Painting Gold Lace

Here is some info on how I paint gold lace without using metallic paint. In this case, I've used the technique on this 75mm figure from Pegaso Miniatures. Unless mentioned, all colors are Vallejo Model Colors.

I start with a base coat of Burnt Umber on all the gold lace areas. As with all acrylics, I apply the base in several thin coats to assure good coverage and also to prevent the loss of sculpted detail that thick coats of paint can hide.

Once the base coat is dry, I mix a little Yellow Ochre into Burnt Umber and with a good detail brush (W&N Series 7 Red Sable) I apply the paint in small lines across each section leaving some of the base to show through. Once this dries, I do the same with more Yellow Ochre added to the Brown Umber and add more small lines in only in smaller areas than before that are more directly exposed to light. Next, the same is done with pure Yellow Ochre and then yet again with Yellow Ochre plus Golden Yellow. Final highest highlights are pure Golden Yellow. Once done, I applied a glaze or a wash of burnt umber and a bit of yellow ochre to unify and bring all the tones together. The key is to leave some areas with little highlights and have others with lots of highlight to create large jumps in contrast from one lightening stage to the next. This helps create the illusion of reflectivity associated with gold lace without using metallic paint.

I have to thank Lou Masses whose technique here I, uh, borrowed...ok stole.