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Guest Post: Painting Glow and OSL Effects

Guest Post: Painting Glow and OSL Effects

Author: Guest Post by 401st


Intro Waffle


A few weeks ago Anvil Industry sent me a message asking if I would be interested in creating some tutorials to help other painters achieve the glow effect I had been posting on social media using their products.


I usually do not take on commissions or requests as my hobby schedule isn't consistent (especially considering we are living in three or four "interesting times" at once). However, I have been a happy customer of Anvil Industry's for probably ten years or so and they asked so nicely. They sent me some miniatures to paint up and I have spent some free time doing this.


I keep it no secret that I am a lazy person who often has to work hard. So I often find the easiest way to do things to a standard I can be happy with. I believe that there are a lot of techniques out there for painting miniatures that are very easy to do and anyone can do them if they only knew how to. The glow technique I have been using recently is no different.


If I am being upfront about it all, it is just an OSL (object source light) technique using types of paint that many might not even know exist. My secret weapon is white ink and fluo (fluorescent) paints. And yes, they both exist. And yes, there are brands that make them for miniature painting.


 Painting Orange Glow OSL on MIniatures


Orange Glow


The glow effect I have found best works when applied onto a painted miniature. This is because the glow will hit everything so make sure it is done after any wash, weathering, blood, etc.


We will be using fluo paints for the glow as well as some white paint and white ink. Thinned down white paint can be used as a substitute for the ink.


1 - Apply the white ink where you want the light from the glow source to hit on the model. It is easiest with an airbrush but you can get the effect by applying carefully with a brush.


2 - Use the white paint to fill in the source of the glow. This will create a strong base for the fluo paint


3 - Apply the desired fluo paint colour onto the source of the glow and the surfaces that have the white ink applied. Depending on which one you use you may need multiple coats. You can do this stage with an airbrush or a brush.


4 - For some colours the three steps may be enough. But you can add more to your glow by making the source two-tone. Highlight areas at the centre of the source of the glow with the white paint used in Step Two.


5 - With your second colour choice, apply that paint onto the white paint.


Paints Used:

White Ink - ScaleColor Scale 75 Inktense White

White Paint - Vallejo White

Fluo Paint - ScaleColor FX Fluor Orange Neon

ScaleColor FX Fluor Speed Yellow


Painting Miniature Glow Effects

Painting Miniature Glow Effects

Painting Miniature Glow Effects

Painting Miniature Glow Effects

Painting Miniature Glow Effects

Painting Miniature Glow Effects


Plasma Glow


I like purple plasma. A nice bright purple is one of my favourite colours, and it can be very striking within an army. It is underused as a colour choice for plasma but it can be achieved easily with two or three paints.


1 - Paint up your miniature to your desired standard. Do all of your weathering and blood beforehand if that is something you do.


2 - (Optional) To do some OSL use white ink or watered down white paint to apply some thin opaque layers with a brush or airbrush. Paint this onto areas of the miniature where light being emitted from your glow source would realistically hit. With a plasma weapon, this would be the areas immediately around where the glow is being emitted from and the carrier's arm and body.


3 - Brush white paint onto where the glow is being emitted from. In this case the plasma cells on the gun itself.


4 - A number of fluo paints can be used straight out of the bottle and dry opaque. Apply this on wherever you have painted white for the glow and OSL effect.


5 - (Optional) Use more white paint to highlight some of the cells to exacerbate the glow.


Paints Used:

White Ink - ScaleColor Scale 75 Inktense White

White Paint - Vallejo White

Fluo Paint - GreenStuffWorld Fluor Violet


The fluorescent paint has an additional surprise. Under certain lights it can glow! I use some small red and blue cabinet lights to make a purple synth effect, and the fluorescent paint pops.


plasma glow on 28mm miniatures


Green Spooky Glow


A green glow can be used to good effect on miniatures that use magic or spooky, unearthly powers. The steps are similar to my other glow effects with a small difference.


Commissar Glow Painting Miniatures


1 - As always, paint the miniature to your desired standard. This includes all weathering, blood, and other effects.


2 - Paint the desired glow area with a white ink or watered down white paint.


3 - Paint the source of the glow with a white paint.


4 - Paint all areas that are white with a green fluorescent paint.


5 - Paint highlights on raised areas with a light green/blue (or give a pass with an airbrush).


Paints Used:

White Ink - ScaleColor Scale 75 Inktense White

White Paint - Vallejo White

Fluo Paint - GreenStuffWorld Fluor Lime

Highlight - ScaleColor Hiril Blue


Painting Miniatures with Glow Effect

Painting Miniatures with Glow Effect

Painting Miniatures with Glow Effect


Wow! This technique is definitely worth a go, thank you to 401st for putting that together for us. Make sure you check out and follow their Instagram for more great content, and don't forget to share and #anvilindustry any of your own painted Anvil minis!

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