Sword&Sorcery's Absolute Noob Log

[Sword&Sorcery]

OK, so I am an absolute noob at this, as in I've never painted a mini before. I'll post my attempts here, disasters and all. And I fully expect to produce nothing but disasters for quite a while. Still, hopefully I will improve and if I go wrong, maybe someone might gently steer me in the right direction.

To start with, I grabbed a handful of minis from Hasslefree and some Reapers. My aim right now is just to get used to laying down the paint and get used to painting something so small. (and OMG are 28mm figures tiny or what?!?!)

Here's my first go. The mini is Lenore from Hasslefree and I'm just in the process of putting on the base coat.

[BDerricks]

That looks far from a disaster to me. I was expecting troweled-on paint all glossy and chunky

Both the colour selection and application look great to me for a base coat. Keep it up!

[Sicks]

Welcome aboard, I must say you've really thrown your self in at the deep end with hasslefree, they're beautiful models but they are "true scale" which basically means they have the correct proportions as compared to "heroic scale" (which many game companies do such as games wprkshop) which will still be roughly the same height (depending on model) but stuff like hands and heads are a little exaggerated in size which makes them a bit easier to paint. Technicalities aside you're not off to a bad start, paint doesn't look too thick which is a good sign

[Sword&Sorcery]

That looks far from a disaster to me. I was expecting troweled-on paint all glossy and chunky

Both the colour selection and application look great to me for a base coat. Keep it up!

Thank you!

[Sword&Sorcery]

Welcome aboard, I must say you've really thrown your self in at the deep end with hasslefree, they're beautiful models but they are "true scale" which basically means they have the correct proportions as compared to "heroic scale" (which many game companies do such as games wprkshop) which will still be roughly the same height (depending on model) but stuff like hands and heads are a little exaggerated in size which makes them a bit easier to paint. Technicalities aside you're not off to a bad start, paint doesn't look too thick which is a good sign

Ack! I didn’t know that! Oh well, I suppose if I start with this, a “heroic scale” one will be easier later.

[Sword&Sorcery]

Progressing further with Lenore but I don't know what to do with her face because it's so tiny.

[Sword&Sorcery]

I've ordered a DVD called Hot Lead to learn some basics.

[Coyotebreaks]

she's coming on nicely. very tidy, good colours. welcome to the hobby

[frzntoz]

Welcome to hobby. That is a great start on the mini. There are a few things you can do with the face, even with it being a small area. You can create atmosphere with the shadows from the hood. A bit of a wash in to the recessed areas will give it some depth. Study pictures of faces in paintings, miniatures, and real life. As a new painter, this is feels tricky as you're starting to learn how the paint physically works (it did to me ), so do some experiments and have fun.

[Chaotic Creations]

Welcome mate... very nice start so far on this mini!!!

[Dexter0015]

That is a fairly decent start so far. Welcome to the hobby.

[KruleBear]

Welcome aboard. Your first mini shows you have some inate skill. Frzntoz has some good advice. On this mini you probably don't need to worry about the eyes, but coud add some interest in the mouth. Maybe start with a darl like (black or brown) between the lips to differentiate them. Then glaze some color on the lips themself (say red or purple). A glze is really thinned down paint. After loading your brush dap the wetness out on a towel and then "glaze" the lips. Let it dry. Reapeat until you have achieved a color you like. Note that you might not even be able to tell any color went on with the first coat.

[Sword&Sorcery]

Thanks for the welcome, guys! And thanks for the advice re: the face, KruleBear and frzntoz. I’ll try out what you suggest, as I’m sure there’s no way I’m going to get the eyes on this mini. I’ll post some pics when I’ve done the shading, highlighting, and the mouth.

I was thinking of putting a shadow over her eyes, since her hood would keep them in shadow, I think.

[Canny]

Nice work SS great colours they really look good! check out painting Buddha on youtube. Watch Hot lead first then you will have an idea of the blending/glazing/layering - basic techniques. Good times!

[Sword&Sorcery]

Nice work SS great colours they really look good! check out painting Buddha on youtube. Watch Hot lead first then you will have an idea of the blending/glazing/layering - basic techniques. Good times!

Thanks, Canny. I found the painting Buddha channel. Looks great!

[Sword&Sorcery]

Did some more work on Lenore. I'm going to leave her alone for awhile now and try something in "heroic scale."

[Sword&Sorcery]

I took a picture outside (better lighting)

[Canny]

Nice! that looking lovely SS, don"t be afraid to push a edge highlight a few more levels higher. What have you got planed next?

[BloodASmedium]

I agree with canny on both sentiments -Lenore is probably one of the tiniest minis in the world at that scale. Your doing an outastanding job on her!!!

[Sword&Sorcery]

Thanks, Canny and Blood! My next project is going to be this guy, Goldar the Barbarian from Reaper's Dark Heaven Legends line. I chose him because he has a lot of bare skin so I'll be able to try painting flesh.