NMM Made Easy
Hi there! Today’s article is about NMM-style painting. Using non-metallic metals to simulate metal effects can be tricky, but it is also very rewarding, and a painting rite of passage.
We asked 3 awesome miniature painters we know how they achieve beautiful NMM! Get the best results by following these guides from Droidena, Angel Giraldez and El Miniaturista!
Table of Contents
What is Non-Metallic Metal (NMM)?
NMM is shorthand for 'Non-Metallic Metals'. It means when a painter uses standard paints to create metallic paint effects. Painters often like to try NMM as a way to show mastery of more advanced techniques, like light and volume. It can be difficult to get to grips with, but with guides like these, it is much easier!
Droidena’s Guide to NMM Gold
Painting Non-Metallic Metal Gold -The Base
Step 1: We start with Chaos Black primer (Citadel) and we apply Dark Sea Blue (Vallejo) mixed with Pastel Green (AK) setting the main source and direction of light.
Step 2: Add more Pastel Green (AK) to the previous mix and we also add a secondary soft light in the opposite side using Dark Green Grey (AK), leaving the transition areas in black to create contrast.
Step 3: We start the face on the shield by using a mix of Rhinox Hide and Skrag Brown (Citadel) we keep adding Skrag to the mix until we have a solid base.
Painting Non-Metallic Metal Gold -The Highlights
Step 4: We repeat the process by using the mix of Skrag Brown (Citadel) and Yellow Ochre (Vallejo) until we finish lighting with this last one.
Step 5: Start highlighting the general shapes with the mix of Ochre Yellow and Sunny Skintone (Vallejo) Once this is done we glaze some Yellow Ochre (Vallejo) on the steel areas next to the gold ones. Also we glaze the gold area with a yellow glaze to increase saturation.
Step 6: We finish by using Ice Yellow (AK) on dots and edge highlights, and a mix of Tenebrous Grey (AK) with Red Wine (AK) to the shadows to increase depth and contrast.
For the last steps we could clean transitions overall and paint the runes in the same gold used earlier.
Angel Giraldez: Easy NMM Gold
Angel Giraldez is one of the world’s best miniature painters. We at Redgrass have supported Angel for a long time, and we love his tutorial videos. He has the perfect video for painters wanting to try Gold NMM for the first time.Â
Click the video below and start your journey!
El Miniaturista’s Guide to NNM Steel Sword
@elminiaturista is well-respected miniature painter who teaches his techniques to his online followers at sites like Patreon. We have worked with Juan for a long time, and now we are fortunate to share one of his painting guides on Redgrass. Read on to see how he does it, in his own words!
He uses four colors on his wet palette – AK Black, AK Basalt Grey, AK Silver Grey, AK White. If you don’t have these, don’t worry, you can use similar tones from other paint ranges.
Painting Non-Metallic Metal Steel – The Base
Step 1: For light placement, I always follow the rule that a light area contrasts with a darker area- never place light areas side-by-side. I add areas of Basalt Grey over the Black.
Step 2: Next I place a 1:1 mix of Basalt Grey and Silver Grey in the center of all the previous light areas from step 2. If it is near a corner, I place this lighter area on the corner.
Step 3: I try to smooth the transitions between each tonal jump, but only a little! Don’t obsess!
Painting Non-Metallic Metal Steel – The Highlight
Step 4: I edge-highlight all the edges I can see in the sword- the thinner the highlights the better.
Step 5: I use AK White Ink (but any white will do) through an airbrush and shoot little circles of white into the centre of the lightest areas of the sword. Aim carefully, using the angles of the sword, to avoid hitting the opposing dark areas.
Tip: you can place the sword on a surface and slowly move the airbrush toward the light area you wish to highlight.
Step 6: I add dots of pure white in the center of each light area, and on some of the edge-highlights too.
Optional: I add some lines to look like a sparkly crystal effect.
Not sure about NMM?
Still not sure about painting non-metallic metal?Â
Download our recipe card about painting gold with conventional metallic paint techniques below for some extra guidance!Â
Easy to use, clear and totally free!
Our painters recommend the following Redgrass Painting tools
Everlasting Wet Palette – Painter Lite for miniature painting
RGG360 Painting Handle v2
Brush: Size 2/0
