Wolf Claws- Painting Query

[Ironwulf]

Hail Brothers!

 

As I've been working on a few models here and there, I can't help but wonder how everybody else is painting their Wolf Guard with claws (single or dual-wielding). A few years back, prior to the release of the current codex, GW released the "Wolf Guard Captain" with 2 lightning claws, masterfully sculpted by Juan Diaz. At the time, the 'Eavy Metal paint job for that mini depicted it with turquoise "lightning" up and down the claws. A beautiful paint job on that particular mini, IMHO. However, more recently, I've noticed that GW and the 'Eavy Metal team seem to be cutting corners just a bit on our wolfy bretheren, just to get the minis out there to be photographed. The 'EM team has since painted all such occurrences of "wolf claws" as a basic metal claw, rather than a lightning-powered mechanism of destruction.

 

My question is as this: If you had as much time as you wanted to paint your minis, how would you paint your "wolf claws" on any particular figure(s)? Lightning or metallic?

 

Your input is appreciated. Thanks for now...

[Wulfebane]

I go with a saturated frost blue gradient. Can double as energy field-encased talons or "frost weapons" though not the kraken bone variety.

[Blacksad]

I go for plain metal. this is more due to my skills, no matter the time, than anything else though.

[Brother Crazywolf]

While I have not painted claws as of yet, I like the superheated metal look with a gradient of red to orage to yellow on the edges. It looks more like a super charged metal blade to me. I do not know if this would be a pain with the claws personally. It does work with the axes and can work with the swords as well.

[Commissar Volker]

I go for a pale silver washed with blue ink, it makes it look metal but with a nice subtle blue tinge to it. If I had the patience to do lightning on all of them I would. As it is I reserve that for characters, silver again, white lightning, then a blue wash.

[Lord Ragnarok]

I use a combo if metal and kraken tooth hybrid(bone colored)

[DV8]

Metal. They're not light-saber claws, afterall. I'd picture them more as super-sharp blades (think Wolverine) wrapped in an electric field of sexy "I-GON-CUT-YOU"!

 

 

DV8

[Vojnik]

i give my wolf guard twin wolf claws. covered in blood using tamiya clear red mixed with a bit of watered down chaos black.

[vanguardwolf]

i have not done my WC yet but, i will use my frost spear gradient

i drybrush

hawk trquose??

hawk trquose/ astro grey 2:1

hawk trquose/ astro grey 1:1

ice blue

astro grey

skull white

in a gradient from hilt to tip

 

then

i layer/blending the colours

to a smooth gradient

 

 

greets

[Ironwulf]

Ah, I knew that would "spark" some interesting discussion... (Get it?!? I said "spark," and Wolf Claws are a kind of Lightning Claw??? Oh never mind...) There are a lot of good ideas presented so far.

 

@Wulfebane- That's one of the treatments I'm considering for these claws.

 

@Blacksad- I understand time constraints. I happen to have enough time to spend on each figure, because I don't really get to play that much.

 

@Brother Crazywolf- I've done a black to red gradient in the past on a few LC's (specifically on Bjorn the Fell-Handed), a looong time ago, and I don't think it fits with my current look for my Space Wolves.

 

@Commisar Volker- Hmmm... This sounds very interesting. I might experiment with something along these lines.

 

@Lord Ragnarok- I'm curious to see what you're referring. I'm not entirely sure how that would look.

 

@DV8 - Good point about the "light saber claws," but they do have a power field around them. Also, to me the plain metal claws as the 'EM studio team has been painting them lately, just look a bit bland.

 

@Vojnik - I'm familiar with the use of Tamiya Clear Red (mixed with a little Black) for blood. It looks awesome, and it's oh-so-easy. I try to be a bit subtle with it's use though. I don't think I'd want to use it on every mini in an army with Wolf Claws.

 

@vanguardwolf- Interesting idea. I'm not likely to drybrush anything on them though. It's just not a look that I care for. I may experiment with the turquoise/gray/ice blue gradation though. Maybe.

 

Thanks for the input, gang. I'll probably experiment with several of the ideas presented, on some scrap sprue or old swords to see what I like best for my Wolves. I'm sure that I haven't heard from everybody yet, either.

[Brother Kirus]

It is an interesting question… Personally I think that turquoise "lightning" (or any other color for that matter) looks much better than basic metal claws/power weapon. Metal is more practical (much easer to fix if you chip it during the game.) Are you painting claws on this model?

 

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/...dId=prod1690069

[Ironwulf]

@Brother Kirus- Yes, that is the same figure that I have on my desk right now. (Well, him and another 50 or so minis of different sorts.) In particular, when GW originally released that mini (about a year before the new SW codex), they presented it with a very pretty paintjob with turquoise lightning on the claws. Later, they apparently changed their minds and went with the basic metal claws. I hope they didn't destroy the paint on that original figure, as it was beautifully done. That would truly be a shame. It's easy to see that the metal claws would be quicker and easier to paint in larger numbers than the special lightning effect. I'm not looking for the easy way out though.

[Brother Kirus]

So would it be right to assume that we met at Games Day this year? (-:

[Ironwulf]

So would it be right to assume that we met at Games Day this year? (-:

 

In the Golden Demon Lounge? ;) Yep! :D

[Brother Kirus]

...In the Golden Demon Lounge? Yep! ...

 

Just wanted to make sure (-:

 

@Brother Kirus- Yes, that is the same figure that I have on my desk right now. (Well, him and another 50 or so minis of different sorts.) In particular, when GW originally released that mini (about a year before the new SW codex), they presented it with a very pretty paintjob with turquoise lightning on the claws. Later, they apparently changed their minds and went with the basic metal claws. I hope they didn't destroy the paint on that original figure, as it was beautifully done. That would truly be a shame. It's easy to see that the metal claws would be quicker and easier to paint in larger numbers than the special lightning effect. I'm not looking for the easy way out though

 

I would say, go for turquoise lightning claws. I think GW changed the color of the claws due to the “fixing” issue. This model was probably used in studio games and as we all know metal (especial things like claws) chips much easer/faster. They decided not to spent time repainting it and went for “metal” feel instead. I actually always paint my Power Weapons with something other than metallics. If you remember, on my WIP Fire Hawk I painted power sword with turquoise (which was inspired by SW model mentioned above…) I think this way it looks much cooler… Have you thought about amber? That might work pretty well with SW colors….

[Ironwulf]

I would say, go for turquoise lightning claws. I think GW changed the color of the claws due to the “fixing” issue. This model was probably used in studio games and as we all know metal (especial things like claws) chips much easer/faster. They decided not to spent time repainting it and went for “metal” feel instead. I actually always paint my Power Weapons with something other than metallics. If you remember, on my WIP Fire Hawk I painted power sword with turquoise (which was inspired by SW model mentioned above…) I think this way it looks much cooler… Have you thought about amber? That might work pretty well with SW colors….

 

Yes, you're probably right about the issue of repairing the studio models, certainly after they are used for several games and the tips of the claws are easy to damage.

 

Amber?... Hmmm... that sounds kinda interesting. Not something I had considered before. That might need some experimentation to get the right look...

[MonSTeR]

I used to do a whole glowy blue power field thing over them, but then I sort of went more towards the plain metal. I'm currently leaning towards the fact they don't actually need power fields around them, they're just REALLY sharp really pure adamantium type claws. I can't think where I got that idea from :D but nonetheless that's how the current batch of clawed wonders are turning out.

[red_starrise]

I start w/ a black base, then boltgun metal. From there I paint a thinned layer of a medium blue, then an even thinner sky blue, then a teal, then I drybrush white over them. Same as I paint all my SW power weapons for that icy frosted steel look.

[Marmande]

Basecoat Dark Angels Green, drybrush Snot Green, lightly drybrush the edges with Skull White, then wash with Thraka Green Wash.

[Quillen]

With a brush. =)