If you haven’t heard, The Army Painter is inviting a new way to paint miniatures to the party: Speedpaint Markers. Developed in partnership with Deep-Cut Studio, these markers come preloaded with our Speedpaint 2.0 formula. They’re ready to go to work, bringing you a way to paint without brushes. That doesn't mean they're a replacement for brushes, however. Iconic miniatures artist Roman Lappat, whose creative insight helped shape our Speedpaint Marker design, took some time to experiment with our markers in his studio and the results speak for themselves.
Experimenting with Speedpaint Markers
As with any new tool, Roman started experimenting with Speedpaint Markers to see how they fit into his workflow. That's an ideal place to begin. Don't let fear of messing up stop you from trying them and seeing what they can do—no matter whether you're a beginner or an experienced painter. Roman began with wooden blocks and bases and got a feel for how the paint flows from the markers's Felt-Tech tip. You can do something similar. Like he points out, an advantage of the markers is that the dilution stays consistent so he doesn't have to return to his wet palette, nor does he have to pause to load his brush between strokes. With Speedpaint Markers, you can apply paint at a pace that matches your creativity.
“I paint with less unnecessary worries when I use them.” – Roman Lappat
Techniques and Applications
Roman not only tied the markers into his current workflows—he also tested various applications. He applied the markers to bases and used them to showcase details such as skulls. Then, with Polished Silver, he made his miniature's sword pop and gleam. The Gravelord Grey Speedpaint Marker layers in shadows and dims the reflection of the metallics. While Speedpaint Markers aren’t available in gold metallic (yet... stay tuned), Roman applied Zealot Yellow over the silver to give it a golden tint.
Next, Roman put the markers to the test by applying shadows on a jacket. He sketched in the deeper colours without necessarily focusing on precision. The point was not to spend too much time on the exercise. With the markers, he moved fast and bold before switching to the brush to clean up. In the last example, Roman started with a bust painted with brushes and brought in Speedpaint Markers to add texture and bring variation into the underpainting.
“It’s honestly a great tool that I will integrate in my workflow from now on.” – Roman Lappat
If you take anything away from watching Roman work with Speedpaint Markers, we hope it’s an eagerness to pick up a different tool and see what happens. Be curious. Experiment without expectation. Remember, there are no rules, just paint.
What Will You Create?
Painting bases, using metallics, value sketching, and underpainting—this is only some of the techniques to try with the markers. How will you use Speedpaint Markers? Pre-order now and imagine the possibilities!
