OBJECT SOURCE LIGHTING
Object source lighting, or OSL, refers to a light source on your miniature that may exist on the model, the base, or elsewhere to create a really dramatic lighting effect. The source may be an actual piece of your miniature like a torch, glowing plasma coils, or even a powerful magic sword! Object source lighting can come in virtually any colour depending on your setting.
All about the light
Most miniature painting relies on a light source directly above the subject like we show you in our highlighting tutorials. But with OSL, the primary light source is changed, or another is added to fall in another angle. The source could come from an object like a torch, and hit the miniature from the side.
It could also come from the glow of molten lava, or toxic sludge on the base. This reverses the placement of highlights and shadows on the miniature to the under side. Notice the light edges facing the ground – by using the tips from the Edge Highlighting page you can easily place these highlights.
Dipit says
Fluorescent Warpaints Air
Our Warpaints Air range contains 6 ultra-vibrant fluorescent colours, and these are perfect for applying OSL effects with your airbrush thanks to their unreal vibrancy.
You can use many tools to achieve this effect like our Masterclass Drybrush, our Warpaints Air range, or even our Speedpaints. We recommend Warpaints Air Fluo, for that most vibrant and striking effect. Let’s learn how!
How to create an OSL effect
Object Source Lighting is best applied as an effect when you are almost done with your miniature.
Start by airbrushing a Matt White undercoat on the intended light source and the area around to help enforce the glowing effect.
Next, airbrush your Fluorescent colour of choice over the white. Here we chose Blue Flux which is a flourescent Warpaints Air colour.
Now, apply a subtle edge highlight to the coils and the hard edges where the OSL effect has been made. Because of the intense light from this weapon we chose Matt White.
The underlying colour matters
While white is often used to get the most bright colours to pop on your miniature don’t forget that the underlying basecoat shifts the colour you apply, and that blending is very essential. Here darkest areas of the OSL effect is just Lava Orange blended with an airbrush over the dark greens of the orcs skin.
Then the brightest orange highlight has been made using the technique shown above. Matt White and then Safety Orange Fluorescent Warpaint.
Warpaints Air Fluo Colours are great for making OSL effects on your miniatures
More Highlights
Adding additional highlights and extreme highlights is the best way to level-up your paint job. Learn about colour choice, brush selection, and everything else you need to know on how to highlight your miniature.
Read More
Zenithal Priming
This useful technique helps to simulate light from the sun when it is at its zenith by building highlights on the raised areas of your miniature. This technique can be accomplished with our Colour Primer Sprays or our Air Primers and is a useful technique for applying basecoats, Quickshade Washes, Speedpaint, and other airbrush layers.
Read More
The Colour Triad system
Using an airbrush can be a great time-saving tool for hobbyists and we’ve made this technique even easier thanks to our unique Colour Triad System. With three colours developed to achieve a rich Base coat, vibrant Mid tone, and bright Highlight – we took the guess work out of colour selection for you.
Read More