Rackham Giant barbarians

[emms]

I have started 3 weeks ago a pair of barbarians, Keltois faction, which have never been posted on Cmon, as far as I could see.
The first is almost finished, the second not yet begun.
View attachment 2677View attachment 2678

Here are the pictures of the mini, which I usually take to have light references when I paint them. :brushlick:
To get there, I need about 2 hours taking off moulding lines, polishing the smooth surface, and cleaning the mini in soapy water with a toothbrush.

:clock:Next post, I'll the WIP for the base and the character of the first barbarian.

 

[pate]

I've got high expectations now The less time I spend on prepping a mini, the happier I am. I just want to paint it

 

[emms]

So here is the mini, as for now.
View attachment 2685View attachment 2686View attachment 2687View attachment 2688View attachment 2689.
I kept to Rackham scheme, as I usually do, and went on zenith light, almost vertical.

The mini is not yet finished, and I use magnified pictures to check on the details.
I would say I considered 2 challenges :

• the axes
• the leather garnment

I painted the axes as vertical surfaces (2 d), valuing the orientation to the vertical light. Golden parts are more 3d, the same as edges of each axes. Most difficult for ma was to keeps consistent, with the 2 axes together.
On Golden NMM, I tried to contrast very much.

As you might see, I have added some kind of scratch on the left axe, I am not sure I should keep it

There are still some deffetcs, especially in the dark areas of the edge of the axes. This I will fix, no issue at all.



As for the leather, the challenge is that the colours are very near from metallic colours : blue green leather, with ocre garniture.
Here are several zooms on the leather areas.

Comments welcome, I do intend to finish all this week-end!

 

[emms]

For the base, I wanted to suggest some temple ruins. I would have liked to use some of CMON base.
For instance, Micro studio bases looked fine for me.
But time for ordering, being delivered ... So I decided to make my own.

The core is made in green stuff to be solid enough. Then I have gradually added wall plaster, which I have sculpted. I have opposed dark and grey stones, with a remain of some painting. The symbolized animal is simply Rackham symbol for this mini.

 

[Dunkle Zeiten]

Hello Emms,

Base-comment:
for the base, quite good shape and absolutely believable. Maybe the colours are "very bright" and not tolerated in this common CMON taste, but what the heck!. For beeing more believed as jungle bases, some surrounding vegetation might be successful applied. I think grass won't do, so some grainy darkgreen sponge remains as moss does it better? Don't really know.

Barbarian-comment:
I think the barbarians-left-hand axe is nearly completed, so it's only the discussion what to do with the scratches. Imho its only the ratio of white and black, what it doesn't make it feel right, either some more grey inner, or reducing the white to the same ratio of the black.
From the B's back I assume the blades are finished and great ( You've to teach me the howto). The golden poles are awesome! The fleshy parts of B's back are very convincing. The only lack imho is the nearmost same tone of flesh parts and leather parts. Makes it difficult to separate them. Maybe some weathering of the leather could separate them optically?
I have no receipt to do armour plates of such small size, but imho on arms and hips they should have the same reflection effect as the blades, but I think you wait to the last (I would).

Only one minor critic: The face hasn't the same broad richness of skintone as the back, also the B's right upper (inner) elbow, which has to obey the rules of lightreflection. To have the look and feel of obsidian, some dilluted shade of bright(blueish) green (e.g. jade green) from top to down and after that a tip of white to the upmost point for pretence of reflected light will improve the small plates. The belt buckle has a large area, so imho it must obey the same reflection as the blades and armour!

Armour-Leather, the ocre-whiteish tone is imho the original one, the only difference to the rackhams method is that you didn't applied a black (or dark brown) undercoat, so it didn't have the border to separated colours for the eyes (blacklinening). There is no failure in the colour. But I wouldn't change this on this one. (Sorry for some misspellings, but i've to hurry)
Be courageous!

 

[emms]

Hi Dunkle,

It will take time for me to process all these advices, but I do intend not to loose any piece of them !
Let us review your comments :

some surrounding vegetation might be successful applied. I think grass won't do, so some grainy darkgreen sponge remains as moss does it better? Don't really know.

I wanted a rather clean suggestion of temple ruins, but some grass tufls here and there should do. I'll add them painting grey-green, not to break the black&white atmosphere I intended to do.
The painting is bright indeed, I will merge it applying some wash with the same grey as the stones.

it's only the discussion what to do with the scratches. Imho its only the ratio of white and black, what it doesn't make it feel right, either some more grey inner, or reducing the white to the same ratio of the black.

The scratch is partially done. I still don't know whether it brings something or not, but needs to be changed obviously. Yes, white lining is too hard.

the nearmost same tone of flesh parts and leather parts. Makes it difficult to separate them. Maybe some weathering of the leather could separate them optically?

You found right, I kept thinking of that as I have painted this part! Yes, some weathering of leather could do.

I have no receipt to do armour plates of such small size, but imho on arms and hips they should have the same reflection effect as the blades, but I think you wait to the last (I would).

For the amour plates, I believe there are only some below the knees. The mini is almost fully equipped with leather-armour. But I have painted the leather in blue-green, which makes the difference with leather hard to see. I tried to texture and make limited reflects, but some more work is obvioulsy needed! I shall outline the green colour of the leather to make the difference with metal plates more visible.

Only one minor critic: The face hasn't the same broad richness of skintone as the back, also the B's right upper (inner) elbow, which has to obey the rules of lightreflection. To have the look and feel of obsidian, some dilluted shade of bright(blueish) green (e.g. jade green) from top to down and after that a tip of white to the upmost point for pretence of reflected light will improve the small plates. The belt buckle has a large area, so imho it must obey the same reflection as the blades and armour!

For the face, I am reviewing the left eye to assort it to the right, which is ok for me. I'll try to add some contrast to the face, to keep the back skintone.
Okay to make obsidian tone on small plates, and review the belt buckle.

Thanks !!!

 

[emms]

Barbarian finalized, as it seems

Here are for views turning around Barbarian. I consider the mini as completed, which doesn't mean it is perfect, but probably as good as I can now :messed:
View attachment 2694View attachment 2692View attachment 2695View attachment 2693

Now referring to the discussion :

1.I kept the scratch on the axe, refining the effect:

2.I have reinforced the green tones on leather plates to make a difference with metallic parts:

3.I have weathered the red leather of Bbn's left leg to make a difference with skintone:

4.I have reviewed the large buckle with same NMM colours as for the axe

5.I have painted a kilt, with a little cat pending to the rear of the belt

6.I have highlighted the face

7.I have painted dust effect on the brighty colours of the base, and added grass on moss

:brushwave: :brushwave: :brushwave:​

Now I have to post the mini for quotation!!

 

[Dunkle Zeiten]

1.I kept the scratch on the axe, refining the effect:

Complete Amazing, mostly by the irregularity, as well as by the well balanced size and shape

2.I have reinforced the green tones on leather plates to make a difference with metallic parts:

Quite original, don't know how it looks in total. I thought the armour was completly metall, but you're right, it's leather.

3.I have weathered the red leather of Bbn's left leg to make a difference with skintone:

On the far view, looks well balanced and truly believable.

4.I have reviewed the large buckle with same NMM colours as for the axe

And also the the gem-stones. Maybe some lower shading on the left lowerfeet buckle as well?

5.I have painted a kilt, with a little cat peding to the reat of the belt

Wow, completely new idea to me. At least that fine design in pattern. Did you have done some backround check?

6.I have highlighted the face

The B's left cheek looks grainy, imho a result of bad mold?

7.I have painted dust effect on the brighty colours of the base, and added grass on moss

F'king amazing, not exactly what I meant, but also well balanced. Shading of the ruins' stones looks unbelievable good.

GO CATCH YOUR 9, you deserved it!

 

[emms]

I have posted the mini on CMON. Score is

, which is creditable.

 

[SkelettetS]

even if it is a bit rough at places the attention at details does that i think it should score at least 8(+). i think its a cool guy, wierd, but cool

 

[emms]

Thanks SkelettetS. The score is just some kind of indication to get other people opinion.
What really matters is the sensation while painting, what one feels, learns and communicates. The great experience for me was to have other painters'advises, process them, and see what's next!

For the mini picture, I have posted the picture on my website to make sure that CMON would not degrade the JPEG. Also, I have used 300 DPI, instead of my usual 120DPI. I think this was an improvement.

 

[emms]

Second Barbarian, first shots

After baby1, I go for baby2. It will take probably several weeks.


Here are the first snapshots which I use for figuring the light effect. I have used a black background this time.

The base is quite advanced, but not finished yet (the mini is only half fixed, so it is almost floating in the air )

I have sculpted the stones in dry plaster to get clean and sharp angles. First time I use this technic.

The plants are in green stuff, and the column is a reshaped pencil.

 

[SkelettetS]

yay high hopes for this one, love those gigant minis! base looks great also what i can tell.

 

[emms]

The base is ready to be primed

I have carved gradually the rest of the base, using plaster, throughout the week, I think it is ready to be primed now.
I have the week end to progress on the mini, great !

 

[BPI]

Nice base Emms :good: Looks well worth the effort to me

Cheers, B.

 

[Dunkle Zeiten]

I have carved gradually the rest of the base, using plaster, throughout the week, I think it is ready to be primed now.
I have the week end to progress on the mini, great !

Hi emms, as already mentioned in the former mail, I like the idea of a pencil to represent some sort of column. As you did withering scatches from to top down on the back of it, I noticed, that columns that size (regardless they reach to the top what they are holding) have some masons skills shown. They are put together and only the force from above holds them in shape. There might be a great chance though, that some joint piles still hold together. I think only greek megalomania created piles 20 times the size of a human body in one pice. Saying, it might be also just a matter of taste, what would fit more.

Don't want to be a spoiler, but if you don't have the intention on painting regular surrounding interstice or joint (if any), if possible, add an additional edgy or withered joint with a knife. From that point, some crackles can again painted (as carved may be a little tricky?).

Just my two cents.

I like the idea of multy layered plaster to have some stacked piled ruble, on such small area it's well aranged. Reminds my of some byzantinian or greek ruins, which fits great to the sessair background.

Like to see your progress. But take your time anytime!

Regards

 

[emms]

if you don't have the intention on painting regular surrounding interstice or joint (if any), if possible, add an additional edgy or withered joint with a knife. From that point, some crackles can again painted (as carved may be a little tricky?).

This is a good idea, it takes 5 mn only, I'll go for it.

I have spent the day on the face and the skin, I started from dark earth, which is very neutral, and then added green and red, I hope the pictures won't spoil the thrill of trying this technique which we discussed together. I'll post the first pictures of the face today.

 

[emms]

Face and body

As I feared, the pictures are spoiling a little the real colours. When the mini will be finished, I'll use a lightbox, as I usually do. As for now, is not so convenient on numerous step by step pictures.

I worked on the eyes, which have light blue pupils, and various colours to make the skin brighter.

Also is a general view of this part of the mini.

 

[Dunkle Zeiten]

Just an impression. but maybe to soon to escalate. He is really pale, but it might be also depending on the camera. The B2's left side has a warm skin tone, the upper forehead and the right side has not? Or is this just before prepping the miniature with warm colours like yellow or reddish tones to simulate zenital light. Really premature justments spoil the work, imho, so I leave that. I see you did the belt clips really early. I hate them the most, as they are often undefined by mold, and often scatched down while progress made on other details. But you have fine detailed ones.

Regards,

PS: Is there a special diet at arkalash universe to get such testosterone driven meat-mountains? Or just a result of pure magic? Who knows.

 

[emms]

Hi Dunkle,
I've been working on it for the last 3 days. I spent 5 hours just painting the belt, the least that one could say, I'm not fast at painting.
I tried latest Citadel palette, painting actually almost pure water : it is laborious, but improves the shading. I'm taking a break until next week-end, I'll post some more pictures.

He is really pale, but it might be also depending on the camera.

Yes, I think that that this is the point. Looking at the whole picture, the colours are more balanced. I mean on this mini to contrast very much the body with his leather armour which is blue/black. I think that in one piece, he'll look better. I always make some adjustements at the very end anyhow.