I think they look pretty good. I especially like the flames on the torch. It's been my experience with painting that I am much more critical of my work than anyone I play with. This comes, in part I think, from looking so closely at the mini while working on it that I sometimes forget it is meant to be viewed more like at arm's length (siting on a table). The flaws that I itch to fix are invisible to almost anyone else, especially the non-painters in my group (aka all of them ).
You might try putting a layer or two of matte varnish on your minis to cut the shine (though that may just be the flash). It lets the detail show through more. I usually put a layer of gloss for protection, then a layer of matte after the gloss dries.
Eventually, I will post some digipix of my minis. I call my figures "working" minis. They are painted to be used, not displayed, so I'm often embarassed comparing them to "competition" level paint jobs.
I think they look pretty good. I especially like the flames on the torch. It's been my experience with painting that I am much more critical of my work than anyone I play with. This comes, in part I think, from looking so closely at the mini while working on it that I sometimes forget it is meant to be viewed more like at arm's length (siting on a table). The flaws that I itch to fix are invisible to almost anyone else, especially the non-painters in my group (aka all of them ).
You might try putting a layer or two of matte varnish on your minis to cut the shine (though that may just be the flash). It lets the detail show through more. I usually put a layer of gloss for protection, then a layer of matter after the gloss dries.
Eventually, I will post some digipix of my minis. I call my figures "working" minis. They are painted to be used, not displayed, so I'm often embarassed comparing them to "competition" level paint jobs.
Thanks for the kind words kengar. I did shudder a bit when I looked through the blow-up photos after posting the link and saw eg the gold paint of the wizard Xyzzy's's buttons that had run when the varnish was sprayed on, or the hints of trouser-folds on the torchbearer's bare knees (never noticed that before, honest!). The flaws in the rogue & viking minis' painting don't bother me, they were done many many years ago, but the others are recent. You're right of course that they're 'working' minis, they get handled every week, and what matters is how they look 3' away, not in Xtreme close-up. If you look at Jamz's wiki it's got many great battle-scenes where the minis are viewed at an appropriate distance.
I'm afraid I have a terrible weakness for the gloss varnish - I can't help it, I like it!
The torch did turn out well, agreed - more by luck than judgement. A yellow undercoat, followed by a red wash that sunk into the crevices, gave a very nice 'flame' effect.
).
