Highlighting Questions New Pictures

[Demi_morgana]

welcome to the club - I also don't have any painters in my city...
but hey, You got cofc forum so everything should be fine now

[Ravener]

Hi,

Yeah that is why I joined. I am really impressed by how helpful and friendly everyone is.

I will probably make a Tyranid Work in Progress blog soon. Maybe you can check it out and tell me what you think.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

Have a nice evenining,

Ravener

[Skrit]

No problem, we are here to help and enjoy it too!:)

About drybrushing; I hardly ever use that technique anymore except for furs, hair and bases as it often leaves a grainy effect on the miniature. Try wetbrushing and painting layers on. It takes a bit more time but the end effect is very much worth it!

[mahon]

There are other ways to build up highlights or shading: washing, layering, glazing, wetblending. Try to forget about drybrushing and expewriment with other techniques. They are described in the Painter's Dictionary.

[Ravener]

Hi,

I found a neat way to get rid of the grainy effect of drybrushing. Just use a ink that has a similiar tone of the color you drybrushed on and thin it.

Brush this on very lightly and the grainy effect goes away.

Thanks for the replies.

What is wetbrushing?

Have a nice day,

Ravener

[Skrit]

Wetbrushing is similar to drybrushing only that you leave more paint on your brush.

[Ravener]

Hi,

Thank you for explaining that.

I have come to a decision and would like your comments.

I am a student but I work at my company so I learn and make a bit of money.

Currently my Tyranid army consists of this:

Broodlord

8 Tyranid Warriors

16 Hormagaunts

16 Gaunts

16 Genestealers

6 Raveners

2 Carnifexes

I have painted 10 Hormagaunts.

My idea is to use the remaining Gaunts to practice my techniques and improve my painting.

I do not want to paint my army to the current standard and the realise I do not like it.

I am willing to paint each of these to a showcase level. I would like each of them to be unique.

Now comes the part that is most important. All of you who have posted in this thread are amazing painters in my eyes.

Would you each be able to paint a Gaunt model and the show me the pictures? This would help me and make my decision on a color scheme easier.

If you want I can send you the models and pay for the paint.

Money is not an issue as I can buy the Gaunt boxes again later.

Have a nice day,

Ravener

[Skrit]

Although it's a worthy goal to paint your entire army to showcase level you have to remember certain points!

It will take you an awful lot of time to do.

You might lose interest or motivation because it is an entire army.

You just started learning more advanced techniques so your skills will improve over the time you're painting the army and that means you will have to go back and work on older models again to get them up to standard with the rest!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage you or anything but from my experience it's hard to do!

Better to practice first on single models or squads and then when you think you're up to it, start working on your showcase army!:)

About painting the Gaunt, I will take a pic of the group we use in the store...

[Ravener]

Hi,

I am going to do what you suggested. I have 32 Gaunts that I can practice on before I order my 40 Hormagaunts and paint those.

I will practice until I think the level I am at is good for a showcase army and then paint it to that standard.

Thanks in advance for the pictures.

Have a nice day,

Ravener

[Ravener]

Hi,

I started my first practice Gaunt. I really took my time and he looks better than my other models.

So far I have painted his skin and the base of his carapace. I have not highlighted yet.

Skin- Watered down Dark Fleshtone. Watered down Dark Fleshtone and Red Gore 50/50. Watered down Red Gore.

Carapace- Watered down Black and Somber grey 50/50 mix.

The paint looks really smooth and I am reallly happy with the results.

Taking your time and thinning really helps.

I am ditching drybrushing too. I realised it looks alot better if you paint several thin coats on and try to get a smooth look.

Drybrushing leaves a rather chalky effect on some of the models.

I am thinking about giving the skin a Dark Fleshtone ink wash.

Have a nice day,

Ravener