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So, I need some help!!
I've started painting more often in the past couple of week (and started a blog on here, see the link in my sig ) and am currently on a Space Wolves Razorback.
I started highlighting it, without really know 'what' to do. Here is the result on one side (all i've done so far)



Now I know its way to thick in some areas, and the photo probably isn't the best quality either, but is any of it ok?
What is the best technique for highlighting? This is pretty much the first time i've tried it, so I wasn't expecting a wonderful end product, but rather than doing it over and over without any help, I thought i'd ask on here. Also, is the colour of the highlight ok? Or is it too white (its Skull white with a little Space Wolves Grey mixed in, but to be honest it just looks white, it probably was at least a 4:1 ratio of white to SW great)


Now brushed, I only have GW brushed, and I don't really like them. For a start, the fine detail brush isn't 'fine' enough for my liking, and overall I don't think they are very good. So what other ranges of brushes are any good? The only ones i've looked at are the army painter ones, would it be just as good to go into a shop like WHSmiths and look at their brush selection?
And should I get something other than water to clean the brushes? I still use my tank brush, but I probably shouldn't, I don't think i've ever cleaned it very well....

Thanks.

Oh also, while i'm at it, how can I get a cleaner paint job (without using a air brush, I have a GW one, but its not great), i watered down my SW Grey coat (the base coat, Astrnomican Grey, I didn't water down, and did two coats which is partly why it may look too thick) and applied it twice, but while its not terrible, its not great, is it a case of patience? Should I try and water down the paint some more?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh also, anyone have any tips on freehanding? I'm really worried about doing it, but need to do some (as I don't have any transfers). I think I need a smaller brush, not sure i trust the GW fine detail one.

Actually, how about someone just comes and paints it for me

Sorry but going to have to bump this back up, would really appreciate some advice on any of the millions of questions asked

Well, lets see....

So far, the tank looks quite ok, not a materpiece, but not lousy either.

What is the best technique for highlighting?

When I highlight I thin down the paint with the same amount of water. For highlighting tanks, you dont even need the detail brush. Use the medium one, and paint with the SIDE of the bristles, not the tip. You DONT hold the brush paralell to the edge you want to highlight. You can controll the thickness of the highlight very well that way!

Also, is the colour of the highlight ok? Or is it too white (its Skull white with a little Space Wolves Grey mixed in, but to be honest it just looks white, it probably was at least a 4:1 ratio of white to SW great)

it actually looks ok, but if you think its too light, use a color you like more. After all, you are painting it for yourself, not for others....so do what you like best!

And should I get something other than water to clean the brushes? I still use my tank brush, but I probably shouldn't, I don't think i've ever cleaned it very well....

Water should work fine. Maybe change it often to kepp it clean (you dont want it to turn into a wash.....

Oh also, while i'm at it, how can I get a cleaner paint job (without using a air brush, I have a GW one, but its not great), i watered down my SW Grey coat (the base coat, Astrnomican Grey, I didn't water down, and did two coats which is partly why it may look too thick) and applied it twice, but while its not terrible, its not great, is it a case of patience? Should I try and water down the paint some more?

yeah, sadly, if you want a clean paintjob without an airbrush, you'll need a billion coats of very thin paint....

Oh also, anyone have any tips on freehanding? I'm really worried about doing it, but need to do some (as I don't have any transfers). I think I need a smaller brush, not sure i trust the GW fine detail one.

Practice. Thats what you need to get good at freehanding. I'd imprve my brush controll with some very easy freehands, and the slowly move on.....

And be sure to check this thread:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/416755.page
Its the "P&M advice thread" I started. I asked the people on this board to share their most useful pieces of advice there, and it is quite big and VERY useful. You'll learn a lot there!

I hope this helps!

Merlin

Thank you very much for all of that, I glanced over the thread you linked before, i'll read it in more detail now.