DA test minis and painting practice

[Cypher441]

Hey guys, just wanted to share some pics of some Dark Angel test minis I have been practising general painting skills on after a long (long) sojourn away from the hobby. After picking up my brushes again I found that my painting skills had clearly exited the building a long time ago. No finished miniatures (yet), instead, just some half-finished odds and ends working on highlights, including a transition to the new GW paints! Any comments/constructive criticisms are welcome. Hell, I am my own worst critic.

 

I got some tutorial time in with Tommie at Golem Painting Studio in as well to help me work on things (review is in general PC&A I think), so I thought it was interesting to see the progression pre/during/post tutorial time.

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0876.jpg

 

First mini I slapped up v.quickly after picking up the brushes. It was done quickly as a demo to Golem to show them what kind of painter I was. Honestly I don't remember being this bad! :P

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0875.jpg

 

Second mini, done during the tutorial with Golem. Not much to see apart from highlights on the legs, but it does show a remarkable improvement, which is what I was hoping for!

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0874.jpg

 

This mini was done after switching to the new GW paints. Clearly my understanding of the new paint range isn't up to much here, because the effect is too 'Tron', and I went too far with the lighter stage highlights. A couple of glazes of Waywatcher Green have done little to improve the drab appearance of Caliban Green in my eyes! I like it matt, but the colour just doesn't have that dark depth to it that DA green does.

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0873.jpg

 

This mini actually started off as one that Tommie from Golem was using to demonstrate techniques to me. So it started off well, and then I promptly wrecked it with some seriously lazy highlighting. The little details on marine armour at the top of the thighs and on the forearms had become a serious pain for me.

After I'd done the front of this one I started on the back, giving myself a little pep-talk along the way (which mostly consisted of a lot of swearing, and ended with "Pull your goddamn thumb out, you've got the paints, you've got the brushes, you know what to do so just ******* do it."

 

And then started on this one.

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0872.jpg

 

First stage highlights only so far, but a vast improvement overall. Highlights are much thinner, neater, and consistant, and well on their way to being something I am satisfied with. Second stage highlights will follow, mostly on the edges using Warboss Green sparingly. It doesn't show too much in the photos, but not all the brush strokes are not quite right, especially from the waist up, in fact I was't pleased with the helment and shoulder pads at all. Feathering of the strokes, paint being too stark in places where it wants to be subdued etc, which is really down to me not being confident enough getting long/curved highlights down in one brush stroke whilst still being neat.

 

Anyways, just wanted to share. More will follow when I can!

[Komodo]

Nice start!

[S.k.i.t.t.l.e]

Awesome to see the improvement just a few minis down the line. Good job dude. :lol: (I kinda like your 'Tron' one too, looks almost like he's an emerald statue or something)

[Grotsmasha]

The most recent mini you've done is shaping up quite nicely. If you're after a little more info/inspiration Bryan Blaire had this

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/index.p...=251519&hl=

 

awesome topic in the DA subforum where he paints 4 examples of DA with comparisons between the new and old paints.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[batu]

The last one looks really good. But I like the third one too. The two just vary in highlighting style, but are both very good paint jobs.

[Cypher441]

Thanks guys.

 

I saw the DA painting comparisons using the old and new paints, hoping to get the green looking more like the 2nd mini in that tutorial. :D Very useful!

 

Really, I'm hoping that the latest model's more carefully placed highlights, and a sparing use of the lighter colours will give it a better, more realistic look.

 

Will hopefully work on the latest mini more tommorow and post results.

[Cypher441]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb266/Cypher441/Dark%20Angel%20Test%20minis/IMG_0878.jpg

 

Last update really.

 

Just finished the highlights and did the eyes and chest eagle of the 5th test mini. Sorry it took a while, real life and all that!

 

Reasonably happy with the highlights, still needs work though. But the eyes and chest eagle are not to my liking at all, so more practice is needed there, and probably a new paint scheme for actually doing the chest eagles. Overall, it's not the best, but by no means the worst. Practice practice practice!!!!

[SnorriSnorrison]

Nice and sharp highlighting, looks really good! The eyes are not bad, I just think they're not finished. I'd apply another edge highlight at the bottom of the lenses, maybe in an orange-yellow-ish tone and be done with it. Or else, you could try to blend from almost black over red to orange like one would do on a gemstone. Requires a lot of time, however. :)

 

The chesteagle looks fine to me, although maybe a wash and another layer of bleached bone might be what you're looking for? Just a thought. :woot:

 

Keep it up, you're on a very good way again! :wub:

 

 

 

Snorri

[Tommie Soule]

I agree, nice and sharp.

also the the chest eagle to spice it slightly and swiftly using a sepia glaze around the roots of the feathers

 

T