Glowing weapons, eyes and power sources add drama to any Warhammer 40,000 model, and the effect is easier than it looks. The trick is contrast: a bright core, saturated colour around it, and darker surroundings so the glow has something to shine against.
The short answer: paint the light source with a near-white core, build a saturated colour outwards from it, then glaze thin layers of that colour onto nearby surfaces that face the light. Keep the rest of the model darker or muted so the glow stands out.
What is object source lighting (OSL)?
Object source lighting, or OSL, means painting the light that a glowing object casts onto its surroundings. A glowing weapon doesn't just glow itself; it tints the hands, armour and ground near it. That spill is what sells the effect.
What's the basic glow method?
Use this on any glowing object.
- Basecoat the glowing area in a mid tone of your chosen colour.
- Layer a lighter tone towards the centre of the light source.
- Add a very pale, almost white core at the brightest point.
- Glaze the strongest version of the colour around the edges to saturate it.
- Glaze thin layers of the colour onto nearby surfaces facing the source.
Which colours glow best?
Green, blue, orange and red all glow well because they stay saturated when lightened. Purple and yellow work too, but need more care to avoid looking chalky or washed out.
How do I paint glowing eyes?
Paint the eye in the glow colour, add a tiny pale dot at the centre, then glaze a little colour onto the surrounding helmet or face. Keep both eyes identical so the effect looks deliberate. For eyes that reflect rather than glow, see our guide to painting lenses and gems.
How do I paint glowing energy weapons?
Paint the coils or vents with a pale core and saturated colour around it, strongest at the centre. Then glaze the same colour onto the casing next to each glowing part, fading it away as you move further from the source.
How do I paint light spilling onto armour?
Work out which surfaces face the light source and glaze those with thin layers of the glow colour, strongest nearest the source and fading with distance. Edges facing the light can take a fine highlight in the glow colour.
Why does my glow just look like paint?
Usually there isn't enough contrast: the surroundings are too bright, the glow colour isn't saturated enough, or there's no pale core. Darken the area around the source and push the centre lighter.
Should the rest of the model be darker?
Yes. Glows read best on dark or muted colour schemes, and a model painted entirely in bright colours leaves the glow nothing to shine against. Our guide to choosing a colour scheme helps you plan for this.
What is glazing and how thin should it be?
A glaze is a very thin, translucent layer of colour that tints what's underneath without covering it. Thin your paint heavily, ideally with a medium rather than just water, and build it up in several passes. Our guide to thinning paints explains consistency.
Can I use an airbrush for glow effects?
Yes, and it's the easiest way to get soft, smooth light spill. Spray the glow colour at low pressure towards the surfaces that face the source. See our airbrush beginner's guide.
How do I paint glow effects on bases?
Light from a weapon or lantern also hits the ground. Glaze a little of the glow colour onto the base beneath the source; it ties model and base together and makes the effect far more convincing.
How do I paint glowing runes or symbols?
Paint the rune in thin lines of the pale core colour, then glaze the saturated colour around the edges so it bleeds slightly onto the surface. Keep the lines crisp at the centre and soft at the edges.
How strong should the light spill be?
Subtle. Light fades quickly with distance, so keep the strongest spill within a short distance of the source and let it disappear well before the edge of the model. Too much spill makes the whole model look tinted rather than lit.
Do glow effects need varnish?
Use a matt varnish to protect the paint, as gloss can make glows look like plastic. Save gloss for lenses and gems.
What's the best first glow project?
A single glowing weapon or a pair of eyes on one model. It's a small area that's quick to repaint if it goes wrong, and it teaches the core, colour and spill progression you'll use everywhere. A wet palette helps keep glazes consistent.
More hobby guides
- How to Paint Lenses and Gems on Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How to Use an Airbrush for Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures: A Beginner's Guide
- How to Thin Paints for Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How to Make and Use a Wet Palette for Warhammer 40,000 Miniatures
- How to Choose a Colour Scheme for Your Warhammer 40,000 Army
- Warhammer 40,000 Hobby Guides & Free Tools
Warhammer 40,000® is a registered trade mark of Games Workshop Limited. This is an independent hobby guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Games Workshop.