Basic Technique for Light Over Dark Dapples Using Pigments

My NaMoPaiMo model in progress

 When they're well done, dapples can make a solid colored model a lot more interesting. There are lots of different ways to paint them, and for most models I'll use a combination of techniques. In this post I'll show you the basic method I'm currently using on my NaMoPaiMo model, which is a light-over-dark technique using pale pigments to paint dapples over a darker base color.

The materials I'm using in this post are:

1 Model, basecoated in a color mostly darker than you want the dapples to be

1 Paintbrush with soft, relatively short bristles to apply pigment with

1 Paintbrush that's relatively small and pointed with stiffer bristles

Light colored pigment mixture (here I'm using a mixture of Earth Pigments titanium white and PearlEx interference gold)
Water

The brushes I'm using in this post

  You don't want to use super nice paintbrushes for this, since you have to rub them on the model which is very rough on them.

Brush loaded with a small amount of pigment

  To get started, pick up a small amount of pigment powder on your pigment applying brush. You don't need much. I usually dip the brush in my pigment and then tap it to knock the excess off.

Roughing in the shape of the dapple

 Then start pouncing the pigment in the rough shape you want for the dapple. The exact size and shape of the dapples should vary, and it's important to look at reference photos. Generally you don't want your dapples to be perfectly round.

Refining the shape of the dapple

 Once you have the rough shape of the dapple, blow away any excess pigment. Take your small detailing brush and dip it in a small amount of water. Then refine the shape of the dapple by brushing around the edges, moving towards the center of the dapple. I like to rough in an area of dapples before going back and refining them. If necessary, you can  go back and add more pigment.