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Rating: 9.89 Votes: 56
Views: 59407
By: victoria
Category: Painting Subcategory: TechniquesDate: 2003-01-04 23:47:07
Prev 1 2 3

FIRE DRAGON EXARCH
The challenge of this model was to achieve the lighting effect without the help of the scenery. To make it work all the reflected light would have to be painted onto the figure itself. I started by painting the model and finishing his armour in NMM greys. I then carefully painted orange ink onto the areas in line with the flame. Adding more and more ink to the surfaces closest to the source to create a more intense colour. The same technique was applied to the base. The other parts of the model were painted and highlighted with the highlights directed towards the source as seen on the dragon skin.

NECRON IMMORTAL
The necron uses another technique again. The model was painted and highlighted in a NMM grey. Then dark angels green was painted on to all the surfaces reflecting the light. I continued highlighting, adding bilbous green to the dark angels and carefully picking out the surfaces closest to the source.
CONCLUSION
I have really only scratched the surface of this effect. You may have noticed that most of my "lit" models are grey. I find neutral or dark colours the easiest to light. I'm not sure how you would achieve for example a green light on a red surface. I have also used NMM because you can control the direction of the reflections. I'm not sure if it would be possible to light MM. There are other things that need further experimentation, lighting faces, furs, gems, etc. all present their own challenges. I strongly recommend looking at some 2D painting that feature painted light sources. Recently I have seen some examples of it done with larger scale military figures and flats too. I hope this information is helpful to other painters. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions. I will continue to experiment with lighting effects and would love to see other painters apply it and develop the idea further. It has a lot of potential can be quite eye catching if done well, after it was this effect that won me my sword. More pics of these models can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/victoria_lamb/root
Prev 1 2 3
choochoomedic
18 July 09
Rating: 10
Many thanks, This has been a great help!!!

the catman
26 September 07
Rating: 10
thanks!!!!!!!!;D

wyatt doc
09 September 07
Rating: 10
thanks that was awesome I first saw the diorama in white dwarf and wondered how you did it. thanks for the tut

Rancor pilot
23 January 07
Rating: 9
Fantastic, the most helpful article I've seen on OSL. I have one question, though: you mention that you dry brushed for the scene. On the figures themselved, did you dry brush, or thin your paint and paint it on that way? Did you use consecutively lighter layers the way you did on the scene? Thanks for an excellent tutorial!

Tahn
03 August 06
Rating: 10
I had always marvelled at your work wondering how you actually applied the technique, but reading this I know the secret! Thankee deary.

JhonnyGoo
16 April 05
Rating: 10
Awesome! It's a simple idea with a BIG effect! I never thought about it! I have to try it, but I think it won't be easy.

Dead orc
24 February 05
Rating: 10
Thanks you just saved me a lot of experimentation

Keyser Soze
23 September 04
Rating: 10
Thank you very much, so many new things for me to try out.

SilAx
05 September 04
Rating: 10
Amazing!
Thanks for the tips NOW I"M GOING TO TRY IT ON......ummmm I dunno....
Darn

legolas master
19 August 04
Rating: 10
Woaw this is an article that i can use!!!
Great!!! just great!!

tagron
09 July 04
Rating: 10
FULL 10 this is an insainlly good article, very usefull

atzerath
29 April 04
Rating: 10
why not try using some colored plastic sheets and a flashlight....
that way you can see what colored light does to colored surfaces....?

PlaneCrazy
17 March 04
Rating: 10
USeful...now I feel inspired to try this! Hopefully when Im done Ill be able to post a good pic of my work...

arles
01 March 04
Rating: 10
great, a great article!!

Lots of thanks

ecominguez
09 February 04
Rating: 9
Thanks Victoria

Tengu
17 November 03
Rating: 10
great, thankyou. More please...

wulverine
16 November 03
Rating: 10
Jaw dropping! Purely jaw dropping!!
This is definately going to be my next project. Even just the basics on the necron were amazing, but the fire dragon was simply stunning. i usually work to the standard around me, but due to recently installing broadband, I've realized I'm just going to have to practice A LOT!!!

freakinacage
22 April 03
Rating: 10
wow! what can i say? - i must give this a go soometime. but i doubt it'll be as good!

1nd1g0
10 April 03
Rating: 10
Superb.
I was thinking about entering a Necron immortal painted showing the green light from his gauss blaster, then I find this article... amazing

JustinAsG
31 March 03
Rating: 10
amazing

Elftech
28 March 03
Rating: 10
Please continue your excellent work. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Cenobyte
16 February 03
Rating: 10
great! simply stunning work.

The Megadoomer 3000
01 February 03
Rating: 10
What an awesome article! I have been wondering how to do this. Now I know! Thanks so much!!

yrret
28 January 03
Rating: 10
Great article and greate tips on the technique. The burning at the stake scene is one I show people when I am showing the site to new people.

Emperorschampion
21 January 03
Rating: 10
My that very cool,I like the way you make the reflection of the green light on the guy!

Keep up the good work! Steve

Squiggoth
21 January 03
Rating: 10
Nice article, I'm gonna try it out on a Squig Hunting diorama when I find some spare time!
grtz.,

Martijn (A Dutch Master )

thecat
16 January 03
Rating: 9
thanks victoria, i will have to have a go at that

lexi
14 January 03
Rating: 10
Good info. That was my biggest question.

Luca Masetti
11 January 03
Rating: 10
Thanks Victoria for this great article. A new challenge for all of us!

Avicenna
08 January 03
Rating: 10
WOW! Fantastic! The Necron is pant-wettingly good! Thank you - this is something I would really like to go out and try myself!

Talk about inspiring stuff!!

Goodwinpaints
08 January 03
Rating: 10
Thanks V! You're my new best friend! I already have a diorama in the works where this is going to be perfect information.
Deane

Lai
08 January 03
Rating: 10
Thanks!very much!now i MUST try this technique!

supervike
07 January 03
Rating: 10
Simply breath taking. I will say that it was hard to read the text because I couldn't take my eyes of the miniatures!!

SoulFire pt
07 January 03
Rating: 10
Absolutely fantastic... I simply dropped my jaw to the floor when I saw that Exarch...

One thing I'm wondering is the colours you use for the silver NMM, it looks much more realistic than any other NMM I have ever seen.

Cheers, Alex

CT11
07 January 03
Rating: 10
Thanks for it which you your knowledge divide. That makes (for me) the difference between an artist and a good artist.

Carsten

slappingpaint
07 January 03
Rating: 10
cheers, Victoria for putting up an article on how you did it

Getzeye
06 January 03
Rating: 10
Awesome help.
Thanks

Flashman14
06 January 03
Rating: 9
terrific . . . terrific . . .

Mahon
06 January 03
Rating: 10
you're the mistress of his technique. I hope to see more in progress shots...

chissock
06 January 03
Rating: 10
Great article. I was wondering when I was going to see one like this. I'll try to see what results I get... =P

Badaab
06 January 03
Rating: 9
The only thing I'd say its lacking is some step-by-step pictures... but I know how time-consuming those can be.
Oh, and the technique Rembrandt (and other Dutch masters) used that you made referrence to is called Chiaroscuro (or, directly translated "Light-Dark"). This technique was pioneered by da Vinci and other Italian masters, Rembrandt just took it to a new level, using directional light to single out subjectmatter, rather than using the dynamic effect over the whole canvas (as in The Calling of Saint Matthew). Anyway, good work, and thanks for giving us a place to start.

Joe

Dragonsreach
06 January 03
Rating: 10
Thank you, Gracias, Merci, Domo Arigato.
This is a simply explained article on a fanstastic technique. The information in the article is given in an unassuming way, allowing each to look and consider their own approach. Since I saw this technique in the GW Fantasy miniatures book I have wondered how you did it. Now I (we) know.

Mooz from FeuWeu
06 January 03
Rating: 10
Thanks Victoria.

Mooz :]

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