Mark Sorastro is probably one of the best artists and videomakers you can find on the web, especially on YouTube. With his channel that is getting closer and closer to 100k subscribers, Mark creates thematic video tutorials on painting miniatures, covering every step that can help budding people to understand this hobby, what techniques to use and how to paint their miniatures at best .

I was lucky, I asked Mark if he wanted to answer some questions and he agreed. Sorastro is probably the name that comes out most often when someone on the Facebook group “Zombicide Italia” asks how to learn how to paint miniatures. This interview actually came out of this group, the questions were selected by the group members themselves.

Interview with Mark Sorastro

Watching your videos and the high quality of your painted miniatures could be disarmingly for a beginner, what advice would you like to give to those who start this hobby today?

I’d suggest starting with simple techniques on some “basic” unit types such as zombies, goblins etc.  From my own series of videos for example, the first Zombicide Black Plague episode, or the early Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth videos should provide a helpful starting point.  From there you can gradually move onto learning more advanced techniques.  Also, as you progress try to only compare your work against your own previous work!

How did you improve your technique during the time? And what inspires you or which are the experiences that influence your painting technique?

I aim to improve by trying new things all the time, and by moving towards the things that I’m afraid of or feel daunted by (like non-metallic metal effects for example).  I take inspiration from nature and my environment, and also from the work of other painters (both the 2D artists of the past, as well as some of the many amazing pro mini painters around today).

In your opinion, how much important is the quality of the tools you use (brushes, colors, palette) to obtain great results?

I think it’s possible to paint well even using very basic equipment; it’s just a lot easier if you have decent tools (a good brush that retains a nice point for example)!

When did you start painting miniatures? What tools were you working with at the time?

I started painting miniatures when I was around ten years old; at the time we only really had access to Games Workshop products (plus there was no internet!), so I was into Warhammer Fantasy Battle, and – when it first launched – Warhammer 40K.  All of the brushes and paints I used back then would also have been from Games Workshop.

The last one has more interest to me: In summary, what tools do you use to make your videos and how long does it take to produce one? Do you have a scheduling to respect or publish as soon as you have a new video ready?

I shoot my videos with the Panasonic GH5 camera (with 12-60mm Leica lens) and edit the videos using Adobe Premiere Pro.  I also use Cubase and the East West VST instruments to compose all of the music.  It might take between 40-60 hours to produce a video depending on the miniature (the Kingdom Death: Monster Phoenix might take a bit longer though..!).  Once I’ve completed a video I usually publish it on Patreon right away (as they have early access), then wait up to a week before releasing it publicly.

Conclusions

Mark Sorastro has been very kind and for me it has been a honor to get in contact with him. Everytime i see one of his videos i get crazy by seeing how easy things seem on his hands. Loved to see his Marvel Crisis Protocol series, which is his last one. In the past few days he just released a new video about how to paint Thanos, take a look, i leave it here for you!