My Recent Minis - input appreciated!

[benhamtroll]

I've been trying some new painting techniques with minis, so I figured I'd post a few of my attempts here and see what people think. Any feedback you can give me would be appreciated!

This one is my first attempt with some new techniques. I experimented with some washes, etc. The paint was a bit thick on the face, and some of the dry-brushing didn't turn out the way that I wanted, but hey . . .

Oh, and this is my first attempting at attaching an image. Let's hope it works.

 

[benhamtroll]

Hey! It worked!

This is the back of the same mini. Sorry that the resolution is not too high. I had to use a DV camera and make stills. That's what I get for being a videographer instead of a photographer . . .

 

[kengar]

It a little hard to see some of the details because of the resolution, but one thing I noticed is the metallics. You might try mixing your silver/chainmail with some dark grey for a slightly less "chromed" look. I do this, but YMMV.

Overall I think the piece looks pretty good!

 

[benhamtroll]

Gray/Black/Metallics

I did this on some of the later ones, with reasonable success. Part of the problem is that I use a high gloss finish to make them a little more durable during game play (these are all minis that will be used . . ) I've since read that doing a coat of gloss, and then a coat of matte will give them the flat look, but maintain the durability, but I've spent my painting allowance . . .

 

[kengar]

I use the layer of gloss then matte with decent success. The trick is to make sure the gloss is 100% dry first. Otherwise you end up with "Semi-Gloss"

Just save your pennies and when you get the matte spray, just go back over the minis you've done, if you like!

 

[benhamtroll]

Another Mini . . .

Here's the second mini I tried with my new techniques. I find monsters much easier to paint that humans, so I think this cutey pie came out better.

Now, I have ALL of my pics of minis archived on a web site, if it would be easier for people to take a look at them there . . .

 

[benhamtroll]

And back.

Here's his back.

 

[KnowTheToe]

Hey, nice figs.

Here is my input. The face of the top fig looks a lot like Micheal Jackson. Those dark lips and pale skin is a dead ringer. I suggest starting out with a medium or light flesh color and painting the face. Take the original color add a touch of brown and hit all of the low areas. Use many short brush strokes. If you try to use one long stroke to cover a detail, you will screw it up. Now take the original color and mix some white or off white paint. Paint the raised areas, cheeks, nose and lips. You may lighten one more time and do the lips.

Try adding another layer of highlights with your dry brushing. Start reading about blending let me know if you need links.

 

[benhamtroll]

Face

I've been looking at a couple of good sites, but if you have some others, I'd love to take a look at them.

I am not happy with his face at all. This is the fig for a vampire in my game, so the pale face fits, I think. The detail is completely blown out.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I forgot to tell you a good tech for eyes. I just leaned this one myself. Paint the entire eye socket brown, let it dry. Take white and paint a line across the brown, do not go all the way to the edges and then put in your pupil. This will give you a nice outline around your eye without trying to ink it. It is hard to describe methods without hands on face to face instruction.