hu-Lights and Shadows

Blog Post 2: Controlling Light for More Realistic Miniatures

Miniatures may be small, but light behaves on them the same way it does in the real world. Understanding lighting is essential for creating depth, realism, and dramatic focus.

Choose Your Light Source Early
Decide whether your miniature is lit from above (the most natural), from a single dramatic direction, or even from multiple points. This choice guides every highlight and shadow you place.

Work From Shadows to Highlights
Start with a darker basecoat and gradually layer up lighter tones toward the light-facing surfaces. Strong contrast is key—miniatures viewed at arm's length need exaggerated lighting to read clearly.

Try Object Source Lighting (OSL)
For glowing runes, torches, plasma coils, or magic, let the light spill onto nearby surfaces using thin, controlled glazing. The effect is striking when kept subtle and consistent with your main light direction.

Good lighting makes a miniature believable. Great lighting makes it unforgettable. Gaslighting makes it your problem.