Improvements to Reaper elves?

[Kamui K]

Hello there.
I\'ve been experimenting lately with metalics and pastel colors and would like to get some feedback on these please.

After hearing about MM vs. NMM, I would like to see how one can improve on MM.

I\'m not sure how many ppl like pastel colors on their minis. But Jim Johnson (did I get his name right?) has been painting for years with nothing much but white, greys, and pink, and everyone seems to like his stuff.

So I was just curious how my boys \'n gals look to you all in my variations of wacky colors.

These got 300+ views but just barely 35+ votes. So any comments on how to improve?

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=30767&c=All&m=All&nm=none

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=30770&c=All&m=All&nm=none

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=32272&c=All&m=All&nm=none

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=32279&c=All&m=All&nm=none

http://www.coolminiornot.com/index.php?id=30765&c=All&m=All&nm=none

 

[Sand Rat]

Looking good - the problem in my opinion is not with the paint jobs but a couple of the poses look stiff - especially the Rackham duellist

 

[Lurch]

Your bases look undone on the sides. They look as if you only have one very thin coat over the top of a white primer.
While I realize you are going for a pastel look, It would have been better if you could have smoothed that look out a little I think. As it is, there are areas that look splotchy to me. It is most evident on your Elf Prince of Almirithil.

Nice job otherwise. I will look forward to your next posts.

 

[Chrispy]

I think they all look very well done! I do have a few comments, though:

Contrast- I had this problem, also.. you might want to try blacklining and going a bit further on highlights.

Red Head- This is something everyone should think about. The reason why some Redheads do not look 100% realistic is not because of the hair color, it\'s the skin color. All natural redheads have a slight pink tinge to their skin compared with other caucasians.

Other than that, I say you\'ve got it down! They look real natural and \"foresty\" to me.

 

[Kamui K]

Originally posted by Chrispy
Contrast- I had this problem, also.. you might want to try blacklining and going a bit further on highlights.

I knew I should of made them bolder. I blacklined them before putting on the colors. Some lines were covered up to a lighter shade of line. But I was afraid to go over everything with a pure black line again cause I thought that was just too bold. I\'ll try it next time.

Red Head- This is something everyone should think about. The reason why some Redheads do not look 100% realistic is not because of the hair color, it\'s the skin color. All natural redheads have a slight pink tinge to their skin compared with other caucasians.

Get outta here! Really? Dammit. Now I need pics of redheads to see if it\'s true.
Does this mean my Arnise doesn\'t look right cause she looks yellowish? Or does she look a bit pinkish? I know I used GW\'s fleshwash in there. So there\'s some red. Bah! My photography skills.

Thanks Chrispy. That helped.

And Lurch, I never realised how distracting my bases were. No one really mentioned it to me before. I\'ll try better next time. An by splotchy, I assume you meant my highlights weren\'t smooth enough? I know the swords need work. Any specific areas? Or is the Prince of Almirithil just splotchy all over?

 

[Errex]

Hey, I actually liked those bases. I just asumed you were going for some sort of rustic effect on them.

I also like the overall color schemes. Since these are elves, I think it is quite OK for them not to be pinkish. As for the blacklining, I don\'t think it would be necessary. Maybe just a slight wash in the recesses with a deeper hue of the color involved, but I think the areas are quite well defined.

 

[Kamui K]

Originally posted by Errex
Hey, I actually liked those bases. I just asumed you were going for some sort of rustic effect on them.

I also like the overall color schemes. Since these are elves, I think it is quite OK for them not to be pinkish. As for the blacklining, I don\'t think it would be necessary. Maybe just a slight wash in the recesses with a deeper hue of the color involved, but I think the areas are quite well defined.

Yea, you\'re right about the rustic effect. At least that\'s what I tried.

I saw some cool base painting with woodgrains and figured solid colors on bases are just boring. But I guess if I want an effect, I gotta pay more attention on it then and not look bland. (some bases I put a bit more time into is all)

And blacklining isn\'t needed?
It\'ll be too bold right? I guess I can try WIP shots with just blacklining as a last resort if your opinion with the darker basecoats fails.

Great feedback guys. Thanks!
Don\'t hesitate to add!
:idea:

 

[Lurch]

The only splotchy areas were around the sides of the base. I understand now you meant to do that.
Obviously, this is my own opinion, but the brown sides of the base has overlapping areas where the thinned paint is a deeper color that the rest of the side. The corners are most evident.
Personally I like the tint and level you chose but the overlap just drew my attention.
Minor in my opinion, but hey,you asked..

 

[Kamui K]

Originally posted by Lurch
The only splotchy areas were around the sides of the base. I understand now you meant to do that.
Obviously, this is my own opinion, but the brown sides of the base has overlapping areas where the thinned paint is a deeper color that the rest of the side. The corners are most evident.
Personally I like the tint and level you chose but the overlap just drew my attention.
Minor in my opinion, but hey,you asked..

Oh! You meant the elf with the green swords -Elf Prince of Almirithil . Yea, that base was rushed. A slap of wash here a few thick brushstrokes there.
In the end, I need to pay attention to them.

Thanks for the criticism and thanks for not holding back. I did ask for it.

 

[Chrispy]

Redhead

\'Tis true! Redheads have pinkish skin than any other European. Take a look at this pic I found on google:

Okay, so she\'s more of an extreme strawberry blonde, but you get the idea.. if you don\'t believe me, use photoshop and pick out the colors. Another good example is in Brom\'s Loveless:

Again, everything in this pic looks red, except the eyes! And you\'ll notice redheads have freckles on their skin more than other people.. I have no idea exactly why this is, but I think it has something to do with Melanin content (that pigment that gives skin color, a lack of it results in being albino). Although, freckles may be hard to do, so I don\'t suggest it but someone may give it a go...

I\'m thinking of making a skin article for various different skin types, but I still have a gem article to do!

 

[Kamui K]

Hey, watch ya know?
Thanks for the pics. Now I don\'t have to start staring at strangers on the train again for reference.

I eargerly await your skintone article when you get the chance.