What is Slap Chop?

If you’ve been in the miniature painting hobby for a while, you’ve likely heard of Slap Chop - a fast, high contrast painting technique that has taken the hobby world by storm. By cleverly combining zenithal priming, dry brushing and speed paints, Slap Chop offers a quick and effective way to get models tabletop-ready without sacrificing visual impact.

But where did this technique come from? Who coined the name? And why has it become a go-to method for speed painters worldwide? Let’s dive into the history, impact, and monetisation of Slap Chop and why you might want to give it a try!

The Origins of Slap Chop: Who Invented It?

While many elements of Slap Chop existed before, the term itself was popularized by Jo One Robbie McGuire, known as The Honest Wargamer, around 2022. His videos and livestreams showcased a speedpainting technique using black priming, grey and white dry brushing and translucent contrast paints to achieve high contrast results with minimal effort.

The name “Slap Chop” was a playful nod to the infomercial kitchen tool, the Slap Chop, a device designed for quickly chopping vegetables. The connection? The rapid, almost effortless painting method felt like “slapping” paint onto a model and quickly “chopping” through army paint - making the process sound as fun as it is effective.

The Artistic Influences and Cultural Origins

Slap Chop’s technique is rooted in older miniature painting practices, particularly:

• Zenithal Highlighting - Under shading method where a black primed miniature is sprayed grey then white from above. Creating a natural lighting effect.
• Dry Brushing - Technique where a lightly loaded almost dry brush is used to highlight raised details quickly.
• Glazing and Contrast Painting - Using thinned transparent paints to allow under shaded highlights to show through.

This speed led approach aligns with the European and American wargaming communities, where getting armies painted quickly is more important than achieving competition level finishing. It borrows from high contrast styles used in Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop gaming circles, making it a universally appealing technique.

Why Was There a Need for Slap Chop?

Yes - Miniature painters needed a way to paint large armies quickly while maintaining a visually striking appearance. Traditional techniques like layering, edge highlighting, and blending take time and skill, and not every hobbyist wants to spend hours perfecting each figure. Slap Chop solves this problem by allowing painters to:

• Get vibrant, high contrast results in a fraction of the time.
• Make complex models “pop” with minimal effort.
• Make miniature painting more accessible to newcomers who may find layering and blending intimidating.
• Encourage hobbyists to paint more and play more.

Slap Chop - Step by Step Basics

Step 1: Prime Black
Spray or brush-on a black primer to create a strong base layer.

Step 2: Apply Zenithal Highlights with Dry Brushing
Using grey, then white paint, dry brush in light layers to create natural highlights on raised surfaces. The goal is to establish contrast before applying colour. If you have one, use a dry brush palette for a even finish.

Step 3: Use Translucent Paints
Apply Contrast Paints, Speed Paints, Xpress Colours, or similar translucent paints in thin coats. Allowing zenithal undershading to show through, creating depth without layering.

Step 4: Done!
You now have a fully painted miniature with shadows, midtones, and highlights—without needing to manually blend or shade.

Industry and Community Response

Hobbyist Reaction

Slap Chop was an instant hit among hobbyists, but unsurprisingly attracted negative attention from the professional segment. Similar to an traditional artist response to AI. Tabletop gaming companies soon saw the potential and capitalised on it.  Games Workshops' Contrast Paints were already marketed for quick shading, Slap Chop pushed them into even greater popularity. The Army Painter released Speed Paints, explicitly marketed as one-coat solutions for Slap Chop. Vallejo Xpress Colors entered the market as a direct competitor, tailored for this method. Green Stuff World Dipping Inks, further expanding the selection of paints optimised for Slap Chop.

Pushback from Traditionalists

Many initially dismissed Slap Chop as a lazy shortcut when compared to traditional layering and blending. However, as the technique evolved, even experienced artists have started integrating elements into their workflows.

The Legacy in Miniature Painting

• Revolutionised speed painting.
• Brought new painters into the hobby.
• The industry has adapted and profited.
• Continual evolvement - hybrid approaches.

Final Thoughts

If you want to paint armies faster, get high-contrast results and spend less time on tedious blending, Slap Chop is for you! At all levels, this is a powerful tool in your painting arsenal. We think its a great starting point and once you have got started, its an excellent launchpad for further developing those skills.