second highlight layer to my miniatures. My previous batch didn't have a whole lot of details so I was comfortable letting it go, but these SDE kobolds have a lot of rich details I'd like to bring out. I'm having a bit of a hard time getting the hang of the technique and figured I'd ask for some constructive criticism of how I can improve what I'm doing. I'm essentially just trying to highlight the raised parts of the miniatures while also providing some edge-highlighting on areas that can use it. Pics are below.

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I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations, especially concerning the large, curved areas on top of their heads. Even using reference materials, I'm having a hard time figuring out how to best highlight those areas without covering everything up.

 

[PegaZus]

I think a second highlight would give a bit more depth and look good. I don't think I'd worry about the large patches on their heads. Just concentrate on the areas already with highlight.

 

[Zab]

I agree with PegaZus, a smaller, lighter highlight to accentuate what is already there would help define the minis - with the high contrast you have it won't take much so be careful not to over do it.

 

[ced1106]

Nice job!!!

I think you're supposed to use a glaze or something so that the lighter colors blend in better with the darker ones.

I'd also work on those eyes first -- for chibi miniatures, they're even more important!

 

[Dragonsreach]

I'm having a bit of a hard time getting the hang of the technique and figured I'd ask for some constructive criticism of how I can improve what I'm doing. I'm essentially just trying to highlight the raised parts of the miniatures while also providing some edge-highlighting on areas that can use it. Pics are below.

Many, Many, Many years ago I was given advice by a model painter that each of your highlight colours should be roughly 80% of the area you've just painted.
And that raised areas are the "bits you hit".
That way the dark tones sit lower both on the figure and visually.

 

[MintFish]

Many, Many, Many years ago I was given advice by a model painter that each of your highlight colours should be roughly 80% of the area you've just painted.
And that raised areas are the "bits you hit".
That way the dark tones sit lower both on the figure and visually.

Very helpful way of looking it. After some further experimentation I've added three highlight layers to try and achieve a less stark effect than what I had before. It's certainly not competition quality, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and can't wait to apply what I've learned to the rest of my kobolds. Pics are below; sorry for the washed out photo quality. I might run a quick glaze over the mini to tone down some of the harsher transitions. What do you think?

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[Dragonsreach]

Very helpful way of looking it. After some further experimentation I've added three highlight layers to try and achieve a less stark effect than what I had before.
It Looks better than your first shots, to me at least. Personally I'd suggest a few more highlight layers, but.......
............I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and can't wait to apply what I've learned to the rest of my kobolds.
THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT PAINTING MINIS!
What do you think?

I think you're well on the way down the long road of an enjoyable hobby.

 

[Zab]

NICE! You really smoothed those blends out. Bet that took all kinds of patience too That is a hard colour to blend up to. I usually work in reverse on pinkish tones starting with a good white primer/basecoat and washing/glazing/shading my way down to the darkest areas.