Confrontation minis? Tips on shading?

[Indigo Veil]

As I might've mentioned before on this forum, I'm totally in love with Confrontation minis. I'm curious how many of you have attempted to paint the minis the way they're done in the catalog. Do you have any shading tips you can share? ^_^

Here's my first attempt at multi-color shading.

He's not finished, obviously...he's supposed to be holding a crossbow where that stump currently is, and since I don't get to paint too often, I decided to get a shot of it anyway, incomplete though it is. ^^;;

So...tips? Comments? ^_^

 

[dave_o]

So good.

I could give you some photography tips, though.

But Dave likes!

 

[Indigo Veil]

So good.

I could give you some photography tips, though.

But Dave likes!

<laughs> Thanks.

Photography tips work, too. I only semi-recently got a digital camera, but since I rarely use it, I don't really know how to get really sharp shots. I've noticed that my camera doesn't tend to like taking pics of minis. ;_;

 

[KnowTheToe]

From what I can cee it looks good. See if your digital cameral has a macro function for taking close-ups, aany models do. You will need to use a tripod or something else to hold your camera, otherwise the photo will be blurry (when using macro). Try using white paper as the background and ground. White reflects light the best. Once you get a feel for it, you can start to spice you backgrounds up.

 

[Indigo Veil]

Hmm. Okay. Thanks for the photo tips, KnowtheToe! ^_^

My camera -does- have a macro function, and that's what I was using, but I didn't think to use a tripod. ^,^;;

As for white paper...I've tried that, but I guess I have to reset my flash somehow, because every picture I took with white paper as a background made the colors on the figure look both faded and garish at the same time.

I really appreciate camera tips and tricks, but I'm still curious about other people's attempts at shading. Anyone have any shading stories or techniques to share? ^_^

thanks for all comments!

 

[KnowTheToe]

There are many ways to shade. I usually start with the darkest/deepes color and paint the entire skin/armor/cloak. I then choose/mix the color I want the color to be main visual color of the skin/armor... I mix a 50/50 of the darker color and lighter color and paint part of the surface (not the deepest recesses). I use small brush strkes starting close to the deepest recess and up toward the higher ridges.

I then repeat this using just the lighter color (not the mix) and paint a small section, again not covering all of the previous color. Finally I lighten the light color and hit just the highest ridges.

Certain colors such as red can require several more steps.

I hope this is what you were looking for.

 

[Indigo Veil]

Thanks for your responses, KnowTheToe! ^___^

The method you described is one I already use when painting bits that have raised or recessed surfaces...I guess I was more wanting to know how to achieve gradations of color and light on smooth surfaces (like flats of blades).

Like when you look at minis painted by professionals, they'll have a change in color, from a dark shade to a lighter shade, to a still lighter shade so that it looks almost airbrushed (that is, you see no brush strokes, or the edges are sufficiently fuzzy that it looks airbrushed). Does anyone know how to achieve that? ^_^

The blade here is an example. You can use the sculpted edges as a guideline for where to apply your "shine," but the entire face of the axe goes from a darker gray to a lighter gray, from top to bottom.

I've tried using the base shade, and then lightening the color and diluting it, and then applying it coat-by-painstakingly-slow-coat, but I can't achieve that same effect, now matter what I try, it seems.

Here's a similar thing, done with the horse's legs.

Anyone have any ideas? As always, thanks for all comments. ^_^

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Like when you look at minis painted by professionals, they'll have a change in color, from a dark shade to a lighter shade, to a still lighter shade so that it looks almost airbrushed (that is, you see no brush strokes, or the edges are sufficiently fuzzy that it looks airbrushed). Does anyone know how to achieve that?

That technique is know as "non metallic metal" (or NMM). Confrontation's painters are excellent examples of how it can look at its best. I don't even want to attempt it yet.

Here are a few links that give a little more info on the technique. I'm sure there are more, just do a google search and see what you get.

http://www.scrollmaster.net/tut_nmm.html
http://www.minitaly.com/paolo/guida_nmm1_e.htm
http://www.blackmoor.ca/articlesNMM.htm#Chrome%20NMM

 

[KnowTheToe]

For the NMM, I needed to have someone show me. I was lucky enough to find people who were good at it. I never understood how to apply it by reading.

For changing shades of paint on smooth cloth try taking your blending color and mixing it with two parts extender/water...your paint should be translucent, but the pigment should still be holding together. Paint this in the area you would like to highlight and with the translucence of the paint it should create a subtle blend.

I am currently trying this tech for painting a cloak. I painted the entire cloak a light blue and am painting a translucent layer of white, leting it dry and then doing it again, covering a little less of the cloak with each layer. I have done 3 layers so far and I really like the look. It is a nice natural blend.

 

[Indigo Veil]

Ahhh, that's what I was looking for. Thanks for the helpful links, Librarian, and thanks, KnowtheToe, for the specific methods.

For that "fuzzing the line boundaries so that you can't see brushstrokes" thing, has anyone attempted to use paint pens of various shades, and then brushing over it lightly with a smooth coat of the base color? What results have you met with? Which pens would you recommend?

As always, thanks for your help and comments!