Advice wanted. Chaotic Troll.

[Wintertooth]

I'm pretty new here at COC and this is my first model post. I'm trying to understand how to improve my painting, so I'd like to start with this guy. I've become a bit stuck, as I'm tentative not to over do this model (Supposed to be a centrepiece character - Throgg for WoC)

Before I prattle on...

Click to see full-sized image

Click to see full-sized image

Click to see full-sized image

Suggestions, recommendations very welcome.

[arctica]

Nice start, the zenithial lighting is pretty darn good and suits the colour and you have some good contrast. I would recommend glazing the edges of some of your highlights to smooth out the blends and it's a tad too intense on the shoulders of the troll so the glazing will help there, but all in all it's a good model so far.

[ToMaZ]

Yup, like arctica said you need glazes to make the transitions between shadow and highlight smoother. At the moment they are quite harsh.
Before glazing though, you might want to highlight the top parts of the legs a bit more. Compared to the rest of the fig they look a bit forgotten or it just might not show up on the picture.

[Wintertooth]

I'm so pleased I came here. Clear, honest and sound advice.

@ Arctica - I didn't know the name for starters (zenithial lighting) that's given me google key words to look for improving that technique. I think I might have been a bit lazy with the shoulders, I find it difficult to see slips like that once I'm 8 hrs+ in (slow painter).

@ ToMaZ - I'm so pleased I asked, they were a bit forgotten. I'd left them as they were 'underneath' the model, but I realise it's not as simple as that. I tried to do some sharp highlighting on small defined areas to show it catching the light, but you're right it needs a general highlight or three to bring it out.

[mahon]

well done with this zenithal effect.

check this article for some extra info: https://paintingmum.blogspot.com/2011/01 ... ffect.html

and I would take a look at this article too: https://chestofcolors.com/painting-faces/
see how to add some additional color nuances in shadows and highlights to make your minis more interesting and surfaces less monotoneous

it's great to see you got contrast so strong - this makes the miniature eyecatching and a great centerpiece (which it is supposed to be).

generally remember about the way most people look at miniatures:
1. first they take a look at the model in general, overall look. if the model looks visually appealing, interesting - they pay more attention to it
2. then they look at details and technique

contrast, colors, large elements or huge freehands are important at stage 1.
they're supposed to catch attention, to get the viewer interested.

at stage 2 you need details and technical skills - smoothness, interesting nuances, freehands, textures.

you did good work at step 1, now move on to 2.

[Corvus]

I think you highlighted the skin very well! The only problem I have with it is that the areas which have the most highlight are a bit too big in places, for example on the shoulders.

Other than that the contrast you have on the skin is lacking in some other areas, like the leather straps etc. Or is this still WIP?

[Wintertooth]

@ Mahon - Thanks for the links, this guy does need work the more I look, just needed a push in the right direction. I've got to now think of some interesting variations I can put on the model to give it a "stage 2". Thanks very much.

@ Corvus - I came here thinking the miniature was almost done, but the advice here has spurred me on to improve it. I think I need to learn some new skills before doing anything else to him though. I'll take another look a the shoulders again, thanks for the advice. And yeah the leather is a disgrace, but I've no idea how to make leather look like leather yet