Belts, straps, pouches and holsters are on almost every miniature, and most of us rush them. In How to Paint Leather Belts & Straps on Minis: Easy, Realistic, and Quick, Alex from Alex Paints shows a simple, repeatable way to get convincing leather in a few minutes.
If the video doesn’t load above, watch it on YouTube.
The brush
The whole tutorial is painted with a Hawk Miniatures size 0 Kolinsky sable round – Alex names it on camera as he works the highlights along the edges of the strap. A brush that small with a proper point lets him get away with doing both edges of a belt from one angle, which is exactly the kind of detail work Kolinsky sable is for. You can pick up a size 0 on its own from our round Kolinsky sable brush range, or as part of the Alex Paints Essentials set.
The method
Alex builds the leather up in stages: a dark base, a mid-tone worked slightly in from the edges, then a lighter tone closer to the edge with less coverage, and finally a fine edge highlight in a pale earth colour. The video names the paints used and shows every step at the desk.
Get the brushes
The brushes Alex links for this video:
- Alex Paints Essentials – set of 4 Kolinsky sable rounds (sizes 0, 1, 2 and 3)
- Alex Paints Essentials Deluxe – the same four brushes with thicker walnut handles
- Round Kolinsky sable brushes – buy individual sizes
Alex’s channel, Alex Paints, is worth a subscribe if you paint Warhammer or any other small things – it’s one of the more honest voices in the hobby, and he only recommends what he actually uses.
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