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Good afternoon folks

This is my first High Elf model, a Sword Master of Hoeth.
I followed GirlPainting's tutorial although I'm not 100% satisfied with my results.
I'd appreciate some constructive criticism and a few pointers on where you think I need to improve.

I didn't have much success with transitioning the dark to light metals, and now that I see the photos my silver highglighting on the scales is sloppy!
Is the blue too dark for an Ulthuan colour scheme?

Thanks for any advice

P.S. I should point out that I tried one scheme, didn't like it and repainted this mini without stripping it! So that's why it looks a bit 'chunky' in places.
It won't win any prizes but in a block of ten I'm sure it will look OK!

Very nice! The gems in particular are well done. This guy will look great on the tabletop.

In my opinion the blue is fine, not too dark (Ultramarine at a guess?), and I'm sure the metal transitions will improve (these guys do have rather alot of space that show it up - sword, helm and shoulders) over the course of the rest of the unit.

looks very nice.

Mind telling us how you did the gems they look good. Can pass any tips onto my wife (she collects high elves)

Hi Thanks.
The gems (I use Vallejo paints):

Base Black
Layer 2:1 Scarlet Red & Black
Highlight 1: Scarlet Red & Bloody Red
Highlight 2: Bloody Red
Final Highlight: Hot Orange
Two dots Dead White to finish.


It doesn't actually come out all that well in the pic!

The blue highlight was Ultramarine then a final highlight of same with some white mixed through it.

My highlighting is a bit sloppy, will take more time

The paintjob is really good. All the highlighting looks great, the armour included, but especially the transition on the gold. All the flaws always stand out when you take pictures because it's about 10X bigger than the actual model! Like you and others have said, this will look really good in a unit on the tabletop.
If I could offer one bit of advice, I would say that there are a couple of bits where the paint goes over the lines- most noticably the gold headband at the top of the helmet, possibly the belt at the back and the gem on his thigh as well. Maybe a black wash around the edge of the gemstones would seperate them from the gold a little? Otherwise it's a solid mini and looks good!

Hi folks, thanks for the CC.
Small update which I think shows some progress!

From left to right,
3rd Attempt
1st Attempt
2nd Attempt
4th Attempt

I think I'm managing to keep the colours fairly uniform. And while not expertly done by any means, I'm getting there!
Enjoying the unit, looking forward to the finished unit.

They look great all together! How many in the unit?

Hi there 10 so far...just the unit from the IoB starter set. I figure if I get all them done I can look at getting the battalion box next

5 down, 5 to go. 4 of them are basecoated and washed which is a nice stage to skip over. batch painting seem to be the best way to go!
Leaving the champ till last so I can spend a bit more time on him.