Lord Coteaz
- Thread starter Atronach
- Start date
I think that the photos are dragging the model down at the moment.
For instance these pics are huge, theres loads of wasted blue background. Try to crop the pics to show just the mini, and then we will be able to give better advice as well be able to see the mini better.
As for what i can see i can tell that you have the basics of highlighting and so on but there are a few places that can be improved.
Firstly your basecoats need to be smoother. At the moment, they are looking quite patchy so id just use a fewmore layers on them to grt theem really solid and smooth before you apply the highlights/shadows.
Another thing is the colour choices i know that it is the 41st millenium but i\'m not sure that the lime green and purple look really works. Im all for different colour schemes but maybe something less glaring would increase the scores.
One final point: the base
Whilst i like the composition of the base i think that you for starters should definatly paint the sand, this would pake it more realistic and not just like sand stuck on.
i hope that i haven\'t come across as too harsh as i think that your models have a lot of potential, a few little improvements and i think that you should start to get some better scores.
James
For instance these pics are huge, theres loads of wasted blue background. Try to crop the pics to show just the mini, and then we will be able to give better advice as well be able to see the mini better.
As for what i can see i can tell that you have the basics of highlighting and so on but there are a few places that can be improved.
Firstly your basecoats need to be smoother. At the moment, they are looking quite patchy so id just use a fewmore layers on them to grt theem really solid and smooth before you apply the highlights/shadows.
Another thing is the colour choices i know that it is the 41st millenium but i\'m not sure that the lime green and purple look really works. Im all for different colour schemes but maybe something less glaring would increase the scores.
One final point: the base
Whilst i like the composition of the base i think that you for starters should definatly paint the sand, this would pake it more realistic and not just like sand stuck on.
i hope that i haven\'t come across as too harsh as i think that your models have a lot of potential, a few little improvements and i think that you should start to get some better scores.
James
As James (TheCadian) has pointed out there are several areas you need to work on in order to Take your painting \"up a Level\".
Smoothness of colours, specifically the basecoats as it seems you are allowing too much of the black primer to act as your shadows. If you take a principle that was told to me by a former \'Eavy Metal team member that the higher quality you want the mini to be then the greater the number of levels you must work up the highlights.
Try to paint so that each successive lighter coloured layer of paint is 80% of the previous area you have painted. That way you can achieve several smoother tones over large areas.
Concentrate on getting the colour balance right ( an artists colour wheel ends up being an invaluable tool) making sure you have colours which balance each other and don\'t \"clash\".
Work on the bulk of the figure then bring out the details.
bases are a compliment to your figures and should have as much attention paid to them as the figure, for competitions, but don\'t let the base overshadow the figure.
Hope that this helps.
Smoothness of colours, specifically the basecoats as it seems you are allowing too much of the black primer to act as your shadows. If you take a principle that was told to me by a former \'Eavy Metal team member that the higher quality you want the mini to be then the greater the number of levels you must work up the highlights.
Try to paint so that each successive lighter coloured layer of paint is 80% of the previous area you have painted. That way you can achieve several smoother tones over large areas.
Concentrate on getting the colour balance right ( an artists colour wheel ends up being an invaluable tool) making sure you have colours which balance each other and don\'t \"clash\".
Work on the bulk of the figure then bring out the details.
bases are a compliment to your figures and should have as much attention paid to them as the figure, for competitions, but don\'t let the base overshadow the figure.
Hope that this helps.
Talonicus
New member
I can only strengthen the points that Mike and James have made.
You need to get a good smooth base paint down first before adding your highlights. I can see a lot of primer still, especially on his cloak.
Many thin coats cover much better than a thick one and they are also much smoother.
Colours are extremely important on a mini. They need to complement one another, a few minutes spent planning your colours can vastly improve the finished mini.
Gloss finish!! Its a no no on display minis, its virtually impossible to photograph properly. A coat of dull cote or similar does wonders on a glossy finish, it also seems to smooth out blends.
The base must complement the miniature and not overwhelm them. Basework is a make or break point from many good to great miniatures. As James mentions the base looks rushed. Bases can be very hard, I know I personally detest doing them.
My final point is ratings on this site. Don\'t worry about them. Just try and improve your painting each time and not worry what they are scored. It will only get you depressed if you paint for that elusive 8, 9 or 10 and never seem to get there. One of the best ways to genuinely see where your current level is would be to attend some competitions. You don\'t have to compete but many people from here attend these and usually take minis and great advice with them.
Enjoy your hobby and I look forward to seeing how you progress. Any help or advice I can give you just pm me.
Nigel
You need to get a good smooth base paint down first before adding your highlights. I can see a lot of primer still, especially on his cloak.
Many thin coats cover much better than a thick one and they are also much smoother.
Colours are extremely important on a mini. They need to complement one another, a few minutes spent planning your colours can vastly improve the finished mini.
Gloss finish!! Its a no no on display minis, its virtually impossible to photograph properly. A coat of dull cote or similar does wonders on a glossy finish, it also seems to smooth out blends.
The base must complement the miniature and not overwhelm them. Basework is a make or break point from many good to great miniatures. As James mentions the base looks rushed. Bases can be very hard, I know I personally detest doing them.
My final point is ratings on this site. Don\'t worry about them. Just try and improve your painting each time and not worry what they are scored. It will only get you depressed if you paint for that elusive 8, 9 or 10 and never seem to get there. One of the best ways to genuinely see where your current level is would be to attend some competitions. You don\'t have to compete but many people from here attend these and usually take minis and great advice with them.
Enjoy your hobby and I look forward to seeing how you progress. Any help or advice I can give you just pm me.
Nigel
Thanks for the comments. There is no gloss finish on the model. I have 0 finish on him actually at that point. I go to many paint competitions and have even been in and was first pick in 2 gold demons one in chicago and one in Baltimore (no not place just first pick). I also read and study peoples web sites like Bobby Wong...etc...etc.. Thanks for the comments and i hope to here more as i continue. especially from the same people that seems important..
Mason
Member
I think that if you\'d chosen a more sophisticated palette, one that ranged in shades and tints of a few related colours you would have scored higher. It\'s been pointed out in the comments previous to mine, but you\'re jumping all over the colour wheel with this mini, and there\'s nowhere for the eye to settle or focus. Rather than relating to a coherent whole, the colours are breaking up the mini into chunks of hue.
From a photographing point of view, never use a flash to photograph in macro. Using the flash will instantly make your minis look like they were gloss coated and ruin the sense of scale. Get a couple of lamps and set them really close to the mini, adjust your white balance to the type of bulb being used. Also, don\'t mix two types of light — mixing incandescent with daylight will create blue and yellow shadows. Stick to one type of light.
Otherwise, I\'d say you\'ve got the basics down, and it\'s just a matter of practice and experimentation.
One site that I like to use to get colour palette ideas is www.colorblender.com — its not failsafe, but play with the sliders and it will get some ideas going.
From a photographing point of view, never use a flash to photograph in macro. Using the flash will instantly make your minis look like they were gloss coated and ruin the sense of scale. Get a couple of lamps and set them really close to the mini, adjust your white balance to the type of bulb being used. Also, don\'t mix two types of light — mixing incandescent with daylight will create blue and yellow shadows. Stick to one type of light.
Otherwise, I\'d say you\'ve got the basics down, and it\'s just a matter of practice and experimentation.
One site that I like to use to get colour palette ideas is www.colorblender.com — its not failsafe, but play with the sliders and it will get some ideas going.
