Returning to the hobby!

[Niall]

Hello guys. I have just \'returned\' to the painting hobby after learning about a painting competition at the end of this month, I aim to enter a single miniature for the fantasy and 40k competition so will document my progress here.
I would love comments from you guys to help me improve and you never know, help me win an award! lol

First off, here is the picture of a Death Korps of Krieg figure that was completed for last years competition. I did not win but since then I havn\'t finished a proper model.
http://www.coolminiornot.com/221957
When the picture is accepted by the site I would appreciate some votes

Now back to this year, my High Elf entry WIP.

Apologies if the images are too large!
All comments are welcomed and sought especially about the shield.
What do you think to the freehand What can be done to improve it?

Thanks!

 

[Monkeysplitters]

So far he looks great, the nmm is extremely good. The only advice I could give would apply to the Death Korps mini, and that would be: push the highlights. But it looks like your doing that with your elf. Def add more shadows to the face (assume its finished). But other then that hes coming aong very nicely, good luck on the comp

 

[NGArtStudios]

I agree with what Monkeysplitters said. Brilliant job on the elf so far.

 

[freakinacage]

that elf should be pretty darn good when finished!

 

[Niall]

Thanks for the kind comments!
I agree the face does need more shadows and highlights, I shall rework that soon.
Here is a picture of the latest metallic work on the breastplate, what do you think?

I orginally tried the generic technique of slowly layering the brighter greys but I fluffed that up big time. So I got various consistencies of pure white with water (1:9, 1:6, 1:3 and pure skull white) and over about 50 layers I finally got that. I think this is my new favoured technique!

 

[cleen X]

The chestplate is soo nice! It looks great.. About the face, make him very pale and highlight his cheekbones very bright, gives him an elvish look with high cheekbones.. But you\'ve probably already thought of that

If you are planning on doing the haft of the weapon in wood might I suggest this article: http://www.coolminiornot.com/article/aid/487 On of the best ones I\'ve seen about painting woodgrain

It going to be a sweet mini once finished thats for sure!

 

[Niall]

oh thats a great article! Thanks for pointing me to it
I\'ll also give that face idea a try too.

 

[Monkeysplitters]

your nmm is great, the breastplate looks fantastic. It almost looks blueish grey, which is something ive tried to accomplish many times with nmm to no avail. So let me in on the secret cause it looks spot on.