Mattan Masri week 6- non metallic metal

     As a miniature painter, I'm always looking for new techniques to enhance my models. Recently, I learned about painting nonmetallic metal (or NMM), essentially painting something that looks like metal without any actual metallic pigments through the use of highly skilled highlights and shading. Nonmetallic metal has existed far before miniature painting, existing in 2d art forms such as traditional paintings and comic books, likely being created because of a lack of access to metallic pigments. If done correctly, NMM can look amazing, but translating the technique from 2d art to 3d miniature painting poses some unique challenges. Painting NMM in any artform already requires experience in blending as well as an understanding of how light reflects off of metals to properly apply highlights, but when used on a 3d object, highlights are especially difficult, because one must consider how it looks from all angles, instead of one fixed point of view one would see in a painting.  

A model painted with NMM (left) compared to a similar model painted with metallic pigments (right). No, I did not paint either of these.

    With so many challenges, why would one elect to paint NMM? Metallic paints are readily available and using them is much easier and quicker compared to NMM. Some simply prefer the appearance over metallic paints, and of course, successfully painting NMM is much more impressive because of its difficulty. Another reason is control. Opting to use nonmetallic pigments gives the painter much greater control over exactly where the piece will shine, or appear to shine, as opposed to metallic paints that are ubiquitously lustrous; additionally, NMM is better for painting more subdued metallic colors. Of course, using metallic pigment has it's own appeal, as mentioned previously it is much easier to apply and is flashier in the most literal way possible.

    In general, using metallic pigments is a much safer bet, whatever is being painted will always be recognizable as metal, even if sloppy. Trying to paint nonmetallic metal has a much higher risk, and a much higher potential reward: it can look incredible if done right, but if done wrong it will likely not even be seen as metallic, instead, becoming a mesh of poor blends and unnatural highlights. I am yet to create proper nonmetallic metal while painting, but I will keep trying.

    In a way, deciding on whether to paint using metallic pigments versus attempting NMM is comparable to many of the struggles we face. Will you take the safer, more reliable option, or try something more difficult with a greater payout? Many times we will choose the metallic pigments. When choosing to take a lower-level course, or when choosing not to audition for that role or apply for that position because you might embarrass yourself, or when you're writing a blog post. This is not always bad; it is unrealistic to expect to always perform at your highest potential, but do try to paint NMM every once in a while. It keeps things interesting.