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Hello all. This is my first post on this forum as I just recently became interested in the Warhammer RPG and miniatures. I wanted to share my first painted figure for some feedback to see if I am close. I decided to start with an elite as they have bigger paint surfaces and a little more room for error. I followed the Dark Angels paint pattern in an older codex and I'm waiting on texture paints for the base. I have plans to do an entire Dark Angels army and would love any pointers on what to do better. I read through some of the forums post and saw that there are some very talented individuals here, I also liked that everyone posting appears to be very helpful and polite. Hope to have some more pictures soon and look forward to your replies, hope I get a few.

Hi! First off, that's really solid for a first miniature. Mine didn't look half as good as that.

My only real criticisms are that the edge highlights are a touch thick and there's a splash of shade on the powerfist.

But that looks great!

For a first shot, it's pretty amazing. You've got the basics down well. Like above, the edge highlights are a bit thick and a tad bright. Also, I would try and accentuate the shadows a bit more. What I mean is that the shadows don't look obvious enough, and while there is shadow there, I feel you may have taken a little too much away, specifically around the face and torso.

Lovely model, keep it up, and be sure to thin your paints!

Thank you for the pointers, I definitely see exactly what you are saying on my edge highlights and I agree on the face also. So watering down the paint should help with this? I believe I need some work with my brush stroke in general. Thank you Warboss and anyname I will work on those lines and shadows.

Watering down paint is just a generally a good rule of thumb, as it stops any flakes or lumps appearing on the mini, it doesn't dry on the brush as fast, and gives you enough time to wipe off a bit of paint which you might have mucked up easily as well. Couldn't say enough good stuff about it.

To thin your paints just put a bit of the colour onto a palette, and dab the tip of your brush in the water, then mix it in with the paint. The key is to not make it too thin (watery), but just the right amount. Usually one dab in the water is enough.

You don't need to water down shades though, unless you want the shade to be very discreet. Shades let you control how much shade is there anyway, so thinning the shade is not necessary.

 WarbossDakka wrote:
Watering down paint is just a generally a good rule of thumb, as it stops any flakes or lumps appearing on the mini, it doesn't dry on the brush as fast, and gives you enough time to wipe off a bit of paint which you might have mucked up easily as well. Couldn't say enough good stuff about it.

To thin your paints just put a bit of the colour onto a palette, and dab the tip of your brush in the water, then mix it in with the paint. The key is to not make it too thin (watery), but just the right amount. Usually one dab in the water is enough.

You don't need to water down shades though, unless you want the shade to be very discreet. Shades let you control how much shade is there anyway, so thinning the shade is not necessary.

I will start working from a palette now, I was painting from the pot and dipping the brush in water as I went along. Do you recommend a flat or round brush for the edge highlights? I have a multitude of brushes and can't seem to find one I am comfortable with on the edges. I am really excited about this as a hobby and can't wait to paint some more. Good things Warboss! Appreciate it!

I was up in arms over my latest mini and trying to figure out how to do edge highlighting when I just fell back on to an old standby:

Paint it to the best you can, then fix it later.

My first pass on my highlights were thick in places, messy, and otherwise garbage. But I found it easier to do what I can, then come back with the main color and just tidy it up.

My advice to beginner painters about edge lighting is that if you can paint the edge with the SIDE of the brush, not the tip, that's where you edge highlight. Basically you're holding the brush at a 90 degree angle to the line you're painting, and dragging the brush across the raised corner. Using thin paints and very little paint on the brush will get you that thin, clean line you want.

This is all very helpful advice, I knew I came to the right place. I am going to use that brush technique John, thank you for the help. Asmodai, I agree when all else fails try to clean it up best you can where mistakes may have been made. Do you recommend a particular primer? I am currently using Tamiya Hobby Primer which appears to go on smooth and not gunk up the details. Thank you again everyone. I am starting a space marine today, maybe post a pic or two when done. Still don't have my textures for the base, I feel like a certain color of green about that, WAAAGH!