Preach on, brother!

[CreganTur]

This is my WIP log for the Kingdom Death contest over at WAMP and I'm painting the Preacher, if the witty thread title didn't give it away. I took a lot of extra time prepping this guy because I'm going to push my skills as far as I can for this project.

After doing a little research on priestly vestments I decided on a color scheme. So far I have only blocked in colors for the 3 different robes:

The under-robe is actually a very light blue- I used Reaper's Ghost White but my camera washed it out... stupid auto white balance.

My idea is to have a torch set on a tall pole that will be placed diagonally forward of his left foot. I'm going to attempt some OSL using that light source. I'm still sussing out my entire concept for the base, but I'm leaning toward him standing near a pulpit on a stage liek he's giving speach. It's either that or have him stand before the ruins of an altar, screaming vengance at the heavens... haven't decided which.

 

[CreganTur]

I believe I've completed the outer brown robe, but I'd like some feedback on it, especially since I'm trying to do some OSL, as well as super-smooth blending, etc. I want to know what I need to fix before I try to move onto the next part.

What annoys me about this picture is that it was taken with a completely white background using 2 daylight bulbed lamps and it still turns everything this funky brown color. I played with photoshop and the colors on the miniature are as close to real life as I can get them.

 

[SkelettetS]

looks like a good start :good: imo, i think you should go for 1+ more highlights at the roble, and make it lighter the highter on the model you go (zenith light)

 

[CreganTur]

It's been crazy busy since my last update with taking care of the little WAMPer, going back to work for the first time today since the birth, and trying to fit in some time on this guy, but I was able to make some good progress. At first I tried to be all fancy with the skin by wet-blending it without using any paints with "flesh" in their name. I got kinda close, but couldn't pull it off. I wish I had taken a picture of it before I painted over it so I could get some critiques... but them's the breaks.

I touched up the outer robe and paid special attention to the brightest highlight spots. I also finished the flesh and the bluish middle robe. Here's a pic from the light source's POV:

And here's a montage showing the figure from multiple angles:

As you can see I was able to take better pictures this time... let's hope I can continue to do so in the future!

 

[Torn blue sky]

Looking good. The only critique I can offer is adding a bit more highlighting to the flesh that's "in the dark". There's still going to be some light there unless it's pitch black harsh OSL you're going for. Obviously the darker bits will be more subdued, at the moment it looks a bit toooo flat there. Otherwise, it's looking good! Liking the transition on the brown robe, nicely blended and the blues look great, really well done.

 

[CreganTur]

Some unexpected time opened up today so I was able to spend a few good hours working on the Preacher. I increased the highlights on the skin to make it reflect the torchlight better. I also finished the under robe and the leather satchel- I haven't painted the bottle yet. After looking at these pics I realize I need to add a straight on shot, so I'll do that next time. I also deepened the darkest shadows on the dark side of his face- the temple area and under his cheek. I felt that would up the contrast better without taking away the starkness that was already in place.

I based the stole, belt, and shoes. The belt's going to be red and the stole will eventually be gold trim and details over a red backing. I also have to finish the other bag, book, maul, and assorted details. He'll definately be done in time for the comp, but I need to come up with a really solid base idea to have a shot with him for the comp.

 

[CreganTur]

I'm getting closer to finishing this guy- he will definately be entered into the comp! I'm really happy with how he's turning out, but I don't think the stole looks right. I had to repaint it 3 times to get it to where it is now. What can I do to make it look better?

After looking at this mini for a long time I'm pretty certain that the preacher is wearing brass knuckles, not an assortment of rings. They're based in black right now, but I'll be doing NMM on them tomorrow- the same holds true for all the othr black bits. I've only blocked in some shading outlines on the hammer.

 

[cheelfy]

I think bigger pictures could be good to judge as the stole is quite small.

 

[Torn blue sky]

Yeah man, these pics are set small, can't blow them up. Looking like a mighty fine contender though! Really liking what you've done with this guy.

 

[CreganTur]

Okay, thanks guys- I'll take some larger pics tonight so you can see the details better.

 

[CreganTur]

Here are bigger pics, as requested. As you can see I've done a little more since last time. I tried to finish all the gold and steel NMM on the buttons, necklace and pendant, hammer, etc. I could use some suggestions on what to do to make the NMM better, along with anything else you may see I could improve upon.

 

[CreganTur]

I've finally finished construction of my base. After a lot of thought and a trip to my local hobby store I found one of the small gothic building kits from Pegasus. I repurposed one of the doorways for my base and sculpted a tile floor for the interior and concrete walkway leading up to the door. That blob to the left of the front door is a gargoyle I cut up to make it look broken. I'll be adding some more rubble after I finish the initial painting.

And here you can see how the preacher will fit into the scene:

 

[Torn blue sky]

Liking it, interested to see what you do with it now!

 

[SkelettetS]

looks very suitable!
now is the question, did he bash the door in or is he mad someone knocked to hard?

 

[Torn blue sky]

I'm seeing the "Get orf moi land!" type deal from a maddened priest who resides in a ruined church. Looks cool, great idea any which take you go for on it

 

[A Luna]

It's like he's saying
" damn you kids! Get off my lawn"

 

[CreganTur]

The contest deadline is looming close- the 30th of this month- and I'm nearly finished. I've been spending what time I can find during the Thanksgiving holiday working on my base. So far I've been able to complete the lamp, most of the stone work on the front side, and part of the main door. For the door I'm trying to make the surface look like wrought iron, which is black with very reflective corners. The exception will be the stars- I want to do them with gold NMM. I haven't gotten around to base coating them yet. I'd love some help if anyone sees anything I need to improve on. Here's the base alone:

And here's the base with the figure. These are just front shots because the sides and back- anything not where the light is- just has the barest base color to keep it from being all black.

 

[Torn blue sky]

Fantastic stuff, I reckon you've caught the balance bang on! Gives the illusion of a bright light. It's always good practice to have save pure black for the very starkest extremities and have at least a lilt of colour in other areas. Absolutely top job.

 

[CreganTur]

I changed a few things since my last post. I used some blue washes on the archway to add a little color to it, as well as green washes to the general stone work. I also added some more rubble alongside the gargoyle to make him look a little better. I upped the OSL with some shine directly behind the lamp.

 

[CreganTur]

I finally got this guy finished, and not a moment too soon as it's almost deadline time at WAMP.

I added some extra rubble near the gargoyle to make him look more broken. I also added some golden freehand to the bottom of the preachers middle robe. The gold NMM on the doors is done and I added some freehand design to the church tiles following the pattern of a church image I found online. I'm very proud of this guy!