First ever attempt at painting

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Razzat
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First ever attempt at painting

#1 Post by Razzat »

Hey all,

As the above states this is my first proper attempt at painting anything warhammer. Ive been dabbling for years and always given up as I posses absolutely zero skill and I dont have the patience to learn.
That being said I am now a bit older and wiser and have found some really good 'How to' guides online so thought I would give it a go.

Here are is one attempt so far for your critique/advice.

I would really like advise as to how I can take this to the next level so please please feel free to give any and all advice.

Please not I have not done any bases as of yet.

Image
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Last edited by Razzat on Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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solith
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#2 Post by solith »

"Absolutely zero skill" he says. If this is your starting point and you want to improve from here you'll be making people jealous of your skill in no time at all. :D

What you've shown here is good work. The overall neatness and smoothness of the paint shows you have the patience to paint well. The gems show you have the steady hands and eye for detail that can make models stand out. The reds especially show you have a good grasp of colours and how they fit together. (To explain this one: you've highlighted the red with white rather than the more common yellow. This has created a much cooler red that works really well with the other colours. A warm/bright red that was highlighted towards orange would clash with the model in my opinion.)

There are three areas I can pick out that I would target for improvement:
- First the face. It depends a lot of what overall tone of skin you want to end up with but I think it could use another layer of highlights. My opinion is that, with models as small as these it's worth over shading/highlighting skin compared to real life (within reason of course) because it really helps to show off the details of the face, draw the eye to the face and to give the models character and expression. It's especially notable on a model such as the Swordmaster where you have one patch of beige/tan surrounted by all these bright colours and metals, all of which draw the eye away from the most important part of the model - the face.
To expand on this further, you could paint the eyes. While painting eyes on rank and file is completely optional and will rarely be noticed by others, I'm sure you're capable of doing it if you wanted to.

- Secondly the whites. On this model I think you've taken the contrast between highlight and shading too far and it makes the white look very harsh to me. I'd suggest taking the shading to a much paler grey than the near black you have at the moment. There are two ways of doing this:
Either mix a grey wash to shade the white with, rather than using the black wash it looks like you're using now. (Although I could be wrong about that :lol: ) Unfortunately GW doesn't do a grey wash so either you'd have to get one elsewhere or you'd have to mix one yourself. (You can simply water down a grey paint every time you want to use it, although that might not be consistent enough for you) I'd suggest a mid tone of grey - half way between black and white and use that as your darkest shade.
Alternately, start with the mid tone of grey and layer up lighter and lighter shades. This way is more time consuming, but it lets you keep the overall tone closer to an incredibly light grey rather than a pure white. I prefer this for two reasons - firstly it makes the colour less harsh and easier on the eyes, and secondly it lets you add actual highlights of pure white to it.

- Lastly the metals. While they look great and very High Elf-ish they also lack the shading/highlighting you've done on the rest of the model. I can see the highlighting you've put onto the scales and they look really good, but the large pieces of metal suffer in comparison for me. I'd suggest adding some smooth shading to them. It will make the metal slightly darker overall so you may not want to do it, but I think it'll make your High Elves look better.


Out of curiosity, have you decided what you're going to do for your bases yet?

Also, start a painting log here so we can see more of your work as it progresses. :D
[url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=44644]My painting log[/url]
[url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=51340]My battle reports[/url]
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RE.Lee
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#3 Post by RE.Lee »

Thats a very nice looking model (better than any of my first attempts)! =D>

I agree with solith's comments, there's surely room for improvement if you want to reach his standard (few of us ever will :)). Pay attention to metallics - few other armies use as many as HE so you'll want to develop an elegant technique quickly. The golden parts look really well, while, as was mentioned, the flat silver surfaces could use some more work. A simple thinned down black wash and then picking up the edges with bright silver might do the trick.

I'd like to compliment the gems in particular - you've achieved a very interesting pearlescent effect that works well with the other colours. Well done! :D
cheers, Lee

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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#4 Post by Razzat »

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated and its exactly what I need.

With the whites you are correct, I used a base of Celesta grey washed with nuln oil then ulthuan grey layer and lastly white scar. I think I made the contrast so huge as previously I made it too weak and it looked crap. Need to find a middle ground.

With eyes, I attempted it twice on this model and failed both times, the harder I concentrate the more I shake and end up messing it right up so with RNF I am not going to bother until I am a better painter.

With the skin I do want a lighter shade but not sure where to go, currently I use ratskin flesh with a wah of reikland fleshshade and then a layer of kislev flesh. Not sure where to go next or mix some kislev with some white??

My bases will be snow themed, saw a guide online about using PVA glue with baking soda, the results look pro!!! Will be trying that.

Where can I setup a paint log or just keep this post going?
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Nyeave
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#5 Post by Nyeave »

Most have been said already. I really like the gems. They definitely not look like a first time job.
One thing I will add however. I am by no means an expert myself but one of the things people tend to praise me for is smooth surfaces. I always thin my paints down with a little water on palette - never paint directly from the pot. It takes practice and is all up to personal preference as the model might end up looking far too polished for a battle hardened veteran.

Yeah the eyes on these models are very hard to get to as they are pretty deep within the helmet. Not an easy task but satisfactory never the less when you succeed :)

About a paint log. Most of us just have a thread in this subforum that we keep updating with new stuff.

Keep up the good work!
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Wiggo87
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#6 Post by Wiggo87 »

a tip for painting eyes; esp on models with enclosed helms, paint the eyes before you paint anything else and then build up the flesh layers and helm afterwards. I find it much easier to "leave" the eye space than to try and paint them on after the face flesh tones have been built up.
Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#7 Post by Razzat »

All advice taken on board, will update accordingly annd keep this as my first ever paint blog, may kick me up the arse to keep going too :)
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Nyeave
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#8 Post by Nyeave »

Try having a look at the monthly painting challenges. It's a great motivator. Set yourself a goal for the month and pledge that. Then post pictures along the way. Great way to keep yourself motivated.
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Ferny
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#9 Post by Ferny »

I would be really pleased to produce that model (I'm not a painter 'either' - in inverted commas because at a first go you'll be fine). The painting is neat, the paint is smooth, the details are done - jobs a good 'un. Details are good too.

What next? I think the sword looks a little flat, though it might just be the photo. I'm not entirely sure what to recommend, but I suspect if you've got a different type of silver to use you could highlight it more...though I'm not gonna try and give tips on how!

The face I think could use a final highlight too. Personally I wouldn't bother with eyes - they're just too damn hard. Washes are a godsend; they make faces look reasonably finished and painted without having fiddly eyes actually painted. If and when you decide you want to progress to the next level then definitely go for it, but the model looks good as is and on the tabletop you won't be drawn to the eyes.

Keep up the good painting :)
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tinman
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#10 Post by tinman »

Bravo! nicely done for a first model...
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Jimmy
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#11 Post by Jimmy »

Great effort on the first model! =D> Maybe some ink on the blade of some sort as well?
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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#12 Post by Razzat »

Bit of progress, been very busy with xmas and work etc so havent had much time but managed to finish 9 swordmaster and 15 more are base coated :)

I did attempt eyes but struggled beyond belief, may the cahampion will be a bit easier with more room face room to paint.

I think I have improved the face generally, added more layers with colour getting lighter and lighter, the photos dont show much but looking at it normally the skin is much lighter/elfish!

Also realised my mistake with the metal, was doing first layer with runefang steel, not iron breaker!! MUPPET!!

Anyways feel free to comment if you wish with criticism or advice, all is helpful to me :)

Image
Last edited by Razzat on Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Larkspire
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#13 Post by Larkspire »

My first models were Butt-ugly empire militia men painted with Apple barrel paints :D
Your off to an auspicious start =D> .
Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#14 Post by Razzat »

UPDATE!!

It's been a while since I have updated this so here goes - please comment with tips, advise, criticism!! I wont learn if I dont get pointers :)

Sword master finished, 21 of them

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... bf9b84.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 5d776c.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 9afd07.jpg

36 x spearmen, movement tray yet to be finished

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 6a59c4.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... abb9e1.jpg

BSB (caradryan converted) and Archmage

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 5ae46b.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... f44925.jpg

Loremaster

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 330393.jpg

Mage number 2

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... c6904c.jpg

Archers WIP (I hate HE archers, dont know why but I just cannot seem to paint them at all!!!)

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... a1a949.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 7eaf9d.jpg
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... 6883d2.jpg

Whole army so far!

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y44 ... a6782d.jpg

The theme is a monster hunting army/parting sweeping the Anuuli mountains, hence the snowy bases. Not very original I know but I like the theme!!

As I say all comments/criticisms/pointers/advise are appreaciated!

Thanks for looking.

Mat
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Prince Asarion
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#15 Post by Prince Asarion »

It always makes me happy to see red high elves. Especially when they're painted this well.
Check out my [url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=40192]c/b/plog[/url]

[size=85][i][color=#0000FF]Army - L ~ D ~ V ~ SV - Year[/color][/i][/size]
[size=85][i][color=#BF4000]HE --- 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 8 - 2012[/color][/i][/size]
[size=85][i][color=#BF4000]HE --- 0 ~ 0 ~ 1 ~ 0 - 2013[/color][/i][/size]
Nicene
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#16 Post by Nicene »

Love these!! Loremaster is especially my favorite.

In my opinion, don't be afraid to use the [img] tag thing for big lists of photos; anyone who clicks on a "painting and modelling" thread will be expecting to load some images, I'd expect.
Razzat wrote:With eyes, I attempted it twice on this model and failed both times, the harder I concentrate the more I shake and end up messing it right up so with RNF I am not going to bother until I am a better painter.
I'm a poor/impatient painter (though improving), but I can give you some advice about shaking hands: make sure you've eaten and are comfortable, with plenty of light, and a good temperature. If necessary, wear a jacket or something that will keep your arms warm (take a lesson from professional video gamers, who will wear heavy jackets even in what seems to be a comfortable room, just to make sure their hands and arms stay warm).

Finally, if your hands are shaking, try again at a different time of day, or after some rest. You may be tired without realizing it, and fine motor control is one of the first things to go. Take a break and come back later.

For eyeballs, paint the whites with a brush, then the points with a toothpick. Touch up the face afterward.
[url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=61399]my MSU army list/battle reports[/url]

[quote="Nyeave"]Omg it's a parrot chariot - a parriot... :D[/quote]
Nicene
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#17 Post by Nicene »

One more thing: have you checked your archers to see that they will rank up correctly? By default, these things are a nightmare to rank up, and I see you've assembled this guy with the bow pointed straight forward.

There are various ways to do this. My least favorite is to situate them so that they are shooting to their left. For mine, I trimmed their bow arms near the shoulder socket so that they connected at an upward/sidearm kind of angle, so that they would be firing over the shoulder of the man in front of them. There's no perfect solution, however.
[url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=61399]my MSU army list/battle reports[/url]

[quote="Nyeave"]Omg it's a parrot chariot - a parriot... :D[/quote]
Nicene
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#18 Post by Nicene »

also--How did you do the snowy bases?
[url=http://www.ulthuan.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=61399]my MSU army list/battle reports[/url]

[quote="Nyeave"]Omg it's a parrot chariot - a parriot... :D[/quote]
Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#19 Post by Razzat »

Cheers for all the advice, the archers are a problem when it comes to ranking up, my solution is to paint 30 of them and try anf find 18 that work together, lol. Failing that I will just make a slightly bigger movement tray and make a gap inbetween them, bit like skirmisher formation. In theory they should see combat so I dont think the spacing wont be much of an issue (I hope).

I will try the eye technique with a tooth pick, sounds genius!

Whats the (img) thing, I know nothing of these types of things. lol.
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Duranthalis
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#20 Post by Duranthalis »

Razzat wrote: Whats the (img) thing, I know nothing of these types of things. lol.
On the photobucket page (when you look at the picture), on the right hand side there are options to "Links to share this photo" ... the bottom option is "IMG" ... if you copy and paste that one to the forum it should show the picture instead of just a link
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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#21 Post by Razzat »

Ah ok, thanks for the advice, mucho appreciado.

Frgot to mention how I did my snowy bases. I just went to my local pet store into the fish section and asked for a bag of pure white sand for tropical fish tanks. Cost about £7.00 and could honest do around 20000 bases with it, I will never ever run out! Amazing buy! Then I just thin down some PVA glue and paint the base and stick the sand on, I do it a few times to add depth as I like the idea of the mountain snow in my theme to be thick. If the sand goes a funny colour (sometimes parts are darker or yellower) then I spray it with white undercoat or dry brush with white paint.

In the fish section you can aslo get crushed coral in dofferent grades which is not as white but creates a nice rocky base for you miniatures if you so wish.
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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#22 Post by Razzat »

New Updates -

19 x archers complete, these bad boys took me nearly a month on and off due to work commitments and a back injury meaning I couldnt sit down :(

Let me know what you think. Not going to lie, I hated painting these, found them quite a challenge and just generally boring. Just need to finish the bases and all is complete.

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Reavers next!!! Quite looking forward to these - This is my test model -

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only some base coats so far and a few washes but so far they are quite fun to paint, makes a change from the 70+ RNF models ive done so far.

As usual any comments would be much appreciated! Tips wold be great, criticisms are just as helpful.

Cheers all
Last edited by Razzat on Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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starkey
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#23 Post by starkey »

Looks good so far :) far better then my first attempts.

The only thing that i would change on your arches would be to paint the base edges black just to make the snow stand out, it may sound silly but is quite effective.
Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#24 Post by Razzat »

Starkey,

Thanks for the response, I originally did the base edge as white and that didnt work, also did them as black but thought the contrast was too great seeing as the movement tray is white. I went for a middle ground and ended up with grey, do you think a darker shade of grey would work better?
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Gandalf_82
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#25 Post by Gandalf_82 »

Nicene wrote:For eyeballs, paint the whites with a brush, then the points with a toothpick. Touch up the face afterward.
That seems a genius tip! So simple as well. Will definitely be giving this a try!

@ Razzat, I think the grey on the bases with the snow works. But I would be tempted to put the odd extra touch in just to break it up a bit. Maybe the odd rock on some of the bases and/or the tray, a bit of wood/foliage poking through or something. Just to take the edge off the uniform look of the ground. Just as a finishing touch.
Marshal
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#26 Post by Marshal »

Gandalf_82 wrote:
Nicene wrote:For eyeballs, paint the whites with a brush, then the points with a toothpick. Touch up the face afterward.
That seems a genius tip! So simple as well. Will definitely be giving this a try!

@ Razzat, I think the grey on the bases with the snow works. But I would be tempted to put the odd extra touch in just to break it up a bit. Maybe the odd rock on some of the bases and/or the tray, a bit of wood/foliage poking through or something. Just to take the edge off the uniform look of the ground. Just as a finishing touch.
You can also get a great result doing the pupils with a 0.5 marker pen, works a treat. Feels like cheating but eh, whatever works.
Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#27 Post by Razzat »

More updates -

Managed to finish my 2 x frosties tonight and my eagle (Roc from the sky cutter model) -

Frosty 1 -

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Frosty 2 -

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Eagle (Swift feather Roc)

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Caradryan/Prince/BSB/ any char lol

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Whole Army as it stands at the moment -

Image
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Any comments/criticisms welcome.

Just got 10 x reavers to finish, 3 x RBTS, 1 x White Lion Chariot, 10 x Silverhelms, 10 x Shadow Warriors and 30 x White Lions and I am all done for now. I do have a Dragon too and a couple of Griffon Lords from IOB but not sure how viable they are these days so will hold out or them :)

Cheers all
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Wolfroar
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#28 Post by Wolfroar »

Looking very good together. Particulaly like your paint work on the big birds.

Making a snow gameboard by chance?
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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#29 Post by Razzat »

Haha, you would have thought so wouldnt you, truth me told I doubt it, I will be playing at a alocal club once ive painted all my models and they have the usual green grass boards. Although as I work in construction I can "borrow" some ply boards off site and time I want to I may well make a snowy/mountain pass style board, could be good fun for scenarios!
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Razzat
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Re: First ever attempt at painting

#30 Post by Razzat »

Next up 30 x white Lions, watch this space :)
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