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Hi all. I started painting my own Chaos army this week, and after trying out some techniques on a couple of practice models, I've just finished my first ever miniature! I've still got to complete the base as I've just done a rough snow cover for now, but I'm hoping I can get some input from people out there on what techniques I should focus on practising, or if there is any other specific advice which you can give me. The painting standard on this forum is...intimidating to say the least, so I'm hoping I can get some good feedback and ideas from you all! I've attached front and back shots of the model - this is my first post here so I hope I'm doing this right!

Thanks for your input!

That's impressive for a first paint job. Constructive criticisms: The cloak looks like the primer was very rough. That's usually caused by spraying too far away and the primer actually dries before it hits the model. You should be spraying from about 10"/25cm away from the model, and you want to spray across the model as opposed to on the model, if that makes sense. Also you're better off with multiple thin layers as opposed to a thick layer. Onto the paint job itself, the black armor looks a little flat, a highlight would go a long way to addressing that (although the flash might be hiding the highlight on the armor). A sepia wash over the entire model would really make it pop out and provide some nice quick shading. And don't let the quality of the paint jobs here scare you (not all of them are so amazing). All of us started off somewhere, and you can always improve as you go along.

Thanks - I did wonder about the primer, it seemed to spray on thick even though it was from a distance. I'm going to try and spray across as you said, that's a great idea.

I tried highlighting on another model, but I just don't have the brush skills yet - the lines were messy, and just made the whole thing look amateur. A sepia wash is really tempting - I'm wondering what difference it will make - might just have to go and do it right now!

Don't worry so much about highlights atm. Just take the sepia as recommended and run it into the crevices. It will make the armor panels pop, so it doesn't look so flat and plasticy. Washes are so easy and so look so good that it's like cheating.

This really is very good for someone starting out. You seem to have the hang of highlights/drybrushing and have made effort with the base. However you can do yourself a favour by using washes- combine these with the techniques you already have learnt for great results. Washes quickly add depth to a surface which you can then add highlights to, gaining even more contrast.

In particular, the cloak could really benefit from a wash since it appears very flat despite having plenty of potential for shading. You can layer the base colour on again after the wash as well, and then add highlights- this gives you dark/medium/light tones, centered on your base colour.

Because I don't like my own Highlighting of black either, I do this:

Basecoat Shadow grey or something in that area (down toCharadon granite but not darker), then lots of thin layers of black wash. If I feel the black wash is takeng too long to give me the desired result, I apply a layer or two of watered down black-this MUST be treated again with black wash, though, otherwise the watered down black paint shines even in the recesses and does not behave as shadow should.

Watering down black (or any other color) is very good for silky looking cloth. With caution it can be drybrushed with more watered down colors to provide highlight or washed in the recesses with black wash (or the appropriate wash color) to give a velvet effect.

Just started painting woc as well, i do like your color scheme. I find that washes such as nulin oil and agrax earthshade make all the difference.

Hers my first woc. Pretty much just put the base coat down then slathered on washes, they make a world of difference.

Hi mate your first model is looking great! try using colours that tie well togeather. I normally go for a high contrast, when painting models. For techniques I say brush control is prob the most important thing to learn first. I find its best to try and hold the brush in your hand were it feels comfortable and hold it loosely don't have a hardcore hand grip on it

Next start off painting very basic.

Prime
base colour
wash it
clean up "redoing the base colour leaving the wash in dark recesses"
then edge highlighting with a brighter colour.

It will come with experience never rush something, always take as much time as you need when starting off. Trying to develop control and concepts of how things work and all that is most important.

Have a look at my gallary in my sig I've only been doing this hobby for about 1 year.

I did do it when i was younger 11 - 14 but I never painted only came back to it im almost 20 now. started around 19.


send me a PM if this has helped you out I don't mind helping as I no how tuff it can be :3

Hey, thanks everyone, that's a lot of help!

I washed the cloak now, first with Earthshade, and then 2 coats of Crimson in the recesses. I also washed the armour with Sepia, and the Boots and gloves with Earthshade. I also tried to two-tone the horns, with an Earthshade wash at base, rising to Sepia at top. I've attached a couple of photos to show the difference - sorry about the poor camera quality, phone camera.

I'm now thinking of doing a full Chaos army in this colour scheme (I'm guessing it will have to be Khorne because of that). I've never gamed before - would this colour scheme be 'tabletop-worthy', so to speak?

Id be honoured to clash metal with you sir. Models are looking good sir especially for your first hand at it. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Looks good mate. for the skulls you might wanna re highlight with rakarth flesh or something like that if you wanna of course. This colour scheme is for Undivided :3 if you wanted khorne red armour is the typical colour but your stuff call it or do what ever you plea with it good sir looking great non the less.

I'd say it looks great. It does have a rather khornish look to it, but whatever you said it was would be what it was. Highlights can be tricky sometimes, and you would be doing right by your heroes to give them the extra attention, but consider the time it will take to paint like 100 guys to such a high standard. If you have that time more power to you, if not then don't sweat it. Keep researching techniques for painting, everybody will tell you a different way of doing everything. Pick the one that you can pull off best, and perhaps practice some you're not sure you can duplicate.

Painson wrote:
I'd say it looks great. It does have a rather khornish look to it, but whatever you said it was would be what it was. Highlights can be tricky sometimes, and you would be doing right by your heroes to give them the extra attention, but consider the time it will take to paint like 100 guys to such a high standard. If you have that time more power to you, if not then don't sweat it. Keep researching techniques for painting, everybody will tell you a different way of doing everything. Pick the one that you can pull off best, and perhaps practice some you're not sure you can duplicate.

you can think of it like that, of course. But you can also think of the hundreds of dollars you are spending on these models and the fact its a Hobby
Take your time, pations is key here. Just my 00.02C

Hurm, I didn't mean to say I don't, but it does have to be taken into consideration by each individual.

Thanks to everyone who replied - the advice is really helping!

I've been at work all week, so have only just managed to finish my second ever miniature. I tried out a number of different techniques this time (poorly, but hey, I tried!), and I attempted a slightly more complex miniature. I'd appreciate any further feedback you can offer! I don't know how the pros manage it - the brush control and understanding of paint mixing is just way beyond me at the moment.

Oops, here's the images!