Edge Highlighting
Paint thin lines of a lighter color along the edges and corners of surfaces to define shapes.
An edge highlight is a single fine line of lighter paint laid along a hard edge, and it works because that's exactly what real light does — it catches on corners and ridges before anywhere else. One crisp line along the top edge of a shoulder pad makes the whole plate read as three-dimensional from across the table. The trick that makes it achievable is in the grip: we paint these lines with the SIDE of the brush tip drawn along the edge, not the point pressed into it — the edge itself guides the stroke, and the line comes out thin and straight almost on its own.
Best For
Recommended Paint Types
Step-by-Step
Thin a colour 1–2 shades lighter than the surface to single cream — thick enough to hold a crisp line, fluid enough to flow off the bristles without dragging.
Load your size 0 or 1 round with a sharp point, wipe it to a clean point, then turn the brush SIDEWAYS and draw the side of the tip along the edges of the hard edges — armour plates, weapon edges, crisp cloth folds in one long, confident stroke per edge.
Brace your painting hand against your holding hand and pull the stroke toward you — rotate the model, never your wrist, to keep every edge at a comfortable angle.
Prioritise the uppermost edges and leading corners — the edges your light source actually strikes: those stay bright, undersides are left alone.
For a corner or point, touch the tip once and pull away in each direction — corners catch the most light, so they earn the brightest dot.
If It Goes Wrong
A wobbly or too-thick line is repaired from inside: repaint the flat of the panel with the base colour up to the line, shaving it thin from below — far easier than trying to repaint the line itself.
Variations
For extra punch we run a second, finer line of a near-white over just the corners and the few edges that face the light dead-on — the first line becomes the transition, the second the glint.
Pro Tips
Brace your painting hand against your holding hand for stability.
Rotate the model, not your hand — always paint in a comfortable direction.
It's okay if lines are slightly thick at first. Clean up with the base color.
Focus on the edges that would catch overhead light (top edges, raised ridges).
Common Mistakes
Lines too thick — use less pressure and the side of the brush.
Inconsistent thickness — keep steady pressure throughout each stroke.
Highlighting every single edge equally — prioritize the uppermost edges.
Using paint that's too thick — it won't flow along the edge smoothly.