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Fantastic stuff in here!

I'm hoping my own long layoff from painting will yield similar results!

So, I know it is going back a ways, but can you tell me how you painted the Shadowseer in this stage:



It looks like just the solution I'm after for painting up black armor without having it look too flat, boring and dull...

Thanks!

Thank you : )

I *think* what I did was:
Codex Grey base (I'm not a huge fan of the Foundations - too thick), thinned down a little so it goes on nice and even. Then a couple of washes of Badab Black to get the shadows, letting each wash dry first - I've noticed that the washes dry a lot darker than when they go on.
Then a Codex + black mix (1:1 I think), thinned down a fair amount, and then slowly build up the highlights - because the paint is so thin, it's like doing a series of glazes and you build up the tone slowly. (I use a small brush and go *really* slowly so I can see the paint drying because it's thin)
Keep adding a bit of Codex to the mix to get the next tone up until you're at pure Codex, and then start adding Fortress to further highlight.

What I'd reccommend: the paint can't be too thin - that way you don't get sudden transitions. That's pretty much my technique for everything I paint - I don't do much drybrushing these days at all. Not the fastest technique in the world, but it works : )

I found black/dark grey really hard to do as it was hard to see the change in the colours because it was so dark - which is why I basecoat in white, so I can see what I'm doing!

Hope that makes sense and helps : )

Quick question for you, finnan, as I didn't see a mention of it while I was reading the thread - why are you basing your Wood Elves on round bases rather than square ones?

I just prefer the round bases, the square ones seem a bit too harsh... does that make sense? lol
(I'm not a gamer, so it doesn't make much difference. I don't know that it'd matter if I was a gamer...)

That's cool, finnan - if you were planning to use 'em in a game, it might cause an issue, but if they're just for display then that's fine.

Hmm - Wardancers as Exodite Harlequins.....

sweeeet. dong eldar me self, and i like your work.

I've always thought there was a fairly obvious link between Wardancers and Harlequins... I think the 'dancers just have the edge on the cool factor though ; )

Really nice stuff here mate, excellent job! A nice start after 17+ years

Love 'em. That Shadowseer is a gorgeous model.

finnan wrote:Thank you : )

I *think* what I did was:
Codex Grey base (I'm not a huge fan of the Foundations - too thick), thinned down a little so it goes on nice and even. Then a couple of washes of Badab Black to get the shadows, letting each wash dry first - I've noticed that the washes dry a lot darker than when they go on.
Then a Codex + black mix (1:1 I think), thinned down a fair amount, and then slowly build up the highlights - because the paint is so thin, it's like doing a series of glazes and you build up the tone slowly. (I use a small brush and go *really* slowly so I can see the paint drying because it's thin)
Keep adding a bit of Codex to the mix to get the next tone up until you're at pure Codex, and then start adding Fortress to further highlight.

What I'd reccommend: the paint can't be too thin - that way you don't get sudden transitions. That's pretty much my technique for everything I paint - I don't do much drybrushing these days at all. Not the fastest technique in the world, but it works : )

I found black/dark grey really hard to do as it was hard to see the change in the colours because it was so dark - which is why I basecoat in white, so I can see what I'm doing!

Hope that makes sense and helps : )

Thank you! That does help quite a bit!

Much appreciated!

I'm going to give it a whirl on my Raven Guard force, we'll see what happens...

I can tell that the painting on the shadowseer is very sophisticated, and I think the technique for the black is spot-on. However, despite it likely being just the effect you were going for, the fact that large parts of the shadowseer are black really makes the model look unfinished.

If you want to keep the dark palette, maybe you could incorporate some dark grey, or purple checks into the model?

I would give some diamonds a go - if I felt able to do them! lol
I'm not steady enough to get them even enough that I'd be happy with them at the moment, but maybe once I've practiced some more!

it's been a slow week - I seem to be in hibernation-mode and sleeping an insane amount, so little progress, but here's what I've done on Lynx Guy (have to think of a better name than that). Photos doing something a bit funny, he's not as dark as he appars in the last two shots.
More work to be done on the spots and the face, then onto the robe.

Wow you have done that model justice. Looks ace.

Wow, the hide and facial markings are really well applied.

It's nice to see your organic fantasy paintjobs alongside the colder 40K schemes in one thread. Gives a great perspective. Thanks for sharing!

Great stuff, I love your wood elves and you've really captured the character of the shadowseer. This is a blog I'll be coming back to...

Wow that is a cool model I will admit. Great work still so hopefully you will keep it up

thank you all for such positive comments, they're very much appreciated. Glad you like what I'm doing - more to come : )

That lynx warrior is awesome.....I really like the patterning

Its LYNXIE BOY!
Really good keep it up.

lol
I'm not sure Lynxie Boy is manly or hard-core enough for this dude! Come on, he's definitely Thundercat material ; )

Lionel - convert him a sword of omen and you're my new hero. Miss those cartoons. Love your work. Anyone able to speak to how similar/different eldar and wood elves play in their respective games? I started with eldar in 40k cause I loved the models so much, then now that I'm being pulled into fantasy finally I have always liked the wood elf models for many of the same reasons. My only thing is I think I would like an army that doesn't feel too much like the fantasy version of my eldar.

I'm liking Lion-El! I'll have to keep my eyes open for a decent sword...
I'm slightly ashamed to say that I've never actually gamed (in my head I keep saying that once I actually have a sizable army [of anything] I'll give it a go), but they do seem fairly similar - both fast, lightly armoured (why bother with armour if you don't intend on being hit?), and rely on specialists. I think the Wood Elves have a slightly different feel to them though... more direct perhaps, and willing to take risks.
Of course, I could be talking out of my bottom there...

Great job on the Eldar!!!!

Hopefully once i start with a normal income and not a uni one i plan to start an eldar army myself.

Something i picked up along your thread, the fleshtones.
I dark flesh first, then dwarf flesh and then elf flesh.
something ive picked up on that seems to make the face (in particular) is go for a 1/3 white to 2/3 elf flesh mix and highlight the utmost extremes such as the bridge of the nose, the upper area of cheeks, and the extremes of fingers.

ive only started applying this to my high elf recently after getting a tip from my local GW and ive found this to be exactly what i wanted to give it a bit more detail.

I shall have it a go Scaraman. I guess it's all a matter of judging when you've finished and when to add another layer (plus the fear that if you carry on, you'll cock up something you're happy with!).
Painting and modelling is DEFINITELY an easier addiction... er, I mean 'hobby' to manage when you have a disposable income and don't have to make that tough student decision of whether to eat or have fun lol


Automatically Appended Next Post:
can I be any more incoherant?
second try: I shall have to give it a go Sacarman

note to self:
proofread posts
learn to type


Automatically Appended Next Post:
arrgh!

third try: I shall have to give it a go Scaraman

note to self:
proofread posts
learn to type
follow own advice

Scherdy wrote:Lionel - convert him a sword of omen and you're my new hero. Miss those cartoons. Love your work. Anyone able to speak to how similar/different eldar and wood elves play in their respective games? I started with eldar in 40k cause I loved the models so much, then now that I'm being pulled into fantasy finally I have always liked the wood elf models for many of the same reasons. My only thing is I think I would like an army that doesn't feel too much like the fantasy version of my eldar.

The closest 40k army that plays like wood elves are tau, but that is by a bit of a stretch.

I'm kinda tempted with the Tau army, but I dunno... there's something about their designs that I really like, but I can't help thinking that they could be a little less squared off and more... beautiful. But that's the designer in me speaking!

That's because they theme for Tau draws heavily off Anime and Magna.

I can see that I guess... I just wouldn't say no to a few more fins, or elegance... I'd like to see the Tau version of the Bubblegum Crisis suits ; )

... so, Lynx Guy finished - it was a bit of a slog there for a little while, and while I don't think I've done my best, I'm fairly satisfied with how he's turned out.