Overhead/zenithal lighting painters

[Einion]

Just curious how you decide on how the lighting works, do you:

• imagine how the light will fall based on a certain \'look\' you want to capture;
  study the mini under a strong lightsource to map out the effect;
  check from above and below as you paint to see if the lights and darks are placed consistently;
  use a white, grey, black sprayed basecoat to start the effect off?

A combination of these, or some other method?

Einion

 

[Chrispy]

I personally use the mthod of priming all black and using white. Grey will give you better gradation, but white gives more contrast. I also kinda use the overhead light and my worklight as a guide, but nothing\'s realy decided on it too much. I\'d have to say above all, it\'s your own imagination!

 

[Galante]

I always use the two middle options.
To keep it simple, for me the light always comes from the top and I keep looking at it from above to see where to put the highlights.
Sometimes I\'ll put it under a light to see where it casts the shadows.
Another good poll

 

[Naukhel]

When I\'m making my feeble attempts at figuring out lighting, I just use my big 4 D-cell flashlight, and try to find the angle that casts the least shadows. Then, that\'s where the light comes from.

 

[Einion]

Thanks for the input guys. I\'m doing my first really strict overhead-lighting paintjob on an old Citadel Eldar and it made me curious how others might plan out or visualise the effect.

Einion