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Hi there all.

I am a beginner to intermediate painter, i have been painting 40K for a bit but have never had anything worth showing off and always struggled. Now i really want to improve my skills so that I can actually be proud of my models. For a change of scenery I am now trying some of the new batman models. I am starting with Killer Croc.



The parts I have had the most trouble with have been the scales on the belly and the scales on the back. For the belly, i wanted to get that bright colour and tried to start by dry brushing Ceremite white and then washing with gryphone Sepeia for that colour but it was very grainy and looked bad. I then tried a very thin layer of ceremite white (not dry brushed) and then Ushabati bone followed by an agrax earthshade wash, but it still wasn't quite working.





For the back (you can see a trace of the green from the front as to what the back looks like) i tried two techniques on both sides (I knew by that stage i need to put him in some paint stripper being a metal model to start over so i was experimenting) and tried a layer of Caliban Green on the right and drybrushed some on the left to see what looks better and both still wen't quite getting there. So that is why I am posting here.



Please advise on how to make the belly look more like the picture at the top and how to work with scales and stuff for the back.

I think your colours are ok, you just need to start with the green on the torso too, then work it up, because i think your problem is theres a stark contrast between the green arms and the light body.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
I think your colours are ok, you just need to start with the green on the torso too, then work it up, because i think your problem is theres a stark contrast between the green arms and the light body.

Ah right. As far as techniques go. Would you suggest just drybrushing layers over the belly? like black undercoat, then layers of dry brushing? (white then bleached bone or whatever) then Sepia wash? Thanks for the reply

for the belly scales I really wouldn't go the drybrush route at all. It leaves too rough and grainy a texture. I google imaged some pics of real croc skin - belly and the harder back. The belly skin is actually quite silky and smooth texture and colour wise. I'd said multiple thin layers would be the way I'd go it. Basecoat the belly with your midtone colour, say usabti. Wash it with some thinned agrax into the reccesses and maybe a little thinned reikland. Then really thin layers (not quite a glaze, but close enough) building up to your highlights. I genrerally avoid white if I can and use pallid wych as a white sub. It's a little less stark and more natural when mixed into other colours. Finish off with a few warm nutty glazes (crikey - sounds like I'm cooking now o.O ) to bring it all together. Hope that helps and good luck

I think you really want to try wet blending to get that effect.

I think part of the problem you're having is your primer. If you look closely, your primer has a gritty, grainy texture to it on the face and chest of your model. With that underneath, it's going to be impossible to get the smooth look you're striving for.

 shamikebab wrote:
I think you really want to try wet blending to get that effect.

That being the effect for the belly? or for the back and scales?

I think part of the problem you're having is your primer. If you look closely, your primer has a gritty, grainy texture to it on the face and chest of your model. With that underneath, it's going to be impossible to get the smooth look you're striving for.

Ah okay. So do you suggest a different primer or not using one? I was always told to use a primer but i have read some threads that say for some models they didn't use a primer and just used a base layer instead.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone. Really helping and appreciate it!

The only models I'm aware of that primer is a bad idea, are reapers "Bones" line.

You should primer, but I would suggest two things.

1, probably go with grey instead of black. Black is going to turn all your other layers into chromatic greys until you've built up alot.

2. Improve your primer. It could be the brand, or your technique, or both that are causing the grainy effect. Make sure you are spraying in an open area, when there is low moisture in the air. Make sure you are keeping the model the recommended distance from the can as you spray. Star the spray off the model, sweep across the model, then repeat as needed. Lastly, make sure the model is free of dirt and debris before you spray, and that you are not spraying in a windy environment, or in a location where the air movement from the rattle can is possibly going to cause dust to stir up that could stick to the model.

emmagine wrote:
The only models I'm aware of that primer is a bad idea, are reapers "Bones" line.

You should primer, but I would suggest two things.

1, probably go with grey instead of black. Black is going to turn all your other layers into chromatic greys until you've built up alot.

2. Improve your primer. It could be the brand, or your technique, or both that are causing the grainy effect. Make sure you are spraying in an open area, when there is low moisture in the air. Make sure you are keeping the model the recommended distance from the can as you spray. Star the spray off the model, sweep across the model, then repeat as needed. Lastly, make sure the model is free of dirt and debris before you spray, and that you are not spraying in a windy environment, or in a location where the air movement from the rattle can is possibly going to cause dust to stir up that could stick to the model.

Ah okay, I think for memory it was pretty windy when i used the primer (no where to do it safely inside where I live) so that's probably a big contributor. Thanks man

Also it appears you are using a gloss primer. NEVER prime with gloss for minis. Matte or Flat are what you are looking for.