Painting Space Marines with Metallics

[NoLats_McGee]

So, whenever I look at Forge World's Space Marine art, I have a raging happy. 

Recently, I have switched to painting Space Marines/Chaos Space Marines almost exclusively with metallics + washes. To paint Night Lords, for example, I would put a whole lot of Gulliman Blue glaze over a Boltgun Metal/Leadbelcher basecoat. By doing this, i've noticed that I can actually get something pretty similar to the Forge World art - and their Models. 

But, on the same time, I kind of feel like i'm cheating with doing this, or it's a no bueno in the hobby world. 

So, yeah. Thoughts? 

 

 

[Grotsmasha]

Definitely not cheating, its a thing, Viva Metallica Tutorial Thread

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Kierdale]

Not something I've ever done nor seen anyone do, but it certainly sounds interesting. I wouldn't call it cheating at all.

 

In fact I'd l love to see some photos ;)

 

EDIT: and then Grotsmasha goes and posts a link. Fantastic!

[teblin]

I think I'll do an experimental Blood Angel with this technique and see what happens. I'll post it here (if I finish it)

[MordentHex]

I paint my Emperors Children metallic purple. Sons of Horus metallic green too.  The method varies but the link above does give you a point in the right direction. Vallejo makes this metallic medium that can be added to paints to turn them metallic so i have heard. not used it myself(yet)

[Forté]

Forge World do often go for the metallic and wash way of painting.

[NoLats_McGee]

It just makes sense to me, I always imagined Astartes plate taking on a metallic look, especially the earlier marks. 

I'm starting a plog soon, so results will happen there I'm guessing. Haha. Nothing better for 3rd year compsci stress than the hobby. 

[Kilofix]

The only thing abour metallic base is that too much of it obscures other metallic details.

 

For example, Chaos Marines have alot of baroque inlays on their legs, etc. If you base and layer in metallics, then also paint the baroque inlays in gold, the latter gets lost. Lack of contrast you see. Same thing with similar color decals.

 

Just make sure that you plan ahead to mantain contrast.

 

Forgeworld does use a lot of metallic undercoat with color on top for the metal of shiny sections of their large vehicles (like Greater Brass Scorpion plates). But they also use alot of flat base coat plus airbrushed zenith highlighting.

 

Now let's see that metallic orange land raider!

 

(Also where was that other post on this board where the dude painted his stuff with nothing but metal base and washes? It didn't end up looking metallic but it was really unique)

[Grotsmasha]

@ Kilofix: Check the linky in the second post ;)

 

Cheers,

Jono

[infyrana]

Speaking of metallics and SMs...

 

I've always been curious why they write about Death Guard being in silver un-painted armour, and yet they paint them white.  Just re-reading Flight of the E, and never talks of white coloured armour.

 

Apart from using NMM techniques - is there a way to paint metallic white - or silver base with 'shades' of white or something similar ?  I guess ghosting it would be a way of putting it, but I can't see how at this moment.

 

Any thoughts ?

 

As to the OP - yes, Iron Warriors are done using that sometimes aren't they ?  Seems like a good solution, especially that metallic blue linked example.

[teblin]

Had a quick go with my counts-as Mephiston.

 

Runefang Steel

2 coats Carroburg Crimson

5 coats Bloodletter (it's quite thin)

 

Looks quite interesting. The metallic sheen isn't very strong, but this is my iPad camera which is nothing special.

 

http://i59.tinypic.com/2r21zkz.jpg

 

...And alongside a regular BA Marine painted with Evil Sunz Scarlet.

 

 

http://i62.tinypic.com/w6oxth.jpg

[MordentHex]

maybe a wash of rune fang steel to make it pop again..

[feuer_faust]

I have a Tzeentchy scheme that involves a blue metallic color from Reaper that's pretty nice.

 

And, above all, always remember this advice when it comes to painting or modeling:

 

There is no cheating if it looks good in the end!

 

Or, more accurately... painting and modeling is nothing but finding the best way to cheat! :D

[Kaedes Nex]

Forge World do often go for the metallic and wash way of painting.

 

Forte is right. A recent thread on this forum showed an email response from Forge World saying that their recipe for their Horus Heresy display Night Lords was simply a metallic silver (I forget if it was GW or not) sprayed with Tamiya Clear Blue and Clear Red to make their saturated blue color that has a slight purple and metallic tint. It's why their NLs pop so much more than the standard dark blue acrylic look.

[Forté]

 

 

Forge World do often go for the metallic and wash way of painting.

I do find their NL too bright though. Just saying ;)

Forte is right. A recent thread on this forum showed an email response from Forge World saying that their recipe for their Horus Heresy display Night Lords was simply a metallic silver (I forget if it was GW or not) sprayed with Tamiya Clear Blue and Clear Red to make their saturated blue color that has a slight purple and metallic tint. It's why their NLs pop so much more than the standard dark blue acrylic look.

[Hemal]

anyone remember the metallic paints GW released?  e.g. Amethyst (which I still have and use..)

[Bung]

 

Forge World do often go for the metallic and wash way of painting.

 

Forte is right. A recent thread on this forum showed an email response from Forge World saying that their recipe for their Horus Heresy display Night Lords was simply a metallic silver (I forget if it was GW or not) sprayed with Tamiya Clear Blue and Clear Red to make their saturated blue color that has a slight purple and metallic tint. It's why their NLs pop so much more than the standard dark blue acrylic look.

 

Same goes for the Brass Scorpion.

You will find it in the Imperial Armour Masterclass 2 but most time they use an airbrush for the Tamiya Clears.

[MikhalLeNoir]

Hi, I want to paint my Fallen with this technique. The contrast between the robes and the metallic armour Could Look Great, but i haven't Done this before. So how would you approach this task?

 

Thx beforehand for the help :)

[Grotsmasha]

For Fallen, I'm assuming that you want Black armour? 

 

Step 1- Prime model/s black

Step 2- Undercoat Boltgun Metal (Leadbelcher now?)

Step 3- Drybrush Chainmail (unsure current name)

Step 4- Highlight in Mithril Silver (unsure of current name)

Step 5- Wash with Nuln Oil, allow to dry, at least 1hr.

Repeat Step 5 as many tomes as necessary until you're happy with the colour.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Venerable Jazzman]

 

anyone remember the metallic paints GW released?  e.g. Amethyst (which I still have and use..)

I use Polished Blue for my Librarians.

And Shining Green is very nice for purity seals with a dark  green ink wash over it.

[RolandTHTG]

Another voice of support for the Metallic base Technique. For my Noise Marines, I do 2 washes the GW Lamenters Yellow glaze over a base of P3 Quick Silver, then do a dark purple trim. Just about every opponent I play comments on how well my models look. 

[MikhalLeNoir]

 

Here is my Fallen Test mini. I primed it black, then basecoated it with leadbelcher and thej i washed it 5 Times mit nuln oil. Between the washes i drybrused it mit leadbelcher and some other metallics and finally i highlighted the modell amd washed it again with nuln oil. Next step would be extreme and thin highlights with mithril silver (still have some from 15 years ago and it is not dry yet ^^)

Forget the lower part. The robes are actually a problen, which i try to solve, but you can see the direction.

 

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/mercuzzio1/Immortals/CAM00327_zpslmjztgn4.jpg

 

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/mercuzzio1/Immortals/CAM00328_zpsecatmznz.jpg

 

 

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/mercuzzio1/Immortals/CAM00332_zpsux2nmzyo.jpg

 

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/mercuzzio1/Immortals/CAM00333_zpsr55mmfgu.jpg

 

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s381/mercuzzio1/Immortals/CAM00334_zpsy5nkaxs2.jpg

[lukepepper]

Is there any difference between applying the washes with an airbrush as opposed to normal brushes? I know Forgeworld use an airbrush but maybe this is just for speed

[Bung]

The Washes will dry faster with an airbrush and work like a filter over the whole model.

[Ganders]

Its a technique I used when i was doing my knight.

Black undercoat, then strong solid coat of silver, then about 4 or 5 or 6 washes of the blue glaze. Bit more work needed on the large curved surface areas. (This was done by hand and not airbrush.)

 

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/gordonayr/tumblr_n2eebrUgTE1rmmihuo1_500_zps9c6b222f.jpg

 

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii160/gordonayr/tumblr_n2yl0f3Mba1rmmihuo1_500_zpsc92a1a22.jpg