A Hello and Advice Needed

[AIB234]

Hi everyone!

My name's Ryan and I've been a very long time lurker of this website. I finally decided to register as I have also decided that I want to improve my painting skills beyond average Warhammer player.

Click to see full-sized image

This is my first ever attempt at 'painting like the pros'. I did three thin undercoats which went fine, but as soon as I started shading, I ran into problems.

My first is trying to control the paint. Should I be dabbing my brush on a paper towel before putting it on my model? Then maybe I'll have more luck controlling it?

The second is the quality of the highlights. I know that I need to do more progressed shading. I went straight from Ice Blue to Regal Blue. Is this why it looks like chalk, not paint?

And one last thing... see the bubbles on the fin thing on the skink's head? Is that because I did a bad primer job, because I didn't shake it well enough, or it's old primer (which is very possible from where I bought it from).

Thanks for all of the help and I hope to show some progress in my painting with you all soon

PS. I know blue lizardmen are a sin, but they're not my models, and it's the requested colour.

[mattmcl]

My first is trying to control the paint. Should I be dabbing my brush on a paper towel before putting it on my model? Then maybe I'll have more luck controlling it?

Yes, and use thinner paint. In terms of the color, what you have looks good for a first shadow layer.

The second is the quality of the highlights. I know that I need to do more progressed shading. I went straight from Ice Blue to Regal Blue. Is this why it looks like chalk, not paint?

I don't notice the chalkiness, actually. But I would suggest using a blend of 50% Ice Blue and 50% Regal Blue first, then do a second layer of 100% of whichever one of those is the lighter one. Then add a bit of white to that, and do another layer. Work your way up over 4 layers or so.

And one last thing... see the bubbles on the fin thing on the skink's head? Is that because I did a bad primer job, because I didn't shake it well enough, or it's old primer (which is very possible from where I bought it from).

It looks like a problem with the mini- either the sculpt or the casting, but in either case it's the same result. I use Vallejo Model Color Putty for this kind of thing. It's water soluble, so you can mix it down to the consistency you need. Ideally, I'll do this before priming. To fix it now though, you'd have to apply the putty, sand, re-prime with a brush-on primer, and repaint.

[AIB234]

Thanks for the reply Matt.

I noticed in reading your reply that I meant to type shade, not highlight - in regard to chalkiness. But as I look at the picture I am not able to see it in the picture either.

Once I have some more daylight I'll post another WIP Picture for C and C tomorrow. I don't have a light box setup where I am currently living, unfortunately.

[Demi_morgana]

heya AIB!
I'm always glad when forum gets another member - hope You'll enjoy staying here

now sth about Your skink slayer
You're perfectly correct about dabbing brush on towel or simply limiting amount of paint taken on brush; I've also found smaller amout of paint easier to control especially if You dilute paints to achieve smoother transitions between tones;

as for shading (and highlighting at the same time) - I'm definitelly not the expert but I've found that mixing paints gives me better better results than using different pots of paints; I just add darker/brighter tone to base color on palette until I am satisfied with the mixture in my opinion this gives You better control on color You want to get;

don't worry about "bubble-thingy" on lizard's head - even if that's fault of the primer You used after You finish painting it will look natural; I'd even wash it a bit to expose such texture!

I know blue lizardmen are a sin, but they're not my models, and it's the requested colour.

naaaaah, blue trolls from hordes are sin...

[mahon]

To me it looks that you got the paint just right - right smoothness, thickness, and neatness of application.

Now I'd either give it a few thinned washes if you want it to be tabletop quality. Or applying layers of different colors if you want it to be better