Hi, DipIt here. If you’ve been learning about the hobby and reading miniature painting guides and thought “Everyone keeps saying zenithal like I’m supposed to know what that means” — you’re in the right place. Let’s make it simple in this first instalment of DipIt’s Mini Painting Dictionary.
What Is Zenithal (in Miniature Painting)?
Zenithal (also called zenithal highlighting or zenithal priming) is a miniature painting technique where lighter paint is applied from above the model (or from a 45 degree angle) to mimic how light naturally falls upon objects from the sky.
Most painters do this by priming:
- Darker over the entire miniature
- Lighter from the top
This creates instant highlights on raised areas and natural shadows in recesses.
Painters use zenithal techniques to:
- Make details easier to see
- Create believable light and shadow
- Help subsequent paint layers look more dynamic
In DipIt’s Own Words
Imagine your miniature standing outside at noon and the sun is directly above it.
- The top of the head, shoulders, and armour plates/clothing catch light
- Undersides, folds, and recesses stay darker
Zenithal painting copies that lighting before you add your basecoat colour of paint.
You’re not painting details yet. You’re showing where the light spots are on the miniature. Everything after that becomes easier.
Black and White Zenithal Is Common (But Not Required)
You’ll often see zenithal done with black primer first, then white primer from above or from a 45 degree angle . This combination is popular because it’s clear, simple, and easy to control. But here’s an important note: zenithal does not have to be black and white; it just has to contrast.
You can:
- Use dark grey and off-white
- Use coloured primers
What matters is light direction, not the exact colours you use. And regardless of the colours you choose, you can achieve zenithal with airbrush, spray cans, or drybrushing.
Other Names You Might Hear
Zenithal goes by other names, which can be confusing for beginners:
- Zenithal priming – specifically doing this with primer
- Zenithal highlight – focusing on the lighter top spray
- Top-down highlight – same idea, simpler wording
- Slapchop – related, but different (slapchop builds on a zenithal-style base)
If someone says “spray dark, then light from above,” they’re talking about zenithal — even if they never say the word.
Why Miniature Painters Use Zenithal
Zenithal helps because it:
-
Reveals details immediately
You can actually see the sculpt before painting. -
Improves results with transparent paints
Speedpaints, washes, and glazes naturally react to the lighter areas underneath. -
Teaches light placement
Even if you stop using zenithal later, your highlights will improve because zenithal has helped you see where the lighter areas would be.
Common Zenithal Beginner Mistakes
Mistakes are part of the learning process and we all make them. It takes trial and error to get zenithal right, but here are common mistakes to look out for.
-
Using too much white
Zenithal should guide light, not erase shadows. -
Spraying from the sides
Light comes from above (direct or at an angle), not around. -
Expecting it to look finished
Zenithal is a foundation, not a final paint job. -
Thinking it’s mandatory
It’s a tool, not a rule.
Remember: you learn from experimenting!
Do You Need Zenithal?
No. Zenithal is helpful, but not required. Many great paint jobs skip it entirely.
But if you’re new, learning contrast, or using contrast paints, zenithal can make things click faster. Try it. Keep what works. Leave what doesn’t. That’s how you grow.
Where Zenithal Fits in the Painting Process
Zenithal usually happens as part of priming and before colour.
It sets up:
- Speedpainting
- Slapchop
- Washes and glazes
- Cleaner highlights later
Think of it as sketching light before painting colour.
DipIt’s Final Take
Zenithal isn’t about being fancy. It’s about helping your miniature make visual sense.
If it helps you paint with more confidence and less frustration, then it’s doing its job — and that makes me very happy. Let's review the definition one more time:
Zenithal: A miniature painting technique where light paint is applied from above onto a darkly undercoated mini to mimic natural lighting and shadows, often via spray cans or airbrush.
Tools That Make Zenithal Easier
If you want a simple, reliable way to try zenithal priming, our Zenithal Primer Bundles are designed specifically for this technique.
They pair dark and light primers that work together, so you can focus on light direction, not fighting materials.
