Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

She's not perfect, but I think I've reached the limit of my ability. Critiques / comments welcome

First off, those wings are beautiful. The gradation of colors is really eye catching. The armor also looks really well-done though I can't see all the detail in this particular photo. Her face may need more attention. Faces are difficult - but that's always where the eye is drawn. All in all, stunning.

I'm so bad at faces, lol. I'm always afraid to try to get better because then I ruin the rest of the model with a terrible face!

Dry brush the face with a tiny brush. Takes forever to build up the colrs on a face though. Just take so e meh models and practice I say. Took me 2 years before I got brave enough to learn highlights lol.

Yes sir, I can appreciate that. My faces need improvement, too. Still, everything else on your model is AWESOME. At your level of skill it may be time to up your game. Whether you try that on St. Celestine or some grunt instead first I think is up to you. But don't be afraid to shoot for the best!

EDIT: plus the face you did is not bad - just could be better is all.

Well I'm building an entire sisters army, so plenty of faces to practice on Thanks guys!

It is very striking. I think it will look great on the board, and be very dramatic (as it should be!).

If you really think that you are at your limits on the painting, I would cheat and use a very dilute "Flesh wash" (whatever color you have) on the face and hands, to give her a bit more definition there, and warm up her skin tones. I would also try a Sepia wash (again, whatever yellow wash incarnation you have) on the feathers, to reduce the 'chalkiness' of the highlights and give some more definition to the individual feathers.

Nothing to be ashamed of about 'reaching your limits". Different people have different skills, and also, different levels of tolerance for finicky detail work (and different amounts of time to put into the hobby). While 'magic washes' and the like are definitely shortcuts, some people want to spend a huge amount of time on a model, and others don't want to. This model looks good, and it's a very effective centerpiece model, with a creative color scheme. Nice job!

The wings are great, gives her a pheonix quality which suits celestine really well.

As for the face, you really want to give her a little bit more deph if only to have her closed eyes come out a tad more. A very light, controlled wash around her eyes will add some shadows and depth.

Im not sure about the inside of her waist cloth being the same color as her armor. It feels like too much metallic and takes away from the armor. I would go for a non metallic gold if you like the look. It would mute that area a bit and make her legs stand out more.

Tip for you with faces! I learnt on Ork heads cos they are big and have lots of area and good lines they are perfect to learn on before going to smaller faces like your sisters, plus pale skin orks look funny

Love the wings! As a blood angels player I am jealous!!

Really amazing paint job! What wings did you use though?

Those are the wings from the Reaper "Deva" miniature:

http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/03114:%20Deva,%20Angel/sku-down/03114