New Painter Looking For Advice/Critiques

[jesgriebel]

Hi, all! I just started getting in to the painting side of the hobby recently, and I would like some critiques/advice to help me move my painting off.

First thing's first, just to give a bit of an idea: I've been painting for roughly three weeks (I've spent maybe a total of 15 hours painting so far). When I was younger, I played D&D, never got in to painting my minis, and recently I got an urge to pick up some minis, start playing and--subsequently, possibly because my imagination is less potent--I immediately wanted to paint them.

I have no artistic background--I don't draw, or paint--so my knowledge is fairly limited. Anyway, here are the few minis that I have so far completed.

To take the pictures I made a quick light box from paper and a box (tried taking pictures without one and it ended disastrously). Unfortunately, the lighting is a bit harsh, but I figure it's better than a shadowy picture that shows nothing at all. The pictures were taken with my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2).

Anyway, here's my first few minis:

All of the shadows/highlights were built up using diluted paint. None of the shadows use black--I thought it might look too harsh. Some weird textures were left on some of my minis after painting--perhaps from diluting too much? Or using bad brushes? (I only just bought some good brushes--these were all done with packaged synthetic brushes that kept falling apart.)

I didn't do any bases, and I didn't trim any excess 'stuff' hanging off the minis mostly because I don't know how to do either, so tips are totally welcome on that front too!

P.S. Sorry for the huge pictures, Photobucket didn't seem to resize anything.

 

[ElderMind]

You're off to a good start, and it looks like you are getting the basics of shading and highlighting. I like the skin on the goblin and the cloak on the wraith.

Paint consistency and brush control look like the areas you should focus on. Too thin is better than too thick. You can add another layer, but it's pretty hard to take it back off... Same for highlighting / dry brushing. Get almost all the paint off the brush before you highlight. You can repeat as necessary to build upon the previous go, but you can't take it back off.

What brand paints are you using?

 

[Dragonsreach]

When I was younger, I played D&D, never got in to painting my minis, and recently I got an urge to pick up some minis, start playing and--subsequently, possibly because my imagination is less potent--I immediately wanted to paint them.

Let me put you straight here; Imagination is never limited and it's a most potent tool!
Firstly because you've played D&D you exercised that most important tool, secondly because you've chosen to plan colour schemes.

I have no artistic background--I don't draw, or paint--so my knowledge is fairly limited.

Don't worry about where you're starting out from, when we climb mountains we all start from the Valley. The only difference is on this path you're going to have a lot of people helping you along, my advice on this is simple practise and practise some more, listen to ( or read) the advise you're given and remember this, THIS HOBBY IS FUN, enjoy what you do don't fret over it and make sure the person you're aiming to please is YOURSELF.
While we'll like what you do and make suggestions it's you that matters.



OK ZEN moment over!

 

[jesgriebel]

You're off to a good start, and it looks like you are getting the basics of shading and highlighting. I like the skin on the goblin and the cloak on the wraith.

Paint consistency and brush control look like the areas you should focus on. Too thin is better than too thick. You can add another layer, but it's pretty hard to take it back off... Same for highlighting / dry brushing. Get almost all the paint off the brush before you highlight. You can repeat as necessary to build upon the previous go, but you can't take it back off.

What brand paints are you using?

Thank you for the comments and the advice!

I've been trying to thin my paints better, but I'll be honest--at times, I tend to get impatient and paint a little heavier than I should.

Right now, I'm using a mix of Reaper Master Series (the majority of my paints), Vallejo Game Series and a couple Army Painter colours. I definitely favour Reaper, as I like the consistency, bottles and easy mixing, but I'm not all loyal to any particular brand. I recently grabbed some Secret Weapon washes and Army Painter inks as well.

Don't worry about where you're starting out from, when we climb mountains we all start from the Valley. The only difference is on this path you're going to have a lot of people helping you along, my advice on this is simple practise and practise some more, listen to ( or read) the advise you're given and remember this, THIS HOBBY IS FUN, enjoy what you do don't fret over it and make sure the person you're aiming to please is YOURSELF.
While we'll like what you do and make suggestions it's you that matters.



OK ZEN moment over!

Thank you! I never really thought too much about how other aspects of my life further creativity, either--for instance, I'm a freelance writer.

Starting at the bottom is a bit daunting, especially seeing the phenomenal art posted--I've been diving pretty deep in to the resources available here at CMON and at other great sites as well, and it's definitely fun to see new techniques in thoroughly explained and used, and to try them for myself.