How to Paint Soul Stones. A short video and guide to walk you through the steps to achieve a realistic gem effect on your model (in this case, the Aeldari Avatar) using Sotek Green, Black, and Morrow White.

Materials Needed

• Paints:
  • Sotek Green (Games Workshop)
  • Black (Vallejo or equivalent)
  • Morrow White (P3 or equivalent)
• Tools: Fine detail brush, wet palette for mixing and diluting paints, water for thinning paints.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing the Palette

• On your wet palette, prepare Sotek Green, Black, and White. You’ll be using these colours to create the gem effect, with Black and White to modify the Sotek Green for shadows and highlights.

Base Layer

• Start by applying Sotek Green directly to the soul stones on the model. Focus on achieving a neat, circular highlight at the top of each gem to represent the light source’s direction. If the paint appears too thin and the underlying colour shows through, apply another layer to enhance opacity.

Highlighting

• Mix a small amount of Morrow White with Sotek Green to lighten the colour. Apply this lighter shade to the upper part of the gem, following the initial highlight’s shape but slightly reducing the area to create a gradient effect. Ensure this blend is more concentrated towards where you envision the light source hitting the gem, typically the top left, matching the light direction established on other parts of the model, like the non-metallic gold avatar symbol.

Refining the Gem

• For added depth, incorporate a very small line of this lighter mix at the bottom right of the gem, creating a sense of reflection and roundness. Use the original Sotek Green to tidy up any overspill and blend the edges of your highlights for a smoother transition.

Intensifying Highlights

• Gradually add more Morrow White to the mix for the brightest points of light on the gem. Focus these intensified highlights on a smaller area within your previously applied lighter shade, continuously narrowing the focus as you add more white. This method creates a luminous effect, simulating light reflecting within the gem.

Adjusting Shadows

• To define the gem further, mix a small amount of Black with Sotek Green and apply it sparingly to the edges and around the base of the soul stone, enhancing its three-dimensional appearance. Be cautious with the amount of black, as it can quickly overpower the Sotek Green due to its strong pigmentation.

Final Touches

• Use pure Morrow White to add a final pinpoint highlight to the top left of the gem, where the light source is strongest. This small detail significantly contributes to the gem’s realistic sparkle.

Additional Tips

• Light Source Consistency: Ensure all gems on the model reflect the same light source direction for coherence across the miniature.
• Layering: Achieve a smooth transition between shades by allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before applying the next. This technique prevents unwanted blending and muddiness.
• Paint Consistency: Adjust the paint’s thickness based on the effect you’re aiming for. Thinner paint can act as a glaze to smooth out transitions, while thicker paint is better for opaque highlights.
• Practice: Perfecting the soul stone effect may take practice. Experiment on a test model or an inconspicuous area before applying the technique to more visible parts of the miniature.

By following these steps and adjusting your technique as needed based on the specific details and shape of your model’s soul stones, you can achieve a striking and realistic gem effect.

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