D.Smiths Vignette/Mini Diorama thingies

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**D.Smith**

I RETURN!!!

After another long spell of lurking the forums and not doing much with my many ongoing projects, I'll show you what I have been up to, and hopefully provide you with lots of piccy updates

I also have a new camera (the pics below are not with it mind you... "batteries not included" is a phrase that curses me) updates will actually be good quality pictures after this post!!!

Im working on my assault marine/hormagaunt (which i started in my old thread) and this project->

C&C welcome

Dan

Automatically Appended Next Post:
In terms of colour scheme, this is my inspiration -
http://www.coolminiornot.com/156016?browseid=7342752

I know i wont be able to get as good a result, but its going to be a similar pallete

**D.Smith**

Still need to paint up the shruband add some algae stains on the rock but the base is done other than that.
just started to paint in the base colours on the mini

Still getting used to this damn camera....

**Farty Wiffmas**

Nice painting! The rock is very well painted, is it dry brushed or blended?

**Vitruvian XVII**

Beautiful as always d smith, base looks superb.

Dont forget to put a link in your old thread so people know where to come for updates.

Hows the Phantom coming along?

**D.Smith**

@ Wiffmas

Thanks

Both, it was blended to give the colour variations then very lightly drybrushed to give a more natural look.

@Vitruvian

Will do, the Phantom hasnt been touched in a while as I wanted to make sure i developed blending a bit more to give the Phantom justice.

**Vitruvian XVII**

Ah i see.

You know the best way of blending? Buy an airbrush...

**Cake Farts**

Wonderful painting.

Are you using the Macro setting on a digital? I was talking to the web guy from GW at Gamesday. He recommends that you just use the regular setting on the camera and zoom in. On the macro setting the camera tries to focus on one spot in the shot and it causes the blurry effect.

**D.Smith**

Vitruvian XVII wrote:Ah i see.

You know the best way of blending? Buy an airbrush...

I have done..... the problem is getting some practice

And ive been playing around with camera settings quite a bit, i'll get there eventually

**D.Smith**

Not quite as good as id like it to be but this is my best shot at the moment.

**Swordwind**

Nice to see you back mate. Glad to see that you haven't lost your touch at bringing FW models to their great potential.

**Vitruvian XVII**

It looks good mate, and while i love the crystal blade it does seem a bit chalky atm? Not sure why.

**D.Smith**

Thats why im not too happy with it, ive been trying to figure out what im doing wrong :(

I'll get it right eventually

**sluggaslugga**

You have really gotten better at painting terrain.
The rest looks fantastic aswell

**M0rdain**

Wowzers

that rock looks real.

**warhound123**

How did you make the little bush on the base>? Brass etch I am guessing, but this is normally flat- did you make an armature?

Amazing work... though I find it interesting you start painting the blade first and not the face/ helmet for example...?

cheers
W

**D.Smith**

Thanks for the feedback guys

The bush is made from the whole left side of the brass etch in this link, cut in half, then the "stem" was glued together. Its time consuming bending each little bit, but i think its worth it for the finish it gives.

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/etched-brass-fine-leaves-and-ferns-3723.html

To be honest painting the blade was just a random decision, felt like trying to paint the crystal effectively. tonight im painting the bush (dont snigger

) and the opposite side of the blade.

Then on with the armour i think

**warhound123**

Ooooh .... time consuming;-p...great effect though!

Good luck tonight!

cheers
W

**D.Smith**

Finished the base now, pictures dont quite bring out the colour as it is IRL but the weekend looms, so i'll actually be at home while there is daylight

Opposite side of the blade finished too

much happier with this side, and i dont know what i did differently... maybe im just going mad

**Tortured-Robot**

Awesome, love the base - thanks for sharing how you made the bush.