Washing (Shade Paints)
Apply a wash over basecoated areas to create instant shadows in recesses and add depth.
Washing is the easiest way to add depth and definition to a miniature. Shade paints (like Citadel Shades or Army Painter Washes) are very thin, translucent paints that flow into the recesses of a model through capillary action. They darken the low points while leaving raised areas relatively bright, creating natural-looking shadows with minimal effort. A basecoat + wash can take a model from flat to tabletop-ready in minutes.
Best For
Recommended Paint Types
Step-by-Step
Make sure your basecoat is fully dry.
Load a medium-to-large brush with shade paint — don't thin it further.
Apply the wash over the entire area you want to shade. Be generous but controlled.
The wash will naturally flow into recesses. Use your brush to guide it if needed.
If too much wash pools on flat surfaces, wick it away with a damp brush tip.
Let it dry completely — this takes longer than regular paint (10-15 minutes).
Optionally, re-apply your base color to the raised areas to clean up any staining.
Pro Tips
Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil are the two most versatile washes — they work on almost everything.
For a cleaner result, apply the wash only into the recesses (recess shading) instead of all over.
Shake your wash pot well before use.
Apply washes with the model tilted so gravity helps the wash flow where you want it.
Common Mistakes
Applying wash over a coat that hasn't dried — this ruins the basecoat.
Letting wash pool on flat surfaces (tide marks).
Using too many different wash colors on one model — stick to 1-2.
Not cleaning up the raised areas afterward.