Metallics WIP for Works of Heart

[Tinweasel]

I\'m currently working on a figure for the Works of Heart effort, and am trying my hand at a very excellent old-school fantasy-style figure.

It\'s literally been years (like 13-14 or so) since I\'ve painted a fantasy-type figure (metal armor, leathers, etc.) and I figgered I\'d take a stab at some new metallic techniques with this guy to see if I could improve on my old painting style.

I\'d genuinely appreciate comments/suggestions, as I\'m trying to end up with the best possible appearance (and theoretically a healthy amount of value so as to raise money for charity.) I tried a new weathered metal effect on everything, and I\'m curious as to other people\'s opinions.

Without further ado, I present my Gunthor \'The Axeman\' WIP:

At this point, I\'d say the steel helm and the chainmail are mostly done. I\'m going for a number of different metal colors for the chains: the longest one attached to the collar on his neck is a dark, blackened metal, the ones with the skulls are a lighter metallic, and the rest of the decorative chains will likely be gold (when I get to \'em.) As for the axe, I like the color, but I\'ll probably be fiddling with the edge highlights and adding some gore. The shoulder pads are simply basecoated dark bronze right now, but I do plan on eventually adding weathering and verdigris - I\'m thinking the dark metals will contrast the lighter skin tone and the decorative stuff once I\'m done.

I apologize if the picture is a little on the dark side - it looked fine on my monitor at home, but seems awfully drab on my work monitor.

 

[Ogrebane]

So far its looking good.

 

[Infidel Castro]

The weathering on the axe-head is very cute. Well worked to say the least.

 

[Tinweasel]

Here\'s Gunthor a little further along:

For whatever reason, the verdigris effect on the bronze shoulder pads isn\'t translating too well in the pic, but otherwise the metallic shades are a pretty good representation of how he looks on my end. The skin, white, and gold are simply basecoats, but I think I\'m about done with the axe head, shoulder pads, and chainmail. (Any suggestions/comments on the chains?)

Any suggestions/criticisms on the appearance overall? I\'m generally wanting as much feedback as I can get here, as this is somewhat of a \"test figure\" for my metallic painting style - without going too far off the mark from what I\'m used to.

I\'m thinking green for the gemstones to offset the verdigris. Not sure what to paint his pants - in truth, the figure reminds me somewhat of a Scottish Highland warrior, what with the shield and decorative trim on his gear.

 

[CUKIER]

Very cool lookin\' axe. Hope to see some more pic soon.

 

[Tinweasel]

Here\'s slightly brighter pics and the skin tone a little further along:

The helmet, chains, and axe are more or less finished. The gold detail is simply basecoated. The waist/belt decoration is untouched at this point, but seems to have suffered from a few too many washes - I\'m thinking wood with metal studs (like a Scottish clansman\'s shield.) I\'m not too sure about the skin, whether to leave it dark or to lighten it significantly to contrast with the dark armor. I\'m thinking that the skulls, clothing, and horns ought to lighten things up even if his skin is dark... the problem is that I think I started the skin color way, way too dark and now I\'m having to work up 3 or 4 steps just to get something reasonable-looking.

I\'d appreciate comments on the metals and skin especially at this point!

 

[Ogrebane]

Skin tone looks good the way it is but it wouldnt hurt making it a bit lighter. perhaps you could do war paint on the face and that would stop the need to lighten the skin tone. The Axe head looks great so far.