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Hey guys. Here is my first ever model ive painted. Im pretty happy with how it turned out except for one thing. When should i apply the wash to bring out the line and detail? For this model i painted it up and then tried to wash it which left residue everywere and i had to go back and repaint certian parts. As ypu can see from the pictures the wash is pretty average in places. Also What us the best way to apply a wash? Do you paint down the lines individually or just paint the whole model?

Depends on what you're after. For a glaze you'll be painting the entire surface to tint it that colour. But, in general you'll be aiming for just the recesses with the wash.


Looks pretty decent for a first model as well.

Im Guessing a glaze will give the model a dirty and hardened look?

Somewhat, it can also be used to do stuff like making metallic blue from silver. Trick with it is to do it in thin layers instead of all at once so it doesn't pool in the wrong spots.

You could also try this. Before you paint the model apply a ver very thin color to suit what color you are using. Then wash it in badab black or whatever you want just as long as it is dark and start painting while leaving the wash in the details so it will stand out more and then you have a clean surface without any residue.

what are you using as a wash? Watered-down paint, or a GW wash?

It's possible you just needed to add more water to the wash to reduce the amount of paint left on the surface. I find it's more effective to use very thin washes (glazes) and do more than one.

I'll also paint into crevasses with a wash for more control if I want to keep the surface more clean.

I can't answer your wash question since I don't use them. I've tried them but never noticed any visible effect after they dry. That could just be the color scheme (green) I use, though, so take that for what its worth.

Your model looks great, though! Especially for a first attempt. This is light years beyond the first fig I ever did, so kudos to you! The only thing I noticed is that the white on the shoulder pad is a little too bright, and a little patchy. I wouldn't freak out though, since white is one of the three hardest colors to paint, at least in my opinion. (The other two are black and yellow.) For white you might try using some softer colors (Bleached Bone was a great color, although I'm not sure what they are calling it now...) any way you cut it, white is definitely a color you want to either 'build up' or 'tone down' in order to make it look good. (By build up I mean use many very thin layers to build a soft, uniform tone. By tone down I mean start like you got it and use softer, darker colors in thin layers to mute the brightness a little bit.)

Still, great model, and it's nice to see another Tau player!

HONAW wrote:You could also try this. Before you paint the model apply a ver very thin color to suit what color you are using. Then wash it in badab black or whatever you want just as long as it is dark and start painting while leaving the wash in the details so it will stand out more and then you have a clean surface without any residue.

Great minds must think alike. I did this too my second model and it turned out maybe slightly better. But it was better for the fact that i didnt have to re-paint after id already paint the model good, so i think ill be sticking to this method.


As for the white, its pretty bright, i was thinking of washing it with some sort of brown to kill the glare of it?

If it is a true wash like Devlan Mud was I wash the whole model generally and then highlight and/or drybrush to finish it off. If it is a more directed style wash like the new GW paint range has the directed wash into the recesses is the best way to go imo.

That's a great first model. As for technique, all ways are worth trying out as you'll get slightly different effects with each.

FWIW, the current GW 'system' is
base colour
wash
layer 1 (repaint over washed bits that you want to lighten)
layer 2(edge highlights)
drybrush

It's not a bad starting point, but experimentation is the key.

So ive been busy and got some more models painted. I changed the title to make abit more sense aswell.

Check these guys

Nice! Much cleaner than mine. I can never highlight the lenses on the Tau heads without getting it everywhere, I've got the shakes something rotten when it comes to doing that!

Excellent work brother.

When you finish your bases you won't believe the difference it will make to the overall look of your models and will tie them all in together.

Keep up the good work, you're well on your way!!

Excellant start your going places.

seems your on the right foot!
be sure to check a lot of articles about panting and painting tau specifically and watch youtube vids to see how other people paint them and what kind of techniques they use

These look good. I know people in the hobby for years that dont come close to you

Your models are coming out clean for a first go at Tau, nice work. Think about what basing color you want to use to make it complimentary. Most of the standard GW examples will work from the Tau Codex.

I really like the metallic parts on those stealth suits!

You're doing a nice job

They are great for first models, especially the stealth suits. Good job

Your doing brilliant for starting off and in reply to your origional post, you will benifit from watering down your wash on your painting tray and apply it to your detail, then taking your finger or a tissue, wipe the residue off, if you do it right it will leave the wash in the recess's and make the detail stand out even more, good luck!

Mr_hanky wrote:Hey guys. Here is my first ever model ive painted. Im pretty happy with how it turned out except for one thing. When should i apply the wash to bring out the line and detail? For this model i painted it up and then tried to wash it which left residue everywere and i had to go back and repaint certian parts. As ypu can see from the pictures the wash is pretty average in places. Also What us the best way to apply a wash? Do you paint down the lines individually or just paint the whole model?

For a basic rank and file guy I usually apply a basecoat, then the midtone, then a wash to the entire surface with that particular colour (in this case it would be that Ochre colour), reapply the midtone on the raised surfaces to tidy up and then highlights.

Damn good for first models!

Thats a great job a lot better than my first mini.

Every time someone timidly claims to be a first time painter they always seem to show you a surprisingly well done model.

CuddlySquig wrote:Every time someone timidly claims to be a first time painter they always seem to show you a surprisingly well done model.

In all honesty, it's not that hard to "Basic paint."

I wish my own tau looked like that! GJ man, keep it up!

Would love to see more!

Bit of a grave dig, but what the heck

Since my last models i have added another firewarrior team, hammerhead and a xv8 battlesuit team.

Only have pics if the suits, all weapons and hardpoints are magnatized.

Started work on a piranha. Tried a camo scheme which i want to be pretty eye catching to grab enemy players attention. Think this should do the trick. Will post more once it is completed.