Babies first minis (con/crit)

[Lemmingbot]

I hope this is the right category, if not just yell at me and Ill fix it.

So I took a chance and bought two sets of minis (Warhammer Vampire Counts and Chaos Knights) from my local hobby shop (crazy good sale) in an effort to control my anxiety. I have lots of experience with acrylic and even though I was never one for table top I always loved the crazy amount of detail in the models. So with the help of an online guide I assembled and painted three of the Count's horses over the next few days. (I apologize for the quality and orientation in advance, I had nothing but my phone camera)

I learned quickly that it was a better idea to paint the hard-to-reach places before gluing them together. I also didn't like how neon the blankets were turning out, so I had to return to the shop to grab a burnt umber layer which I watered down to get this result.

I then used a stippling brush to put some 'snow' on the coats (I also wanted to add snow to the base but I don't think thats quite possible now that they are glued on) I am still waiting for my sealant (and primer) to come in, so any final touches you guys can suggest to make these guys better would be great!

I have started on my Chaos Knights as well. (only complaint about these so far is that the blood is too pinkish, thanks GW for not labeling your pigments)

I can really see myself becoming more involved in model painting and building, it's really relaxing for me as a person with anxiety disorder and I think it could be an actual fun way to make money (once I get good, of course). I've already been advised on cheaper alternatives to GW paint (I use Liquitex and prismacolor supplies usually, so I thought $4 a pot for concentrated paint was good) and have already ordered a primer and sealant.

What did I do wrong/right, how can I improve?

 

[moetle]

Dunno about anyone else, but your pics aren't working for me.

 

[Lemmingbot]

Dunno about anyone else, but your pics aren't working for me.

Try now, if that doesn't work ill just upload them in a comment.

 

[moetle]

Yep, they are working now.

I'd start a WIP log in the "work in progress and project logs" section or ask a mod to move this thread over there.

The skele's themselves look good, but not too sure on the snow though, but the pic is kind of blurry. The burnt umber wash was a good call on the cloth.

The chaos Horses look good, but I'd put a wash of black or purple on the silvery parts or blackline the places where the plates meet and just a black wash on the chains.

I'd do the same for the gold parts but with a brown or dark yellow wash then hit the edges again to brighten it back up a tad.

As far as adding snow to the bases no worries that you glued them to the base already.

 

[Dragonsreach]

As Moetle has suggested a WIP Thread is usually a good way to go as we tend to give advice and constructive criticisms there.
Pplus it's a good way to gauge your own progress over the years.

Now Art and Artistic endeavours are a good means of dealing with Stress and Stress related issues (I wear that T-Shirt), just remember we are here to help, not make things worse.

 

[Lemmingbot]

Sorry about the blurriness, Im going to bring them into my school's art building and take some photos with a DSLR for my gallery.

I can always paint over the snow if it doesn't look right once I get the bases done. I wasn't sure what came first with the bases, I'm glad I didn't ruin them

As for the Chaos knights, I did do a thin black wash on them but I can thicken it up, I do like the idea of a purpleish wash, and I'm totally going to do the gold one as well

 

[Lemmingbot]

Ok, ill have to start a thread there! I wasn't too sure if that was the place to do it but thanks for clearing it up.

Im actually pretty good with criticism, I went to an art school for four years and CC was an important part of improving.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Ok, ill have to start a thread there! I wasn't too sure if that was the place to do it but thanks for clearing it up.
My pleasure
Im actually pretty good with criticism, I went to an art school for four years and CC was an important part of improving.

You have both my appreciation and my sympathy.
Up until Two Years ago I worked with someone who went to an Art School, for her it wasn't a "developing" environment. She is a very fine and accurate artist with far better draughting skills than I can archive but stated she felt stifled/restricted by modern trends in Art and Art Teaching. ( Hence why she worked in IT)
She saw one of my figures once and was interested, which is how we got talking.

 

[BloodFather of Kharnath]

There is a ton to comment on your figures, both promising and for your own advancement. As stated, please start a WIP over there, where you'll get tons of support. A few notes:

I really like the bone. Good use of multiple tones. The rest is tough to see with the pics and the exposure, but a general rule of thumb with minis this small is to increase the contrast to crazy levels. Read as many articles as you can on just basic blending, color theory, glazing, etc.

 

[Yuggoth]

Those are very good for a first try! You have good brush control! However, you could probably benefit from reading some of the advanced guides on this site. Some things may differ much between mini and canvas painting, especially the exaggeration of contrast and the use of darklining, something that might have more in common with comic-illustration than with traditional art.

On concrete tip from me: "painted" snow seldom looks convincing on miniatures, there are recipes involving many things like baking soda and crushed glass (wear a mask if you do that, very dangerous to te lungs) and some "out of the bottle"-products as well that look more natural.

Best regards
Alex