Tutorial; freehanding great company symbols

[stinkenheim]

ok, theres a thread in this forum aout how to paint the great wolf symbol so i thought I'd post up how i would freehand it.

apologies for the rushed pics but i did it really quickly, if you guys want Im sure i can take better, more detailed pictures for you :D

also this was my first go at this symbol so it might seem a bit rough, but its really not overly difficult and with practice yours will look better.

 

the important thing to remember is to thin your paints a bit as that way it will flow off of the brush better, it makes this sort of thing so much easier.

the other thing to note is that i painted this in black because it shows up better. i also painted it on some card so its a bit bigger than it would be on a shoulder pad but the process is exactly the same.

 

 

1) start by painting an 'S' shape. this will form the basis of the body and tail.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00870.jpg

 

2) add a small 'V' at the top of the S. this will be the wolfs head and jaws. also add a small dash pointing upwards from where the V and S meet. this will be the wolfs ear.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00871.jpg

 

3) Make the legs by adding some small 'Z' shapes at the bottom of the curve on the S.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00872.jpg

 

4) For the upper legs use a small slightly curved line. you don't have to attatch these to the S as the body will be widened slightly in a few steps.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00873.jpg

 

Ok thats the basic shape made. Now we need to start to build up a more defined image of the wolf.

 

5) Ok, you need to paint another 'S' shape for the front of the belly. this should start at the point of the 'V' and run down to where the back leg joins the 'S'. This will widen the neck and create the stomach area.

you also need to add two small '(' shaped lines. one from the head half way down the spine, and the second where the first ends, at a slight angle, and finishing at the base of the tail.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00874.jpg

 

6) Using small lines you can make the mane and tail. The idea here is to create several points. do this by by painting several angled dashes a bit like this \\\. there should be some running from where the ear is to the bottom of the first '(' you painted by the wolfs spine. the same should be done on the tail but you need to do this both sides of the line.

it should be something like this \\\\

_________________________////

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00876.jpg

 

7) add another 'V' shape at the top of the lower leg, this will be the thigh. once that is done add some more dashes to the lower part of the leg as shown in the picture below.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00877.jpg

 

8) now you need to add the claws at the end of the foot. this is simply three small lines. imagine it a bit like this /_

________________________________________________________________________________________\

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00878.jpg

 

9) Finish the other leg in much the same way. The techniques used will be identical to those above.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00879.jpg

 

10) for the upper legs you will need to work in a similar way. make the dashes point away from the body and then add the claws on the end of the leg.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00880.jpg

 

11) Complete the last leg in the same method. once you have done this leg add a small line starting half way along the bottom of the two top legs and finishing just beneath the upper most, this will stop the leg from looking to thin and add a bit of definition. do a similar line on the top most leg but this one doesn't need to start so far along the leg and should thicken out the neck very slightly.

+apologies for the smudge on this picture, the paint was slightly wet and i brushed it with my sausage fingers :)+

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00881.jpg

 

12) this is a very quick step. you simply need to another 'Z' shaped line starting from the bottom of the ear forming the shape of his eye and then dropping into the snout. this is simply done to give the wolf a more defined head

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00882.jpg

 

13) this is the very final step, simply fill in the gaps in the wolf. there may be some untidy edges but don't worry as you can easily tidy up the edges by using whatever colour the background of the shoulder pad should be.

 

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/DSC00884.jpg

 

And there we go. It may look long and complicated but its all simple shapes and i would urge you to give it a try even if you think its beyond you. there is no harm in trying. maybe use a scrap bit of card and try it a few times rather than trying it for the first time on your freshly painted mini.

 

lastly, if you guys like this do you want me to do any more similar tutorials for some of the other logos?

 

Andy

 

+apologies for all the underscores on some of the mini diagrams for the claws and tail but i had to do that otherwise the placement of the bottom row was messed up+

[thade]

I cannot thank you enough for this; this answers a conundrum I had just come up against. When running an all WG army under Logan, they're all going to have his mark for their company, and it'll definitely be on the tanks. =)

[jadex1]

Thanks for this, i'll try it. It still looks really hard to paint this on a small scale.

[Nadir]

It isn't. On a small scale it looks even better! I was trying to do this on mine Battlefleet Gothic ships (so wolf is about 3-5mm big). Maybe it isn't so great, but I'm happy with result.

[Raulmichile]

Yes please!!! I would like to see Gunnar Redmoons' company badge (that with the skull and a red moon). I'm between that and precisly Logan's company

[Loki-LaughingDeath]

Yes please!!! I would like to see Gunnar Redmoons' company badge (that with the skull and a red moon). I'm between that and precisly Logan's company

 

I will have to ask and see if I can get one of my friends to take pictures of my WIPs. I went with the Wolf of the Red Moon and it's a pain to paint.

 

I haven't painted it for a while, but I will work on some to see if I still have my mojo.

[nurglespuss]

Thats a fantastic tutorial!! brilliant <_<

 

@ Raulmichile: Gunnars simple is even more simple to be honest!

 

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs245.snc1/9232_303097400322_633810322_9036706_930338_n.jpg

[stinkenheim]

ok, been doing a couple more designs and gunnar red moon, bjorn stormwolf, engir krakendoom and harald deathwolf will be added over the next few days.

 

if no one objects i would like to turn this into a comprehensive list tutorials for freehanding all of the 13 great company symbols (13 because im doing grimnar's nightrunner logo on top of the great wolf symbol)

[Raulmichile]

Nurglespuss: That freehand decal looks really nice!!!!

 

I can't wait for the tutorial. :tu:

[Ferrus Manus]

Would you mine if this went in the Librarium stinkenheim?

[stinkenheim]

ok, heres a run down of how i freehand the 'Thunderwolf' symbol. this was fairly easy for me as its the symbol of my great company and i use it on my models :(

 

as with before, try and keep your paints thin as it will enable the paint to run smoothly from the brush. if the paints too thick its harder to get a smooth finish.

theres more pictures on this tutorial as i took a picture of every step so it seems longer but is, in my opinion, an easier symbol.

 

1) I start with the tail. simply paint a 'C' shape for the tail.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00908.jpg

 

add two '(' shaped lines, one much shorter than the other to form the wolfs back. the smaller one represents the hips and the larger one is the spine and the neck.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00909.jpg

 

2) now add the legs. as before its easy to break them down into simple shapes, the back leg is like a '2' and should be positioned to start where the 'C' of the tail and the '(' of the hips meet. the leg should go almost as far back as the furthest point on the tail

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00911.jpg

 

then simply add a small dash around halfway down the curve of the leg, this is the second back leg that is partly hidden by the first.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00912.jpg

 

for the front legs, its another '(' shaped line. one should begin at around the meeting point of the two '(' that were the hip and spine. the other leg should start around halfway down the '(' of the spine.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00913.jpg

 

3) for the head, start by adding a '<' at the end of the spine. this is the ear and the eyebrow area.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00914.jpg

 

now for the mouth, add a '[' for the jaws with the top line being longer than the bottom.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00915.jpg

 

Ok thats the basic shape done, now we need to bulk out the details for it to look like more than a collection of scribbles.

 

4) start with the tail, using another 'C' just bulk out the back half of the tail. it should be thinner at both ends. i thickened the inside slightly to make it look better. (this is just a representation of a wolf not an anatomically correct one before some says anything *coughmaznascough* :D)

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00916.jpg

 

5) to bulk out the rear legs start with the foot by using a 'D' shape with the flatside down. using a ')' shape line, bulk out the back of the thigh area and the ankle area. you should be able to do this as one line but it doesn't matter so long as it looks about right.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00917.jpg

 

now add a long, slightly curved line for the front part of the thigh. this should start at the point of the knee and run along until it reaches the first of the front legs. it may look odd, but when its finished it will look better.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00919.jpg

 

for the other rear leg, simply make the foot like you did for this one, and add a small line to create a 'V' shape just above the foot.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00920.jpg

 

6) for the front legs, put the foot on and the paint a 'C' shape finishing it at the top of the second front leg.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00921.jpg

 

a similar process for this leg but don't continue the line all the way to the jaws.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00922.jpg

 

7) We're about to start with the head. forst begin with the ear. add a '^' to bulk out the ear, making the top most edge curve out slightly.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00923.jpg

 

to make the bridge of the nose use a '¬' shape line with the end of the smaller part finishing just below the upper jaw line. the picture below illustrates this better than me

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00924.jpg

 

use a 'M' shape between the bottom jaw and the front leg to create a small bit of fur on the chest.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00925.jpg

 

add some small teeth to the lower jaw using small dashes, much like with the fur in the above tutorial.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00926.jpg

 

do the same with the top jaw to create the mouth

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00927.jpg

 

8) nearly done. start adding fur on the back of the wolf running along the larger curve. use the tip of your brush to create small trinagles. i begin by the ear and work down but it doesn't matter where you begin. you should get a result similar to this.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00928.jpg

 

do the same with the back end of the tail

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00929.jpg

 

lastly do the same with legs, adding fur lines to the bottom parts the leg.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00930.jpg

 

and finally, fill the outline using black to complete the image.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00931.jpg

 

+again apologies for some of the blurry pictures. I have done step by steps for Harald Deathwolf and Gunnar Red Moon and will add those soon+

[nurglespuss]

good man :) gunnars is dead simple: red circle, off set wite circle, ovalise, 2 white lines, block in detail.

[stinkenheim]

as asked, heres how i would paint Gunnar Red Moons symbol.

 

1) start by painting the moon in the background. i painted it red for two reasons, firstly the name 'Gunnar Red Moon' and secondly because it would show up against the background and the skull.

Painting the moon as a circle isn't as easy as you would think but with a bit of time and care (and the ability to clean up the edges using whatever colour the background is) its not that hard to do. Start with a '+' shape.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00889.jpg

 

then make the circle using the edges of the cross as a guide to keep it even and regular. if some parts look wrong then simply tidy up the edge using whatever colour you have painted the background until you have a pretty good looking circle.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00891.jpg

 

2) moon done, now its time to start the skull. add a line along the lower third of the moon, this will be the bridge of the nose and the eye area eventually.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00892.jpg

 

next add a small '<' to make the nose area at the end on this line.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00893.jpg

 

another '^' mid way along that first line is the eye socket.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00894.jpg

 

2) make the jaws by adding a small line running paralel to the nose for the lower jaw. then add another line, almost horizontal, in the gap between these two lines. this will be the top jaw.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00895.jpg

 

3) Using a 'C' shape make the back of the skull. this will almost connect the lower jaw and the line that formed the bridge of the nose.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00896.jpg

 

now using a small, curved 'L' connect the back of the skull with the lower jaw.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00897.jpg

 

to bulk out the lower jaw add another curved 'L' shape as shown below.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00898.jpg

 

4) now the basic shape is done we have to start defining areas and finalising the shape. start at the back of the skull by painting a '<' shaped line, but slightly curve it to form a peak at the back of the skull.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00899.jpg

 

using a 'W' shape add some small bumps between the bottom of the skull and the lower jaw. the picture below should explain the placement a bit better.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00900.jpg

 

5) finialisng the jaws. you need to add a small ')' at the start of the top jaw, this will help to define the joint between the top and bottom jaws.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00901.jpg

 

paint the teeth in the lower jaw by using a jagged line. theres not too mcuh more of a technique to this merely to get an idea of teeth.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00902.jpg

 

to finish the top jaw you need to add a '|' from the bottom of the nose ending just below the line for the top of the jaw. this will form the front most fang.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00903.jpg

 

and then add the teeth in the same manner as you did for the lower jaw.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00904.jpg

 

6) details. you need to add a triangle for the eye, this should show the colour of the moon through it so try not to make it solid. if you do dont panic, simply paint the appropriate colour within the triangle and your fine.

you also need to add a ')' shape. this will be part of the shape of the skull. it should be positioned roughly along the edge of the moon like i have below.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00906.jpg

 

7) finally paint the inside of the skull with whatever colour you want. if you dont feel confident about doing this with the eye in place then simply swap this step and the previous one around as you have less to worry about the. if you go over the edges don't worry you can tidy it up with some black for the outline and whatever colour the shoulder pad will be. in this case i used som white paint to tidy any mistakes i make, but on a smaller scale some slight imperfections shouldn't be too visible.

http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/stinkenheim/freehand%20tuts/DSC00907.jpg

 

as with the others, don't feel afraid to try it out. you may prefer the look of transfers or you may prefer the feeling you get from painting the symbol yourslef.

a good thing to do is use some scrap card, or even a base to practice on. try it a few times until you feel confident to apply it to your model and then away you got. if you make a mistake just repaint the shoulder pad.

 

all the best, Andy

[nurglespuss]

Thats really good! I think the skull needs to be a little leaner, but apart from that pretty darn awesome!

 

http://gifup.com/data/gifs/1/d/4/1d4adefb70.gif

 

http://gifup.com/show/1d4adefb70

 

Also knocked this up quickly with aid of tinterweb for you :)

[stinkenheim]

LOL.

 

yeah the skull is a bit long at the back but it was the first time i tried it and the process is the same regardless of the final proportions you want :)

[nurglespuss]

Also, as a small hint (to make loading times faster for mobile/slow connection users) it might be a good idea to remove all the large white areas from the guide panels... to reduce the size of the pics, could appear side by side then too to reduce the length of the post.

 

Thanks!

[Lord Ragnarok]

Excellent tutorial Stinkenheim. This will need to be saved in the Librarium.

[Frontline989]

These are really tops! Thanks for them. I know your gonna get this for every one of them but could Bran Redmaw be on the list? I've been doing it already but they look a bit rough. I could use some pointers.

[stinkenheim]

ok, i'll do a bran redmaw tutorial in the next batch.

as i said in an earlier reply i think i will end up doing most of the great company symbols so if you guys want specific ones done then let me know and i'll do them first

[Dark Bjoern]

Krom Dragongaze GC, please.

[Lord Ragnarok]

ok, i'll do a bran redmaw tutorial in the next batch.

as i said in an earlier reply i think i will end up doing most of the great company symbols so if you guys want specific ones done then let me know and i'll do them first

 

 

Well, I think you'll wind up getting requests for all. I'd personally would love to see one for Harald Deathwolf.

[Jonny Wolf]

Great job Brother Stink!

 

Nice :)

[Natanael]

This is awesome! I'm gonna start trying to make some freehands on my banners and rhinos. Thx a lot!

[stinkenheim]

ok, next batch will be krom dragongaze, harald deathwolf and Bran redmaw. should be up within a few days, probably wednesday night.

[Niiai]

Cool. I want my wolf (blue purple and orange) to be led by a rune priest, or somebody with an exuse to change the colour pattern. I can't find a motive that i like for the lord yet. Kjarl Grimblood is tp hard to paint.