help cleaning up a mini

[wonkobaggins]

I\'d like this miniature to look cleaner (ignore the eyes, the camera can\'t focus on them very well), especially the highlights on the muscle. I seem to be stuck painting at this level; are there special tools necessary to take it higher? or just more patience?

http://www.coolminiornot.com/pics/pics7/img411a82e1db9b6.jpg

Thanks,
Wonko

 

[Klute]

The blue skintone looks ok but seems to be dragged down by the grey cloth and wings.
For the cloth I would start with a tan colour and layer up to white or ivory.
The wings would be done in different feather colours to break up the drab greyness (sorry) they dont look good at all.Google for some bird pics (be carefull,filter on) and look at the wings for ideas.To be honest I dont think the wings fit the mini.IMHO.
The mouth needs darkening which makes me think that the skin could take a few very thin dark blue washes for depth and to unify the highlights.
Good luck,and post an update.

 

[Warworks]

What kind of paint are you using?

Your skintones are a bit chalky, you might want to make the paint a bit more liquid so it blends better. I would pay more attention, though, to having enough contrast - ie. making sure that the shadows are different enough from the highlights that it does not look monotone.

You DO need good tools to work with if you want to produce good work, but \'good\' is quite different from \'expensive\' in many cases. Generally speaking, this means quality brushes, smooth paints, and a bright light are all you really need.

Depending on your strengths with the art, you might choose various tools for specific tasks. For example, I use a Rapidograph technical ink pen for putting pupils on eyes, and gold trim on capes and such. I\'m horrible with freehand brush work but I\'m decent with a pen.

 

[scythingtalon]

I love the skin tones... However the greys have to go! It looks like the skin is finished and the wings/garments are still just primed. Try to work in some colors, blues or greens maybe. Color is life when it comes to painting.

 

[FredrickvonCarstein]

Your main problem seems to be colour choice (at least on this mini). I didn\'t even realize the robes and wings were there at that point.

Also about the \"chalky\" look.
A) Are you drybrushing?
B) Are your highlights with other colours, or the base colour with white added?

And also the final highlights don\'t seem to be blended in well enough. Check Margo\'s article on feathering for more on how to achieve smoother results.

 

[Legacy Account]

The grey robe is rather weak, insipid and lacking in depth of tone/contrast. With the skin being so bright and strong, it is bringing this part of the model forward, almost \'in front\' of the cloth. Try to get more contrast into the robes - darker in the recesses, and a touch lighter on the highlights. I agree that a wash of a darker, more muted blue would help the skin, especially if applied selectively to the areas that really should be in shadow. Keep at it, there\'s bags of potential in what you\'ve already got!

Edit: I would either recoat the grey with a much darker grey (almost black), or put a wash of black paint over the whole area.....